The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-14

at times, YET VlSlCorS mere regard
it as a very fine athletic field. Re-
Gently Eddie" Splan of South
Norwalk was in town. He is super
intendent of the municipal power
plant in that town. For years he
has been active supporter of high
school athletics, and was the main
cog in the organization which did
so much for the South Norwalk
High schol. Guess, it was he, who
brought like" Kern as coach to
South Norwalk High. At any rate,
he and ED" Harris, manager of
the Conn. Light g. Power Co.,
were here visiting Tom Flanagan,
who travels all around the state
for the utility.
Before attending the boxing
bouts Tom and his guests looked
over the stadium. Eddie" raved
about the set-up. The field itself
more than caught his eye, but the
dressing rooms and the equipment
also brought forth all kinds Of
favorable comment. This is really
wonderful" he said. "Gosh, wish
we had had one like it in South
NOrwalk." Mr.. Harris was equally
impressed. Saw them both later
talking with "Bill Verriker, the
chairman of the local police
board. Mr.. Splan holds the same
position in his town. Both COM
missiOners, of course, are red hot
democrats. Asked Mr.. Splan
about his close friend, Paul Con-
merry. Paul was a little peeved aft
er the state convention. Don't
worry about him replied Mr..
Splan, che is one hundred per
cent Democrat year in and year
out. Were going to be celebrat-
ing ON the night of November S,
not only because of the re-elec-
ton of President Roosevelt, but
also because Bob" Hurley will be
the next governor" Eddie" SpIan
is surely charming fellow. And
as for ed" Harris, it is a pleasure
to meet him.
The Wolcott fair! 1t continues
to draw big crowd, but the fair
is much different than it was
thirty years ago. Time has
changed that as it has all of the
New England fairs. None of the
city "slickerS" now hold forth at
the Wolcott event-And if they do
attend, they are right on their
dignity. The last big day for the
city folks (who were sometimes
referred to as rowdies) was many
years back. Professor Corbin was
the main attraction. Attorney
Fred Bauby had the concession.
Mr.. COrbin was a big, good
natured cOlOred fellow. For years
he had been famous for his glass
eating dexterity and allowing
stones to be broken on his chest.
But on this day, he had become
an African doGger. And he was not
lodging nickel rockets. He was
lodging eggs. Three shots for a
nickel. Fred had many dozens of
real ripe henfruit on the counter.
The professor" got a great kick
ducking them. The 0dOr Of the de-
cayed eggs. was not nearly as
tough as rockets bounding off
ones Uranium. As the afternoon
wore on, some Of the j0kesters got
restless. They bought some Of the
eggs, but they did not use them
right away.
They slipped upon the hill some
distance away. First an occasional
egg would come down from the
hill into the crowd. 1t was not
long before they were arriving in
punches. Fred and his assistants
tried to stop the onslaught. He
knew that if it continued, his bus
mess would be ruined. But before
he rounded up the conStables, the
damage had been done. So many
of his customers had been struck
by the eggs, they were afraid to
stand around in the vicinity of
the professor. The egg throwing
started many fights, and the fair
people were much incensed. The
next year there were plenty Of
police at the fair, and from that
time law and order have pre-
vailed. That was the windup for
the city hoodlums.
Paid recent visit TO the Great
harrington fair. That has chang
ed much. The townsfolk will tell
you that u Is NOT one-thlrd the
fair, 1t was years age. Horse rae
Ing In now the principal atlrac-
ti0n. Not the tr0tteFs, but the
running na@s with the jockeys.
Most Of the "thoFoughbreds" are
I'm claiming races, which 80 for
tive or three hundred dollars. But
the promoters expect 10 build 40
the fair 30 the races will be on for
two weeks instead Of six days, the
time allotted last month. The
meet could be made mueh more
attractive, u the management
would endeaveF 10 make II @ Iits
iie more convenient fer the eslss
lemssn 10 make q bel. II Il almost
impossible 10 make = bet.
OF course there ID no tote"
board. The prices are placed on
4 blackboard, There IA the opens
liis price, then the second line,
the Third line esid the fourth,
Everybody waits until she Third 81
fourth liiie Il 40 and then what
4 scramble foF IRE windows. You
80 and come from The windows
lie same way What q egliAh AZ
ief \ cenN,e 1l fAfe&, you're ca
aataiea eFea n feu hegs ~