Class of 1915
While we have seldom reprinted letters in full in this column, it seems that the following letter from Gov Jordan is so typical of his droll humor that it will be of interest to all readers. His letter has been very much appreciated by the Secretary, and another in a similar vein will be most acceptable. Gov writes,
"I am in receipt of your impassioned appeal of March 22. I know that it is a difficult job to obtain any news at the presenttime, and such news as is forthcoming isgenerally bad. I wish I knew of somethingof great interest to assist you in yourmonthly broadcast to the class, but thechief item of personal interest is that Iam still slightly ahead of my creditors andthat the sheriff has not as yet attachedany of my office furniture or fixtures. Thereseems to be a great deal of law business,but much of it is in the nature of a longterm investment with doubtful hope ofimmediate payment.
"I am glad to say that certain membersof the class of 1915 have been kind enoughto remember that I am practicing law inthis vicinity and have placed certain business in my hands which is of great assistance at the present time. The eminent jurist, Mr. Richardson, who graces Bostonwith his presence and talent, has enlistedmy support in tracing the interesting history of certain clients of his whose ancestors had the misfortune to be bom insome of our back-country towns, and certain other members of the class have suddenly found that they have debtors in thisvicinity who needed attention.
"I understand from the publicity department of the Boston if Maine R. R. thatyour vicinity has 12 feet of snow on thelevel and drifts of 20 feet where the drifting is good. I assume that you must all beliving in snow houses and that other thingsin the vicinity of Woodsville besides assetsare frozen. If you have acquired all thehabits and vices of the Eskimo I think thatwhile it would be impossible to spare adime for a brother, I have a pre-Volsteadtallow candle left at home which is wellaged and which I would be pleased to sendyou either for your needed nourishmentor refreshment. The local supply of St.Bernard dogs has entirely given out, and ifthey were in existence it is doubtful if wecould find the necessary ingredient whichthey formerly carried in the small caskswhich were strapped to their collars. I cannot rejoice with the country over the veryliberal alcoholic bill which went into effecton April 7. It was difficult enough, speaking solely from hearsay, to obtain a grandand glorious feeling from the type of beerwhich was imbibed in some quantities onthe banks of Mink Brook. When I realizethe amount which would have to be imbibed within the limits of the present lawin order to achieve intoxication, I thinkthat one would do better to imbibe thebrook itself, suckers and all.
"With these painful reflections, I close. "Gov."
With, such a forceful reminder of the events in Hanover twenty-two years ago, I have been prompted to look up the records of the first class secretary, Dick Redfield. The following is an exact copy of the minutes of the first meeting of our class. It should be of interest to all members and have some information long since forgotten by most of us.
"The first meeting of the class of 1915was called by Paleopitus for the electionof class officers on October 5, 1911.
"The meeting was called to order byMr. Fuller, president of Paleopitus, at 7:30P.M.
"Mr. Knapp announced that Paleopitushad adopted freshman caps to be worn byall freshmen in the vicinity of Hanover except in extreme weather.
"Dean Emerson gave a short talk onDartmouth traditions and advised the purchase of a permanent secretary's class book.
"Mr. Irwin took the chair during theelection of class officers. Those electedwere: president, E. A. Curtis; vice-president, R. Winship; secretary, R. W. Redfield; treasurer, H. S. Jones. Three cheerleaders were also chosen on trial, frontwhich a permanent leader will be electedlater. Those chosen were H. S. Potter, A. M.Austin, E. C. Lamson."
"It was moved and seconded that a permanent secretary's book be purchased. Itwas carried. All members of the class wereurged to sign this book as quickly as possible, at the Dean's office.
"It was moved and seconded that theclass of 1915 approve the proposed freshman caps. It was carried.
"The meeting was adjourned at 8:40P.M."
Two members of the class have important assignments in the Massachusetts legislature this winter. State Senator Russ Chase is chairman of the Committee of Labor and Industry, which committee has been especially active. He has also been a member of the Committee on Banks and Banking, which has had several all-night sessions and much emergency legislation to handle. Ken Washburn, a member of the House of Representatives, has been particularly in the limelight as an active member of the Committee on Legal Affairs, which prepared the beer bill after many public hearings on the subject. It would appear that 1915 is ably represented in both houses of the Massachusetts legislature.
From that silent sentinel of the north, Tap Taplin, comes word that several members of the class who have consistently paid their dues before are in the delinquent class this year. When Tap asks for help, he needs it. Let us all help him all we can.
Among those who were seen at the Boston alumni banquet in March were Kike Richardson, Earl Clough, Dale Barker, Shrimp Williams, Al Priddy, Duke Sullivan, Ned Shea, and Jack Mason. At a recent Dartmouth dinner of the Northern New Jersey Club, Charlie Griffith, Roy Lafferty, and Kel Rose upheld the honor of our class. Charlie Griffith was elected to the board of governors of the club. Other reports of Dartmouth club meetings in which members of the class participate will be appreciated.
King Cook plans to visit Hanover this summer. We hope to see him in the northern part of New Hampshire also.
May 12 and 13 will find the Secretary at the Hanover Inn, which is always a very pleasant occasion when all class secretaries get together in conference.
Art Williams lost his father on April 1. The body was brought to Littleton, N. H., for burial the following Tuesday. He called to see the writer on his way north on his sad mission.
A minority stockholder of the Bendix Aviation Company recently discovered in the annual report of that company the name of one Albert Bradley on its board of directors. A 1 is described as a vice-president of the General Motors Corp., New York City. It is suggested that he add "Dartmouth 1915" in the next report.
Dick Clark reports after a visit to Detroit that Milt Ghee is a gentleman farmer. Dick suggests that he found him with a gun catalogue on the top of his desk, which may indicate that he expects soon to be transferred to Chicago. Milt himself refuses to add any report to add to the present depression.
From New York it is reported that Carl Gish still finds an occasional somebody to buy or sell a few shares of stock.
From Hartford comes the report that Leo Burt is selling office supplies including everything from the hardware on the front door to the latch on the back door.
Ray Perry has changed his address to 194 Sherman Ave., Glenridge, N. J. He is associated with the Pictorial Review Company. Ray has recently seen Harry Bickford, Murray Austin, George Dyke, Phil Smith, and Pete Winship. Ray has remarked on the fact that members of this class seem to have retained their youthful appearance to an unusual degree. This must be a recommend for those members of the class he has seen recently. It should be added that he has also seen Freddie Child and Bill Tubby. Fred is now a busy banker, while Bill has become an architect, being associated with his father.
So long until the next issue! Your letters will determine how long that will be!
Secretary, 18 So. Court St., Woodsville, N. H.
