1903

Harold and Grace Hess late this summer made a motor trip into New England, first Down East along the Maine coast and then doubling back through the White Mountains. Had a happy visit with Roy Thorpe and his wife at their home in Lisbon, N. H., where they spend much of their time except when wintering in Florida.

A letter from Harry Watson says he is in fine fettle though busy with the opening of Court, his 45th year in attendance. He wrote of his and Edith's 50th wedding anniversary. You were a bit late in reporting as one of my scouts gave me the story and I guess it will appear in the issue now on the press.

Oh Eleazar Wheelock - Browsing through "Ports of Piscataqua," I read where Francisco de Miranda, a famous Venezulean revolutionist and scholar, visited these United States during the years 1783-1784 while they were still a Confederation. Among the places visited was Portsmouth where he was entertained at tea by the Hon. John Langdon. In the de Miranda diary appears the following:

. Met the presidents of two little colleges that are in the interior; Mr. Wheelock (Dartmouth) and Mr Woodbridge _ (Exeter); these are their names, and if we are to judge of the Institute by the Preceptors there must be no little Pedantry in these seminaries. Finally after two hours of scholarly nonsense these gentlemen did us the favor of departing.

Perhaps a dash of New England rum in the tea might have enlivened the party.

A letter from our first class secretary, Frank McEldowney. He was with us but a year and transferred to Wisconsin, where he gained his A.B., a wife, two brothers-in-law, and a father-in-law, but with all that "Badger" atmosphere, the traditions of Eleazer and the magnetic personality of Doctor Tucker held against all opposition and remain bright to this day. Among Frank's early business associates were Everett Marsh '08 and Tom Heneage '10, both non-grads and both deceased. ceased. Frank said these men actually oozed Dartmouth. Frank's address is 155 Country Club Road, Chicago Heights, Ill. He hasn't run across a classmate since John Crowell who died in 1929. Why not send Frank a line or more. He'd appreciate it.

Recent '09 notes carried reference to pee-rades to "Type" Hitchcock's exams. Have before me a blurred print — a cold frosty morning mid-year 1902-03 — showing pee-rade starting from old Wheelock Hotel around campus - destination Culver and "Type." Led by "Meat Hanlon, top-hatted, Fauntleroy tie, an undersized dress coat, brandishing a shillalah; "Babe" Grant, later a College Trustee, carrying the bass drum at which Pete Maguire '04 was banging lustily; Wadham wearing a policeman's helmet and whanging a pair of brass cymbals; Robinson '04 who overslept and arrived too late to get any implement; Willard Hartshorn, the Harry James of the class, filling the campus with flourishes on his cornet; "Kink" Burnham, swinging a watchman's rattle and making more noise than all combined. There were others in line but not discernible on the dim print.

The Dartmouth Bequest and Estate Planning report for the year ending June 30, 1958 recently arrived. Do all fully appreciate the impoitance of this project? Strengthening the present program promises the greatest loneterm benefit for the College. One can take pride in the knowledge that the Dartmouth or the future will be built and sustained to a large extent by the Bequest Program in which each can play a vital part. Twenty bequests were received during the past year amounting to $1,160,138. Three carried the 1903 tag — Orvil Smith, $10,000; W. W. Grant $7,500; and Edith M. Burbeck (widow of our Ned) $5,000. The ladies in recent years, the wives, mothers, daughters, relatives and friends, have been in excess of one-third of the contributors.

Here's a late letter from Roy Thorpe. He has been in the hospital for three weeks but is now home and much better. Gave me the name of his trouble and added that if I didn't know what it was to get in touch with "young squirt" Bennett or "skinny" Oats Mudge. The quotes are Roy's. Perhaps we can start a scrap and so make news for these notes. Roy and his wife are revving up for Palmetto, Fla., across the bridge from St. Pete, Keep that in mind - those visiting Florida this winter. Roy lives at a permanent mobile home in a 10' by 41' trailer; apparently buys them wholesale as he has given one to a daughter and one to a granddaughter. At present, he is sitting and watching the world go by. How about a good convalescent note you "young squirts" and "skinnys" and other "respectable" classmates. His address 185 Main Street, Lisbon, N. H.

A matter of record: neither "Pip" Howard nor myself received a "wish you were here" card during the summer just passed. With postage going up, looks as though we might expect less than nothing in the future. Can't believe it. It's not hard if you will just sit down and at least scribble. As Don Goddard says, "easy does it." So long.

Secretary, 1822 Willow Rd., Cedar Village Camp Hill, Penn.

Treasurer, 4A Rivermere Apts., Bronxville 8, N. Y.

Bequest Chairman,