Archie Ranney's Gold Watch
A Cherished Gift Is Added to Famous DartmouthAthletic Trophies
A singular gift, once bestowed by loyal Dartmouth undergraduates upon one of their athletes in grateful recognition of his baseball ability and sportsmanship, has been returned to be kept by the College.
During his career at Dartmouth, Archie Joel Ranney '93 won widespread fame as a catcher on the baseball team. The Boston Herald of May 28, 1893, says, "Ranney's support of the pitcher is beautiful. This player seems to be in his element behind the bat. He is a swift and accurate thrower, lining a perfectly straight jump ball to all points of the diamond with professional suddenness and confidence. Nothing escapes his mit, and the ball never lingers there when it is needed somewhere else. His clean free catching excites the spectator's admiration before he has handled half a dozen balls." In the season of '89 Ranney was the only catcher and in '90 was both catcher and captain. In '91 he was at the University of Vermont Medical School. He returned to Dartmouth in '92, entering the Medical College and contributed not a little to winning the pennant of that year. Never was he more popular than during the season of '93, for, although the championship was lost, his hard and conscientious efforts in the presence of every discouragement were marks of loyalty which were never unappreciated. At the close of the season a general collection was taken amounting to over $100 with which a fine gold watch with gold hands was purchased and presented to Ranney for his devotion to the College. This was the first time in Dartmouth's history that an undergraduate had been so honored. It has only been done once since in the case of Walter McCornack '97.
The following is an excerpt from an issue of The Dartmouth in the spring of '93: "At the wet down last Wednesday evening as the classes were assembled at the tree in front of Wilson Hall, F. N. Chandler '93 stepped forward, and in eloquent words presented to Archie J. Ranney, on behalf of the students of the college, a handsome gold watch. This token of esteem and affection is befittingly bestowed, as the recipient severs his connection of seven years with the College, upon whose baseball team he has played with signal ability, and among whose students he has moved with the highest degree of popularity and personal regard. As a baseball player his object has been at all times the success of the team and his splendid work this season has strengthened his enviable reputation as a backstop. He has the best wishes of the College for his future, and Dartmouth will ever be ready to welcome him back with open arms."
And now Dr. Ranney, who is a retired physician living in Pittsfield, Vermont, has been' kind enough to return his treasured gift to Dartmouth where it will capture the sincere admiration of all who see it.
Archie Ranney '94m. A great Dartmouth athlete,
