CLASS OF 1913
From Friday, June 15, to Tuesday, June 19, when the reunion in Hanover was over, Hanover was blessed with the most glorious weather for a Commencement, and all those back for Thirteen's Tenth enjoyed every minute of it. At any rate, those 114 men and S3 wives who returned to Topi iff can testify and affirm that it was one long round of pleasure, even unto or into the wee hours of each morning. In spite of late hours, all were on deck bright and early every day for the events scheduled. We could tell of one couple, however, who were wakened by the band as it paraded by Topliff on Monday morning, headed for the Memorial Field, "but that is another story."
We missed reaching the record for attendance established by 1911 in 1921, but we didn't miss any of its records for a good reunion; we admit it, even though Dick Paul, Chet Butts, and Al Wheeler are not quite ready to do so themselves.
All day Friday, starting with Bill Towler's league in the 1913 special car from Chicago arriving early in the morning, Thirteeners and wives were landing at Topliff Hall, our headquarters. It was one grand good gathering, and it indicated a large crowd and a large time.
At 8.30 the "Ten Joes" of Musical Club fame held forth in the Trophy Room for our dance. It was "some dance," and shortly after it started the whole college and the alumni realized that 1913 was in town and joined in. This was the first of a series of dances, and all were open to the college and the alumni, except the last one, held Monday evening in Commons after the class dinner and the Musical Club concert.
Line and Mary Morton worked all Friday eve getting the costumes ready, and on Saturday morning we blossomed forth, men in white knickers, green golf stockings, green flannel shirts, and green and white caps, while the girls wore green and white sweaters, harlequin green plaid back and sleeves and white striped fronts.
We had a piano at the dorm, and our own Jazz Band, consisting of five of the "Ten Joes." The "band"—all undergraduates also wearing our costume—stayed with us until Monday night, when all was over, and I am sure enjoyed the parties as much as we did.
On Saturday morning we practiced with our music our marching song, "Yes, we have no good 'licker', we have no good 'licker' today," to the tune of "Yes, we have no ba- nanas," words by "Chum" Hayes, and the great Gallagher and Shean song, using the words furnished by Ted Davis. "Red" Spillane led the singing from the top of the piano, out in the yard. The piano was outdoors all day long each day, and "Red" was on top of it a good part of the time. After the rehearsal we marched to the campus to join the other reuning classes, and to play a three-inning game of baseball with 1908. We won, or was it a tie ? The game lasted two innings anyway.
Saturday evening the ladies occupied the front seats at "The Sahara Derby," while the men visited the Vale of Tempe and harmonized around the "Orchard Tea." The meeting had been so well advertised that there were many among those present, and still the good weather continued. After the show we moved to the Trophy Room, where we staged another dance, until it was Sunday.
Sunday dawned "brite and fair," and at about 11 o'clock we all started in machines for the picnic at Moose Mountain Outing Club cabin. Freddie Page led the way and had the lunch of chicken salad, bread and buter, hot coffee, and salted peanuts, followed by real strawberry shortcake, all ready. Lunch was served by Outing Club members, and all present were ready to admit they were pleasantly surprised. But few of the class had ever been up the mountain, but all will be ready to go again. Bill Towler and Ted Davis went in wading in the swimming pool, but no one tried to swim. After lunch many climbed to the Lookout, and were well repaid for their efforts. Our band, of course, was with us, and many of those not climbing to the top danced on the veranda of one of the cabins. Three o'clock arrived too soon, and we had to return to Hanover and Dartmouth Hall for the class picture.
The class picture was followed by a tea for the ladies at the home of Mrs. Burton. Belle Conant and Florence French, assisted by Louise Nelson and Carolyn McAllister, poured. The class is greatly indebted to Mrs. Burton for her kindness in offering her home and grounds for the afternoon. The class meeting was held in Dartmouth Hall, and only the "gentlemen of class," as one program had it, were present. There were many important matters discussed at the meeting, and a short but impressive memorial service for the five men who died during the war, as this was our first meeting since the end of the war. Mr. George G. Clark, chairman of the Memorial Fund Committee, was present, and congratulated the class on its splendid showing in exceeding its quota of $4000, and he expressed his appreciation for the very fine work Emraett Pishon had done in carrying the class over the top. Joe Barnett made a "thrilling" address just before hurrying to the June to catch his train for Chicago, and we hope he found his check book in Chi. Line Morton and Bill Towler got in good licks on the Alumni Fund as soon as the meeting adjourned.
