1895
Something new has happened in our Class. A week or more after our 55th Reunion, Ernest Gile nominated Mr. Elmer Munson Hunt for election as an honorary member of '95. I immediately submitted the nomination to the class. The response was prompt and Mr. Hunt was unanimously elected by an unusual percentage of members, some of whom seldom respond to a class poll. For instance: JohnHayes, who is much in retirement and doesn't feel able to reply to letters, was one of the first to vote. He wrote on the return card as follows, "Anybody recommended by Ernest meets with my approval and I am pleased to vote 'ves' for Mr. Hunt."
Arthur Campbell responded promptly too. "Tommy" Thompson remarked, "I gladly vote 'yes:' he's pretty young. Probably will become the oldest living Alumnus." If he is pretty young, then I am not pretty old.
"H. Dan" Watson: "I have plentiful confidence in the judgment of yourself and Ernie Gile."
Dr. Chas. Pollard: "If Gile recommends, I gladly second the nomination."
Johnny K. Lord: "From what you wrote of Mr. Elmer Hunt, he would seem to be a desirable honorary member."
Fred Cleaveland: "Very appropriate idea." Joe Ford: "Won't hurt us to get stirred up a bit by a new member with so good a record and backer."
Dr. H. Sheridan Baketel: "He would be a great addition to the Class." I have received two appreciative letters from Classmate Hunt. I quote one:
"Dear Mr. Stevens:
"I am overwhelmed at being elected an honorary member of the illustrious Class of 1895 at Dartmouth. Having spent a considerable part of the last decade or so in the literary atmosphere of your Mr. Daniel Webster of the Class of 1801, who was born in Salisbury, where I live, and whose immortal works and letters are a noteworthy part of the institution over which I preside as Director, I feel that this honor is one of the rare culminations that could so unexpectedly occur to anyone. "I shall endeavor to shape my conduct from now on with a new regard for the demeanor which such a selection as you have made may require of one whom the average age of your Class probably precedes by at least eleven years and who therefore ought to gain considerable wisdom merely by sitting round a table with it. I hope that will be soon. You said the vote was 'unanimous.' Let me know when the initiation takes place, if any, and I will be there.
ELMER MUNSON HUNT"
Shall we initiate him? I think so. Let me have suggestions please. From Dud West comes this letter:
"Dear Roland: "In all my planning in the last five years I should be on this date in Newtonville, Mass., with my sister, but non Deo volente. "If I was convinced my trouble was a stigma of old age I could endure this dizziness with equanimity if not equilibrium but this undiagnosed, unnamed, untreated misery 'me miserable, infinite wrath and infinite despair.' Oh nuts! I don't feel sick and when I can convince wife of my competency to drive we may be on our way in a week or so.
"So, Roland, give all the boys a good handshake for me and let's look forward to our sixtieth.
DUD WEST."
"Dud" and Mrs. West were not present at our 55th, as you all knew and regretted. They both came later, however, for a nice visit.
Ellwood H. Newhart, son of our late classmate, has recently written me of the death of his mother. He writes,
"It is with great regret that I advise you that my mother Mrs. Horace Newhart, died August 14, 1950. "She always read with much interest your class notes on the Dartmouth Class of 1895.
"Both mother and dad led very full and satisfying lives."
H. Sheridan Baketel Jr. '20 has recently let me in on a bit of family history which concerns our classmate "Sherry" and which reflects honor on Dartmouth and the Class of '95. Our classmate, Dr. Baketel, has been president of Reed and Carnrick for 25 years. On the silver anniversary of his election as president, Mr. H. U. Sartorius, treasurer of this company, in observing the occasion wrote as follows:
"I am availing myself of Dr. Baketel's absence in New Hampshire and taking advantage of this opportunity, which needless to add is quite unbeknown to him, of broadcasting to all of you the news of Dr. Baketel's 25th silver anniversary with Reed & Carnrick. His long association with the firm speaks for itself, and there is little or nothing that I can say that you do not already know or are familiar with. As Al Smith used to say, 'The record speaks for itself.' Suffice it to say, however, that Reed & Carnrick will, I am sure, never have a more distinguished or outstanding president.
"Dr. Baketel has the great gift of friendship and happiness, and inspires all who are fortunate enough to know him well. In his long career his sense of fair play .in dealing with his fellow man, whether it be the head of State, or the man who polishes up the handle of the old front door, never makes any difference whatsoever. His many talents and gifts have given him great vision and understanding, his scrupulous integrity of purpose and his wide fund of knowledge in almost every field of endeavor have put him on the top as an authority and as the elder statesman.
"Fortunately, Dr. Baketel is still young and amazingly active. As president of Reed & Carnrick since the death of Dr. Sartorius in 1926, Dr. Baketel has done a really great job, commanding at all times the love and affection of all those who know him.
"On this 25th Anniversary we all salute Dr. Baketel as president, and pay tribute to him for his unfailing sense of dignity and courtesy and for enriching the lives of all who have come to know him. In closing, and these few words come from the bottom of my heart, I know you will all join me in wishing him many more years of active and useful life."
Secretary, White River Jet., Vt.
Treasurer, 10 Occom Ridge, Hanover, N. H.
