1909

The Good Old Days

At the beginning of the 20th century, Harvard football was in much better repute than it is today. Egan, a Boston columnist and a Harvard alumnus, publicly castigates the lads in crimson, suggesting that they should quit football altogether, instead of demonstrating pitiful attempts on the gridiron. The final blow to Egan's ego came when the Harvard band let him down by producing, in his opinion, tootles that were not up to Harvard musical standards.

When Dartmouth beat Harvard 22 to o in the fall of 1907, the boys had something to shout about - but loud! The story of the game is well remembered by Dartmouth old-timers. In looking over some old newspaper clippings, I ran across the following colorful account of what happened after the game.

City To Themselves

Dartmouth Men Not Interrupted in Their Celebration of Their Victory Over the Crimson

The mighty men from Dartmouth had the freedom of the city last night and celebrated without the slightest interruption from their vanquished rivals across the Charles.

About the Adams House, the official headquarters, the Hanover men appeared in hundreds, wearing in some instances newspaper headlines giving the score of the game. Some thoughtful chap from Hanover had hundreds of cards printed early in the evening which were distributed to the graduates and undergraduates, who conspicuously displayed them in their hatbands.

As the students wandered through the town singing college songs, the question was frequently asked, "What's the score?" And the answer came in the form of a mighty shout as the collegians began counting, and when they reached 22, that number was given with all the power they had in their overworked lungs.

Girls on the street wearing green were cheered, and in the vicinity of the Washington Street theatres was an abundance of the Dartmouth color.

At 11 p.m. the lobby of the Adams House resembled the floor of the stock exchange in the midst of a financial crisis, the place being packed to the doors with a surging, cheering crowd. It was a happy crowd, however, and nothing of the "rough house" order was seen anywhere.

It was Dartmouth Night at the Mollis Street theatre, with the coaching staff, football team, and students present in full force. Members of the team occupied two lower boxes, while under- graduates filled the body of the house.

As the football men took their seats, the happy rooters rose and greeted them with the lusty Dartmouth yell and the piercing sky-rocket shriek which brought forth so much applause at the stadium in the afternoon. When Captain Glaze came in, the applause was deafening in all parts of the house.

Lola with a carpet bag tagged with - sticker, "From the Stadium" on one side and "22" on the other, set the boys to rioting again, and cheer after cheer rolled up from the orchestra. At the close of the second act, Nevers' 2nd Regiment band of Concord, N.H., which accompanied the rooters to the stadium, replaced the orchestra and played through the college songs, while the students sang with the snap and fervor characteristic of Dartmouth singing.

Captain Glaze, in response to urgent cries for a speech, said: "We said all we can say at the stadium this afternoon." These pointed words brought forth approving applause.

At the close of the final act the Dartmouth men sang their alma mater with an expression of feeling that was felt by all.

Some write-up, eh folks? Even a half-century later you can picture those stirringscenes as if they had happened last night.

Reunion's In the Air

The time for '09's informal reunion nextmonth is pushing straight ahead, and soon abunch of the classmates and certain associateson the distaff side will be having a few daysof relaxation and pleasure. It could be asmall dress rehearsal of our 50th which willbe here a short year hence. Al Newton, hardworking general chairman, comes up withthese pertinent thoughts:

For years, some of our classmates have been out of touch with the class and the college, except through the Diddings and the ALUMNIMAGAZINE, plus other mailings from the college.

Next year, our class will commemorate its Golden anniversary-—50 years out of college a milestone in every college man's life. Our ranks have diminished by fifty per cent, but of the 150-odd remaining members, we're confident that over 100 will be back next year.

Here's a thought: If any of you are planning a trip East next year, for business or pleasure, to see the old folks (if any), married sisters, or brothers or offspring, why not arrange to have it coincide with this great event - the 50-year reunion of our class?

'Atta boy, Al, you keep telling 'em and you'll get the response you're looking for. Right in line with this thinking, this poem by Harry R. Blythe '07, sent to me by Pineo Jackson '10, rekindles the feelings that all true Dartmouth men, deep inside, hold for the college.

We Gather Back

We gather back again, boys, To pledge our hearts anew; We gather back again, boys, With love as firm and true As they who came here first, boys, A hundred years ago, With hearts that were undaunted at The wilderness of snow.

We gather back again, boys, As we shall come here ever, Though youth may lose its garlands gay And time our ways may sever. We gather back again, boys, Where memories ne'er perish, To the temple of our Fathers Whose deathless names we cherish.

Gordon Weinz, head class agent, and his able assistants are putting in a lot of time to develop funds for Dartmouth's combined Development and Alumni Fund program. Although fund quotas have been eliminated this year, it's up to all of us to do our utmost for Dear Old Dartmouth.

See you next month at our informal reunion when music, singing, laughter, and some serious business will hold sway.

Class Notes Editor, 141 Pioneer Trail, Aurora, Ohio

Secretary, Sandwich, Mass.

Class Agent, 21 Walden St., Newtonville 60, Mass.