1917
Lots of good news this time—also, some verysad news! During the past six weeks, we havelost two of our outstanding classmates: HunkStillman passed away March 21 at the Memorial Hospital, Nashua, N. H. Al Cheney, whohas been living in Puerto Rico for many years, passed away the 21st of February. The IN MEMORIAM pages carry more complete information. Both of these men we will greatly miss, and I know we all wish to express our sincere sympathy to both families.
A note from George Gregory, who has been living in Jersey the last few months, states that he is still in the land of the living and hopes to get around to some of our local get-togethers shortly. He sends in his regards to all you folks.
Cliff Murray writes he has been pretty much out of commission since December, 1949, but is improving slowly.
Warner Sturtevant gives us the following news about Earle Carter's daughter, Nancy Wright Carter, who was married to John Britt Leroy Jr. on March 19. Nancy attended Dana Hall, Wellesley, and her husband attended the University of Illinois. Warner continues, saying that Chan and Hazel Steiger are on a South American cruise. Warner reports no special news from him, but is busily engaged selling tickets for the Dartmouth Glee Club Concert in Springfield.
Banker Emerson sends in the following:
"Last week I was in Atlanta and had the pleasure of a visit and a couple of snifters with Hen Sturgess, the first time 1 had seen him in many years. He is conveniently located for visiting firemen in the Candler Building and apparently is doing a grand job as a real estate broker. He has been quite active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Real Estate Board and is now working on the Red Cross Drive. His son is in the office with him. He hasn't been able to get to Hanover since his visit there in a Navy uniform on official business during the war."
Our news reporter, Sam MacKillopp sends in the following very interesting announcement:
"The marriage of Mrs. Theodore K. Babcock of Fairfield Street and Mr. Winthrop R. Scudder of Norwell took place Friday evening, March 10, at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon H. McKissock, in Westwood. The Rev. Rudolph Roell of St. Paul's Church, Dedham, officiated. The witnesses were Mrs. Scudder's brother, Mr. Frederick Hitchcock of New York City and Mr. William R. Scudder Jr. of Melrose." Congratulations, Win!
The following letter from Jim Fox announces the fact that I have a third grandson. As a matter of fact, in the late two weeks I have become a grandfather again and have two new grandsons. This makes my total four. Pretty good, wot?
"Congratulations on the birth of your third grandson. You seem to be about a generation ahead of me although I am sure that you are not that much older. Yet, the fact is that my son, James E. '48, delayed by the Infantry for 18 months, just graduated from Dartmouth in February. And you have grandsons!
"Daughter Martha is at Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in New York and Mary is attending Nazareth Academy here in Wakefield.
"There are a number of Dartmouth men in this town, but not another from '17.
"I see Connie Murphy quite frequently. At the moment, he is quite ill at the Maldin Hospital following an operation. We are hoping that everything will be all right in a few days."
Ken Hammond from far-off Loveland, Colo,sends you all an invitation as follows:
"You ask for 1917 Class news. For 20 years, I have been operating my own mortuary here. Am still married to the same wife, believe it or not, who was Dorothy Loomis of Westfield, Mass. Two children have arrived, Mrs. Ernest Hartwell, graduate of Colo. University, who lives here with her husband; and a son, Terry, student at Colo. A. & M. College at Ft. Collins, Colo. No grandchildren, yet.
"I go to New England every few years, the last time being at our last reunion in 1947. .
"Wife and I went to Hawaii last year, which is a trip that I will recommend to anyone, who has first seen Colorado with its mountains and scenery. We live in a small town of 8,000, right at the foot of the mountains. We are in good health and are enjoying life.
"I see little of Dartmouth men, since none live very close, but I would enjoy seeing some of the class members who go right through my town on their way to Estes Park. We are always home during the summer months; besides, good fishing is within 30 minutes' drive from my home. The latter should appeal to those who are fat and fifty.
"Best regards to all."
Freddy Husk sends in some informationabout the Dartmouth-Michigan game whichtakes place out there next fall:
"It was nice to get your note, especially the personal one at the bottom where you call me a tycoon, but why put that prefix in there ? Not that I am sensitive, but it makes me think. There hasn't been a great deal happening since I saw you in Hanover last year, either to me or my wife. We seem to be going along in a normal way such as people do at our age.
