CLASS OF 1912
It would have taken more than three days of rain to dampen the ardor or spoil the pleasant reunion of the 115 men, 73 wives, and eight children of the tribe of Nineteen Hundred Twelve gathered on the Hanover Plain. In other words, we enjoyed a wet reunion.
Friday, June 16, will be remembered by those of the tribe able to arrive in Hanover on that day. For on that day alone did the sun show itself!
China, Turkey, and Porto Rico sent their accredited representatives, "Hal" Harman, "Hal" Belcher, and "Fanny" More, while "Olie" Ahlswede came from California, "Earle" Cutting from Florida, and "Caesar" Young from Kansas City.
Topliff Hall was new to most of the men, but made an ideal gathering place.
Friday evening we reveled in a dance in Robinson Hall, the Little Theatre,— the only drawback to the party being the fact that we had to wait about three quarters of an hour for the doors to be opened (for which we again thank "Jake" Bond) and for the lights to be turned on. After that things went smoothly. It did seem good to see all the old crowd drop in a few at a time. But for a little less hair in quite a few instances, they all looked the same as 10, 12, or 14 years ago, when we were all in college.
Saturday was not "brite and fair" as advertised. By the time we were togged out in our flashy orange and black fez and neckties and had dressed the girls in their "tams" and jackets of the same material it started to ram so hard that we disbanded in favor of the trophy room. There our orchestra furnished us with dance music. An indoor baseball game was in progress at the same time, rival teams being captained by the Hoban brothers. The famous battery, "Ekstein and Stein" were seen once more in action. Everything went well until Mark Allen poled one for a homer through one of the Gym windows. After the ball was dug from the mud the game proceeded. Needless to say, both sides claimed the victory.
In the afternoon the girls gathered for tea in the rooms of the Hanover Women's Club, while we held our class meeting. "Heinie" Urion gave us his report on the Alumni Fund, and a balance required for our quota, amounting to about $400, was raised in about 15 minutes.
An executive committee was elected to be in charge of all class affairs, consisting of "Jim" Erwin, "Nipper" Knapp, "Doc" O'Connor, "Bill" Locke, and Eddie Luitwieler, the last three to serve for the next five years, as treasurer, chairman, and secretary respectively.
Saturday evening most of us went to the show in Webster Hall with our wives. Those who were not there were somewhere else, but where and how dry they were is a debated question. Byway of explanation, we might remark that we never experienced more inclement weather.
Sunday we started for New London, N. H., in all the cars which could be pressed into service. The Plattsburg recruit who said he stood for peace and better roads would have had a good many backers that day. But all who started finished. "Queech" French, "Bill" Shapleigh, "Lyle" Chase, "Whit" Whitney, and Ray Cabot followed directions, brought their suits, and went in swimming, and after some urging were followed by some of the good wives. "Bud" Hoban was an excellent host, and his luncheon tasted good to about 160 hungry souls. After lunch, the music started again, also bowling and other indoor games. AH we can say of the trip back is that it was worse than going down.
The "Nugget" was the Mecca of the whole class in the evening. 1907 and 1917, not to mention 1906, are hereby accorded our thanks for a remarkable entertainment, musical and otherwise.
Early Monday morning the class gathered m the "big tent" for a memorial service, led by "Andy" Anderson and "Tom" Brennock. From there we marched en masse to the ball game. Rain held off long enough for Cornell to beat Dartmouth.
The Commons was crowded that evening with 155 men and their wives. Cards with the old 1912 Aegis picture of each man were at each place, and finally everyone found his proper seat. The girls had some of "Jimmie" Oneal's choicest Melba perfumes and powder. All have promised hereafter to use no other. After an excellent meal, "Doc" O'Connor as toastmaster held forth in his inimitable style. There were few who were not called on for speeches. "Hoppy" talked to us and later joined our flashlight picture, the outdoor picture taken that morning not being a perfect negative.
Thursday saw the last of the tribe depart their various ways. All left with regret, but with a determination to be on hand and try to swell the number of "Twelvers" in Hanover in 1927.
