1912

At last I received some dope from QueecheeFrench on the proposed boat trip up the Saguenay for our informal reunion next summer. Under date of January 25, Queechee wrote me:

"The time has finally arrived when it is essential that we start to negotiate on that 1954 reunion for the Class of 1912. Being a Vermont Republican, I am mindful of the fact that it is not fruitful to start a campaign too early, as it seems to peter out at the finals when the most steam is essential. I take as my example the national election of 1940 when Wendell Willkie talked himself out before the end of the campaign. As you know it was practically a unanimous vote at the class dinner that everyone there was in accord with the idea and that we would have no trouble in getting together a grand crowd. (The only exception was one goodly wife who said she would like to go but she didn't think her old man would ask her.) WHAT A MAN! You will remember that this party was hatched out while the male element in the class was in command; later there was a meeting and the women took over lock, stock, barrel and trigger. If these women are only fractionally as set on the trip as my wife, there is no escape. You know Heinie, as I thumb out this letter, the thought occurs to me that if may mean the rejuvenation of some of you old bucks, as some of those gals may figure this trip as a June honeymoon. Saw Lyme last Wednesday and he will do everything he can in his class letters. Let me know what you want me to do and I will remove the lead (metal I mean). Start off, the list, if you will, with Bertha and her boy 'Queechee.' "

I will send a communication to the members of the Class as soon as possible to find out who and how many are interested in attending this kind of a reunion.

Incidentally Queechee is rounding out 38 years with Consolidated Rendering Co. at Springfield, Mass., and says: "Think they may give me a steady job eventually after this term of apprenticeship."

Jim English reports on his summer vacation as follows:

"In June immediately after commencement here at Grove City College, Sarah and I drove down to Clearwater, Fla. where we spent a most enjoyable two weeks with relatives. In early August we drove up to Vermont to see my sister; from there we went over to Lebanon, N.H., to spend a while with my brother, Bill English '13. Lebanon, you will recall, is not far from Hanover, so we drove up and spent a few hours amid scenes of the long ago."

On his return to Winter Park, Fla., at the end of September, from Holderness, N.H., where he spent a month last summer, DickPlumer had a telephone visit with PikeChi Ids, but was unable to stop over to see Pike.

Bob Belknap writes: "Still enjoying the California sunshine and not envying the real heat of farther east. Family remains the same except for the addition of another grandson a few months ago, and another on the way - if not a grandson, then a granddaughter."

From Bill Shapleigh: "Dorothy and I find Maine delightful - winter and summer - and would gladly welcome any of the gang who'd venture this far into the provinces. The months slip by without we see anyone from '12. Stan and Frances Weld are semi-natives but they deserted us this summer."

Jogger Elcock wrote Doc O'Connor some real news:

"Effective January 1, this company (Southern States Portland Cement Co.) has been purchased by the Marquette Cement Manufacturing Company, one of the largest and best organizations in the cement business. I am to remain as president but I will have nothing to do with manufacturing, chemistry, engineering or finance. My efforts will be confined to sales alone and I am to be free to come and go as I please. Both parties to the bargain have been very decent with me and Nancy and I are well taken care of for the rest of our lives, and the younger Elcocks will have something from us when we are gone. Nancy and I are both very much interested in traveling and we expect to do considerable from now on, once things get settled down. Nancy and I think it the very finest Christmas present we could possibly have received. I hope very much that 1954 is going to be a grand year for all of you. I am hoping to be in New York sometime in the early spring and am going to try to get together with you and talk things over."

Sometime ago I received an excellent suggestion from Ralph S. Bartlett '89, namely, that copies of all our Class Reports should be donated to the library of the Society of the New England Historical Genealogical Society. However, I find that in the Secretary's file there was only one extra copy of Class Reports, and that was of our Third Annual Report dated April 1, 1914. Certainly Mr. Bartlett's request is one that we should fulfill. Therefore, I hope that classmates, who have copies of any of our Class Reports that they would be willing to donate to that Society, will do so. We certainly should take the trouble to look up any of such reports that may be in our possession. All donations of reports should be sent direct to the Librarian of the Society at 9 Ashburton Place, Boston, Mass.

I missed Henry Van Dyne's telephone call the middle of January when he and a friend were leaving for a trip on an oil tanker, to be gone about six weeks.

As chairman of the 1912 Bequest Program committee, Henry wrote me: "Several members of our class have written me that they have made provision for bequests ranging from a modest amount up to one half or two thirds of their net estate. Others have written that they are giving the matter serious consideration. I have no idea what the total might be but I have reason to believe that to date it may well amount to $50,000 to $100,000.. It is very heartening to hear that someone has done something along this line and any information offered is kept in the strictest confidence."

Having been in the government service for fifteen years, Connie Snow is eligible for retirement, but he says: "I shall not retire for yet awhile, much as I look forward to the hills of New Hampshire."

Eddie Daley's son John has been appointed administrative assistant of the University Hospital at Ann Arbor, Mich.

Harry Sawyer announced the birth of his first grandchild, Jens A. Andersen III, son of Jens A. Jr. and Harriet Sawyer Andersen, at Fort Hall, Idaho, on September 19.

Secretary, 120 Broadway, New York 5, N.Y.

Treasurer, 4 Bank Building, Middleboro, Mass.

Bequest Chairman,