"However, for your information and that of any of our crowd that are interested, we are planning a Dartmouth Pow Wow, in connection with the Michigan game, for October 6 and 7 in Detroit at the Statler Hotel, which will be our headquarters. This will consist of a smoker and stag dinner on Friday night, and a dinner dance on Saturday night. From the indications that we have already received, it looks like it will be a real bang-up affair. There are several special trains coming from the East and West, as well as the large numbers who will drive. It so happens that October is the finest month of the year in this vicinity, and those who are within driving distance should certainly take advantage of it. If it were possible to have a 1917 gathering before the smoker on Friday night, I think it would be a fine idea. You might sound the boys out and see how they feel about it. I know a number of other classes are planning a similar meeting. I haven't seen a 1917 man in the last year around here."
We note by the papers that Dr. and Mrs.Waltman Walters were on the Coast for ashort visit.
Doc Angus Black contributes the following: "The response to your request for notes of myself and family would seem of little interest to anyone. Long ago Belle and I promised ourselves that should we survive 30 years of married life and the practice of medicine, we would take a long vacation from the latter. Hence, last November we arrived here in Florida where we have enjoyed splendid weather, and acquired both a deep tan and a grand rest. Our only disappointment has been our failure to benefit, as advertised, from any of the Fountains of Youth.
"Now we head West to see California, Oregon and finally our son, Angus, Dartmouth '45, who is working for his master's degree at Utah State. His education has been delayed by four years in Naval duration and the time required for a B.S. at the University of Maine.
"Then, home about June 1 to pick up the remains of the practice and appease the creditors. With me I have our last class catalogue, which I hope to use in locating some Seventeeners along the way to renew old acquaintances.
"Congratulations to you, Karl, on thrice being a grandfather. May you be such many times more. Our only child has not yet, to my knowledge, embarked on the sea of matrimony.
"Belle, you will remember she was a blushing bride at our 'Third,' joins me in kindest regards and best wishes to every classmate and his family."
Al Hickmott, one of our financial wizards,has a very interesting point of view:
"When you go along about so far a period of years, you get the idea nothing has happened. And yet, in your position, trying to supply some news of the Class there is need for any information you can get. I know I am always intensely interested in what has' been happening to our crowd. I became a full vice-president of this company a year ago (Connecticut General Life Insurance Co.). I think I told you that. Perhaps my chief recreation—and believe me, I do not carry business problems home with me—is old cars and Seventeenth Century Literature. I am just completing the restoration of a 1915 Simplex Crane model No. 5, and she is going to be the grandest old gal you ever saw. Much to the amusement of my betters, I am compiling piling a catalog of my library, complete with prob- ably very sophomoric criticism of the authors and their work. (I am the only collector, I guess, who insists on reading what he buys.) Last month, I assumed the presidency of the New London Northern R. R.—due to a life-long interest in it and close friendship with the former president. Mostly honorary, but a lot of fun. I'll try to be more regular with whatever happens."
Art Jopson, who really writes a letter you can read, has much news:
"To prove that time marches on, I looked in on the son of one of our most substantial classmates to see the son at work, said son being Victor C. Smith Jr., sort of assistant in charge of construction of the new Woolworth Building in Lancaster, Pa. Young Vic is as big as his dad mentally and physically. My son, Arthur B. Jopson Jr. is of the 1945 Class, same as Young Vic. They are good friends also and young Jopson works for Victor C. Smith and George Torrington '12, same class as "Doc" O'Connor. I think Creep Hartshorn has a son in Philadelphia with one of the steel warehousing companies, but my secondhand "ticker" or heart does not permit of my attending nightly gatherings, so I may have missed young Hartshorn.
"Mr. Pete Pray '15—I think you may remember Pete as a Psi Upsilon, maybe as a tennis player is a regular attendant of Phila. Alumni Luncheons on Monday noon gathering at the Princeton Club. Henry Wright has gone back to Boston, Mass. for New England Candy Cos., living out near Wellesley Hills. Hence of occasion, bunks with us when in Phila.
"As to the Jopson end of things, we have three children: girl, boy and girl, who have made us old folks—oldest daughter has three sons. Her husband flew a lot in the war and works for a Psi U living in Keene, N. H. Markham Machine Co.—Putnam by name—son-in-law's name being Suehle, pronounced Seely. His assistant is Robert Mensel, recent Dartmouth graduate, son of Jake Mensel's brother, about 1912.