The new officers elected were: Marc S. Wright, president; Warde Wilkins, secretary; Nathan C. Lenfesty, treasurer; T. Willard Towler, class agent; Emmett Pishon, class editor; and an executive committee of Lincoln E. Morton and John J. Remsen in addition to the five officers.
In conjunction with 1908, a "sacred concert" was staged at the Nugget Theatre on Sunday eve, and as 1913's part we furnished Red Spillane, Mose Ewing, the movies of Hanover, Dartmouth, the Outing Club and canoe trip, and that great duet, Harry McDevitt and Les Wiggin. 1908 furnished several acts, and 1918 and 1920 were cheated out of presenting two acts which they had arranged. We adjourned to different parts of the campus to gather again at the dorm for a Monday morning dance at 12 o'clock. Our jazz band, under the efficient leadership of "Spike" Hamilton, was on deck, and right here let me present our band to the rest of the class—"Spike" Hamilton, violin, "Wally" Lord, sax, Paul Hexter, piano, Windsor Sturtevant, banjo, and Richards, drums. They did a good job well, said they enjoyed it, and if they had half the fun we did, all is well. The midnight dance in the first floor corridor was an innovation for reunions, and a great success. At 2.4 we learned that 1913 led the alumni parade to Memorial Field and the ball game on Monday morning, so the dance was stopped at 3. Several couples, however, went to the June for an early breakfast, and returned to the golf club to play unitl it was time to march behind the band.
Monday morning all were up on time, at least almost all, and were present for the Dartmouth-Cornell game. Dartmouth won 2 to 1, and it was "some hot"—a regular Commencement ball game day. During the game Eskimo pies were found to be traveling very slowly down the grandstand, so the vendor was personally conducted down to sections 7 and 8, filled with-our bunch, until we were all cooled off a bit. Monday evening the wives again occupied the front of Webster Hall for the Musical Club concert, and during the concert loudly applauded our "Ten Joes" playing "our class song"—"Yes, we have no good 'Licker'."
There were 84 present at the dinner, as many had to leave Sunday even and Monday morning. It was a real dinner, and Perry Fairfield and Max Norton did themselves proud. Red Spillane led the singing from the top of the piano, as usual, and was in better voice than on Sunday eve. Harold McAllister, 'this retiring president, jpresided, and called on Dr. Bernard Spillane of Hartford, Conn., ex-mayor of Hanover, for a few words of welcome. The mayor responded nobly, and presented again his platform. Harry Hillman, who was elected to honorary membership in the class at the meeting on Sunday, was called on, and told how close he had always been to the class, having entered Hanover with us in the fall of 1909. Ralph Stone gave the sequel of his Sachem oration in a splendid "Soak'em" oration. His hits were good, and he left us some real thoughts. President Hopkins was present, and gave one of the finest talks I've heard him give, and this was the opinion of dozens of others there, who spoke of it afterwards.
After the dinner, the wives joined us, and we had a private dance. No outsiders were allowed, and it proved to be the best dancing party we had during those four days. As floor director Mayor Spillane has no equal.
Tuesday morning the reunion was over for many, but not for 53 men and wives and one class baby, Annabelle Shepler, for we adjourned to Whitefield, N. H., where Frank Dodge of the class of 1911 welcomed us at his Mountain View House. 1911 had told us that it was a beautiful hotel, that it was the finest spot in the White Mountains, and that a wonderful time could be found there. It is all of that, but they did not begin to tell about it, nor can anyone describe the hotel, the marvelous service, the location. You must go yourself the next time. There was a picnic trip to Lost River and the Flume after the golf tournament, an all day picnic up Mt. Washington, where Sherm Ward's magic words produced hot coffee for all. There were golf tournaments, tennis, dancing, bridge, singing, a show given by "Red" Spillane, "Chum" Hayes, and "My Son Emmett" Pishon, assisted by the entire company as orchestra. We owe a lot to Frank Dodge and his mother and father for making our postreunion such a tremendous success.
All who were in Hanover for 1923 are planning on 1928, and I'm sure the Fifteenth can be just as fine as the Tenth. It will be "under the same management." Let's get set now for 1928.
At the class dinner on Monday our honorary member, Mr. Franklin P. Shumway, made some very flattering remarks about the chairman of the reunion committee and the reunion plans. Let me express here my appreciation to all those who returned to Hanover for the reunion, for making me the happy and proud possessor of a Hamilton watch, to be "properly inscribed."
As stated in the beginning, the weather was perfect, everything went as planned, all remembered they were on a vacation holiday, and it was reported that a good time was had by all.
