1885 Holds 65th Reunion
WITH 50% attendance, the 65th reunion of '85 was comparable to the present value of the dollar, which is, possibly, all one could expect. Two men, both physicians, Adams and Allen, who had planned to be on hand were laid low, one by virus infection, the other by a heart attack, and were obliged to cancel their trip. To the three non-professional men, Briggs, Brooks and Austin, who greatly enjoyed meeting one another, it seemed a reflection on the medical ability of those doctors that they could not have arranged to postpone
the attacks for at least two weeks. Why Parker did not appear is a deep mystery at the present writing.
The uncharitable action of Amherst, Mt. Holyoke and Princeton in arranging their commencement "dates also on June 9, 10 and 11, prevented some family members from joining us, but we greatly appreciated the messages that came from Mrs. Arza Armes, son Lyman Armes '12 and wife Christine; EdBayley's daughter, Mrs. E. P. Buchanan, and sons Edwin Bayley Buchanan and Eustace Watkins Buchanan; Will Cragin's daughter, Bernice Cragin Loomis; and Frank Allard's daughter, Professor Beatrice Allard Brooks, whose message included the following quotation: "I have always felt that my college education was begun at a rather tender age, as I was brought up on the reminiscences and loyalties of Dartmouth '85. I used to suppose that all college classmates kept track of each other and stuck together through thick and thin as '85 did, but I have learned that that is by no means the case. Of the tens of thousands of college graduates who have attended class reunions since American colleges started this home-coming custom, you are in a minority,— for few people have the privilege of attending their 65th class reunion. The Dartmouth student of today should be impressed with the longevity of the alumni as illustrated by the class of '85. As Richard Hovey sang long ago,
To the Class of Eighty-Five The toughest class alive—
Our hearts will turn to Dartmouth And the class of Eighty-Five."
John Brooks achieved the distinction, if that's the proper word, of being the oldest graduate present. He was accompanied by Mrs. Brooks to whom should be given the credit for John's ability to get around on his own power, although his speed was somewhat less than when he played against Yale in the first football game between the two institutions (the score 113-0). Briggs was chauffeured by his grandson, Richard Briggs, Tufts '51. With Mrs. Brooks and Richard as guests we ate our class dinner in the dining room of the Inn in coatless comfort as far as the men were concerned, a privilege that was greatly appreciated on one of the hottest days ever experienced in Hanover. A heavy shower Saturday evening closed the heat wave and the band concert on the campus simultaneously and brought a perfect day on Sunday for the Commencement exercises at the Bema. The long walk between the divided ranks of over 600 seniors brought vividly to mind the contrast between the numbers and dress of the seniors of '85 and those of 1950, Dartmouth is no longer a "small college."
THE EARLIEST CLASS REPRESENTED AT REUNION: Three members of 1885 return to talk over good times of the past and to enjoy new ones. Brooks (1), who will be 89 in September, was the oldest alumnus back for reunions. With him are Classmates Austin (center) and Briggs.
CLASS SECRETARY
