Class of 1897

The Chicago Pow Wow was a unique occasion for Dartmouth alumni and a large success. February 22 and 23 were given over entirely to the program on Dartmouth matters and entertainment features. Hamilton Gibson, W. E. McCornack, and H. P. Conway of '97 were on the general committee and "Ham" Gibson was 'chairman of the Chicago alumni reception committee. There were 13 '97 men present: "Semp" Smith, "Yass" Johnson, "Johnny" Meserve, "Wallie" McCornack, "Peacham" Blanchard, "B" Taylor, "Jay" Brown, "Ham" Gibs on, "Pat" Conway, "Joe" Ryan, "Jimmy" Pringle, "Butter" Butterfield, and "Bum" Merrill. Thus were California, Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts properly represented, and a 15% attendance of our class now living.

The wives of '97 men were represented by five: Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. McCornack, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Conway. Needless to say the '97 reunion was a continuous affair, consisting of luncheons, dinners, and confabs. The chief entertainer was "Peacham," closely seconded by "Bum," "Joe," "Semp," and "Pat." At the banquet '97 was granted a place of honor immediately facing the center of the speakers' table. When the radio broadcasted the message from the banquet room in Chicago to all points north, south, east, and west, but especially to Hanover, '97's voice was loudest in the Dartmouth yell and strongest in the Dartmouth song of greeting.

Smith, Johnson, Brown, Conway, Ryan, Pringle, and Butterfield were '97's contribution to the National Educational Association Convention at Chicago, held the last week of February.