1918

Stan Jones' amusing account of GeneMarkey's enjoyable cocktail party at Club 21: -

1918 Crashes 21. Markey Throws Key Block and Scores with Check. In mid-May a handful of '18ers shoved into precincts unfamiliar to most: the lush, dimly-lighted pastures of 21. Forming a tight wedge under cover of Gene Markey's Inverness, they sped past the guards and found themselves in a private room whose most salient points were clouds of whiskey and two huge Psi U seals on the wall.

This was Gene's Second Spring Party for the locals, and they turned out in full fig. America's husband presided with his usual grace, charm and wit. Waving a stein of Black Velvet, he welcomed his guests and even listened to one of Christgau's 1909 DeWitt Clinton stories. No host should be asked to do more. Among those nuzzling in the beakers of Truth Serum were Ernie-Deacon-Earley, Marblehead-Whitmore, Dan Not-at-This-Point Shea, Ben Check-in-Boys Mugridge, Johnny Jack Daniels Johnston, Stan Know-Nothing Jones, Commander Rog Howland, Curt-Darien-Glover, Howie-I-Like-The-Keys Park, Syl I-Like-Sinclair Morey, Paul Sarasota Miner, Dick Holton, Keeper of the Fund, and Edward Maynard Ross, Y.I.T.B. in DKE.

Especially welcome were two esteemed guests who came from afar to join the party: Sig Judd, the sawed-off barrister, of Grand Rapids; and Ralph Bickford, from Rochester. Those guys were greeted with open arms by one and all. They looked great. They are great. It was a real pleasure. To get the party off on the proper note, the guests first formed a semi-circle and honored the host with a rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home." Dishes broke, waiters held their ears and howled like dogs. Gene responded with a few impromptu remarks delivered with the charm which has captured so many hearts'—not all of them male. He concluded with a graceful gesture toward the bar, and was instantly trampled by the guests.

As the evening wore on, the talk became more spirited, the recollections were vivid. At some point, Mr. Mugridge was alleged to have insulted the host, an unthinkable but probable gaffe. The host ruffled his feathers (so it was said), and arched his neck but cooler heads prevailed. Marblehead Whitmore had the coolest head in the gathering. Gene stated at one point that he was hockdeep in horses and a novel, both of which were giving him trouble - the latter more than the former. Toward the tag end of the evening, an '18er made a sensational entrance. On his arm was a startlingly beautiful young mouse, wearing black sunglasses. The breathing of the brethren became so heavy at this point that the electric light bulbs steamed up and a great amount of tickling and laughing ensued. When the '18er removed his prize, the lights came on, and Morey was discovered to be tickling Mugridge, Miner, Park, Holton, Christgau. A grand time was had by all. Thanks, much, Gene! We hope you'll come to town next spring. Hell, you don't even have to give the party - we will."

How fortunate the College is to enjoy the capable efforts of one like Dick White, who so successfully is watching over '18's part in the Dartmouth Bequest and Estate Planning Program. One loyal '18er recently gave a nice bundle of $13,425 to the College, subject to life income. In alumni giving in order of ranking is Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Princeton, Dartmouth. In order of alumni bequests, Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Harvard, Penn, Dartmouth, and in alumni estate planning, Harvard, Emory, Dartmouth. There was a time Dartmouth was not up clawing at the top as they are now - for which all Dartmouth men can be very proud.

Minetta and Syl Morey, interestingly visited with many '18ers and their wives at the most joyous reunion ever last June and their observations are interesting:

My first reaction: the terrific speed with which the days passed. Next, my amazement so many men came back. Chris Christgau and Ben Mugridge must have struck the right note in their pre-reunion build-up. Never ever properly appreciated Benny's talents when we roomed together in New Hamp. I take my hat off to him and Chris now. Hugh Whipple of Medina, N. Y., told us his son Scotty '49, who set up his own business in Viet Nam, has now decided to leave the Far East and is on his way back to the good old USA. Hugh's grin is just as warm today as it was in North Fayer.

It seems the class is turning out a flock of artists. Ed Felt reported he was taking Clara to water color classes in Buffalo, and finally decided to try his own hand. Now both are turning out masterpieces. Another real old timer at water colors, is gentleman farmer George Stoddard. The Moreys hack around in oils, and a lot of others in the class also paint such as Mary Ellen Earley, Catherine Angell, and no doubt others. Killer Stoddard says he has been grinding out watercolors, at a menacing rate, I guess by my own efforts, I have set art appreciation back 45 yrs. in Duchess County, Ed and Clara Felt stopped off for a visit with us then headed for Spain.

