1909
The class lost some good guys during the year of 1953. Most recent deaths were HarryBurroughs and Bob Stone who died within four days of each other the latter part of November. Harry may have had a premonition that the end was not far off. He had a nice vacation at Cape Cod; last fall he visited his sister in Vermont and then he and his wife stopped off at Hanover. His memories at the end must have been pleasant, and there's no doubt that our memories of him will be rich and lasting.
The loss of Bob Stone is a tragic one for the class. He was always a stauch supporter of class activities and a generous giver to the Alumni Fund. Bob was the son of a remarkable mother. You may recall that at the age of 90 she decided to have a house built for her in Winchester, and that's what she did. She will miss her son, of whom she was justly proud, and so will all those in '09 who had the pleasure of being well acquainted with him.
Since our 40th reunion less than five years ago, at this writing (December 26, 1953), 26 of our classmates have departed this earth. It's tough to see them go, but that's something we've got to face.
Among Christmas cards received was a note from Buster Brown, who said, "I'm about the same - probably a little better, because the pain is lessening when I 'crutch' around. I have a new Barea lounger chair and a new TV, so I relax and 'view' most of the day and night. I hear from quite a few of the '09ers and am trying to get a card out to each. Latest was a nice letter from Curley Blake who says he's 71 years old and going strong. He told me of the passing of Bob Stone."
I had a letter from Hal's wife, Gladys, dated December 22, in which she said Hal was taken to the hospital on December 20 after the fourth shock in six weeks. "We are hoping for the best," she wrote, "but the doctor does not hold out much hope. However, miracles have happened before and I'm praying that such will be our blessing. His right hand was affected, also the memory cells of his brain. Otherwise, he was as keen as always. It was just impossible for him to finish what he wanted to in his conversation, so I acted as his other brain during this time. He was so elated when I would come up with what he wanted to say."
(Note: Since this was written, I have been notified that Hal failed to survive the shocks and has passed on. Details will be forthcoming in the next issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE.)
News As We Get It
On his Christmas card, Elsie (L. C.) Chase wrote: "Am hibernating once more in the bleak wilds of northern New Hampshire. The Mrs. and myself spent last winter traveling in the West, going even to the California Coast. Most of our time, however, was at the Maricopa Inn in Mesa, Ariz., which also was the winter home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. I met all the fellows, and got quite a thrill watching them in practice. Didn't try out for the team, myself, as the old arm and legs are not quite what they used to be.
"I will be in Hanover this coming June, which is legally our 45th, but on this occasion it will be to witness my youngest boy receive his A. B. from Dartmouth."
Speaking of being in Hanover next June, let's get that deal organized. Plenty of the brothers'll show if they're given a little push. In the Diddings which you received in January you got a blank to be filled out on which you were supposed to write whether or not you would attend such a reunion. Have you mailed your answer to Bertie French, the Sandwich, Mass., man? It looks like we can assemble a good-sized bunch, and it'll be plenty of fun.
Did you know that B. Matthew Scully was now connected with Stone & Forsyth - Bob Stone's company? He's happy over the arrangement and says his health is coming along swell. That's good news. I was getting worried about the iron man from Stoneham. He's usually the source of a lot of '09 news. B. Matthew said he would remedy the situation pronto.
Well, Bunk Irwin has sold his place outside of Norwich, Vt., and has settled in Mount Dora, Fla., the address being 621 Third Ave. "We came here October 1," he writes, and just got settled for the winter when C. C. Hills ('05) telegraphed he had found a buyer, so we hurried back to Vermont and worked like h--l (mustn't say the naughty word) for ten days, packing up and clearing out. Am now a Florida cracker for the rest of my life. Sure hated to leave Vermont, but it was too much for Blanch (that's his charming little woman). All I have to do now is bowling on the green, fish, a little golf, and putter in the shop when I get it finished. No snow to shovel, or water shortage, and I pick the breakfast fruit in my own back yard."
Sounds good, but I for one, will miss dropping in on the Irwins during trips to Hanover, sleeping in one of their comfortable beds, and then sitting down in the morning to a mess of pancakes hot off the griddle, coated with golden butter, and drenched with Irwin maple syrup, plus those little pig sausages. Don't wake me, man. Can't you see I'm dreaming? It was good to get word from Jack Glynn who has lived out in the Sunshine State (California) long enough to be a native son. "Our winter weather," he says, "would do justice to the Garden Spot (Aurora), crisp mornings and evenings and warm sunshine during the day. Had a letter from the Beta House the other day. The Dartmouth chapter ranks third in scholastic standing among fraternities and has five team captains. Of all the boys I was instrumental in sending to Dartmouth, the Betas got only one, and they almost lost him to Phi Psi. Your house (referring to that grand old fraternity, Psi Upsilon) got two good ones in Bill Stillman and Chub Sterling ('11).
"Your monthly letters keep me informed about a lot of my old friends who, unfortunately, I never get to see or correspond with. I see Ed Martin occasionally at some Dartmouth affair. Am looking forward to the 50th anniversary and hope I can attend." (Why not take a trial run at our 45th in '55, Jack? You'll see a lot more of the guys then, on account of their dropping off rather rapidly these years.)
Jack says he's doing all right for his 67th year and hopes to stick it out for a few more years. He reports eight grandsons and two granddaughters. If the Army or the Navy doesn't get the boys he hopes to steer them to Hanover.
And so, as the curtain slowly lowers, we come to the end of another episode in the lives of '09ers. Be looking for the next act which should be staged in March.
Class Notes Editor, Pioneer Trail, Aurora, Ohio
Secretary and Treasurer, Sandwich, Mass.
Bequest Chairman,
