The Golden Reunion of 1905
FROM every part of this fair land of ours there gathered in Hanover 90 individuals to participate in our fiftieth reunion. Of this number 66 were men of the class; the wives, relatives and friends made up the remainder. We were very happy to have so many present, and understandably proud when our class was accorded the two large silver cups: one for the highest percentage of graduates in attendance, and the other for over-all representation. Good it was to see some who had not been with us for many years. We were very happy to have two of the widows of classmates with us, Anne Reid and Lila New-dick. We were pleased that Henry Thrall, undaunted by the difficulties, for him, of" travel from Minneapolis, could be with us. His wife, and indeed all the wives and other kith and kin were especially welcome.
When your secretary and his wife arrived at the Inn Thursday afternoon, the 9th of June, they found several of the class already there. Jim and Pat Mulally were on tour from distant St. Paul, Pat's first visit with us.
We were very pleasantly surprised, too, to-find "Dutch" Silha on hand. He became at once the life of the party and kept us in gales of laughter with his wit, his gay shirts, and his freshman cap which he wore to everyone's delight. Very interesting too were the pictures in various periodicals of the years 1903-04, chiefly of the football heroes of that wonderful era.
The class headquarters was in the Ski Hut in the rear of the Inn. Here were exchanged many happy reminiscences, a quiet spot where we could talk in comfort to our hearts' content. However, the Inn porch was also a rallying point.
The main events of our reunion centered around meals, delicious, satisfying repasts. The first was in Hovey Grill, Friday, at 6:00 p.m., after which we hastened to President Dickey's reception in his garden, beautiful in the late sunshine with its abundant blooming flowers. Our class had the privilege of attending early, before the crowds of others who followed us.
Next was the Alumni Luncheon Saturday noon. Something more than 2800 people were fed a tasty fried chicken lunch in the gymnasium. Following this we made our way to the upper floor of the main gym, where your scribe had the honor to receive for the class the two cups mentioned before. It was here, before the gathering of alumni, senior class, and friends, that our Charlie Goodrich delivered the address of the occasion. Those of you who were not present missed a rare treat. Thoughtful and thought, provoking, delivered in a forceful but pleasing manner, this address will rank among the very best ever given on such an occasion. You will wish to read it where it appears in another part of this magazine.
Saturday evening in Thayer Hall occurred the most important of our meals together, the banquet when the head table was graced not only by the two prize cups but also by the Wentworth-Wheelock punch bowl. On an easel at the end of the table was the oil portrait of Daniel Webster which Bill Blatner was presenting to Dartmouth College in honor of the 50th reunion of our class. We were greatly disappointed that Bill could not be with us himself. His wife Betty's health and other complications prevented him from coming. But upon the arrival of President Dickey to receive the gift, Fred Chase made the presentation. He read the remarks prepared by Bill, an interesting statement about Daniel Webster and particularly his pleading in the famous Dartmouth College Case, whereby Dartmouth's charter became established as inviolable and a fundamental principle of our freedom today was won. Fred's presentation was done excellently. President Dickey replied with friendly grace in accepting the gift for the College.
There followed a more or less formal class meeting, during which Fred again spoke, explaining in some detail the history of the punch bowl and its gift to Eleazar Wheelock by Governor Wentworth. Next came reports by the class officers.
Your secretary mentioned the help he had received from various individuals, notably Gib Fall, Tub Besse, Shirley Cunningham and Royal Parkinson, in keeping him supplied with news items for the monthly column of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE. AS special undertakings he cited the annual July reunions, the sending of Christmas cards to all the '05 families in 1953, and, starting in July 1954, the sending of a birthday card to each member of the class and Xmas cards to the widows, in the names of the class officers. Finally, he mentioned the publication of our 50th reunion book. This contains the "profile" of each living member of the class, except for a few who are "lost." There is in it also a block of pictures, chiefly snapshots. This book was the result of an idea conceived by RoyalParkinson and it was he who prepared almost all of the sketches. Your secretary was happy to be able to present these books to those in attendance. Copies are to be mailed to the rest.
Gib Fall, in his report as treasurer, showed how he had built up the class fund from very little to a quite respectable showing. There was enough in the fund, he stated, to more than cover the cost of the book without any extra tax on the class. Gib is especially to be commended for his painstaking efforts, especially in the matter of personal letter writing and the excellent response which he achieves.
"Sliver" Hatch, as class agent, could point with justifiable pride to the fact that he had brought the class to the top position for our group in the "Green Derby" contest for contributions to the Alumni Fund.
Fred Chase, bequest chairman, said he hoped to raise our contributions through gifts and bequests to a quarter or a half million dollars. However, he felt he couldn't push our men too hard, as he was well aware of their circumstances. He stood ready to give advice that would save taxes, especially in the matter of annuities, payable to two lives.
Royal Parkinson spoke of the progress made in raising funds for the Tucker Foundation. He is general chairman in charge of the Boston area and vicinity.
C. C. Hills received well deserved applause for his excellent work as chairman in charge of class reunions.
Bob Harding, chairman of the nominating committee, consisting of himself, Royal Parkinson and "Cy" White, presented as a slate of officers for the next five years the present officers (named above) and "C. C." as reunion chairman. The slate was elected by unanimous vote. It was further voted to continue to hold yearly reunions in mid-July at the Hanover Inn.
Sunday morning, in spite of the pouring rain, a good representation of our group assembled in the 1902 Room in Baker Library. The Rev. Bob Falconer conducted a gracious memorial service for those of our class who have left us through the years. In due course he read the names of all the departed.
The rain decisively precluded out-of-doors Commencement exercises, so that 1905 lost the privilege of joining the academic procession.
At the Outing Club, our final meal was cafeteria style, but very lavish in its variety of delicious foods. Thereafter, most of us were soon on our way to our various destinations. All agreed that the long awaited 50th reunion had been a very happy event.
Those present: Stanley Besse, Howard Billman, Charles Brooks and wife, Roger Brown and wife, Carroll Campbell and wife, Frederick Chase, Dr. William Clough and grandson, William III, Walter Conley and wife, Dr. Solon Cornish and daughter, Mrs. Snowden, Walter Emery, Charles Estes and sister, Rev. Robert Falconer and wife, Gilbert Fall and wife, Carl Getchell and wife, Edgar Gilbert and son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Oscar Gilbert and wife, Charles Goodrich and wife, Clayton Groves and wife, Robert Harding and wife, Harold Haskell and daughter, Anne, Fletcher Hatch and wife, George Hersam and Mrs. Foye (fiancee), Clarence Hills and wife, John T. Keady, Harry Lill and wife, W. Huston Lillard and wife, Dr. Halsey Loder, Dr. Francis McCabe, Dr. Andrew MacMillan and wife, Walter May, Alexander Maynard and wife, Chester Moore and wife, James Mulally and wife, Mrs. Lila Newdick, Royal Parkinson and wife, George Putnam and wife, Mrs. Anne Reid, Edward Richardson and wife and wife's sister, Walter Rogers and wife, Emil Silha, Walter G. Small, Allen Smith and wife, Harry Smith, Leon Smith and wife, Norman Stevenson, Henry Thrall and wife, Richard Tolman and wife, John Tuck and wife, Frederick Weston, Ernest White and wife, Dr. Samuel Wilkins and wife.
The 50-year Class of 1905, winner of the Class of 1894 Cup, is photographed en famille on the Baker Library lawn.
CLASS SECRETARY
