The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-01
BY THE OUT-EASTER

Memories of The Old Abrigador came back to us the other day when we read of the death of William Laff1n of upper Bald win street, now known as Wash ington Hill. But in the old days this and all parts of Baldwin St to a point known as Simonsviue was commonly referred to as The Abrigador. It was the late. Rev. James J. Curtin of St. Francis Xavier church who gave the name Washington Hill to that portion of the district which included all parts of the parish.
 Billy Laffin was born on the Hill, they said. His place of employ ment for years, 50 years or so, was the old plant of the Steele and Johnson Mfg. Co. on lower South Main street. He worked there in and around the "dip" room up to the time the organ ization closed its doors and went out of business. Faithful and steady in all of his undertakings, his employers thought "the world of him." And why shouldn't they? Just like the average of old time workers, he gave everything in him to the welfare and advance ment of the corporation that em- ployed him.
 Volunteer.
 But we think of him more in his capacity as a volunteer fireman, attached to the old and reliable Rose Hills, whose quarters were in the still standing building, just a few doors south of Martin street. The company was estab- lished in 1881 at time when A. w. Goldsmith was the chief of the department. The company was organized in 1881, and its first foreman was the late Owen Thompson, one of the best known men on the Hill. Dennis Phelan was his first assistant, Mike Kel- ley, the barber, his second as- sistant. Thomas Moore was the secretary, and James Coughlan the treasurer. Let's give the names of some of the men who comprised the outfit, such as William P. Carroll, John Casey, William Ca- sey, John Collins, William H. De- laney, Thomas J. Fay, James Healey, John Hill, Mike Hurley, Ed Kelley, William J. Longworth,
 whose livery business near River street was patronized by all of the residents, and Henry McEvoy, Matt McInnerney, John McGinn, John H. Shaw, Joseph Strahan, Garrett Sullivan, John c. Thomp- son and Patrick Thompson. These men were the charter members of the organization, including Mr.. Laffin
 "Old Rose Hill will prove its efficiency" said Chief Goldsmith, after a little practice, as the membership comprised of young, and able-bodied young men,"
 Fast Hydrant Men.
 And Old Rose Hill didn't dis appoint it's chief. Not a fire on the Hill ever got away from the husky Irish lads delegated to pull the two-wheeled jumper to the fires up Baldwin street way. You may talk about the fast hydrant firemen of the present day. but really there were few who could ever make faster hydrant connec- tions than Billy Laff1n. He was young then, and chased as some what of a sprinter, like the late Charley Lee, a member of later years. My. but how this pair could gallop to a fire. leading the others on the line with them.
 And the annual "soirees" of the company. A "soiree" is de- scribed as a meeting of a body at which tea and other refreshments are served. It was mostly "other refreshments" when the Rose Hills got together. The custom was to hold the event in the old fire house. The Jumper was talk en outside for the night; the par Tor" upstairs was the reception room. There 1t was that each fireman with his wife or sweet- heart would officially greet the commanding foreman of the com. pany. And what Q night it was for the Old Hill. Music and danc. ing, until supper was served; no make believe caterer for such oc- caslons. The best in town was aaad (Nv eRA HAaM TYiila and also for the other volunteer com. panies who held similar events. Plenty to eat and drink until the wee hours of the morning. A gala party of real enjoyment and old fashioned fun. Nothing out Of way, just Q meeting of loyal and decent firemon and their lady friends. Billy Laffln was always the life of the party: he was ac.