Class of 1891
In a recent visit with Allison and his wife the Secretary learned from the August number of the Cushing Academy Bulletin that Allison and Mrs. Woodcock are the secretaries of their respective classes. A whole page is devoted to Woodcock, who is in his thirty-sixth year as a trustee. Dartmouth '9l always regretted that Fred transferred to Brown, and the record of Fred on the Brown baseball team is excellent cause for its regret.
A letter from Burbank under date of August 30 follows in part:
"Your letter of the nth was followed atonce by the card announcing the death ofC. M. It gave me a great shock, in spite ofthe fact that I realize that these cardsmust come with increasing frequency solong as I live.
"I can't tell you anything about SluggerCampbell. I think that he taught in theEnglish department at the University ofColorado for a short time. I saw him oncein Everett, Wash. If I remember correctly,he was then in the real estate business. Itwas a long time ago and my recollection isvague. I am sorry I can't give you any information worth while. Slugger was notvery successful, I fear, and he was veryclose-mouthed about his affairs.
"Caroline ivas 69 the 16th of this month,and I shall be 69 the 13th of September.Otherwise I am, all right."
Under date of September 10 comes the following letter from Sid Walker in Honolulu:
"I was glad to have your letter of August 24 widi news of your family activities. I know how much you enjoy the camp during the summer months but have been thinking of you as returning to the winter home soon.
"We have quite an edge on you down here in that the climate changes but a few degrees between winter and summer, so enjoy the same home surroundings continuously.
"The boys and families live near enough so that we get together frequently to keep up the family ties and enjoy seeing their youngsters develop. This means that Kate and I are on our own and have recently moved to a tract on the shore about eleven miles out from the city, where the soft winds blow continually and make the most comfortable climatic conditions imaginable, extreme range of temperatures being 60 deg. to 80 deg. We have a comfortable bungalow designed to accommodate our modest requirements, and find plenty of work in developing the lawn and surroundings, which keeps us in the sun and prevents accumulation of excess avoidupois, which is likely to develop without some physical activities, so we are holding our own in this easy-going community where Nature is kind and there is no strain to wear down one's physical resources.
"The effect of the general depression a few years ago caused little hardship here, although the pineapple industry suffered from the fact that their product is in the way of a luxury, but the sugar industry kept going on an even keel, so the ratio of unemployment was kept at a low level, in fact, most everyone who cared to work could find some sort of employment. The tourist travel, which means much in the way of income to the merchants, of course, dropped off for a period, but has come back in wonderful shape, while the personnel of the Army and Navy receiving their stipends regularly and spending freely had much to do in the way of maintaining normal conditions.
"The strike on the Coast during last winter, of course, materially interfered with shipping to and from the mainland, and as we import a large part of our foodstuffs there was noticeable lack of anything beyond necessities, but no real suffering in any level of society.
"On the whole, Hawaii rates the highest of any place I know as a habitation, all of which is reflected in the general morale of the community, there being a cheery atmosphere in all our contacts with the different nationalities and mixtures which make up the population, while green hills, bright skies, and gleaming water challenge the most vivid imagination to parallel.
"I was shocked to learn of C. M. Smith's passing, as I had always felt him to be one of our best men, but had heard in devious ways of his unfortunate experiences in recent years. It is hard to realize that the old associates are thinning, but this should be an incentive for the rest of us to draw up closer.
"I was sorry not to be with you at the last reunion, but you will realize the difficulty of making the long return trek as frequently as we would like to.
"I wish some of our contemporaries might take a trip out here for the winter months. Burbank is the only one of our class whom I know as having visited the Islands, although we have a small group of Dartmouth men who periodically get together for a dinner and chat, but I can't feel really comfortable in the position of eldest graduate present, although I manage to shake off enough years to get in step with the youngsters."
During the summer the secretary has seen in Maine and New Hampshire "Sailor" Cook, Gray, and Wright. While Sailor spends many hours of the day on his couch, he is still active in newspaper work. Gray and Wright are well.
Secretary, 79 Milk St., Boston, Mass.
