1896

Your Secretary is happy to present a brief story of our classmate, Selden Lang Staples, and his family.

Selden was born in Amherst, N. H., September ber 11, 1870. Only four of our class were older. He earned most or all of his college expenses. This left him little time for extracurricular activities. He was a hard and consistent worker and much respected for his industry and determination to complete his college course.

After graduation Selden established a small variety store in Roxbury. He and Mrs. Staples conducted this business successfully for many years. Their younger son Carl assisted after he graduated from high school.

Selden was in the U.S. Postal Service for many years, retiring at the age of 65. He acquired considerable real estate. His older son Paul writes: "His modest and unassuming ways belied his business acumen which became apparent to me as executor of his estate."

Selden was a member of the Odd Fellows and an Episcopalian. His outstanding hobbywas research in family history back to pre-Revolutionary War days. He made many trips, even to California. He completed the genealogy of one side of the family but died before he had completed the other side to his satisfaction.

Selden married Mary Alice White. She was born in Yorkshire, England, came to America with her family at the age of 14, trained as a nurse at Boston City Hospital. She was indeed a helpmate to her husband and a wonderful mother. Selden died in 1946 and Mary died of a heart attack some six months later.

Selden and Mary left two sons. Paul Emerson Staples, born March 5, 1903, attended Northeastern for one year, then established a variety store at Hampton Beach, N. H., which he operates during the summer months. In the winter he lives at 1021 8th Street, Zephyrhills, Fla. He married Olive Margaret Fletcher, August 1, 1930. They have two children Selden Carl Staples, now a sophomore at Colby College, and Paula Ann Staples, a junior at Zephyrhills High School.

Carl Herbert Staples was born August 8, 1910. He has not married. Since his father retired he has owned and operated a hardware store at Hampton Beach, N. H.

Selden was quiet and unassuming but he had a successful and useful life.

Robert Frost, who was in our class for about one year, has recently been awarded the 1953 Fellowship of the Academy of American Poets.

The award carries a stipend of $5000 for one year. It is awarded annually to an American who has distinguished himself in poetry.

Mr. Frost is a four-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for poetry.

Certainly Mr. Frost has brought honor to Dartmouth and distinction to our class.

Secretary, 206 Appleton St., Arlington, Mass

Class Agent, 21 Forest Rd„ Cape Elizabeth, Me