1918
Johnny Thayer, Delray Beach (Fla.) Realtor, ex-mayor, on the Library Committee, Chrmn. of the Delray Beach Taxpayers League, who has contributed in every way to the life of the community, wrote the following letter Nov. 9, 1957 to Pres. Dickey:
My father, the late Harry B. Thayer, Class of 1879, (after whom Thayer Hall was named) left me the most priceless Bible which John Alden brought over on the Mayflower, and later gave to his granddaughter Sarah (Bass) Thayer who in turn gave it to her son Shadrach Thayer. The Bible has been in our family ever since. The enclosed newspaper clipping printed in 1895, pretty much tells the story of the famous "breeches" Bible.
My son and I agree that this wonderful book should be in the keeping of some institution where it may be enjoyed—rather than, as in the past, moulding away in a safe deposit box. We agree that it would be fitting to give the John Alden Bible to the Baker Library. There, it would be at Dartmouth, an institution which my father so dearly loved and which he so well served. Further, the Bible could fittingly rest in New England. My son, next in line to receive the Bible, and I, therefore, offer the John Alden Bible to the Baker Library at Dartmouth College.
The following is President Dickey's reply:
Thank you for the kindness of your November 7 letter which brings really exciting news to us. We would greatly prize having the John Alden Bible for the Baker Library. I need hardly say that the Bible would have great significance for us both because of its connection with your family and because of its intrinsic importance.
I do want you to know that this uncommonly generous action on your part is one of the nicest Slings that has happened in a long, long time. I met your father when I was on the campus as an undergraduate, and I have always been a great admirer of him as one of the _ great Dartmouth builders. Kindest personal greetings.
Good news has it that Don Scully (maybe in a wheel chair) and Madeline, will be back at Reunion in June. Tom Shirley and Lew Cousins drove up to Maine 3 months ago and found Don in fine spirits on a visit to Rockport, Me. In good weather, Don is wheeled to the fishing pier, where he knows all the fishermen who enjoy chatting and visiting with him. They have a fine TV set, and enjoy the bird-feeding stations around their home. With mirrors, Don takes in all the bird activity around him without twisting his neck. Hope you make it, Don, if only for a day. It would be a great lift for us to see you....
Ever had a tough operation? Well, EddieO'Connor, 293 Beech St., Holyoke, Mass., had a rugged one - pitch him a cheery line today.
Francis T. (or Chris) Christy (old campus roomey of Al Zulick, and Stump Barr), former Trustee of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts & Sciences, interested in the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, then V.P. of Rockefeller Center, and now his own law firm, Christy & Perkins, —30 Rockefeller Plaza, N. Y., - was at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in November - representing his client, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, who designed the Academy. Chris had the thrill recently of seeing in the N. Y. Times a picture of son Arthur H. (Yale '43 Law Review) announcing his appointment as Chief Asst. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of N. Y. Arthur has served since 1955 as Chief of the Criminal Division, and is one of the youngest (34) appointees to the Chief Asst's office since former Gov. Thomas E. Dewey was named to the position in 1931, when he was 31.
We're indebted to faithful Art Stout '17 (Old Indian Head, as Stan Jones used to call him), for an article by Lester Granger on "Ghana's Independent Celebration" - "We stood at midnight on the Old Polo Grounds and watched a British colony expire while a new nation was born. We walked in the midst of an evergrowing, quiet crowd. This crowd was out to witness Independence. This was a different sort of a crowd - not excited and chattering, not milling about; everyone seemed frozen in an attitude and atmosphere of expectancy. Black faces gleamed in the light from the platform; smiles were everywhere; people talked in low tones everyone was waiting for midnight." (more about this in next issue).
From classmates we received several clippings from the Springfield, Mass., newspapers, headed "Judge Macaulay Is Named To Head College Drive." Don, Justice of the Mass. Superior Court, was named Honorary Chairman of the Western New England College lege development fund campaign, for Don has taken an active interest in the college since his graduation from the School of Law in 1924. Since 1948 Don has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the College and has given a considerable amount of his time to the college affairs. Ever since Jan. 1, 1957, Don had been trying cases with juries every court day. He writes interestingly of how the Superior Court has speeded up procedures to reduce the time lag between the actual entry of cases to court and time of jury trial. Don explains his program has paid off; 2 years ago it took 38 months to obtain a jury trial; at the beginning of the year it took 30 months, and as of Nov. '57, "automobile cases reach trial in 12 months."
A nice letter from Nipper Knapp, Pres. of Gray Foundry Inc., Poultney, Vt. (gray iron and semi-steel castings) he tells how his good friend, Albert Cree, Pres. of Central Vt. Public Service Corp., has just flown back to Paris and had a good visit with Hort Kennedy, with whom he served in France in World War I.
When March rolls around, Puss Knowles and Ethel will be in Florida looking around for a retirement spot and will link up with good old Charlie Wolff '17, and his wife, in their boat anchored at Hollywood Beach. Talking with Phil Everett, active in the Riverside Church (presides over a legal library of a large N. Y. City law firm through the week) he remembers Don Scully, freshman year, when Don played 3rd base and a bullet-like drive came out and "Don simply shot up his hand nonchalantly and caught a fly as neat as ever I saw." Remember, Don?
