Class Notes

A Glowing 190 7 Report

July 1952 H. RICHARDSON LANE '07
Class Notes
A Glowing 190 7 Report
July 1952 H. RICHARDSON LANE '07

FIVE years ago, the report of '07's reunion in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE was headlined as 1907's "Historic" Fortieth. How the editor will epitomize 1907's Forty-Fifth is anybody's guess, but here is a suggestion:

1907's Championship Forty-Fifth!

As this report unfolds, it will appear that the Forty-Fifth was in fact a record-breaker in more than one aspect.

The initial hours of the reunion period were completely normal. No evidence on the morning of Friday, the 13th, indicated that the Forty-Fifth was to establish an all-time high in the history of our almost fifty-year-old class.

Headquarters were at Gile Hall on Tuck Drive. Dick Southgate, local representative of the Reunion Committee, headed the list of registrants. Bartlett, Chase and Lane were lined up behind him. Dr. Torn Field had arrived a day ahead from Jacksonville, Florida, all set to enjoy his first (?) reunion. Bill Minsch was another early bird, and Doc Foley from distant Alpena, Michigan. And then the turnstile clicked all through the day as '07 men and wives moved in from all points of the compass.

Gile Hall is one o£ Dartmouth's newer dor- mitories. Its location on the Tuck Drive, its facilities, and its mattresses, all contributed to the comfort and pleasure of the '07 contingent. The assignment of neighboring dorms to '06 and '08, celebrating their Forty-Fifth anniversaries also, was another plus which was widely approved. The sharing, too, of a common tent brought the three classes into constant friendly association. Dartmouth's unique reunion calendar seemed to meet with widespread approval in '07 ranks, perhaps because its normal schedule was not disturbed.

The first scheduled gathering of our class, following a period of greeting and renewing friendships, was a cocktail party at the Heneage home on Balch Hill, scene of a memorable breakfast party during the Thirtieth. It was in all respects delightful. The view from the lawn to the town and to the Vermont hills is beyond description. The cordiality of the hostess, Marguerite, and of her daughter, Sylvia, will be fully appreciated by those who have enjoyed the Heneage hospitality on other occasions. One of the numerous Heneage grandchildren, Joan Porter, added much to the enjoyment of the party by her unique dancing. It was a party that Harry would have enjoyed thoroughly.

From the Heneage home, the '07 group, some ninety strong, descended the hill and foregathered at Thayer Hall to enjoy a dinner in company with '06 and '08. Following dinner, most attended the President's reception on the lawn of the President's home.

So ended the scheduled events of the first day, Friday, the 13th, a date said to have ominous implications. For 1907, it can be asserted that it was a perfect and memorable day. What transpired during the last hours of the 13th and the early hours of the 14th must be left to your imagination. This reporter was not present.

If Friday was perfect, weather-wise and otherwise, Saturday was its equal or its better. No class ever enjoyed better weather conditions or better companionship. The class seemed to be more a unit than ever, perhaps because well, you guess why.

On Saturday, late breakfasts were typical. Some took advantage of the breakfast tent conveniently located adjacent to Gile, a praiseworthy innovation during reunion weekend. After breakfast, the class picture, which will be reproduced in this issue. Copies can be ordered through the secretary.

The College was host at luncheon in the gymnasium. Some 1200 were said to have been served. To '07, the luncheon and the program which followed were perhaps less noteworthy than the award. What award? Why, of course, the award of the Class of 1894 Cup to 1907 01 having the highest percentage of living graduates back for the reunion weekend. The final count disclosed that there were 57 classmates, 32 wives, and 10 children and guests at 1907's Forty-Fifth. The handsome silver cup was proudly displayed at class headquarters and at the Class Dinner.

During Saturday afternoon, visits to points of interest in Hanover were made by a number of men and wives. The new addition to the Mary Hitchcock Hospital, Dick Hall's House, the library, and the Orozco murals were favored. Dartmouth movies were shown in Dartmouth Hall. Fraternity meetings were attended by many. Several men of '07 whose visits to Hanover have been infrequent since graduation wandered about campus and the town absorbing the tremendous growth and improvement in the facilities of both since our time. And, oh, yes, some few were found enjoying the shade, and the refreshment, and the companionship to be found in the '06-'07-'08 tent. We had an adequate (?) supply of beer, and a number of records of favorite Ivy League songs.

At the cocktail hour, the peak contingent, nearly 100 strong, assembled on the Inn lawn for refreshment and companionship, both in generous doses. At this point, all who had previously planned to return had appeared except a very few, and a number who were doubtful had arrived.

Then followed the Class Dinner at Hovey Grill, and at the same hour the Class Wives' Dinner at the Outing Club House on Occom Pond.

