1909

"It's Hanover for Mine in Fifty-nine" Stay Alive, '09ers, and Be with us for our Golden Anniversary Next June 12, 13, and 14

"The Founders," produced during Junior Prom week, May 17, 1906, was the first college musical play that the glorious class of '09 came in contact with during its illustrious four-year stay at Hanover. By that time the brothers had become pretty well steeped in Dartmouth tradition and customs, and they had acquired a certain amount of savoir faire, to coin a French phrase, that was to blossom into full bloom the following fall when they became sophomores.

In this play, two '09ers, Ced Wellsted and Duke Naylor, had advanced far enough as thespians to be named in the principal cast of characters. Wellsted took the part of Shungopavi, Medicine Man of the Tribe, known as Skeet; Naylor was cast as White Eagle and he also took the part of a brave in the chorus line. Three other '09ers were braves: Jake Mason, Larry Gardner, and ArtSwenson; Wallie Ross was a squaw.

The show, which was described as "a musical comedy dealing with the founding of Dartmouth College" was written by two '07 men, James Wallace, and Harry Wellman who also wrote the words and music for the songs. The musical score was arranged by Skinny Rogers, one of the top musicians of our class.

We had a number of comics during our college days, but none was any funnier than Doc Felt '06 who took the leading role in the play, Samuel Occum, Chief of the Wah Who Wah tribe. His children were played by three town kids, Eddie Bowler (Little Big Joke), Jackie Gile (Henry Hit-the-Bottle) and Jack Bowler (Sammy Occum and).

Others who appeared in the principal cast of characters were: Happy Wayman '06 as John Wheelock; Bill Bodwell '06 as Lord Helpus, the Earl of Dartmouth's representative; Bill Bell '06 as the Dean with the Wheelock Expedition; Art Soule '08 as Janet White, a captive among the Indians; George Terrien '06 as Lady Sanborn, guardian of the Lord; Pat Hathaway '07 as Mad Wolf; Robert Thompson '08 as a maid; and Bob Blood '06 as a valet. Others who played the parts of braves in the chorus were: Tubby Blatherwick and Ike Paul '06; Crick Crocker, George Grebenstein, Jamie Jamieson, Jim Riley, Pat Hathaway, Herb Mitchell, Harold Oliphant, Jerry MacDonald, and Bill Minsch, all '07; Mort Hull, Larry Treadway, Howard Williams, Warren Currier, and Ed Rich '08 (Note: Ed Rich has since become affiliated with '09). Squaw parts were taken by John Burtch '06; Bill Kimball, Rip Heneage, Dick Cunningham, Bob Lane, Gene Brooks, Ed Richardson, Walt Sanborn, and Ray Brown, all '07.

On the Executive Staff were Harry Wellman, Jim Wallace, Walter Powers, Bill Grimes, Henry Thrall, John Neely, Harold Smith, and Henry Lane. Ushers were Norm Bankart, Harry Coburn, Louie Russell, Remie Varick, all '06; Bill Ahern, Dick Southgate, and John Wallace, all '07.

What a touching scene it was when Happy Wayman was romancing Artie Soule and they sang the duet, "Love Like a Flower Grows." The women folks in the audience gave out with audible sniffles. Another romantic ballad, "Isn't It Nice to Love," was sung by Samuel Occum (Felt) and Lady Sanborn (Terrien) who was a little sweet on the chief. Sam ultimately succeeds in cooling her down and they, with Wellsted and Wayman, sing the song, "Marriage Is a Lottery

Harry Wellman composed some fine songs during his undergraduate days, the most noteworthy being the stirring melody that he wrote for the immortal verse of Richard Hovey, "Men of Dartmouth." It has supplanted the alma mater song we sang in college, "Come Fellows Let Us Sing a Song," that brought a lump to the throats of all loyal Dartmouth men.

When women folks began to invade the campus, principally wives of men connected with the college, they took part in Dartmouth plays and musicals. Notable among the first of these was Louise, the wife of Jess Hawley, during the time Jess coached the football team. It is recalled that she wore a rather daring (in those days) costume in one of the local plays. Since women have been exposing larger portions of their anatomy and think nothing of it, Hanover, I assume, boasts some pretty good chorus lines.

It warn't like that in our days. When some guy adjusted the garter of a visiting prom girl, it furnished conversation for weeks.

Head Agent Weinz

After Ralph Byron Clement had served his term as head class agent for the Alumni Fund (six years of record-breaking achievement, for '09), the guy selected to carry on was Arthur Gordon Weinz. Gordon, who seems to be allergic to the name of Arthur, signs himself A. Gordon; we'll settle for Gordon. He came to Hanover from the Roxbury Latin School with Dan Watson, Knuck Kennedy, and Anson McLoud.

Gordon joined up with the. Tri Kap fraternity when he hit college, and then he set out to make a scholastic record for himself, rather than engage in extra-curricular activities. Proof of his accomplishments in this field are seen by the Phi Beta Kappa key he wears with pride, and a magna cum laude degree attached to his diploma. His graduation was followed by a year at M. I. T. where he took special courses in chemistry.

In business, Gordon made a success of his career. From 1910 to 1935 he followed the chemistry profession, and from that time until his retirement in 1954, he was technical director for the Carter's Ink Company, Cambridge, Mass.

Gordon stepped into double harness in 1914, the year he was married to Grace V. Riley. No little ones have graced the union, but the two of them seem to enjoy life through the advancing years, and they are regular attendants at class reunions, formal and informal. Gordon lists his hobbies as bridge, gardening, and furniture refinishing. Last summer, he and Grace took a trip to the Pacific Coast and when they got back the Weinz lawn in Newtonville was full of crab grass. Gordon is not one to crab, but he says the trip was worth it.

This little guy has made many friends in our class. He's the kind of hombre who grows on you - the more you see him, the better you like him.

Next month, if all goes well, the Golden Anniversary book will be distributed to living classmates and interested widows. Meanwhile, resolve to react favorablv to our slogan, "It's Hanover for Mine in Fifty-nine."

Class Notes Editor, 141 Pioneer Trail, Aurora, Ohio

Secretary and Treasurer, Sandwich, Mass.

Bequest Chairman,