1907's "Historic" Fortieth

1907's 40th Reunion is history. At any rate, it will be remembered more vividly by those who experienced it than the Battle of Hastings or the Declaration of Independence. If it isn't history, it was someth ing.

This report will necessarily be incomplete, possibly inaccurate in some respects, because it will be the picture of what one man saw, heard and felt. If it gives those who were unable to participate some idea of the events and the atmosphere of the Reunion, it will accomplish its purpose. Although there were no scheduled reunion events until Friday afternoon, a few impatient regulars were established at class headquarters in Middle Massachusetts on Thursday afternoon. Among them were Southgate, Liscomb, McLane and Lane. On Friday the trek from all directions was under way and throughout the day '07 men, women and children reached their destination and registered at headquarters. The weather was not ideal, and at times discouraging. If there was a low point during the Reunion, which is doubtful, it was about 4:00 P.M. on Friday when the skies opened completely but, fortunately, briefly. The first event was scheduled for 5:30 at the Inn—a reception followed by a buffet supper. In spite of a wet lawn and intermittent showers, the attendance and the enthusiasm exceeded all estimates. There were over 100—'07 men, women and children at these parties.

After supper the Class moved on, more or less as a unit, to the President's Reception in Baker Library to become acquainted with and pledge loyalty to President John Dickey. Following the reception, class and college movies were shown in McNutt Hall. The class movies were the product of Phil Chase's engineering talents. They portrayed three earlier '07 reunions and were viewed with obvious interest and enthusiasm. The college film was a highquality professional product giving a highspot picture of the transition of the College from peacetime through the war and into the recent postwar period. And so to bedfor some!

Saturday was exciting. Late arrivals registered throughout the morning. At 10:30 the count was 67 men, 44 wives and about 10 children, and the reunion attendance prize was awarded on the basis of the count at that time. '07 did not win the prize, but it apparently broke its own previous records, with more than 50% of living graduates present, and the final count was 77 men, 46 wives and 15 children. At 11:15 class photographs were taken, one including wives and children, and one for men only. If you want one, write your Class Secretary.

Immediately after the class picture the Wives Committee, consisting of Elizabeth McLane, Marguerite Heneage, Helen Cummings and Lucy Lane, went to work on the most complicated administrative problem of the entire week end. The wives had scheduled a luncheon at Juniper Hill Farm, near Windsor, Vt. They were to drive from Hanover by auto, and the problem was to round up the cars and get them on their way. Simple? On the contrary! Everybody and nobody shouted directions, and the procession was stalled until out of the blue, order came out of chaos and the women were on their way. Some thought they would wind up in six different New England States, but they actually arrived at their destination on the dot. From all reports it was a delightful experience. In any case, the women did not sit on the headquarters steps knitting socks while the men were attending the Alumni Luncheon at noon.

The Alumni Luncheon was a meeting of all reunion classes with college and Alumni Association officers. It was followed by an outdoor meeting of the General Alumni Association. Addresses of intense interest were made by President Dickey and Don AlcLrich '17.

Those who passed up the Alumni Meeting, and some of those who attended it, spent the rest of the afternoon on Hanover's hilly golf course. Reports are sketchy, but none give the slightest hope that par was broken, or even threatened.

Late Saturday, and incidentally, or rather significantly, it was a beautiful Saturday, the class foregathered on the Hanover Inn lawn, where at some future date the Hopkins Memorial will arise, and enjoyed another reception. (Reception is the Administration's diplomatic synonym for a cocktail party.) At this party our attendance approximated 135 men, women and children. It was a delightful event and an ideal curtain-raiser for the final scheduled events of the Reunion. They were the Class Dinner for the men in the Hovey Grill at Thayer Hall, and the Wives' Dinner at the Outing Club House on Occom Pond.

Reports from the Wives' Dinner were enthusiastic, though no reporter was present to confirm that impression. It is certain, however, that the wives were not left sitting on the doorstep, and it may be that the apparent enthusiasm was very real. All the signs pointed in that direction.

The Class Dinner was, as it should always be, the big event of the Reunion. There were nearly 80 of us in the attractive Hovey Grill which, with its historic Dartmouth murals, was an ideal setting for such a group. President Jim O'Neill presided in his particularly delightful and skillful manner. Before tackling the business (?) of the evening a brief memorial service was held for the eighteen '07 men who have died since our 35th. Our Reverend Charlie Beats presided at this simple, sincere ceremony. The next speaker was the Class Secretary, whose suggestions that the Class express its affection and loyalty to President Emeritus Hopkins and to President Dickey were unanimously approved. The Secretary then moved into a report about the men who had been unable to return, about the happenings of particular interest in the Class since our last reunion, and about other items of more or less interest, when the dramatic event of the entire Reunion occurred. At the far end of the Hovey Grill is a curtained entrance leading down to the floor. Without warning during the Secretary's remarks the curtains were flung back, disclosing Harry McDevitt, whose arrival had been eagerly awaited. At that late hour it had been assumed that he had been detained and would not appear, but when he did appear, the "business" was adjourned for the more important business of hearing Harry sing the old songs. If enthusiasm was high before Harry Mac's appearance, it went out the top from that time on. While Mac was catching his breath, Treasurer Bill Cummings and Trustee-Class Agent Judge McLane presented their respective reports, both of which were interesting, constructive and received with enthusiasm.

The Class Dinner broke up about 9:30 and many moved on to join their wives at the play in Webster Hall. Many others returned to the Class Tent, where Harry Mac and a group of volunteers "made the echos ring for Dartmouth." Later, after the play, the '07 audience overflowed the capacity of the tent and delegations from other class reunions were drawn by the magnet of Harry's voice. This reporter departed somewhere in the small hours and cannot confirm, but is strongly inclined to believe the reports that the echos were ringing until nearing dawn. It was a typical and wonderful climax to '07's 40th which, as forecasted, proved to be A Reunion to Remember.