Class chorister, Roger Howland (the mostroomed-with man in '18: Joe Myers '17. Bob Raynor, Joe Philbin, Dick Sisk and Bill Chisholm) tried to cheer up Leicester Mc-Elwain while in the N. Y. Eye and Ear Infirmary, and left a Thurber book to cheer him up. At last report, Leicester was out enjoying the holiday season and let's hope he won't have to go back to the hospital. Larry Wallis, Professor of English Language and Literature at Mt. Holyoke, where wife Louise was Dramatic Instructor, immediately wrote us for the address of his old college roomey Ed Shaw for he's the only one who ever called Larry "Bugs" as it appeared in this MAGAZINE. Other roommates of Larry were George Daniels, Ray Barrett, Clint Carvel, Dick White and Les Brown.... Shorty Alden says his hobbies, aside from photography, are collecting unusual teas. He enclosed two very interesting photographs entitled "Arrival of Mayflower II, Plymouth, June 1957."
'18ers would have enjoyed honoring Dr.George M. Davis Jr., who on Dec. 21 wasordained to Priesthood at the Cathedral ofSt. John the Divine, in N. Y. City. Half ofthat huge cathedral was crowded of a Saturday morning with friends of George's and of8 others being ordained at the same time.Probably the biggest number attending werecitizens of New Rochelle, who have known,loved, admired, and respected our classmate.If any citizen ever won his D, George certainly has. His life has been devoted to thewelfare of his community and to people ofall classes in New Rochelle. In part, this iswhat the New Rochelle papers had to say:
Dr. George M. Davis Jr., member and former president of the New Rochelle Board of Education, and one of New Rochelle's leading citizens, was advanced to the Priesthood of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Dec. 21st, in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, N. Y. City. Dr. Davis, who is Assistant at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Rochelle, was ordained to the Diaconate Oct. 21 1954. He was ordained as a priest at ceremonies conducted by Episcopal Bishop Donegan, and was presented by the Rev. P. M. Styles, Rector of Trinity Church.
The ordination coming after years of planning and study is the fulfillment of a hope held by Dr. Davis for many years. He has long been active in the church. A native of New Rochelle, he was baptised and confirmed at Trinity Church, sang in the choir, served as acolyte as a boy, and later as lay reader and vestryman. He was edu- cated in the New Rochelle schools, and holds in addition to his Dartmouth degree an LL.D. from Arnold College in recognition of his educational activities. (His many other activities which have endeared him so in the hearts of all New Rochellers will follow in the next issue.)
Janet and Jules Van Raalte, report daughter Joan had a son July 28. Amos Blandin said "...Built a house last summer - rather Alberta and grade A builder did the job. House turned out far better than I dared hope." ... Frank Harrington who stacked the room of Bcnnie Mugridge, in undergraduate days, is the same enjoyable Frank (after he left Dartmouth and graduated from Miami U. in Ohio) who as a Deke was very active on the campus, and since that time has served on the Board of Directors of many outstanding corporations. He enjoys also a stable of race horses at Roosevelt Raceway.
Cap Hanley is doing nicely - still says he and Edith will be at '18's, N. Y. City wives' dinner Feb. 27. After his cataract operation, Cap is getting used to his bifocals and thinks by spring he can play some golf, what with his 20-20 vision: Thanks to the Olympic Champion Class Secretary, Jack Childs '09, always helping other class sects, with news items, we have this about our much beloved Ed Healey.
Ed Healey has formed an excellent habit that has become something of a tradition at traditionminded Notre Dame University. Before you ask who Ed Healey is you mention that he is a former Springfield boy who gained fame as a tackle at Dartmouth in the days of Gus Sonnenberg and others of a great Dartmouth era. Later Healey played for the Chicago Bears and in the words of the coach, Jimmy Conzelman, - "The best lineman I ever coached." Healey's specialty is entertaining the freshmen football p!ayers of Notre Dame early in the season to make them sort of feel at home. He does it all at his Niles, Mich., farm that is not" too distant from the Notre Dame campus.
1918's FORTIETH REUNIONJune 9-11, 1958
Dr. George M. Davis Jr. '18 of New Rochelle, prominent there in community and educational work, was ordained to the priesthood of the Episcopal Church on December 21. He is Assistant at Trinity Church, New Rochelle.
1919 Class "Drive" - Capital Gifts, Alumni Fun or Just for Fun? Shown at a recent party at the home of Paul Halloran are (l to r): Ken Huntington, Charence Buttenweiser, Tom Bresnahan, Fat Jackson, Dan Featherston, George Rant, Eddie Fiske and Dick Dudensing.
Secretary, Room 704, 441 Lexington Ave. New York 17, N. Y.
Treasurer, Write, Inc. 420 Lexington Ave. New York 17, N. Y.
Bequest Chairman,
