1895

At our 40th reunion we experimented with an innovation. In place of the regulation class banquet we had a genuine country supper at the home of the secretary in Hartford. On Sunday morning we had breakfast together at the Outing Club. The experiment seemed to bring such natural and spontaneous enjoyment, the same arrangements have been made for our soon-to-arrive 45th. Commitments for these events were made several months ago.

Recently the College has notified secretaries of reuning classes that a change in the Commencement program for Sunday morning, June 16, has been made which provides for a Memorial Service for Dean Laycock at 9:45 A.M. Baccalaureate Exercises in Rollins Chapel will follow this at 11 o'clock.

Craven Laycock was almost a part of our Class. Three years of his college life were contemporaneous with our Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. We who were Dekes knew him well, and with affection and respect.

On the premise that to travel with a person is to know him rather intimately, I probably knew him more intimately in his early days than any other member of '95.

I happened to be in St. Petersburg, Florida, when news of Craven's sudden death was flashed there. I had just called up Mrs. Edwin B. Frost by telephone. Her immediate response was "I have bad news for you. Word has just come of the sudden death of Craven Laycock." Memories of our European trip together came vividly to mind with the inevitable flash of sadness that news of the sudden death of a friend engenders.

In the early summer of 1897, Craven and I boxed our bicycles and sailed from Montreal on a cattle ship for Liverpool. We had expected to attend Prof. Herbert Foster's wedding there. But landing was delayed just long enough to deprive us of that pleasure. We toured the British Isles together all summer, spending part of the time in the family of one of his brothers. When we returned to Montreal I felt that I knew Craven Laycock, perhaps better than I knew any man in my own Class. So I felt his sudden going out of life with a pang of grief.

Here's a paragraph from a letter recently received from "Sherry" Baketel: "I am just back from a month at my plantation in Charleston. One Sunday, a few weeks ago, when I was coming out of church there I met Holden, who was on his way back from the South. I thought he looked exceedingly fit, and youthful in appearance." Drs. Baketel and C. W. Milliken '95 medics, are planning to attend our reunion.

Watson W. Baker (non-graduate) writes: 'When I think of the way the class of '95 received me after my long absence I want to come again and see you all. Can bring all my family but the dog. He wants to come too, but we won't bring him."

We will all regret not seeing Dr. Charlie Pollard and Mrs. Pollard at the reunion. In a recent letter, he calls my attention to an error in the class notes published in the May number of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE. It appears that he has been instrumental in starting a home for adolescent girls and not for delinquent girls as stated in the previous notes. He writes "We anticipate that the work done in this home will prevent delinquency."

Secretary, White River Junction, Vt.

Class Agent, 40 Prospect St., Claremont, N. H.