The 45th Reunion of 1896
THE FORTY-FIFTH REUNION of our class was held with our headquarters at North Massachusetts Hall. After holding five Reunion observances at South Fayer-weather, the removal to a new Commencement home required considerable mental as well as physical readjustment to acclimate ourselves to the changed condition.
The concern of the college for the infirmities of our increasing age as expressed in the Bursar's letter overwhelmed us, but we might have well exchanged the short walk to meals and freedom from noise of the so called younger classes for modern toilet arrangements and facilities, but we remembered the elderly lady who while travelling many years ago on the Cunard line was overcome by the Steward's answer "Madam you can't have a clean towel, but we never lost a life."
The list of reuning members of the class embraces: Judge and Mrs. Louis S. Cox, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin W. Couch, Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Duffy, Mr. and Mrs. Byron E. Eldred, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Ham, Dr. and Mrs. Hiram L. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Lakeman, Mr. and Mrs. Guy C. Richards, Charles A. Jacquith, Selden L. Staples, Philip Young, Herbert A. Warden and his daughter Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Craven Laycock, Miss Mary A. Fletcher, Miss Dorothy Cox and guest. President Richards and Secretary Lakeman, comprising the class administration, arrived upon the scene on Thursday to carry out the plans made in connection with the Reunion program. The first arrival was Jaquith and the file closers were the numerous Coxes.
The first class event was a tea given by Mrs. Laycock and Miss Fletcher at the charming house and garden of Miss Fletcher. We had a wonderful two hours there. The great appreciation of all class members in attendance is extended to the hostesses. Dinner for the class group was served in a private room in Thayer Hall where the members lingered long for chat and repartee.
Saturday morning the men took part in the parade under the guidance of President Richards, who made a fine figure as class marshall, and thoroughly enjoyed the speaking program including the announcement that our class on that date stood third in the increase of contributions to the Alumni Fund, and thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent luncheon menus. The class was on their own from then until the taking of the class picture at five-thirty. After the pause that refreshes, the class enjoyed dinner in its private room at Thayer. After dinner the ladies of the class attended the performance of The Male Animal at Webster Hall, while the men sat down to the hour of communion and good fellowship, at the same time receiving communications from absent members and transacting necessary business.
On Sunday morning the entire class met at the grave of the late distinguished member, Craven Laycock, where a memorial service for all deceased members of the class was conducted by President Guy C. Richards. At 12 o'clock the class was on the way to the Goodfellow Farm among the hills off the Lyme Road where between the rain drops a grilled luncheon was served and thoroughly enjoyed. Mayor Warden of New burgh, New York, wielded the broilers with great skill, and Judge Cox acted as chief guinea pig and boss taster of the concoctions of Ben Couch.
The class attended the Commencement exercises in the Bema and had the extreme pleasure of witnessing the conferring of an Honorary Degree on our distinguished classmate Benjamin W. Couch, whose life of service makes his title to the honor clean and secure.
The citation by President Hopkins is printed elsewhere in the MAGAZINE.
The class again was served at dinner in its room at Thayer and with a later chat and night cap at headquarters finished its program.
Although unavoidable circumstances reduced the number of attendants at the Reunion, the goodly number who came had a glorious time and further cemented the strong ties of friendship that hold us together for the remainder of our lives.
THE GROUP OF 45 YEAR REUNERS FROM THE CLASS OF 1896.
MRS. CRAVEN LAYCOCK '96 AT 45TH REUNION RECEPTION The gathering at the home of Miss Mary Fletcher is described in the accompanying classreport by Harry D. Lakeman, secretary of the class, who is standing at left. Guy C. Richards, president of 1896, standing center, and to his right, in front of the window lookingout on Occom Pond, is Mrs. Laycock, wife of the late and beloved Craven Laycock '96.
