1908
The big cup for the class having largest per cent of members in attendance at the union July 5, 6 and 7 was won by '08. If it hadn't been, we wouldn't mention it at all. But it required 42 classmates in Hanover to win the silverware, and the group was augmented by 18 wives and daughters, and two 'ogers, Dick Lord and Herb Hawes, who were welcome additions to our party.
Butterfield Hall! Huh, nobody even knew where it is. Some went looking for the old Butterfield museum! But everybody located it, the newest of the fine Dartmouth dormitories. To calm the curiosity of the absentees, it's on the north side of Tuck Drive, fairly near Crosby House: That was 'OB headquarters, with a tent and piano on the lawn. There was somebody to lug our bags and make the beds, despite advance warnings that we might have to be our own porters and chambermaids. We heard no complaints of lack of service, or that the beds were too soft.
At dusk Friday classmates were mildly shocked by being asked to lead the procession to the President's reception "as the oldest class in Hanover." The reception, in the lovely garden at John Dickey's home, on a perfect summer evening, was truly delightful. Afterwards some looked in at the dance in College Hall, the poker players got organized, but most of the party grouped around Mort Hull and his Guitar. The backs went tearing by, Mary was cheered up, and all the other old songs echoed in close harmony in the soft summer moonlight, well into Saturday morning.
Saturday many of our group attended the interesting meeting of the General Alumni Association in Dartmouth Hall. There the problems, hopes and plans of Dartmouth were explained by President Dickey, Sid Hayward, Nat Burleigh, Eddie Chamberlain and others. At 12.15 the class picture was taken (with the cup, of course) and as usual with several classmates missing.
At Thayer School in the afternoon Sid Ruggles put on a real show, the colored pictures he made during his stay in Alaska as an engineer on the Alcan Highway; In Sid the class has a second Burton Holmes. He made a real contribution to the reunion.
A cocktail party on the lawn and in the tent prepared everybody for the class dinner at the Outing Club House, classmates in the dining room and the ladies on the porch. (The inch-thick steaks were earmarked for 'OB last April and put away in the freeze locker. All homage to Art Soule and to Miss Gill who managed all the details.) The dinner was marked by a minimum of silence and decorum. The highlight was a talk by Prof. Messer on Dartmouth's program and help to undergraduates, especially returning servicemen.
Most of the class went to Webster Hall after dinner, to the Dartmouth Players' performance of a rip-roaring "mellerdrammer." And thence back to the moonlight and music at class headquarters. Music, moonlight, the spell of the Hanover elms, Dartmouth, and old friends seldom seen.
The simple chronology of '08's three-yeardeferred 35th reunion gives little picture of the genuine enjoyment. Nobody was urged. No pressure put on that "if you miss it you'll always regret it." That 43 classmates were there is proof that a reunion in '46 was desired, and we venture to say the experience was twice as good as anybody anticipated, all enhanced by perfect weather and marred only by absence of men we all hoped to see and those who will never reune with us again in this world.
Telegrams were sent Ev Marsh and Bill Knight, Bill just out after a long hospital experience. Messages from other classmates were posted.
Chick Currier came by plane from California and had his handsome son with him. Ed Bartlett, Dupont chemist from Wilmington, Del., brought his very charming daughter, as did Art Lewis. Park Stickney brought greetings and regrets from the Chicago delegation. Wink and Dorothy Fiske, all the way from Pittsburgh by auto, were warmly welcomed. And Art Soule, who furnished everything from badges and tickets to drinks and music, all for a tax amazingly low, received the cheers and commendation due a Grade A reunion chairman.
So '08's 35th reunion takes its place as one or the very best, and with the unique distinction of coming only two years before the 40th.
Classmates in attendance were: Anderson, Badger, Bant Blake, Blakely, Blanchard, Bartlett, Copeland, Corcoran, Cowee, Crosby, Chick Currier, Fiske, Furman, Hale, Hobart, Hull, Harriman, Joyce, A. L. Lewis, Lynde, Keith, McCarty, Gleason, Munkelt, O'Shea, Pease, Rogers, Rotch, Ruggles, Ruxton, Safford, Soule, Stearns, Stickney, Symmes, Stone, Tappan, R. F. Thompson, Thorpe, Treadway, Walker, Wyman, Lord '09, Hawes '09.
1908 HOLDS TEMPORARY POSSESSION of the '94 Attendance Cup for the weekend of July 5-6 with 25% of their class present.
Secretary, 115 Broadway, New York 6, N. Y.
Class Notes Editor, 602 Forest City National Bank Bldg. Rockford, Ill.
Treasurer, Taftville, Conn.
