1904

At the time this is being written, early in May, our able and devoted secretary, Beck Johnson, is laid up in a Pittsfield hospital with gall bladder trouble. Woods and Robinson have been asked to pinch hit for him although we cannot knock any home runs like Beck, we will do our best to lay down a sacrifice bunt at least.

Beck and Sally were at Vero Beach, Fla., from March 15 to April 15. Robbie and Hope were there with them practically all that time When the Johnsons arrived Beck was extremely tired from a very active winter in Pittsfield, Mass., but he seemed to regain his old pep within a few days. When the Robinsons left on April 10, he was as active as many men twenty years younger and his vacation appeared to have recharged him with energy. It was a shock, therefore, to learn that just before leaving for home Beck had been stricken with an attack which caused great pain. The return home was extremely difficult. Through the use of a wheel chair at railroad stations and with other aids, Sally managed to get him back to Pittsfield. We hope that by the time this is printed Beck will be on his feet again. In any event, send him a card and a cheering message if you have not done so already. He will be glad to hear from us all even though he may be feeling fine again. Address communications to his home, 28 Stockbridge Road, Lenox, Mass.

This is a good opportunity to tell a few things about Beck, as he will not see these notes before they are printed. Not all members of the class are familiar with some of the accomplishments of our indefatigable secretary. Most of us who were not self-employed were expected to retire when we reached seventy, or even earlier. At about the time when Beck had chalked up his seventy-fifth birthday, the firm of investment brokers for whom he had managed the Pittsfield, Mass., office for some years, sold out to a larger organization, Shearson, Hammill and Company. Beck fully expected that he would be asked to retire so that he could be replaced by a younger man. But the new employers were discerning men, and chose to favor ability rather than age. They looked over the records of the Pittsfield office and decided that Johnson was a super-salesman as well as a good manager, and they not only continued him in office but gave him a substantial boost in compensation. And so, Harry Becket Johnson has achieved the notable distinction, along with very, very few others, of reaching the most productive period of his life after passing his seventy-fifth birthday.

A successful business record alone is worthy of some acclaim, but Beck has much more to his credit. His great enthusiasm for Dartmouth and his many labors for his Alma Mater are known to many besides his classmates in 1904. He has served an endless number of good causes in many official capacities throughout his life. His patriotism for his country has been expressed to the fullest extent of his energy. He was a Captain in the first World War, and his civilian activities in the Second World War were so great as to be a severe tax on his strength. If memory serves correctly, he, Rosie Hinman and Don Logan, at a time when their Leaves coincided during World War I, sent the famous cablegram to President Hopkins, "We are fighting this war to make Hanover a safe place in which to hold reunions." Possibly, yes probably, the Parisian atmosphere was partly responsible for this inspired message, but that in no way detracted from the patriotism of "theses" three 1904 stalwarts.

For the past ten years or so, Beck, with his very competent and charming helpmeet Sally, has taken his chief vacation of the year at Vero Beach, Fla., at the Royal Park Inn, a delightful place, one of the famous Treadway Inns established by the genius of hotelman Lauris Treadway '08. This hotel, quite naturally became a Florida rendezvous for 1908 classmates of Treadway, especially in late March and early April. Men from other classes soon were attracted to the place and today there are probably more Dartmouth men who assemble there than at any other spot in Florida during the late winter season. Most of the 1904 members who flitted south during the winter or enjoyed cruises in warmer climes are now back at home, and frankly, it's a pretty good place to be. Here in New England we are reveling in the sight of many beautiful yellow daffodils, crocuses, blue bells and early tulips. The lilac buds are breaking and the lawns are green. The North, as well as the South, has its charms.

Pen Mower, after a winter in Nassau, Montego Bay and Bellaire, Fla., is back in Boston, living at the Brookline Country Club. He says he feels much better and his eyesight, although still troublesome, is improving.

Marion and Carl had a very pleasant visit with Dr. Arthur Ruggles '02 at his attractive home in Providence. He is enjoying retirement and sent his regards to 1904.

Be sure to come to the gathering of the class in Hanover this June. Before you see this, news about the reunion will have appeared in one of Squid's letters to you. Please note the details and don't fail to send to the Bursar in Hanover for room reservations.

Don't forget to send your Alumni Fund contribution to Squid. The College needs it and Squid deserves it for the outstanding job he has done and is doing as Class Agent.

Carl F. Woods

Secretary, 100 North St., Pittsfield, Mass.

Class Agent, 9 Foxcroft Rd., Winchester, Mass.