Class of 1903
A letter from Bob Follett of San Francisco under date of July is tells rather briefly of the strike situation, then assuming alarming proportions. Bob says that he is forced to be an optimist these days and pray for favorable outcomings in all troubles. He predicted an early settlement, and his prediction was correct. We now hope to hear Bob's prediction that in 1938 he is to bring Mrs. Follett back to our 35th reunion. "Peerade" Drown and Mrs. Drown came on for the 30th, so we know "it has been done." There are Wentworth, Matteson, Williams, Lyman, Cresswell, MacLennan, Bradley, Drown, and Worthen all out there on the Pacific Coast. What a party they would make for the trip East. Kelley is away up there in the northwest corner at Bremerton, Wash., but he'll be stationed in the East by 1938, and we'll get him back anyway.
Word from Horace Kidger came as a reply to a card urging his presence at Vic's midsummer party. Horace at the time was teaching at the summer session of Cornell University, some three hundred and eighty miles from New London, and so was unable to be with us. Horace is one of those consistently busy fellows of our class. Teaching regularly in the Newton High School, he has taught at summer sessions every year since the World War, first at Hyannis, then at Harvard, Massachusetts State, and for the past eight years at Cornell University.
Speaking of that midsummer party, what a pleasure it was to see so many fellows whose presence at regular five-year reunions has been for one reason or another impossible. There were Ralph Pillsbury and his wife over from Boscawen, Ralph, as sun-tanned and healthy a specimen of '03 as one can find, leading a discussion of state politics with New Hampshire's leading citizens, Vic Cutter, Forrest Hall, Harry Watson, "Brutus" Luce, and Jesse Thorpe. Then Ralph Fitts and Mrs. Fitts making their first reunion and promising to be on hand at the next one. Lewis Haney and wife spending their vacation at East Jaffrey, N. H., motored over, simply, as Lewis told it, because Mrs. Haney hadn't forgotten the good time she had at the 30th. Lewis, you know, was the judge at the blueberry picking contest, and although his wife was not the winner, he swore she could easily win in a blueberry pie making contest.
FOOTBALL MATERIAL!
There were Earle and Mrs. Wilson, spending the vacation period on the old home place at Corinth, Vt. With them were their three youngest children, the youngest just a year old and certainly the class baby. Jesse Thorpe was there from Lisbon, not an ounce heavier than in his student days. "Fat" and Mrs. Smith from Gloucester, Mass., with A. K. certainly not an ounce lighter, just the specimen Earl Blaik would like for his forward wall. Teaming along with "Meat" Hanlon, the defense should be good.
Clayton and Mrs. Erwin with Russell, a senior at Dartmouth, came over from Ludlow, Vt., where Clayt is now superintendent of the Windsor West District Schools, including the towns of Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Shrewsbury, Plymouth, and Bridgewater. Clayt reported that he almost persuaded Charlie Webb to join the party, but at the last moment Charles had to send his regrets because of a summons from Vermont's senator, then carrying on a political campaign. Sometime we will have that fellow with us, if the gods permit, and when we do that freshman oratorical effort will be rejuvenated along with "Pip" Howard's Third Year Reunion speech. Charles was holding the stage in Prof. Laycock's course. He began, "I seem to see it now, the one solitary adventurous vessel, the Mayflower." Charles brought down the house. Remember it?
Dr. Arthur P. Noyes, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Hospital at Howard, R. I., for the second time since college days joined "the gang," and promised a procession of returns hereafter. Arthur was a fine student in our day and has gone far in his professional efforts. Last year he published a work, "Modern Clinical Psychiatry," which is regarded very highly by psychiatrists and the medical professionals who come into contact with psychiatric work, in that he has clarified some of the factors in mental diseases and emphasized the causes of mental disorders.
Ned and Charlotte Kenerson, while on a trip along the shores of Maine this summer, found Winfield Rice at Boothbay Harbor and had a most enjoyable call. Win spends his summers, after the strenuous year's work in New York City, in this location, his old home town. The following day these two 1903 missionaries journeyed on to Bristol, where they found "Doc" Johnston and his "better half." "Doc," you know, retired from the jewelry manufacturing business in Attleboro, Mass., two years or more ago, and bought a farm down there in Maine, and has already become almost like a native of the place. Whatever farming operations were in progress on Ned's arrival were suspended, and taking along his good wife the party of four spent the day at Pemaquid Point in the good old 1903 way. "Doc" is reported as being nicely situated, enjoying the farmer's life a lot more than the manufacturing efforts, and anxious to have the rest of the class come down and see for themselves.
Harry Watson of Keene, N. H., is the proud possessor of automobile plates "1903." It is understood that a Massachusetts registrant is waiting for someone to die that he may secure a like number in Massachusetts. Has anyone else had the same brilliant idea?
Byron W. Matteson has evidently been living on the wrong side of the street in Piedmont, Calif. Notice has reached me through the Alumni Records Office of a change of residence from 99 Fairview Ave. to 100 Fairview Ave. Not much of a move for a highway engineer.
James F. Smith, formerly at Bellows Falls, Vt„ has become principal of Brigham Academy at Bakersfield, Vt. The best wishes of the class for your success go with you, Jake.
Dorothy Bergengren, daughter of Roy Bergengren of Wenham, Mass., has enrolled as an entering student at Vassar College.
Margaret Wentworth, daughter of Frank out in Sunny California, a student at Mills College, went to Tokyo, Japan, this summer as a delegate to the American-Japanese Student Conference. Accompanying her, also a delegate, was Shirley Smith, daughter of Selden Smith '97. Dartmouth inheritance counts at Mills College.
Secretary, 198 Humphrey St., Marblehead, Mass.
