1900's 55th
THERE were present at the 55th Reunion twenty members: Brooks, Butter-field, Cristy, Fowler, Hastings, Jackson, Jenkins, Paddock, Prescott, Proctor, Putnam, Rankin, Sampson, Smith, Tirrell, Tong, Trull, Tuttle, Wallace, and Woodman.
In addition, there were present the following members of our fellowship: Mrs. Barrows, Mrs. Bean, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. DeShon, Mrs. Grogan, Mrs. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Hicks, Janet Hicks, Susan Hicks, Mrs. Petry, Mrs. Rankin, Mrs. Sanborn, Mrs. Tirrell, and Mrs. Trull.
Friday, buffet supper was served at the Outing Club House. Later we attended the reception tendered by President and Mrs. Dickey. To this writer's knowledge no member of the class so far forgot his age as to attend the Senior and Alumni Dance.
Saturday morning a class meeting was held at which, to no one's surprise, the same class officers were reelected. A memorial service for the deceased members of the class was conducted by LeBaron Sampson whose tribute is appended. We were photographed and attended the Alumni-Senior Luncheon. The Class Dinner was held that evening in Thayer Hall. Jim Woodman was MC. LeBaron Sampson spoke in a reminiscent vein covering the developments and inventions made within 75 years - the minimum age of class members. Bob Jackson reminisced concerning the men and women he had known in his political and legal life.
Sunday was rainy and our activities were lingual and sedentary. After a buffet lunch at the Outing House we dispersed with mutually optimistic assurances that we should meet in 1960.
Bob Brooks has developed an interest in early ecclesiastic manuscripts. In trying to read the "Constance Missel" he ran into certain characters and letters which were unfamiliar to him. Studying these led into research, into the origin and significance of church symbols - forms of crosses and the message in illuminated borders. Copying the manuscripts of the old monks ultimately led to the making of scrolls using present-day prayer, Bible quotations, and hymns. Bob has prepared and given to the Class a scroll as a tribute to our deceased members. This was presented at our Memorial Meeting and will be made a part of our permanent records.
Following is the text of the 1900 Memorial Service conducted by LeBaron Sampson:
1900 Memorial Service
It is our custom at our reunions in Hanover to set apart a time at which we turn our thoughts to those who were living members of our class at the time of the previous reunion here, but have since passed away. At the time of our 50th reunion, there were 64 living members of the class out of a total of 165 whose names are on our class rolls. Since June, 1950, 20 of those 64 have passed to the life beyond.
We shall not attempt today to pay a separate tribute to each of them. May we listen to their names and join in honoring their memory. The names of these 20 and the years of their deaths are:
In 1950 William Ford Moulton
In 1951 Cornelius John Mahoney Henry Nelson Teague Leon Burr Richardson Lemuel Gulliver Hodgkins
In 1952 Harry Ignatius Marshall Nathaniel Haven Barrows Roger Allen Dunlap Robert Weise Page Paul Caldwell Wilson
In 1953 Howard Newton Skillin Frank Dana Sears Nathaniel Clinton Thayer Frederick Everett Jennings Freeman Corson
In 1954 John Franklin Moody Burton Winthrop Buck
In 1955 Walter Holden Fletcher Fred Herbert Hadlock Arthur Bowers Hayden
These men had all lived their three-score years and ten. Some of them had attained distinction in their respective callings. However, we do not remember them primarily because of any honors or station that they may have individually attained. We are grateful for whatever was sincere and fine in everyone of these departed classmates, for their loyalty to the college and to the class, and for all that was faithful and true in their lives.
May we join in prayer.
Eternal God, our dwelling place in all generations, we would renew in this hour all fair and noble memories, all the high and holy traditions of our lives. We bless Thee for the faithful souls of all generations, for all who have witnessed a good confession for the welfare of the world. We bless Thee for the faithful sons of this college, who have strengthened the cause of truth and virtue and have done what they could to make the world better for those who follow them. Especially do we thank Thee for those of our own class who have completed their earthly labors and have been: gathered to their fathers. May all that was sincere and good in them be an abiding influence in our hearts, inspiring us to a truer and braver life. Give us grace to live worthily, and. to hold our inheritance as a sacred trust, that we may leave it with increase for those who shall come after.
Most Merciful Father, who has been pleased to take to Thyself the souls of these our classmates, grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage and who walk as yet by faith, that having; served Thee on earth, we shall be reunited with them in the life to come.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this, day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
With a better than 50% reunion attendance, the "Old Guard" classes were represented by (l to r): Seated - Henry H. Austin '85, John P. Brooks '85, Frank B. Sanborn 87. Standing - Hardy S. Ferguson '89 and Ralph S. Bartlett 89.
Following the 1805 tradition, the Class had as its headquarters the home of Roland Stevens in Hartford Vt Attending the family reunion were, first row, l to r: Mrs. Persons (Mason's daughter) Mrs' Rose Martin, Class Secretary Roland Stevens, Mrs. Ayers, Mrs. Mason. Back row. Robert Stevens, Watson Baker Jr., Watson Baker, William F. Rice, Hobart Ayers, Frank Mason, Arthur West, Charles Holden.
The Class of 1900 chose the stone steps of Dartmouth Hall for its 55th reunion picture.
CLASS SECRETARY
