1889

In the 1956 Alumni Fund Campaign contributions were made in memory of our following eceased classmates: George P. Bard, Henry P. Blair, David N. Blakely, Francis P. Dartt, Dexter D. Dow, Harry M. Frost, Nathaniel K. Noyes, Burt H. Redfield and James A. Wellman. Widows, relatives and friends wishing to pay tribute to deceased members of our Class in this year's campaign should send their contributions before June 30 direct to the Dartmouth Alumni Fund, Hanover, N. H., and state in whose name and by whom (giving address) the memorial contribution is made. Its receipt will be promptly and appreciatively acknowledged.

Dr. David N. Blakely was elected '89 Class Secretary in June 1914. The first to hold that office after graduation was Irving E. Sanborn. He served two years and was succeeded in office by James Chester Flagg, who continued in office until his successor, Dr. Blakely, was elected. Up to June 1914 five Class Reports had been issued. The sixth Report, published in May, 1915, naturally centered about our 25 th Year Reunion held the previous June. In preparing his first Report as Secretary, however, one of Dr. Blakely's principal aims was to give what had not been given in any of the five Reports previously issued, certain essential facts about each member of the Class, so that it-might serve as a standard reference book, or biographical dictionary,- of every member of the Class. These essential facts about each member consisted of date of his birth; father's name: mother's maiden name; his place of residence; date and place of marriage; maiden name of wife; their children, - giving name and date of birth of each; degrees received; occupation since graduation or leavsequently issued while David Blakely was Secretary, - the last one of which was published in June, 1940.

When he first became Secretary in 1914, the living members numbered 71, of which 21 were non-graduates. When he died in 1942, the living members numbered 28, of which 7 were non-graduates. The feeling of sorrow and personal loss expressed by members of the Class and widows of deceased classmates truly showed the popularity David Blakely earned by the conscientious performance of every duty entrusted to him. Throughout his entire term of office he drew heavily upon the remarkable power with which he was endowed to arouse and keep alive a friendly, united interest between members of the Class. After his death this remarkable power he generated diminished little in force by the passing of time. Judge Alfred A. Wheat, Chief Justice of the United State District Court for the District of Columbia, was president of the Class of '89 at the time of David Blakely's death, and from Judge Wheat your secretary received his appointment as Class Secretary, a position he has since held.

Prof. Edwin E. Davis studied at the Sorbonne and the Ecole des Hautes Etudes in Paris in 1894 and 1895. In 1895 he began teaching at Rutgers College and in 1904 became head of its Department of Romance Languages, a position he held until his retirement in 1941 under the new retirement plan, when he became Professor-Emeritus of Romance Languages. While a professor at Rutgers his summers were generally spent abroad in study and travel, chiefly in France and Italy. His foreign studies were principally in the Romance Languages and phonetics. In June, 1913, he was appointed by the French Government Officier d' Academie. This tide is an honor established by the French Government in 1808 under Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and confirmed by later decree. The title is awarded generally to Frenchmen for prestige as scholars or artists, also less frequently to foreigners for activities in the dissemination of French culture. For several years Prof. Davis had been active in the affairs of the French Society at Rutgers University in the establishment and development of extra-curricular classes in French for adults. Much to his surprise, he informed your secretary, in June, 1913, he was awarded the title at a public meeting of the French Society at Rutgers by a representative of the French Government. The decoration consists of two small silver palm branches curving toward each other, known as palmes academique. It is too cumbersome to wear and is represented sartorially by a narrow purple ribbon worn in the button-hole of the left lapel, which Prof. Davis sometimes wears on special occasions. Rutgers has been especially favored with the honor of the palmes acaddmique, since two other members of Prof. Davis' Department of Romance Languages have been awarded the title: Prof. Edmond W. Billetdous, Williams '99, and Prof. Leigh W. Kimball, Dartmouth '03.

Secretary, Treasurer and BequestChairman, 108 Mt. Vernon St., Boston 8, Mass.