The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-05
John J. Norton Death of Veteran Trolley Ernploye Recalls Days He
 Was on New
 Haven Run.
BY THE OUT-EAsTER


 No resident was better known among Washington Hill people than John J. Norton of 66 South Street, who died at his home last leek. The greater part of his life in Waterbury was spent among the people up that way, and they all got to know him personally, and met him almost daily on their way to and from their places of employment?
 And why shouldn't they?
 After all, John Norton was as- sociated with the old trolley sys- tenn of the city, and thousands of people rode behind him as he steered the favorite old car on its way along the route of travel, mostly on the Cheshire-New Ha- ven line, East Main Street and the Naugatuck run. He joined the force back in the days when the late Herbert l.. Wales was the su- pertintendent and Bert Bookings was the assistant. Down to the old car barns, John would go early in the morning, in all sorts of weather, by foot, and not once during his long term of service was he late for roll-call. It was his work, and he wanted to do 1t to the satisfaction of his superiors. And this he did, for 1t was often he was commended for his faith fulness to duty, and his ability to be on time at the allotted hour.
 We of the East End surely re- member him; we knew him be- cause our memory associates him with the well-know1 Queen Scully, one of the best known of all of the former trolleymen of the city. The two ran together on the New Haven line. And my, how that old car would hum, as it took the grade beyond the Summit station, and rounded the Notch, to come out again on the main highway at the stone crusher plant in West Cheshire. Talk about time, why, say, not second was lost by this crew. They ran right on schedule and If they were due in New Ha- ven at a certain hour, nothing stopped them from arriving on time. If they had a minute or two at Ahe Dudley switch at Mount CS mel, why both would get into conversation with the passengers, and everybody on board would be happy. They were rollicking team, good natured, friendly, and good story-tellers. For the entertainment they sup piled the patrons of the road, we sometimes think the company didn't pay them for the real value they were, and the enjoy lnent they gave the people during the long ride from Waterbury to New Haven.
 John Norton was tall, robust, strong looking, and of the mili- tary type. He should be, for in his young days he did a long stretch with the U. s. Army as a regular soldier, stationed at the Casper, Wyoming, barracks. That was back many years ago, and Johns recital of certain happen ings and experiences he encoun- tered as United States soldier were varied, hair-raising in part, Imaginable to listen to, but most interesting. A fine story teller, he seemed to bring out just the particular word that made his listeners chuckle with glee.
 Back of 1t all was the good citi- zenship of the man. He showed his interest in the U. s. Govern tnent by enlisting ii1 the army in his early days in the country. He studied 8 great deal during his spare time, knew the army code in detail, and served the country of his adoption in a manner that gave him his "sheepskin" as he called his papers in the honorable discharge he received.
 A studious person, and of busi- ness zeal, he acquired some prop erty during his lifetime, lived to enjoy the comfort and peace of a fine family, and died with a rec ord of fairness and honesty of an equal to the best. He well de- served whatever success he &C., quired, by reason of his faithful ness and devotion to whatever work he was called upon to do.
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