CLASS OF 1861

Trust Building, Chicago

There was nothing startling or spectacular in the reunion of the "Boys of '61" on the fifty-fifth anniversary of their graduation. Those present did not appear in the torchlight parade on Tuesday evening or show themselves in grotesque uniforms during Commencement week, but the few that came were congenial spirits and loyal to the College and each other.

There are now living thirteen of the sixty-six who graduated, and three were at Hanover, and on Tuesday, the 20th of June, dined with President Emeritus Tucker at the Woodstock Inn, spending a pleasant two hours together. The ages of the four who met, Bruce, Estabrook, Tucker, and Redington, aggregated 304 years, three of the number having been born in 1839 and one early in 1840.

With one exception, the four were the youngest surviving members of the class. Of the remaining nine living, six are either over eighty or in their eightieth year. Considering this fact and that the absent members are scattered from Florida to Nevada, the class is not ashamed of its reunion record.

The four young fellows who sat together in loving fellowship at Tucker's table were Phi Beta Kappa men at graduation, while three of them were members of the same college fraternity (Delta Kappa Epsilon), and the same three served in the Union army during the War of the Rebellion.

No action was taken regarding another reunion, but the secretary gives notice that the survivors in 1919 are expected to be present at the celebration in connection with the 150th anniversary of the founding of the College. The four who came together this year were all present in 1869, at the centennial celebration. The Class of '61 renew their pledge of loyalty to their Alma Mater, and wish her the highest success under the new president, who received a large share of his training for the position from one of our number, who belongs not only to us, but to the whole body of alumni the wide world over.

Secretary, Maj. E. D. Redington, 1905 Harris