Class of 1904
This will be a somewhat brief and sketchy chronicle of class notes, as my days are far too short for their regular duties.
We had our usual reunion in Hanover at Commencement, which was attended by some eighteen loyal souls with additional family members, totalling about thirty. Those of us who have been privileged to spend a few June days in Hanover together for several years, find it an increasingly enjoyable peerade, and this one reached another high mark, though it was saddened by the realization that we could no more enjoy the hours of delightful companionship with Bill Gray, which have always been the privilege of 1904 Hanover visitors.
Each June brings us some long absent member, and this year there were three, Henry Hall; a great big burly doctor named Safford, from New York, and Chick Weston. Henry and Mrs. Hall had a son in the graduating class; Queenie Safford was showing his son the college, and the Westons have a son in college.
Beck came home with me from Commencement, caught all our trout, and then went over to Tinker's to clean up the Jackson brooks.
The Austin family spent a delightful July Sunday with the Charrons at their cottage on Island Pond, at Washington, New Hampshire. It's a beautiful location at one of the highest elevations in the state, and all the building materials, furniture, at cetera, were carried to the site by boat, which is the only way of reaching the cottage. The Hermit of Island Pond will be glad to welcome any of the 'O4 gang who may find the way to his lair.
A. B. Hastings Jr. enters the Dartmouth Medical School this fall.
Jim Walker gets the award for the class Globe-Trotter this summer; he sent me frequent cards, and with his family spent the week-end of September twelfth with us, and has written this brief account of their summer:
"Any of you fellows who have been fortunate enough to experience a trip to Europe will know how I have been thrilled this past summer. I am doubly fortunate in having a good wife who has made this trip possible.
"At Dave's suggestion, I am going to jot down a few words to tell you what we did. Mrs. Walker and yours truly sailed from New York July ninth on the lie deFrance. After a calm and most restful voyage, we landed at Havre. Passing customs 0.K., we entrained at once for Paris, where we had several days of sightseeing. We visited Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland, England, and Scotland. The Swiss Alps impressed us much, as did also the people. They are a thrifty, clean and most hospitable race. I got enough history this summer to keep classes going in Lynn till I retire. I had to pinch myself on several occasions to make it all seem real.
"After a month of illness before I went, the ocean trip going and coming was an excellent tonic. It seemed providential to have this experience. Perhaps, if Dave gives me an opportunity, I may give you some of the highlights of our summer abroad. Boston Harbor looked good to us when we docked, September fifth."
ROBBIE—PRESTIDIGITATOR
The real event of the year for the class was the magician's great act when he yanked a rabbit named Sexton out of the hat, and christened him class agent . . . .
another man with a mind full of 1904 anecdote has brought the class up with the leaders in the Alumni Fund Contribution, softening his appeal with spicy reminders of the past that made giving easy. Hats off to Ralph for his fine work.
It has been our good fortune to have Hayward and Mrs. Rolfe, the Jackson family, and Sex and his son Dick visit us, and Robbie and his daughter, Betty, are with us now. Rob's extreme modesty prevents a personal note from him, but you may take it from me, that's just a pose, he is in good health and has not changed.
We have learned with sorrow of the deaths of Bill Mahoney and Chesty Jared Busby, and shall in later issues give you such facts as may be available.
Billy Mac Keen visited Boston, lunched with, and was fed a large dose of class news by Doctor Robinson. Billy's two boys, William D. Jr., and Charles, are attending the Southwest Texas Teacher's College, San Marcos, Texas, and his daughter, Mary, is an undergraduate at the Indiana State Teacher's College, Indiana, Pa. Mrs. Mac Keen died on May twenty-fourth, 1937. Billy's address is 205, P. O. Building, Uniontown, Pa., where he is inspector in charge of all Federal Income Tax adjustments for a large and thickly settled area.
Secretary, Waterville Inn, Waterville Valley, N. H.
