1904

Last month we mentioned briefly ourDartmouth appearance in September 1900.Now it is a privilege to give you the impressions gathered by Editor George Colton ofthe Bulletin, of the orientation of the freshmen of the Class of 1957.

"This morning, September 25, like all recent mornings, was cool, even frosty, and the rising mists from the Connecticut hung heavily over the town. On the Campus the few early risers groped their way along, aided slightly by the ghostly forms of the elms dimly seen along the walks and paths. In previous nights there had been frosts, not heavy ones, but just enough to wither welltended flowers and to make freshmen from warmer climes hunch their shoulders and thrust their hands deeper in their pockets."

Does it recall the before-Chapel trot to the Post Office groping through the fog for the mail from home and her?

"When the bells of Baker began ringing the changes for the start of chapel period, the sun had almost made its way through the mist, robing Thornton in a golden haze. In a few more minutes the last of the mist had drifted off into the upper atmosphere and left a day of dazzling sunshine and blue skies."

Nostalgic memories were stirred by that reference to Thornton which was my home for three good years with men of '01-'02-'03-'04-'05, our own Pete Maguire with the only safety razor in the house throwing consternation into the two washrooms filled to overflowing with men getting a shave before chapel by cutting down shave time to minutes. Others were Kirker, Cobb, Ladd, Blatner, Ed Gilbert, Hobart, Chivers, Roy Hatch, John Walker, Jake Atwood, Chedel, Vic Cutter, Mike Dunn, George Graham, Hayes, Gene Dow, and Fred Gentleman. Wentworth-Thornton-Reed was a community separated by location from other dormitories. Fayerweather in the making, partially occupied by Mower, Jackson and Lampee. Jerry Mahoney '03, "Mayor of Wentworth," terribly crippled physically, mentally agile, alert and a great companion, dispensing good fellowship to the Community, all beneficiaries of his courage and patience.

"There were not too many departures from ancient tradition. The freshmen paraded noisily in the evening, led on one occasion by a bagpiper and a lad beating a wastebasket. They staged a sitdown one evening at the intersection of Main and Wheelock, effectively blocking all traffic for five or ten minutes. On the other hand the sophomores acted in conformance with history, luring the freshmen to the steps of College Hall for cheers and then dousing them with water from buckets concealed on the roof of the porch and in other ways reminding the newcomers of their lowly status. Somehow freshmen and upper classmen survived those first hectic days and managed to assemble in Webster, crowded into every nook and cranny, at 9:40 Wednesday morning to hear President Dickey open Dartmouth's 185 th year with a Convocation address that had meat for men of all ages and stations."

Puddie Cobb writes, "Here are two items of news for you. Our David was wounded in action in Korea this summer, soon after he arrived there, and received a Purple Heart. He was taken to a hospital in Japan, where he was well treated and cured, and whence he was sent lately back to his former outfit, Cos. F. of the 224th Inf. Regt., in Korea, on top of a mountain. Although only a P.F.C. he is a platoon leader, and hopes to be a corporal soon. Three of Dave's brothers, two, of his brother-in-laws, and a number of cousins had active parts in the World War I.

"C. K. Woodbridge, president since 1948 of the Dictaphone Corp. was elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer. Woodbridge, who served as Dictaphone Corporation's first president when the company was incorporated in 1923, will have general control and management of the firm's operations. He is a Trustee of the West Side Savings Bank; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bennett Junior College; member of the Advisory Committee for New York University Graduate School of Business Administration and School of Commerce, Accountants, Finance; a member of Casque and Gauntlet Club; Pilgrims Club and the Advertising. Club of New York. He has been decorated by France with the Chevalier Legion of Honor."

We feel that the Dictaphone is King, that his genius for improving the mechanics of business has speeded up its processes for three decades, and is another factor working for peace and good living throughout the world, knowing no boundaries nor other limitations.

Our Fiftieth Reunion on June 11-12-13, 1954, will be what you make it. United, we can make it a great and happy Dartmouth occasion.

The morning mail brought a nostalgic letter from Charlie Rich, 67 Beech St., Norwood, Mass., with a batch of freshman portraits. More of this next month.

Secretary, Canaan, N. H. Morristown, N. J. Bequest Chairman,