CLASS OF 1882
The sudden death of George Ward (see Necrology in this issue) brings a shock of surprise and sorrow to the class. The Secretary had a good call from George last summer, when he left his check for the Alumni Fund. He was looking well—handsome as everand seemed in the best of spirits. He asked for information concerning the fellows, and we talked about the 50-year reunion of the class and what it meant.
It will be remembered that Ward roomed with Joe Chandler when he joined '82 in our junior year. A letter was received from Joe December 6, written from the Twitchell House, New Hampshire State Hospital, Concord, N. H., in which he gives this account of himself: "I have been laid up in the hospital for over a year with a bad nervous breakdown and shock. Have had a tough time of it; but they take splendid care of me here, and, although I don't expect it, I may be able to be out and around again. Wish I could get up to the 50th, but will never be able to do that. From the ALUMNI MAGAZINE I found out about you and Luther. Let him know that he has my sympathy. Drop me a line sometime when you get a chance. (Here's an opportunity for others of the class. Sec.) Can't write, I am so shaky, but a friend does it for me. If you see any of the boys, say 'Hello' for me."
The Secretary wrote English, in college the infant of the class, but now its honored president, suggesting that the duties of his office seemed to include setting a class example of furnishing personal notes from time to time for publication in the MAGAZINE. In reply he sends a brief note, accompanied by a circular bearing a picture of the Connecticut Congregational House on Garden St., Hartford, up whose steps and through whose portal he passes daily as treasurer of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, treasurer and trustee of the Fund for Ministers, and registrar and treasurer of benevolences of the General Conference of Congregational Churches of Connecticut. Bill (to get the official down to where his class knows him) indicates that his doings can be inferred from the above titles, "though saying nothing of the daily hand-to-hand conflict with directors, committees, pastors, brothers and sisters of the churches, who find me in my cage or reach me by letter, phone, or telegram that they may be enlightened, comforted, inspired, or to express vigorously their pent-up feelings of appreciation, which at last must break down every dam." He evades recounting his children and grandchildren by saying those schedules are kept by his wife, though he admits being several times a grandfather and that the generations tend to improve as they come on, according to the best judgment of impartial observers. Bill might have done more and better than this in setting an example, but treasurers are generally disinclined to give out more than is compelled; tight, that's what! So bear with him and do better. Come on! Who's next?
Will Bartlett, who is supposed to be retired but is seemingly as active as ever, keeps himself in good fighting trim by contributing articles from his Natick home to the local weekly newspaper. He is a free lance, and ranges widely from the Oberammergau Play to Prohibition and Amos and Andy. Having seen several af these articles, the Secretary can testify that they have the directness and spiciness, if not quite the daring, that used to characterize some of his contributions to The Dartmouth along about '8l and '82.
Secretary, 89 Lowell Ave., Newtonville, Mass.
