CLASS OF 1912
The 1912 Triennial opened semi-officially in Boston at eleven o'clock on the morning of June 19th, when the Commencement special pulled out of the North Station for Hanover, carrying with it the 1912 "baggage-music-smoker" car. Thirty men were present on the car, and the usual monotony of that well known journey was alleviated by music and the renewing of old friendships.
On arriving in Hanover 1912 took its place in the alumni line, which marched—not up the old hill—but over the beautiful Tuck drive into Hanover proper, arriving just in time to escape the downpour of an afternoon thunderstorm. Reed Hall was the barrack chosen to protect the men of 1912, and to this stronghold all immediately repaired to prepare for the big events. Seven o'clock Saturday night saw most of the 1912 men dressed appropriately for the official opening of the Triennial at the headquarters. The opening as conducted by "Jim" Erwin and "Kelly" Wells was very impressive, and would have served equally well as a prelude to an inauguration or a prize fight.
Sunday afternoon, in open violation of the blue laws of New Hampshire, the class held a "scrub" baseball game down near the river, in which all participated, to the regret of some on the following day who were not accustomed to such violent exercise.
Monday morning, the real beginning of Commencement festivities, found 1912, then numbering about seventy men, the first class on the campus, gorgeously clad in their Zouave costumes and led by a sweet-potato band. The class of 1910, dressed as firemen, soon came on, and then ensued a terrible baseball battle, in which 1910, through the aid of much luck and a friendly umpire, succeeded in putting out the fire to the tune of ten to seven.
Monday afternoon the members of the class were free agents to find their fun where they chose, and during this time occurred the tragic accident which caused the death of William Nelson Healey and brought sadness to the class and the College. After making complete arrangements to care for the body, the class decided to stay until the exercises of Commencement were over, but to take no part in the fun-making.
On Tuesday morning therefore, without their costumes, the members of the class marched in the parade to the ball game with Vermont and witnessed it from the bleachers. In the afternoon the class rode over to Norwich, Vermont, to the class dinner at Newton Inn, returning in time to march in the big torch-light procession Tuesday evening, in which the whole college participated.
Wednesday morning 1912 assembled again, and joined the alumni procession to the graduation exercises and to the alumni dinner.
