1916

The Class extends to Mrs. Fletcher and her son, Rick its sincerest sympathy in the death of our classmate, Vivian ArthurFletcher, who died July 28. I recall most pleasantly that Jock and his wife were at our Fabulous Fortieth Reunion and regret that our paths did not cross in recent years. I am sorry to learn that Mrs. Fletcher has been ill. She has been engaged in writing a book this summer, and at last word was rushing it to her publishers to meet an October first commitment.

Those of you who were at the '16 dinner and party at Bridgeport following the Yale game two years ago will remember TugTyler's friend, Frederick G. Thayer, Amherst '06. Mr. Thayer, who lives in Brookline, Mass., wrote me a while back recalling the many interesting events of that day, the general jollification of the evening and the wonderfully cordial welcome which, he says, the Class accorded to him, an "Amherst interloper." In extending to the Class felicitations and sincere good wishes he signed himself "honorary self-elected member of Dartmouth '16." The Class returns the compliment to you, Fred Thayer, and we hope it will be our good fortune to have you present at many more '16 shindigs, because it's always fair weather when good fellows get together.

Spike Drenan kindly sent me a card, which the Class and others should share, for an At Home, August 20, on the Fortieth Anniversary of Spike and his good wife, Dorothy. I know it was a gala event and hope that the Class will receive a card on the occasion of their Fiftieth.

Three classmates have recently announced their retirement, - Frank Bobst, Dan Dinsmoor and Marty Linihan. While we wish them all the joys and pleasures of not having to get up in the morning and head for the office we are most skeptical that any of these young men will really stay retired. If they do yours will be a most surprised correspondent.

Leigh Rogers sent Dutch Doenecke an ad which he had recently cut from a New York paper, - a Saks - 34th Street Clearance Sale of men's suits and coats. The item of importance: Famous Big Tweed Balmacaan Overcoats: English and American tweeds, usually $110 now $59.95." Leigh's comment, "And to think that I was trying to peddle them my sophomore and junior years for $19. I should've stayed in bed." Which reminds me that next month we shall publish the letter which that merchant prince has sent me of his recollection of the founding of that famous Dartmouth institution, the Balmacaan Athletic Club. So be on the watch, brothers.

I had a fine trip to Europe this summer with my niece, Betty, her husband, Nick Turkevich '40, and their three young daughters. We started out from Paris in a microbus and toured France, Germany and Switzerland. I had the honor and privilege to visit the grave of my fraternity brother, Joe Emery '17, lieutenant of infantry, assigned to the Ninth Infantry, Second Division, who was killed near Chateau Thierry, July 18, 1918. His father had written me many years ago that Joe was buried at Missyaux-Bois. We finally found the little town, but no cemetery, though we did come across French, British and German cemeteries in that neighborhood. At Soissons we found that the big American cemetery was at Fère-en-Tardenois and located Joe's grave in it. Over 6000 of our boys are buried there; the cemetery is beautifully landscaped and kept, and one of which Americans can be very proud. We also went to the Vosges, where I was in the line, and also to Coblentz, where I was later in the Army of Occupation. The trip was especially enjoyable because I renewed aquaintance with a French family, whom I had met during the war and with whom I have corresponded regularly these past forty-odd years. Some time ago my French friends had done me the honor of asking me to be the godparent of their daughter, - in absentia. She is now married and living in London, so I went to England to see her and her husband, - and found her to be a very charming young lady, and one to whom I was very happy and proud to be Uncle Pete. My Paris friends went with us for a weekend in the Vosges and I visited the towns where my regiment trained, — in one town the house where I was first quartered when we arrived in France.

Before I sign off I wish to give you two addresses: Dr. Eliot Ashley Shaw, Scituate Sanitarium, Danielson Pike, North Scituate, R. I., and Dr. Cecil W. Tucker, Veterans Hospital, San Fernando, Calif., and urge you to sit down without delay and write to Shorty and Red. None of our classmates is more deserving of your interest and regard. I was about to include Jack English in the list but he has refused to stay put, and is home from the Chelsea Naval Hospital much improved in health.

James H. McGowan '17 (left), whose "Victory March" was played at a July concert at the State Music Shell, Medford, Mass., poses with William Maloney, director of the band.

Class Notes Editor, 7 Swarthmore Pl, Swarthmore, Pa.

Secretary, 4808 Broad Brook Drive, Bethesda 14, Md.

Treasurer, 15 Ravenna Rd., Boston 31, Mass.