1916*
When we closed our books last month, the Orient chapter of Balmacaan was sojourning with Jack Curtin at Schenectady. A few days later, Rog Evans wrote me from Philadelphia "I have just come from a long lunch with Pete Cleaves, Carl Eskeline and family, which is certainly one for the book. The Chinese double for Jim Farley is driving back to the Coast."
Then a week later a wire came from Fort Worth, Texas, "English, Eskeline, and Eastman resume second furniture sale today. When can you join us." It was signed Eskeline and Eastman. I wasn't so sure I wanted to resume that business, for I have been hearing from members of 1919 and 1920 about our heirloom furniture for years. Anyhow, Eskie was in Texas.
Lucille and Eskie visited the Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon and the Yosemite on their way to Sacramento. Eskie sails June Ist on the President Coolidge from San Francisco for China. Lucille and Judy will stay on in Sacramento to be with Donald during his summer vacation, returning to China when Donald returns to Vermont Academy.
Lincoln Filene celebrated his 75th birthday on April 5th. Balmacaaners of Greater Boston wanted to show in some special way the affection we held for him. We are reproducing the parchment presented to him on behalf of the Class. We, who live in New England, have had the opportunity of knowing and loving our honorary classmate. We all recall the many fine things Lincoln Filene has done for Dartmouth, for the Class, and for his classmates. Long life, happiness and a Wah-Hoo-Wah for Lincoln Filene.
Rog Evans made a flying trip to Hanover last month, stopped over for a day in Boston with Parker Hayden, on to Worcester for a visit with his mother and back to Philadelphia. Rog is one boy who loves his New England.
Gene Chase, professor of Government at Lafayette College, is on sabbatical leave this semester. Gene planned to spend it in England, and finish his new book but along came the war. So Mrs. Gene and Gene went to Mexico for two months which was most fascinating to a professor of comparative government. Anyhow Gene will have to finish said book at his Connecticut farm this summer. And I always thought profs had it easy. Instead they plan further work and study on their vacations.
Only word this year from Atlas Ponder's legal counsel, Cliff Gammons, was attendance at the Philadelphia dinner. Cliff is another boy who loves his New England and should be up here soon with his family.
Kay and I had the pleasure of attending the recital of Barbara Bobst, mezzo soprano at the Bobst homestead. Barbara gave a very delightful program and was lovely to look at. Helene and Frank can well be proud. Like Ed Kiley, Frank can't carry a tune and both have musical children. At our twenty-fifth we should make this pair sing a duet.
At long last comes word from Shorty Hitchcock, special agent of Firemens Insurance of Newark, living at 621 Orange Grove Avenue, South Pasadena, California. Shorty has remarried, his twenty year old son Bob graduates from Pasadena Junior College this June. The shrimp weighs two hundred and forty-five stripped, is still six feet six with a paunch of noble dimensions, plays golf, badminton and goes deep sea fishing.
Shorty sees handsome Dan Coakley now and then, and declares that Dan is still slim, peppy, with his keen sense of Irish humor. Shorty saw Bob Thieme at the L. A. Dartmouth dinner and hoisted a couple with him. He seldoms sees Spence Sully who lives out that way. I still marvel how Shorty can get behind the wheel of a Ford roadster. I've seen Shorty do it, sliding the paunch under the wheel, crossing his feet, using his right foot for throttle and brake, and left for the clutch. It's the only way to put six feet six, a noble paunch, and 245 lbs. in the car. It was great to hear from you.
I'm glad I know Bones Joy. Two lovely young ladies wanted tickets to a big broadcast in New York. I just wrote to the Maestro and so I had the tickets and now have two young friends for life. However, said Bones has lost his fight. He refuses to enter into a contest for a twenty-fifth cartoon. Frank Bobst and Ken Stowell accepted but Bones just quit. Ken has agreed on condition that he is sole judge of the entries. So Balmacaaners, look for something good.
Jock Fletcher is now associated with Joe Carleton in the Boston Fiduciary Trust. It means that Boston will now be able to hold Jock here in Boston.
Julian Hovey out in Escondido, California, is preparing his ranch for turkey raising and is starting his first flock this year. Keep your eyes out now for Hovey turkeys when they come on the market.
More news from California. Dr. Earl Carston, chairman of Political Science and History at Redlands University, was one of twelve Californians selected to contribute to the symposium This Way Out just published. Earl is the author of Swords orPlow Shares and has taught in China, Boston University and Colgate.
Prexy Johnny Pell has pity on a secretary. Johnny, now on a trip to Ohio, has written me three letters with news. First, he sends me a clipping from the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, showing one Hermit Fletcher Reed Andrews doing a jitterbug dance with a beautiful girl. I didn't add the Hermit, for it actually is the newspaper cap-tion. And we Balmacaaners still think of Fletch as a serious professor of law.
Johnny saw Bill Brett in Cleveland. Bill told Johnny that on a visit to see Bill's oldest son who is at the military Junior College in Roswell, New Mexico, he looked up Red Tucker. Red has built himself a log cabin on top of a mountain, snow the year round. Red is practicing medicine among the natives. Mrs. Tucker is with Red, and his daughter is away at school. It's mighty good to hear that old Dr. Cecil Tucker is back on his feet. Our hope Red, is that you will continue in good health.
Doug Morey sports a new address at 1231 West Erie Avenue, Philadelphia. Look him up Rog Evans, will you and see if Doug is fat and bald.
Hap Ward writes he is now living at 712 West Henly Street, Olean, New York. Cliff Bean has moved back to Hampton, New Hampshire and commutes daily to Boston. At least Cliff will be able to get a seat on the train and do some reading, for in Boston and at Melrose Cliff is working night and day.
When you read these notes, Pete Cleaves and his hard working, earnest crew, of Bill Biel, Livy Cole, Al Gluek, Parker Hayden, Dan Lindsley and Tog Upham will be doing their best to get in your contribution to the Alumni Fund. If you haven't sent yours in, won't you do so now?
A pleasant summer to all Balmacaaners. If any of the firemen visit Boston during the summer, call Frank Bobst, 1 Federal St., Gran Fuller, 550 Brighton Avenue, Cliff Bean, at Filene's, and me at 111 Devonshire St. We will have a get-to-gether and maybe a party.
75TH BIRTHDAY GREETINGS Boston members of the class of 1916 paidtribute to Lincoln Filene, honorary member of the class, with the testimonial reproduced above on his 75th birthday April 5. Mr. File?ie received the honorary degree ofMaster of Arts from the College at Commencement 1916 when the class was graduated.
Secretary, 37 Maple St., Stoneham, Mass.
Class Agent, Girard Trust Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
* 100% subscribers to the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, on class group plan.