"I have another daughter who has a son and daughter, and Bud Jopson '45 Dartmouth has a son A. B. J. III. Anything more? I have had a call on occasion from Towler when he comes to our village. Your effort at keeping the class together has teen splendid. News of the class is fine: a lot of the lads have done a real job.
"I cannot say much for my accomplishments, J. am still with Loyal Hanna Coal & Coke Co. John Lewis has done us no good. We dig some black diamonds when he says it is his pleasure for us to so do.
"My "pump" has slowed me down. I get around with care but cannot make class reunions or ball games, but still have fun. Some of the enclosed is personal maybe, but my hat is off to a group of fine guys who have kept '17 together. I see BruceLudgate of occasion. The younger element are building an organization in Phila., but we do not have enough for our own club as yet. We are still renting at the Princeton Club, but they are sincere in their welcome to Dartmouth.
"Best wishes, say hello to George Gregory, TrottKing, Towler—Emerson gad, great guys!"
Gerry Gerrish and Jack Hill, two or our outstanding New Englanders, give us some very interesting bits.
"In the rush of business it is nice to hear from an old friend, and I appreciate your writing me. I know I have been quite amiss in not getting around more, and keeping in contact with our Class. I have no excuse other than trying to concentrate on business, and I realize everybody does the same thing, and still finds time to meet with the Class.
"Perhaps, as you know, my business is a specialty business, being about 90% Mahogany. Insomuch as Mahogany comes from the Tropics, I have had to spend considerable time away from the country, and do an awful lot of travelling.
"We are still living in Wellesley Hills, where we have lived since we were married. I have three children, two boys and a girl. One boy and the girl are married. Both boys are working with me here in the business.
"My spare time I like to work outdoors to try to keep my weight down, so that I find I am spending more time in an orchard that I have and garden, rather than golf. I also have a summer home in Hyannisport, Cape Cod, which I try to keep up by doing the outside work. If any of the boys are ever in that vicinity I would like to have them give me a ring.
"I congratulate you on your grandchild, and I might add that I am not a grandfather but expect to be in the near future."
From Jack: "I have your letter of March 6 and am sorry to say that I have not seen any '17ers recently. How- ever, I would be delighted to see any and all of them and I would advise that my office and home addresses, and telephone numbers, are in the book. It seems likely that some of the boys might get down to Maine in the summer, and they could easily contact me that way in Portland.
"Mrs. Hill and I are sailing for France on April 22 and expect to return on June 1. If anybody is going to be around Paris during that time, I would be glad to make arrangements for a get-together. We had a delightful three-months tour through France, Italy and Switzerland last summer, and can't resist the temptation to do it over again but to a more limited extent in time and area this year."
Sam MacKillop, who attended the Annual Dartmouth Association Dinner of Boston, sent the following: "Other Seventeeners present were: Bob Chase, Bunny Holden, SpikeMaclntyre, Pete Olds, Joe Randall, SunnySanborn, Howie Stockwell, Perc Streeter. Streeter, accompanied by his wife, unexpectedly came down from Canada on a short business trip, which also gave them an opportunity to visit their daughter, Ann, who is attending Newton College."
Note: Don Litchard poses for a picture with actress-author, Cornelia Otis Skinner, in the Red Cross Leaders Campaign at Wellesley.
Note the following changes of address: Dr.Angus C. Black, 66 Western Ave., Brattleboro, Vt.; George C. Currier, 1120 Bromfield Rd., San Mateo, Calif.; Emdon Fritz, Room 1762,129 Broadway, N.Y.C., Wheatley Road, Westbury, L. 1., N. Y.; Herbert C. Jenks, 2214 Lincoln St., Evanston, Ill.; Rev. John E. MacMartin, 1824 Ninth St., Monroe, Wis.; LeslieB. Stevens, 95 Grove St., Plantsville, Conn.; Wallace C. Maxfield, 2080 Sharpless Drive, La Habra, Calif.
Thanks again for the copious and most interesting letters. Keep them coming! I leave today (March 28) for California and expect to be back the middle of April with a lot of up-to-the-minute reports from our California area.
Secretary, 408 Frelinghuysen Ave., Newark 5, N. J. Treasurer, 9 Park Terrace, Upper Montclair, N. J. Class Agent, Barbour-Stockwell Co., 205 Broadway, Cambridge 39, Mass.