Al Gottschaldt, the big ad man from sunny Miami, said he sure wishes he had thought of Florida 10 yrs. before he did. Loved it. He is one of the few men of the class who really knows where he will live when he retires. Elizabeth and Homer Bennett, who switched from Long Island to Medina, Ohio, some yrs. back, offered a bit of homey philosophy on big city vs. small town living; "as you get older, the small places certainly look better." Most N. Y. commuters will buy that. The Bennetts left Hanover to visit their daughter in Greenwich, Conn., before heading back west.

Superior Court Judge Frederic R. "Pups" Colie holds the distinction of having received the classes' "Most Deferred 1918 Degree" — He was in the service along with the rest of us when our commencement came, but he did not receive his degree for military service as many others did. The College passed him up cold. However, 25 yrs. later, somebody at Hanover discovered he was a distinguished judge in New Jersey and needled the college into loosening up - his degree was awarded him at that late date. Virginia and Andy Ross back to reunion in their new Buick said they never had such a whale of a time. Young Andy is Pres. of his class at Nichols Jr. College, on the Honor Roll, and Tennis Team. Andy reported, after visiting his old roomey, Russ Howard (prominent bankers from Oskaloosa, Iowa), that Jean and Russ stopped off to visit their daughter and her family on their way east.

Tom Bryant, of the Bryant Teachers Agency in Phila., is having his hands full finding teachers for jam-packed schools in his part of the country. Son Clark, is a junior at Hanover. Al Sibbernsen, dirt farmer from Bennington, Neb., says it's true the farmer is leading the business man out of the depression. In fact, the farmers are doing all right so maybe the rest of us can take courage. Incidentally, Grace was missed by her many friends in the class. Next time, we hope she will be there. Tom Robbins, another gent from Medina, N. Y., is retired and loves it, according to Betty who says she loves having him around the house all the time, a fact which might be borne in mind by other wives of '18ers who will soon retire. Eddie Ferguson and Lew Cousens went over the good old days, early in the war, when they lived with Swede Youngstrom, Bunny Holden '17, Wendell Reycroft '17, Bob Paisley '19 and Bud Phillips '19, on 3rd St. in Newport, R. I. I was living in the house next door with distinguished '18ers, Gerry Poole and Ralph Bickford. No one who went out for freshman hockey will forget Ralph tearing down the length of the rink on the toes of his skates. Now he's an outstanding financial man in Rochester, N. Y.

Janet and Jules Van Raalte, with their prizewinning miniature pooch, were fortunate to be on the same reunion schedule as their son, John, who graduated in '48, who arrived with his wife for his 10th. Janet's mother passed away suddenly in Paris, and after returning from Paris, Janet joined Jules for their summer stay at Nantucket. Speaking of miniature pooches, Barbara Hood reported her daughter is very much interested in poodles — French poodles. Recently she won an award in Garden City, N. Y., with a dog that has taken ribbons all around the country. Leila and Phil Tusting were up from Atlantic City, N. J., where he's in the piano business. Phil cuts quite a figure on the campus in a fancy hat, the mate to a yellow lettuce leaf worn by the writer. Lenah and Neil Sheldon had to cut reunion short because they already had been at a Convention and had to get back to Schenectady.

Gene Clark, of Springfield, Ill., was up front of the line at the Inn for lunch, day reunion broke up, along with Betty, and Chaunce Wales, who retired sometime back and is teaching in Plainfield, N. J., and enthusiastic about it. Also at the head of the line that day, and much enjoyed by '18ers, Kay Gordon, whose '18 husband passed away some years back - it's good to find so many widows keeping up their interest in the class as their husbands would like to have them do. At the Memorial Services in Rollins Chapel, the first thing that impressed many'lBers was that the chapel was actually bright inside; it always seemed dull and gloomy. The service for the deceased was most impressive, especially the part taken by Ed Booth. Many remarked that Ed has a real feeling for reading aloud - and handling his part had just the right emphasis. There is one question I would like to raise concerning the Memorial service. The names listed cover only those who passed on since our last reunion. Shouldn't we, at each reunion, think of all those who have gone on? (That's the plan, Syl) and copies of the Memorial program were mailed to all the widows of '18ers and several wrote in how much they appreciated the privilege of seeing how we live on together. ...

Secretary, 67 Annawam Rd., Waban, Mass.

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