CLASS OF 1872
Without any bizarre features, or any Specially contrived costumes, or insignia to distinguish participants, nevertheless the fortieth anniversary reunion of '72 passes into history as a distinctly marked success. Not only was the attendance large, but the interest was sustained, so that a very considerable number remained to the end of Commencement week, though the special occasion for which it was aimed to secure the maximum number, the reunion dinner, was set for Monday evening. So pleasant was it to prolong to the greatest extent the pleasures of a renewed fellowship.
Fuller and more personal chronicles may be expected in another form with more distinct appeal to more interested readers. As a matter of alumni news and record, this succinct account is furnished as appropriate to the columns of this journal.
Of the eighty-four members now officially credited to the class, sixty-one are living. The expected is happening, and the deathrate, so remarkably small for over a quarter century, has been growing greater with each five-year period.
Of the survivors, twenty-eight were present at one time, Monday, and no subsequent arrivals and departures changed this maximum number. The invitation included nongraduate members of the class, but only one responded.
As a matter of record the names of those present may have some value, and is, therefore, given in full, with statement of residence, sufficiently full to indicate the interest felt, and the pains taken to be present:
From Texas, A. M. French; Nebraska, Sawyer and Towne; Michigan, Mills; New York, Dana, Fletcher, Silver, and Stackpole; Pennsylvania, Barker and Frost; Maine, Hogan; Massachusetts, Chamberlain, Fowler, Jewell, Knight, McMillan, Savage, Tuttle, Ward, and Wead; New Hampshire, E. J. Bartlett, Batchellor, Burleigh, Colby, Evans, G. B. French, Morrill, and Worthen; Anthoine, non-graduate.
The wives present, adding greatly to the pleasure of the occasion, were Mesdames Bartlett, Burleigh, Fletcher, G. B. French, Frost, Fowler, McMillan, Savage, and Sawyer. The charming daughter of Classmate Mills must not be forgotten in the enumeration of the ladies, nor the gracious hospitality of Miss Colby extended to them at her home, while the men were engaged at their dinner.
Just before the dinner all assembled in front of the Administration Building, and group pictures were taken, including the ladies. At the dinner, which was served promptly at 6.30, all the men whose names appear above sat down, except Doctor Dana, who had engagements making it impossible for him to be present longer than a few hours in the afternoon. But for the brief pleasure everyone was profoundly grateful.
After partaking of the good things of a generous menu, and before the regular speaking began, Professor Hall was given the floor and as a result of his presentation of certain specific needs of the Gymnasium in the matter of furnishing, there was subscribed by those present $400 for these purposes.
The speaking of the evening was under the direction of Classmate G. B. French, to whom the meeting, for the conduct of this portion of the exercises, was early given over by President Batchellor. Every one present was given an opportunity to say something about himself, his work, or his knowledge of his classmates, and it was midnight before this very interesting but in the main unreportable part of the program was completed. One thing survives in manuscript and will in due time appear for the delectation of a class-wide circle of readers. This was a clever rhymed production of Classmate Fowler's, into which the names of all present were skillfully interwoven. The secretary obtained leave to print, and in due time will do so.
It was decided to have the next regular reunion in five years, though many expressed the purpose of coming back as often as possible in the intervening years.
The officers elected to serve until next meeting are: President, A. S. Batchellor; secretary, A. E. Frost.
This but briefly states the events, around which and in connection with which, are intertwined things of the heart and feelings, which none but a fortieth year man can understand, except it -be the fiftieth or the sixtieth.
Secretary, Prof. Albert E. Frost, Winthrop St., Pittsburgh, Pa.
