1899
October birthday greetings to Gerould and Parker.
The annual class family gathering, resumed this year at the usual place, The New Ocean House, Swampscott, Mass., was held the weekend of June 16-19. No program but just pleasant reminiscences and association with friends of long standing. The weather was pleasant, accommodations and cuisine excellent. Grouped together at the same tables in the dining room, the sumptuous repasts for which this hostelry is famous were enjoyed by all. The total attendance was 21 and included: Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, Mr. and Mrs. Beat, Dr.and Mrs. Cushman, Clark, Gannon, Mrs. Irving, Mr. and Mrs. Kendall, Lynch, Dr. andMrs. Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, Skinner,Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Mr. and Mrs. Winchester. The Hobans were coming, but shortly before, Hobe became ill with a severe cold which developed into a virus attack which kept him in the hospital where he was obliged to spend some time under an oxygen tent. Happily, he recovered and spent the summer recuperating at his cottage at Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard. Art Irving had an attack of illness just prior to the meeting which kept him at home but he was well represented by his wife Tat. Some of the folks drove to his home in Winchester to see him.
The Secretary attended the annual meetings of secretaries and other alumni officers at Hanover in the middle of May. P. Winchester was there and so was his Missus. While at his Ogunquit home in July, he enjoyed visits with the Kendalls at Kennebunk Beach, Ralph andBlanche Hawkes at York Village and Joe andElsie Hobbs at Kittery. He called at Bill Wiggin's home in Exeter but the old philosopher was out. Large sections of a tree cut down nearby were in his yard where I was told Bill was busy much of the time wielding the axe and also that he had a garden in the village which he worked. The Secretary also called at the Ocean Wave House at Rye Beach to see Rab Abbott who planned to spend the summer there, but he had just left for his home in Manchester because the damp, cold air didn't agree with him.
'99 was proud when Dave Storrs was awarded an honorary degree at the college commencement exercises last June. The citation was printed in the July issue of the MAGAZINE. For those who did not read it, part of it is here repeated:
"Adna David Storrs, member of the Clfss of 1899, New Hampshireman by lineage since provincial days, this plain is your ancestral home, and you by wide consent are its first citizen. Historians may search in vain for a position of major trust in this community which you have not filled with honor, wisdom and good humor. To your leadership in these civic affairs the men of Dartmouth owe a happy debt for much that gives the village they love its charm and beauty In you this day your college honors, with her Master of Arts degree, a good son, good citizen and good neighbor: in short what she most highly prizes, a good man.
Anent recent mention of classmates listed in Who's Who, Benny, whose name is in the current edition, writes that through the years 11 have been listed and that they were: Asakawa, Benezet, Evans, Ford, Gerould, H.A. Miller, Musgrove, Pearl, Richardson, Silver and Willard. He thinks many others deserved to be included. His son Louis and Howie Sargeant are in the latest Who's Who.
Hats off again to P. Winchester for the fine class showing in Alumni Fund contributions this year '99 was ninth in class ranking and exceeded its objective by 32%.
Dr. Bonney reports that a physical examination by contemporary physicians proved him to be in good condition, "jogging along," he writes, "doing a little work every day, though not much in comparison with that of former years."
Lute and Ann Oakes spent some time in the East during the early part of the summer, visiting Windsor, Woodstock and Hanover.
Mrs. Collar, widow of Herbert, had luncheon with the Secretary at The Times in August and recalled class associations of her husband in undergraduate-days.
There is an obituary article about FrankStaley in the "In Memoriam" columns of this issue.
Secretary, The New York Times 229 West 43rd St., New York 18, N. Y.
Treasurer, 11 Park View Drive, Worcester, Mass.
