1897

Our classmates are not overpowering me with their letters, and sometimes I feel that the reports are more along the line of keeping the college affairs before the class rather than the class affairs before the college, and this is important too now that we are raising the Alumni Fund so the college can keep on functioning. Of course, the changes at the college are news and it is easy to detect these changes. Some of our classmates feel that the college is in a drift away from our rugged individualism as was so ably described by John Henderson, who fought for his sheepskin on a diet of hasty pudding and warmed himself with a two-burner oil stove.

As we look back, our class has done something important to change the college. The college will never forget MacCornack, who captained three teams and it is very sure he will go down in college history as its football leader. John Poor did more than handle the stars for us. His interesting efforts with the Hanover Symphony Orchestra were of very .great value to the college and also to the surrounding neighborhood; and I think it was one of his great interests, this gathering together of the country people to play the fine, classical music with members of the Boston Symphony who came to Hanover.

Of course, everybody knows "Hiram" has worked long and hard for the college and still is carrying a heavy load in the matter of the Alumni Fund. Gibson is our best-known book lover. Has always been a collector of books and his gift to the library is very substantial. I think, when our classmates are in Hanover they ought to visit the rooms where these books and other items of '97 class interests are very carefully housed. Bolser, who lives in Hanover has been a great help in the athletics of the field and track—his simple advice to a runner to always remember that the fellow ahead of him is just as tired as he is, I think, has made many a young athlete win his race. Of course, Harry Blunt left his mark in bricks and mortar so fine that they stand out, and will go down through the centuries with a stamp of simplicity and dignity.

Our three judges—Temple, Sibley and Keating have honored the College. Our doctors, our ministers, our lawyers and our engineers have each in their own way marked our generation with capacity and action which is in harmony with the best teaching that the college gave in our time, when a professor felt that his acts as well as his thoughts were a part of teaching.

Rowe has just recently sent me a very interesting compilation of the nicknames of our class which were carved on his cane-88 of them. His own markings were not a nickname but a wheelbarrow.

Taking an excerpt from Sibley's letter because it shows his knowledge of art, philosophy and poetry all in a few words when he writes me: "Shall we, like Lady Godiva who was the greatest gambler, because she put everything she had on a horse—turncoat our principles and join in the singing of a new Millennium Internationale?

"Good Bye To The Principles of Yester Year

"Good Bye To THE Days of Brains and Brawn

"Slow-down, Social Security And Pensions Are Here

"Wake Up And Enjoy The New Dawn."

Nicknames on Rowe's Cane:

Paul "Ethan" "Huck" Byron "KEL" J. Poor "Frank" "Gift" "Sam" "AP" John M. Geo. Morris "Billie B" "Pa" "Butter" Thyng "Pills" Carl Foss Bill H. Harry "Sib" "Pat" "Hendie" Sherm "Peacham' Arthur "Jerry" "RAT" "Bill" "AW" "Hiram" "Bennie" Willie "Bish" "HRR" Fay Roy "Keat" John N. "Burpee" "Cap. H" Cap Burt "Eddie" "Merrill" "Jim" "Sempronius" ' Wattie" "Temp" "MABE" "Chris" "Bum" "Ed" "Bob" Drew "Todd" "Gov" G. Boyd "Joe" Trace "Kid" Remus "Gil" "Teddie" Ben "Sport" "Dick" 'S. Pender "Dave" "Mac" O'Mall "Erdix" "Parson" Day "Shack" "Mert" "Bols" "Woody" "Pod" "Tully" Johnson Chase "J" Teddy Dear Boy "A. J."

Secretary and Treasurer, 886 Main St., Bridgeport 3, Conn. Class Agent, 862 Park Sq. Bldg., Boston 16, Mass.