Class of 1895
Donald Prouty Clarke, son of Newton Dexter Clarke '95, is a sophomore at Dartmouth. He has developed quite an individual handwriting which is as legible as print and resembles it very closely. Some of the problems he is struggling with are similar to those which his father had to deal with when in college.
In the December, 1935, issue of Journalof the Patent Office Society on page 948 appears an article by classmate John E. R. Hayes, Esq., entitled "The Mental Conceptof Invention." The article covers thirteen pages and is well documented. Hayes says that this article is in continuation of certain phases of the article on "Invention" written by him and published in the May, 1935, issue of the same journal. Any '95 man who has access to the Journal of thePatent Office Society will find John's article scholarly and interesting.
John has developed a decidedly scientific bent, especially in radio work. He has built a radio for himself which gives him a wide range of selection, including foreign countries.
One of the most attractive and unique Christmas and New Year cards which I have received this year came from Ernest Gile. The front page bears a very attractive reproduction of a photograph, apparently taken in the vicinity of the White Mountains soon after a recent snow storm. It might well be along the highway leading to Mount Washington or any one of the presidential range of mountains. Under the winter scene are these words:
"This broad highway in the New Hampshire mountains is open to all. Free as theair and snow.
"Similarly, from the spirit of the Christmas and New Year season we may get satisfactions according to our appreciations."
Gile and Hayes occasionally lunch together in Boston. Both appear to be in good health and happy in their work.
In the January issue of the ALUMNIMAGAZINE I referred to a clipping sent me by Joel Haley. This was entitled "ElsaMaxwell and Levitators." Harley requested me to submit this to Austin with a request for a scientific explanation. To this request Austin makes the following statement:—
"Some time ago I wrote to Harley forsome data relating to the performance weput over while in college, but he failed tosend them or to even allude to our levitation act. Maybe Elsa and her retinue lefthim up in the air somewhere. I recall ourperformance. Letteney was one of the levitants. We chose him for our first subject aswe thought if he was not a success it wouldbe useless to continue experimentation. Atour first trial 'Let' not only went up buthis toes hit the ceiling. When he volunteered as a 'levitant' he had no idea hewould rise from the chair and when hefound himself pushed against the plasterabove him, with only the forefingers of thefour 'levitators' touching his anatomy heyelled 'Grab me! Grab me!' Harley and hisother two 'assistants' began to laugh, sothey were practically useless as gravityneutralizers, and it (and Letteney) fell tome to fold my roommate, classmate, andfellow townsman from Amesbury, Mass., inmy arms and as gently as possible ease himback into his chair. He appeared white inthe face and a bit leery in his eyes. We suggested that we try the act again in order toprove it was really based on scientificprinciples, but Letteney absolutely refusedand began to edge between us and theexit. Now 'Let' was always rich in expedients, and in order to get out of thisdilemma he did a bit of quick thinking.He said, 'Say, fellows, if you really want toprove this business let's get Pillsbury andtry it on him. You four fellows could liftme anyway.' This bill of logic made it appear up to us to accept, so we said to 'Let,''Go get him and we'll show you.' Only tooglad to be released from further levitation,'Let' rushed off to entice Pillsbury, whoroomed in another part of the same house.In those days 'Let' had a line of talk thatcould sell warming pans to Eskimos, andhe soon returned with Pillsbury, whoplayed center on the Dartmouth footballteam and weighed more than 180 pounds.He sat down in the chair with a grin and afacial expression that plainly said, 'Now,boys, do your darnedest.' Well, we did,and at the count of ten up he went bingoto the ceiling. Having learned my lessonwhen 'Let' came down, I saw to it thatHarley and his other two servants (or savants) did their part. Of course 'Pills' wasnot only surprised but I imagine considerably frightened when he found himself upunder the ceiling with not a thing to catchhold of. The predicament of 'Pills' tickled'Let' so much he began to dance and caperlike a little monkey all around the room.Well, we sure had some fun that day."
I haven't heard from a single '95 man regarding the freshman photograph I mentioned in last month's notes. I doubt if there is any living '95 man who can identify all of the freshmen in that picture. I wonder how many can identify Hilliard, Homer Flint, "Bull" Claggett, Hobart B. Ayers, Powers, Duffy, Hillicker, Squires, Knapp, and Hazen Kimball.
Holden was a very busy man during the fall and early winter. In addition to his regular duties as selectman of Hanover, he has had much to do with the construction of the new cement-steel bridge replacing the old covered bridge across the Connecticut, the so-called Ledyard bridge. He also has official connection with WPA plans for public works, such as a new bridge over Mink Brook on the Mt. Support road, etc.
On Dec. 15 Holden and Mrs. Holden sailed from New York for Antwerp. After two weeks in Belgium, they will spend a month in Paris, where they will plan the rest of their wanderings. They expect to return to Hanover the first week in May.
"Tommy" Thompson and his daughter Hildegarde spent the Christmas holidays with Walcott Jr. and his little family in Cambridge, Mass. Grandpa "Tommy" arrived in Cambridge just before the Harvard-Yale game, for which he had tickets. A severe cold prevented his attendance, however. He returned to Salt Lake City New Year's Day.
Secretary, White River Junction, Vt.
