Class of 1899

The other day the Secretary received a rude shock as he opened what was obviously a wedding invitation, and was greeted by the words, "Mr. Alvah Guy Sleeper." Astounded, he read on hurriedly to find who the lady was that Alvah was leading to the altar. But alas, it was not to be! The invitation went on to state that Alvah was giving in marriage his cousin, Miss Agnes Harris, to another of the few remaining '99 bachelors, Captain Herbert Leslie Watson, late of the A.E.F. in France. The wedding took place in West Somerville, Mass., on January 6. The Secretary has not yet learned how many '99-ers were on hand. Will Alvah or Watty please send details for the next issue?

Old "Bill" Wiggin has joined the Dartmouth group of greater Manchester. At the beginning of the second term, Bill became principal pf the high school in Goffstown, where Dave Parker got his start. The '99 delegation in Manchester welcome him to their ranks.

The recent publication of Natt Emerson's 1900 report started the Secretary on the trail of some figures. As he glanced through the list of the 1900 men and saw the records of their families twenty-five years after graduation, he was impressed by the large number who had no children. It then occurred' to him that a similar study might be made of his own class. This was done, and the statistics are given below.

1899. 1900 Men listed on the class rolls 140 151 Number of children born 217 190 Children per men 1.55 1.25 Childless men 58 64 Men with children 82 87 Number of children per man 2.7 2.2

These graduates rank in age from 45 to 55. Their families are pretty well complete. It has been said that in order that a stock shall merely hold its own, it is necessary that each family shall average three children at least. The statistics show a strong tendency toward the race suicide which has been predicted for the college-bred portion of our population.

Secretary, Public Schools Office, Manchester, N. H.