1895

I have recently dug up some old records of the Class of '95. Among them is the first one ever issued. This is a report of the Class written in June 1893, chronicled and issued by Burton T. Scales and read before the Class on February 20, 1893. Think of it, 62 years ago!

I quote from this freshman history.

"It was the 10th of September, 1891. The new era in our lives, the approach of which we had watched with increasing interest and some anxiety, had really begun. On this eventful morning, for the first, and in some cases, the last time since we came to college, we arose early. We donned our best clothes and hied us to our boarding places to clinch the acquaintance we had made with Hanover beefsteak, and to gain strength for our first day's work. We remembered well our first visit to Prexy, yesterday or the day before, in whose presence we became members of the Freshman Class of Dartmouth College or the Fourth Class in the Chandler School. How timidly we rapped at his door, and when we had entered, quickly but very quietly dropped into a chair, where we remained until called upon to record who was responsible for our existence, and other statistics of our uneventful lives!

"The majority of us dared say nothing but 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir' to his questions, as the occasion demanded; but one youth, and they say it was Woodbury, took courage and asked Prexy, "What am I to understand by a rush?' Being told by that old gentleman that a rush was any contest between classes outside the college campus, he then and there resolved that he never would be guilty of such a thing.

"His intentions were good, but alas! before another spring had come and gone, Woody had transgressed."

It is a pleasure to me to read the freshman history of Dartmouth College, 1895. I have a story which few of my classmates have ever heard, and now please give me the pleasure of spreading it on the record.

I fitted for Dartmouth at St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury, Vt. I had taken the examinations of subjects required for entrance to Dartmouth, and had my credentials. I went to Hanover the day before matriculation and fall opening of Dartmouth. By the time I had eaten supper I tried to find out what I was to do that evening. I decided that I should see the President. I was told where he lived. I went to his residence, but didn't quite dare to ring the bell until I had walked up the front steps several times. I did finally summon courage and rang the door-bell. A maid-of-all-work opened the door and inquired if I wished to see the President. I said I did, and she bade me be seated, saying that the President would soon see me. I sat down timidly, and soon heard a fearsome clearing of a forbidding throat. Prexy Bartlett stood before me and demanded to know what my errand was. I replied that I had come to inquire what he would have me do. Prexy then forcefully exclaimed, with knitted brow and frightening voice, "This is not my office; come to my office in the morning!" Whereupon he opened the door and motioned me out.

Thus did the President of Dartmouth College sit on a would-be freshman. He did see me in the morning in early office hours. As one of the admonishments regarding personal habits, such as smoking, chewing tobacco, using profane language, etc., I promised to heed them all, and succeeded fairly well.

Secretary, White River Junction, Vt.

Treasurer, 10 Occom Ridge, Hanover, N. H.