1916
The more I think about it, the more I like the idea the New Yorkers have just inaugurated. On February 6, the classes of 1916-1917-1918 and 1919 had a joint dinner, without speeches, just fun. Ken Stowell, Phil Stackpole, Ed Kiley, George Dock, Ernie Gioiosa, and John Lincoln Ames represented the Balmacaan A. C. This joint meeting of classes in college together is a grand idea.
Just had a letter from the live-wire insurance broker of Los Angeles—Daniel Webster Coakley. Dan sees occasionally Bob Thieme, Spence Sully, and Shorty Hitchcock, and declares there isn't a stagger in the bunch. According to Dan, Shorty is doing a swell job as special agent with the Loyalty Group, Bob Thieme is putting filters everywhere but in his scotch and sodas, and Spence is in the oil leasing game.
While I am at the Coast, here is another bit of news. Dr. and Mrs. Earl Cranston of 519 West Fern Ave., Redlands, Calif., are the proud parents of Florence Pitkin Cranston, born December 28, 1938. Congratulations to you, Earl and Mrs. Earl.
Now up to Brookings, South Dakota, where tiny Horace Fishback has just been elected president of the Security National Bank of Brookings. Horace is as happy as a clam at high tide, with his family in good health, and in love with his job. I'm just wondering if Bones Joy, Ed Earle, Jack McAuliffe, or I could negotiate a loan on single name paper.
We leave the wilds of South Dakota for the Barbados, where George Pratt Jr. and family are sojourning for a few weeks. George writes good rum sells at $1.92 a gallon, rum brandy at $3 per gallon, and no F. D. R. emergencies. I wonder how- Bill Caldwell can compete with these prices with his Old Medford Rum.
You must return to New York, where the sun rises and sets once in a while, and where they plan a country fair this year. I received a very nice letter from one Ed Ozite Kiley. It contained only four threats against my life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. The wealthy Mr. Kiley has just bought himself a lovely home in Garden City, Long Island, and writes me to park my carcass there, if and when I visit the country fair this year. Young Jim Kiley now stands at four feet six inches and he is only eight years old. Best of all, young Jim can sing—something his father never could do.
You cannot mention New York without a thought of the New York Mohammedans, such as Ray Devoe, the Wall St. tycoon, Perc Burnham, also of Wall St., still the red-headed son of a viking, and John Lincoln Ames of Globe & Rutgers. John asked me to take the Jr. from his name, because Phil Stackpole thinks I'm talking about a young son. Phil accuses John and Rog Morse o£ passing him by twenty years ago in because he was a buck private. John told Phil that since he never walked the streets of Paris with Rog Morse, he just wonders if Phil could really see when he was in Paris.
Through Frank Bobst I have news of Dr. Cecil Tucker, whose courage and fight make all of us proud. Red, after going through hell, has regained his health, has started private practice, and has just been elected county physician. Here's a Wah- Hoo-Wah for Red Tucker, now at 301 West First St., Roswell, New Mexico.
Carl Eskeline will be home in the good old U. S. A. before the year-end. I wonder if Eskie will shake off the dust of the Orient permanently—after twenty-three years with Standard Oil. Les Leavitt has sent his oldest son on from Beirut, Syria, to study at Vermont Academy which is a young Dartmouth school.
Back to Boston for the big alumni dinner with eleven Balmacaaners present. Howdy Parker, Dick Parkhurst, Gran Fuller, Alec Jardine, Bob Steinert, Sam Cutler, Hobie Baker, Bill Mott, and Parker Hayden sat together. Dr. Jay Gile, life trustee, as one of the speakers, sat at the head table, and Jay did us all proud. He gave a wonderful talk. I was present but with singing going on, how was I to sit down and eat? We did prove there was a tradition of song at Dartmouth, for thirty-two men, ranging from the class of 1899 to 1938, unrehearsed, sang two numbers in grand fashion.
Abe Lincoln due to the grippe could not appear, but his wire to the class made up for his absence. We hope you are all better real soon, Abe.
Lymie Perkins is growing healthy, wealthy, wise, and baldheaded. Are you still in the shoe business, Lymie, since you have left New England for Buffalo?
Dr. Phil Stamatiades is physician extra- ordinaire out in Brushton, N. Y. After seeing you operate on Math I and IV, fresh- an year, I don't wonder, Phil, you made a fine doctor. Judge Norman Brundage is still handing out fines and sentences in the Oranges. Charlie Brundage is in the marts of finance, advising fire insurance companies how to invest their money.
I had to dig from other sources to find out what the modest Paul Goward was doing. Paul is now business manager of School Arts—published in Worcester, Mass.
No news of husky Joe Cheney in Chicago. In fact, there is no news from King Cole, Ken Henderson, Joe Larimer, Dewitt Stillman from the Windy City area. How about it, men of 1916—, are you not proud of your Chicago—the so-called Windy City?
There has been no news since the hurricane from Jesse Fenno, of the Providence Airport, sky writer and air advertiser. Once in a while I hear through Rog Evans of the whereabouts of Reg Chutter and Hugo Gumbart, Bethlehem Steel's traveling man.
Gran Fuller met Professor Karl E. Shedd at the Boston Back Bay Station a week ago, as he was on his way back to the Staunton Military Academy. Karl has never returned to a reunion, but will try to make the 25th. Their Commencement comes at reunion time. Karl and Mrs. Karl visited Europe last year as a part of his program of study. Karl is now living at 20 North Market St., Staunton, Va.
President John Pell has been silent since our Executive Committee meeting last fall. Now John, as a former secretary, you know we need news.
You are probably hearing over the air Bones Joy's latest hit, 'When Pa Was Courting Ma." Bones has inspired my youngest son, Jack, to write a song. How- ever, my Kay does not care so much for his hot numbers but would much prefer a minuet. Bones is responsible, for he is Jack's inspiration.
Leigh Rogers' face was plastered all over the newspapers of the country, when the armament bill was submitted to Congress. As president of the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce, Leigh told the country just what the manufacturers could produce.
Bill Mackie is now treasurer of the Mackie Worsted Mills, Centerdale, R. I., but is living at 67 Ocean Ave., Edgewood, R. I. Larry Davidson has a new address at 2515 East Solway, Sioux City. lowa, and Chan White is back in civilization at 541 Western Ave., Albany, N. Y.
These notes sound like a travelogue, but if Balmacaaners wander over the universe, we must follow them if we want news.
Secretary, 37 Maple St., Stoneham, Mass.