Sunday morning was sunny and beautiful. Classmates were beginning to move out and start home. The setting in front of Middle Mass was lively and gay, and possibly emotional. It appeared to be completely unanimous that the 40th topped all earlier reunions. I believe these assertions were utterly sincere. A suggestion was made, somewhat casually, that five years was a long time to wait for the next reunion and that the Class might well consider an annual reunion, however limited the attendance might be. The suggestion quickly developed into something approaching a demand, and it is now presented to all of you—those who attended the Reunion and those who did a trial balloon. It can be done, if you want it. In fact, it's quite possible that it can't be prevented. Reactions will be welcomed by the Secretary.

One classmate, one of our few bachelors, announced during the Class Dinner that the Reunion was so successful because the '07 wives were so attractive and congenial. There was no dissenting voice. More wives attended this reuniop than any previous one, and it seems certain that more wives enjoyed this reunion thoroughly than ever before. The Committee of Wives for Wives was active and efficient. Much credit for the reunion success belongs with them.

Liscomb was on duty morning, noon and night. His room was official and unofficial headquarters. He was always a genial host to classmates and to visitors from other reunions. His assistance and that of Dick Southgate before and during the Reunion was priceless. The whole effort to make the 40th a.success was a fine piece of teamwork. Many contributed—too many to call by name. I neglected to report that the class officers were unanimously reelected for the next 40 years. In return for this mark of confidence the class officers pledge themselves to make future reunions as successful and as enjoyable as the 40th.

The Reunion Roster:

E. L. Ashley, W. J. Ahern, E. B. Barker, S. L. Barnes, J. A. Bartlett, S. C. Bartlett, C. E. Beals, Allan Brown, J. B. Brown, R. W. Brown, P. H. Chase, L. W. Churchill, P. W. Churchill, J. M. Coburn, R. C. Cochrane, N. C. Coombs, J. F. Crocker, W. H. Cummings, N. L. Cushman, E. F. Cutts, N. F. Davis, O. C. Davis, G. E. Dudley, C. W. Fields, E. L. Foley.

L. C. Gerry, G. W. Grebenstein, F. B. Greenleaf, J. W. Hammond, H. R. Heneage, H. H. Hill, H. D. Hinman, L. M. Holman, H. D. Jennings, J. V. Jewett, R. D. Kenyon, W. R. Kimball, V. L. King, M. C. Knapp, N. H. Knight, H. R. Lane, E. H. Leonard, G. E. Liscomb, R. I. Lyon, H. S. McDevitt, J. R. McLane, G. R. Merrill, W. J. Minsch, H. H. Mitchell.

H. L. Niles, C. E. Norris, J. M. O'Neill, R. S. Perkins, C. T. Pierce, C. Plummer, B. W. Pond, R. P. Prichard, T. T. Redington, E. T. Richards, E. Richardson, W. A. Sanborn, C. S. Sandy, W. H. Smart, M. K. Smith, R. S. Southgate, A. E. Stevens, R. T. Stokes, H. C. Storrs, A. W. Taylor, P. Tabor, W D Walker, H. S. Whitaker, A. G. White, D. J. Williams, A. E. Winslow, C. P. Woodworth, T. W. Worthen.

WIVES—Mrs. E. L. Ashley, Mrs. S. L. Barnes, Mrs. J. A. Bartlett, Mrs. Allan Brown, Mrs. J. B. Brown, Mrs. R. W. Brown, Mrs. P. H. Chase, Mrs. L. W. Churchill, Mrs. R. C. Cochrane, Mrs. J. F. Crocker, Mrs. W. H. Cummings, Mrs. E. F. Cutts, Mrs. N. F. Davis, Mrs. C. W. Fields, Mrs. E. L. Foley, Mrs. L. C. Gerry, Mrs. G. W. Grebenstein, Mrs. F. B. Greenleaf, Mrs. J. W. Hammond, Mrs. H. R. Heneage, Mrs. H. H. Hill, Mrs. L. M. Holman, Mrs. H. D. Jennings, Mrs. J. V. Jewett, Mrs. R. D. Kenyon, Mrs. W. R. Kimball, Mrs. V. L. King, Mrs. H. R. Lane, Mrs. E. H. Leonard, Mrs. J. R. McLane, Mrs. W. J. Minsch, Mrs. H. L. Niles, Mrs. C. E. Norris, Mrs. J. M. O'Neill, Mrs. R. S. Perkins, Mrs. R. P. Prichard, Mrs. T. T. Redington, Mrs. E. T. Richards, Mrs. C. S. Sandy, Mrs. W. H. Smart, Mrs. A. E. Stevens, Mrs. R. T. Stokes, Mrs. H. C. Storrs, Mrs. A. W. Taylor, Mrs. W. D. Walker, Mrs. T. W. Worthen.

CHILDREN—Betty Ahern, Gardner Ashley, Eleanor Ashley, Julia Ashley, Jim Bartlett's daughters (2), Gardner Cushman, Susan Foley, Victoria Grebenstein, Jack Hammond's daughter, Peter Heneage, Dr. Perkins' sons (2), Rube Prichard Jr., Al White's son.

THE 40-YEAR CLASS, 1907, ADDED ANOTHER GROUP REUNION PICTURE TO ITS CLASS ALBUM WHEN IT RETURNED TO HANOVER LAST MONTH.

CLASS SECRETARY