1895
In the '95 column of the last issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE I copied, from the reportof our 25th Reunion, letters from a few ofour Class members. I was of the opinion thatthe surviving members of our Class have forgotten, as I have, what was done at our 25thReunion. I am venturing to quote from theletters from several others beginning withCharles H. Hunkins. He was at that time onthe faculty of Brown University. His letterreads as follows:
"The years since our last Class report I have passed at Brown, with the exception of two passed in Europe. In fact, I am getting to be one of the old Profs' here. In spite of athletic relations sometimes a bit strained between Brown and Dartmouth, I have always found a very congenial atmosphere here, and while my progress has not been rapid it has been sure. I had been looking forward to my sabbatical year of 1918-19 with almost yearning, as a relief from class-room work, and a chance for a year of study at Paris. However, the war upset all my plans, and I enlisted as an Ambulance Driver in the French Army. Later I served as American Censor at Paris of all press matter sent to this country, and at the same time, tried to serve as Brown's representative in the American University in Europe. Before returning I travelled pretty much all over Spain, and was expecting to see Carleton, hut learned that he had just been transferred to China.
"My family, I regret to say, is decreasing rather than increasing. Perhaps some of you can find a good wife for me. At any rate, I shall be very glad to see yours next June, and all your children, too. "I am looking forward with very keen pleasure to our reunion, and hope that we can make some gift, at that time, to our Alma Mater."
Walter A. Lane is the next. The following is his letter:
"Occupation, Physician. Address, 173 School St., Milton, Mass. Politics—Republican. July 1902. Activities—American Medical Association N.E. Pediatric Society; Mass. Medical Society, Dorchester Medical Club; Commander Post 114, American Legion. Recreations—Tennis and Fishing.
"Aside from the routine and pleasures of a busy professional life, we have a garden, a small orchard and vineyard which gives us exercise, information and pleasure, and we delude ourselves that it is an economy to raise our own fruits and vegetables. We own our own home, have a little set aside for rainy days and are free from debt. We are happy and find it hard to realize that it is 25 years since I was graduated.
"In 1915 I was one of those who comprised the First Harvard Surgical Unit which went abroad for three months' service with the British Exped. Forces. We sailed from New York in June, landing at Falmouth without incident, and after being uniformed in London, gazetted officers of R.A.M.C., I as a captain, we sailed from Dover to Boulogne and proceeded to Dannes-Camiers where we took over a Base Hospital of 1040 beds, all under canvas. We came home convinced of our entry into the war, and in June, 1917, I was commissioned Captain in the Medical Reserve Corps, and was called to active service in April, 1918, mobilizing at Camp Devens with the Boston City Hospital Unit No. 7.
"We went overseas July 8 on the Leviathan with a large part of the 79th Division, and other medical organizations, and landed at Brest where we camped in the mud for about two weeks, under abominable conditions and severe restrictions, until we were assigned to our permanent base at Joue les Tours, a delightful situation (in the summer) in the Touraine, not far from G.H.Q. of the S.O.S. Our Unit was taken over as a component part of the Regular Army early in the summer and while originally intended to care for 500 beds, under the stress of circumstances generated by the spring drive by the Germans and the immediate battles of Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel and the Argonne, etc., we were obliged to care for a hospital center of 2800 patients, and that with about a quarter of our personnel detached.
"My own work was largely with the gassed, respiratory and heart affections. The work was hard and continuous but our result justified the sacrifices, as we had a mortality of about 6% in a series of 800 patients.
"We stayed there until the middle of February during which time I became acting chief and later chief of the medical service, and received my commission as Major M.C., U.S.A. During my leave of absence, I visited Paris several times and travelled through Dijon to Marseilles, Nice and Monte Carlo, a fairyland after the rains and mud of Northern France. We sailed for home from St. Nazaire via Cardiff to New York and in April, 1919, were mustered out at Camp Devens."
Secretary, White River Jet,., Vt. Treasurer, PROF. Eagle Hotel, Concord, N. H. Class Agent, 8 Zamora St., Jamaica Plain 30, Mass.
