Class of 1884
On July 27 as your Secretary lay reading on a couch in early afternoon there was a knock at the door. Answering the call, the Secretary found Carl Adams and his wife. They had driven up from Howell the day before. When two or three 'B4 men gather, there's a reunion. One such began at that moment. That afternoon and next day those two old boys had one glorious time. What with reminiscing of college days and inquiries of the men of the class and the Secretary's furnishing names of the folk in the reunion photographs of 1929 and 1934, for Mrs. Adams, the hours sped on wings. Next day the three of us, with Mrs. Adams at the wheel, drove down the old mission peninsula to the site of Pere Marquette's mission-house for the Indians in an early day. Near that historic point was the Congregational church where Calvin Butler Hulbert, Dartmouth 1853, served as pastor for a year or two in his early days as a minister. He was the father of Hulbert of 'B4 and president of Middlebury College when 'B4 was in college. Mrs. Adams brought the car to a stop several times as we drove out and back by West Shore road to Traverse City, to enjoy the beauty spots on that famous Old Mission peninsula. After a dinner in the city, we returned to "Bonnie Brae," the Secretary's home, for another afternoon's visit. Later Carl and his wife, with several crates of the Grand Traverse nationally famous cherries, began their home journey, reaching Howell the next evening. Mrs. Houston was at her old home in Peru, 111., and so missed this very happy reunion, much to our regret and hers.
CHERRY HARVEST FETE
Carl and Mrs. Adams were a few days late for the annual Cherry Harvest Carnival held in Traverse City, during which festival Michigan's governor and Japan's ambassador at Washington were present. Ambassador Saito crowned the queen of the carnival. But they had cherry pie that filled a long felt want to satiety, and took home with them the makings of other pies to be enjoyed when old man Winter locks the orchards in his icy grip.
That was a typical 'B4 reunion. It would have done your souls good to see those two "old boys" grown young again in the memories of long gone days and the joy of again getting together.
Emerson with his family spent the summer at Kennebunk Beach, Me., getting the needed rest and recuperation after the winter's rigors and his labors keeping the Presbyterian church of New York in good working order. Emerson is, like many of us, "retired," but he does a lot of things for a man of leisure.
Rev. Charles A. Dinsmore, D.D., and his wife spent the summer at Greensboro, Vt. Your Secretary had a letter from "Dinsy" in July, and recently one from Kelly 'B6, my roommate the last two years in college, telling me that he had visited with the "nice looking Dinsmores." He added that last winter in St. Petersburg, Fla., he met Emerson at the Dartmouth dinner there, and that later Hodgdon called on him and his wife there. "So I've had three pleasantand unexpected contacts with 'B4 men." Thus does your Secretary get information of your doings, even though you do not always send him full details.
After his merry-go-round with a surgeon Joe Matthews has been busy regaining his health. A letter from him a day or so ago contains so much news that it merits quoting in this report. He writes: "I spent aweek-end a short time ago at KennebunkBeach. The particular purpose was to havea visit with 'Emmie.' I put up at the hotelwhere he and his family took their meals,and they made room for me at their table.I was with them for two or three days andhad a most glorious time. I took my cameraalong and have a few pictures to rememberthe trip by. Miss Mary Louise took one ofEmmie and me just before I left which Iam enclosing. I am also sending you a picture of Emmie mid his two daughters inbeach costume. A couple of gentlemen fromSpokane, Wash., were in our bank theother day, one of whom said he was wellacquainted with George Nettleton. He reported that George was well and prosperous. Burleigh and his wife are still livingat Franklin. I have not seen them for sometime, but Emmie called on them on his wayto the beach and found them well."
Secretary, R.F.D. 1, Traverse City, Mich. REUNION OF MICHIGAN CONTINGENT
