1916

Several of the classmates were among the many who flocked to Doll and Richards at 140 Newbury St., Boston, to see an exhibition of water colors by Audrey (Mrs. Rod) Soule, 34 of them, by their titles all outdoor scenes with one exception. Two titles sound especially intriguing, "Key West Palms (morning)," and "Key West Palms (afternoon.)" All who saw the exhibition of Mrs. Soule's pictures in Wilson Museum at Hanover will recall that she is a very talented artist. We have thus two class wives that I know of who are artists of note —Audrey Soule and Julia Nordell.

Alec Jardine, busy preparing his plans for the Alumni Fund for 1955, was a visitor to the above exhibition, along with Tog and Marjorie Upham, Gran Fuller, Dick and Mrs.Parkhurst, Cliff and Peg Bean, Bob and Mrs.Steinert, and I suppose others that were not reported to me.

Newcomer of 1916 to Washington, JibDingwall, now with the Voice of America, Gen. Stew Paul, who attracts activities and honors as honey draws flies, was reelected to his second term as president of International Christian Leadership.

Representing the Class at the Boston Dartmouth Alumni Dinner at the Statler were Jardine, Mott, Upham, Fuller, Ellis, Cutler,Soule, Bobst, Carey, Fletcher" and English. Cap Carey was reported recovered from his recent operation and looking fit and trim.

Dick Parkhurst wrote me a very appropriate comment on John Gile's funeral, at which he, John Stearns and Andy McClary represented the Class:

"The White Church was packed on a cold bright afternoon, with the campus flag at half-mast. The minister's words were very moving, and what he had to say a deserved tribute indeed to J's life and works. There seemed to be a sort of benediction over things as he left the campus for the last time."

An unlooked-for tribute to John came from Midshipman Ricard W. Ellis, Dick's son, who is a First Classman at the Naval Academy. Young Dick sent me a clipping his folks had sent him and made this comment: "For three of my four years in Hanover I lived right over his back fence in what was Doc Kings-ford's house and I got to know him rather well during that time - as many who knew him even better than I, I consider his passing a loss to all concerned."

Midshipman Ellis, who of course is also a Dartmouth graduate, took the trouble to come backstage and spend a few minutes with me recently when the Washington Chorus of SPEBSQSA sang at a show put on by the Annapolis Chapter of that famous Society. Dick is a tall, well-built and handsome young man, and although I don't know if he plans to stay in the Navy, if he does he will go a long ways and I don't mean merely geographically. I recently gave you the news of his engagement to Miss Barbara Ann Randall of Newton Center, Mass.

Our long-lost Leigh Rogers (or if he isn't lost you can't prove it by this secretary) has taken on another sideline, which is writing material for radio beaming into Russia via the Voice of America. Leigh is also helping, through writing brochures, in fund-raising by the American Friends of Freedom, Inc., and the one which I have seen, entitled

"Fight Communism in Your Own Defense by Arming Allies of its first Victims, the Peoples of Russia." Leigh, as you recall, lived in Russia for awhile after graduation, working for a large U. S. bank (Chase of National City), and it is rumored that when he had to leave hurriedly, he left behind some of Campion's shirts, which Lenin found and wore when he reviewed his troops. Believe it or not! While on this scamper Leigh wrote The Wine of Fury, which I have only had for some twenty years, hoping I would get the author to autograph it, if I could ever catch him when he had a fountain pen and I had the book.

When in St. Petersburg this winter, Alec talked with Hap Ward by phone, but they were unable to get together. I had somewhat the same experience, expecting to see Hap on the way back from a drive to Sarasota, but getting back to St. Pete late, and with my host not feeling well, we had to press on home to Tampa, much to my regret, because I haven't seen Hap since he came to Hanover last.

Col. Louis Bell tells me of an interesting event, when John Ames pinned the Army Commendation Ribbon on him in Frankfort, after his release from the Wiesbaden Hospital. This is probably the only case of one '16er decorating another, and Louis said that receiving this decoration at the hands of John was as thrilling as getting the medal itself.

Louis records a sad event, the death of his little grandson, Andrew Louis, born only a few months ago to his son. Louis was very much the thrilled grandfather when the child was born, and the sympathy of the Class goes out to him and the young bereaved parents.

Peter Fuller, Gran's son, who is in Korea, had a chance to put on a small Dartmouth reunion with John Ames, proving again that it is a small world for those with Dartmouth connections. Pete will be there a year.

Gil Tapley, planning a trip to the West Coast, naturally included Judge Philips on his agenda, and since he arrived there I have heard that he found the Judge, and the two of them had a very interesting talk, which the Judge has described to me in his usual colorful style, which I will hand on to you, provided his natural modesty at being quoted can be overcome. Gil and Mabel, visiting her family, have been in contact with Dan Dinsmoor and Eskeline also, and has been to San Diego, La Jolla, Tia Juana, Santa Barbara and Palm Springs.

It is old news now, but the Ev Parkers of Denver spent some time last January at Norway Lodge, a famous inn at Aspen, Colo., one of the West's finest skiing resorts. The Parkers are good winter sportsmen and sportswomen and enjoyed themselves having a family reunion before Ev started East for the Alumni Council, of which he is a very active and helpful member.

Just before sending this column to Hanover comes a letter from Shorty Hitchcock (distant from here but frequently in my mind) announcing that he has retired from the U. S. Naval Reserve after twenty years service, with the rank of commander. That twenty years entailed two world wars and consistent and hard weekly drills in between, so Shorty has earned his retirement the hard way, and with his six-foot-six frame we know he will live "long" to enjoy his retirement. He will stay in the insurance business, however (this for the benefit of prospective policyholders).

1917 CLASS OFFICERS at their fall meeting at Bonnie Oaks. Members of the Executive Committee attending were (l to r): Mose Hutchins, "Sentry" Editor; Don Brooks, Secretary; VicSmith, Treasurer; Gil Swett, Bequest Chairman; and Sumner Emerson, Committee Chairman.

Secretary, 4808 Broad Brook Drive, Bethesda 14, Md.

Class Agent, Box 151, Sagamore, Mass.