1897 Holds Its 55th
SIXTEEN members of our class returned to our 55th reunion: Bolser, Brown, Christophe, Drew, Ham, Henderson, Hilton, Holt, Johnson, Kelly, Morse, Rowe, Ryan, Temple, Tuttle, and Ward. Wives and relatives joining the party were: Mrs. Christophe, Mrs. Holt, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Kelly, "Mike's" daughter, Mrs. Carrington, Mrs. Ryan, Mrs. Ward; also, Winfield Temple Jr. and Temple's grandson, J. D. Brown's daughter and husband, making a family party of 27 in all.
We sang a little, we sat a lot and we ate a lot, and we "reuned." Some of the highlights to be remembered are: First, the disapproval of the treasurer's report on class finances. There wasn't a single vote for approval and the reason was that the report showed a surplus which is out of harmony with the times. The treasurer (that's me) tried to explain the extravagant use of class funds clearly indicated in red ink, including a mink coat and a deep freeze for my private secretary. Nothing doing! The report showed ten big round "simoleons" and 26 pennies, all in cash, as surplus and everybody said it was wrong. However, the treasurer was given time to bring the class finances up-to-date with a proper deficit. It was suggested that deep freezes all around the class might be one way.
Speaking of fish, everybody began licking their chops, especially "Sport" Morse. ErdixSmith sent a telegram stating that by the fishing calendar the time was wrong and he ducked out. But "Christy," the "hornpout" specialist who doesn't use a fisherman's calendar, helped me to catch 30 trout which were cooked on a board as our first course at the banquet.
Tuttle, Holt and Ham pulled the hotdog stuff in sport coats. The others were dressed normal.
Advertisement: Bill Ham wore a genuine homespun tweed suit, the spinning having been done by blind people in Baltimore using Bill's patented electric hand spinner. The cloth was woven in Hanover on a hand loom by Mrs. Robert Strong—good goods.
Christophe wrote two poems, one to ask us to come and one to tell us we were here. Both good. A committee visited the Outing Club to inspect the skis given by "Gov" Tent. These skis are now properly located and permanently marked with an engraved brass plate which reads: "This pair of skis with 8 similar pairs were made on Commercial St., Portland, for Weld Allen Rollins who introduced skiing to members of the Class of 1897. These skis were in constant use in the winters of '95-96-97 by members of the class. These skis were owned by George Edward Tent and were donated by him to Dartmouth College at the 50th reunion of the Class of '97 on June 14, 1947-"
The class album with pictures of classmates photographed in the last century from 1893 to 1897 was on exhibition. One outstanding picture was of MacCornack in sports clothes and one of "Type" Hitchcock wearing a Prince Albert coat, rubber boots and riding a bicycle. Another of "Prexy" Bartlett at his lecture table, where he told us that "Eve unadorned tempted Adam with an apple." First prize was awarded to "Cap" Holt making a ski jump over "Pa" Rollins, the first ski jump ever photographed in Hanover. Honorable mention was given to "Pa" Leeds in the College Pulpit giving his beloved sleep.
As we showed the pictures, one after another of our supposedly educated classmates said, "That's me." It was a very harmonious friendly time. All the years were washed away in our gathering together to become pals again. Christophe, our class poet, tells it so truly in his verses written the morning of the last day.
'97 Once again, we've had our meeting Once again, it now is past Once again, there is agreement It was better than the last. For the grass was never greener Nor yet softer to our tread Nor the elms with stately grandeur Form such canopy over head Yet the crux to all our pleasure All this happiness we knew It was matured, it was brightened It was there because of YOU.
For the welcomes were so hearty And the hand clasps so sincere As the bonds we held so lightly Now grow stronger with each year Though our voices soften slowly As we talk of by-gone days And our classmates that are missing While we on the campus gaze. But the joys to this occasion There are many, not a few Can be traced and held distinctly They were there because of Y.O.U.
Edna, ever mindful, gave the women a charming gift, a personal creation made with her dexterous fingers.
Our classmates gathered in the old Dartmouth Cemetery to pay our respects at the resting place of the much beloved Dr. Tucker, and also to our classmate John Poor. Rev. John Henderson with fine feeling crystalized in a few words our memories of our great leader and also spoke about our classmate Poor.
Our hearts were saddened at the news of the death of our beloved classmate "Pa"Rollins, which reached us. as we were at our banquet, where we had been talking of his early efforts which brought about the important sport of skiing to his Alma Mater.
A REUNION HIGHLIGHT FOR 1897: The 55-Year Class held its reunion dinner in Thayer Hall, a successful event recorded in this photograph of classmates and members of their families who were also present.
CLASS SECRETARY