The Class Dinner was, as always, completely informal. President Jim O'Neill presided, capably as always. In no time flat, steamroller tactics resulted in the unanimous (?) re-election of all class officers. Brief reports were then made by the class officers. The roster of classmates who have died since the Fortieth was read and a brief memorial service held. Thirty-one names were on that list and one added shortly thereafter. All have been previously reported, except Claude Maxfield and Percy Young, whose deaths occurred very recently.

No unusual events were reported from the Wives' Dinner, but it was said to have been a pleasant occasion in a choice spot. Many men and wives attended an amusing melodrama presented in Webster Hall by the competent Dartmouth Players.

Except for late Saturday evening recreation, concerning which there is no need to be specific, 1907's Forty-Fifth reunion had run its brief but rewarding course. Sunday morning was, for most, devoted to packing up and saying good-bye. At this point there developed an insistent demand for annual reunions between the Forty-Fifth and the Fiftieth. This reporter believes that it is an admirable objective, which, in fact, has been practiced by a small group of classmates since the Fortieth. Think it over, and be prepared to hear more about it before next June.

Before signing off, a few notes to illustrate why the Forty-Fifth was generally rated so enjoyable.

There were a number who returned either for the first time since graduation or infrequently through the years. Their presence contributed significantly to the success of the reunion. In this group were: Tom Field from Florida; Clarence Langley from Mississippi and Florida; Jamie Jamison from Iowa; Charlie Richardson and Earle Fowler from Chicago; Harold Jennings, Harold Oliphant,Harry Porter and Arthur Spear from Maine; and Ernest Frost from Rhode Island.

Walter Nesmith and Duke Sanborn represented romance, both having recently remarried. Walter Nesmith brought his attractive bride with him, happily, while Walter Sanborn left his bride in St. Petersburg, Florida to our regret.

These men were each accompanied by a son: Ed Ashley, Norman Cushman, Bill Sanborn,Chet Sandy, Leon Sprague, and Harry Storrs.Allan Brown deserves a high mark for bringing in addition to Mrs. Brown, his daughter and two grandchildren.

Marguerite Heneage and Irene Hathaway, widows of two deeply missed classmates, were most welcome.

Messages from the class have been sent to President Emeritus Hopkins and to President Dickey.

The Reunion Roster:

W. J. Ahern, E. L. Ashley, S. C. Bartlett, A. Brown, P. H. Chase, P. W. Churchill, J. M. Coburn, J. F. Crocker, N. L. Cushman, O. C. Davis, J. E. Downey, J. A. Farrington, T. S. Field, C. W. Fields, E. L. Foley, E. B. Fowler, E. H. Frost, G. W. Grebenstein, F. B. Greenleaf, J. W. Ham- mond, H. H. Hill, H. D. Hinman, McK. S. Howard, G. H. Jamison, H. D. Jennings, R. D. Kenyon, H. R. Lane, C. E. Langley, J. R. McLane, W. J. Minsch, W. S. Nesmith, H. L. Niles, H. D. Oliphant, J. M. O'Neill, C. T. Pierce, C. Plummer, B. W. Pond, H. W. Porter, T. T. Redington, E. T. Richards, C. P. Richardson, W. B. Sanborn, W. E. Sanborn, C. J. Sandy, W. H. Smart, R. S. Southgate, A. G. Spear, L. A. Sprague, A. E. Stevens, H. S. Storrs, W. D. Walker, H. S. Whitaker, D. J. Williams, A. E. Winslow, C. P. Woodworth, T. W. Worthen.

WIVES Mrs. W. J. Ahern, Mrs. E. L. Ashley, Mrs. A. Brown, Mrs. P. H. Chase, Mrs. J. F. Crocker, Mrs. O. C. Davis, Mrs. J. E. Downey, Mrs. J. A. Farrington, Mrs. C. W. Fields, Mrs. E. L. Foley, Mrs. E. H. Frost, Mrs. G. W. Grebenstein, Mrs. F. B. Greenleaf, Mrs. J. W. Hammond, Mrs. C. H. Hathaway, Mrs. H. R. Heneage, Mrs. H. H. Hill, Mrs. McK. S. Howard, Mrs. H. D. Jennings, Mrs. R. D. Kenyon, Mrs. H. R. Lane, Mrs. J. R. McLane, Mrs. W. J. Minsch, Mrs. W. S. Nesmith, Mrs. H. L. Niles, Mrs. J. M. O'Neill, Mrs H W. Porter, Mrs. E. T. Richards, Mrs. W. H. Smart, Mrs. A. E. Stevens, Mrs. W. D. Walker, Mrs. A. E. Winlsow, Mrs. T. W. Worthen.

CHILDREN Gardner Ashley '40, Gardner Cushman '35, William Sanborn, Donald Sandy '34, Harold Sprague '38, Robert Storrs '40 - and Allan Brown's daughter and two grandchildren.

THE CLASS OF 1907, WITH 49% OF ITS MEMBERS BACK, WAS WINNER OF THE CLASS OF 1894 CUP FOR THE SECOND REUNION WEEKEND

CLASS SECRETARY