1909

Summer Baseball at York Beach

The Order of Organ Pumpers (Lyme Armes '12 was a member) has been given a play from time to time. How about starting an organization called the York Beach Baseball Alumni Association? It would include a lot of gents around our time, for York Beach, Me., was Che mecca of athletically inclined young Dartmouths who found profitable and pleasurable employment engaging in America's national sport, along with hotel jobs that didn't interfere with their playing schedule.

The accompanying photo was sent to me by Charlie Truman who received it from a Mrs. Rich of elrose, Mass. She was the former Hazel Davis who got acquainted with some of the Dartmouth lads. I knew all but two in the photo, for most of them were '09ers. With the help of Cad Cummings, they are identified as follows: Front row: Krtuck Kennedy (left); Bill Rafftery who hailed from Mercersburg Academy; Micky McLane; Jess Hawley; Cad Cummings. Top row: Jim Driscoll; Cap Kelley; Joe Brusse; Sid Hazelton; "Bo" Beauchamp, who was not a college man. The young man who served as mascot was little Kennie Root.

"Recollections," Cad wrote. "That picture certainly brought them rushing back. It brought a sense of sadness, too, for Sid Hazelton and I are the only two of us left." Cad named Rafftery as third baseman and a good ball player who loved to play. He and Cad would hit the field early before a game and practice as long as anyone would bat grounders to them. Bill was fast coming in on bunts, but his underhand throws to first (Cad's position) had Cad fooled for awhile until he learned to stay on the bag and wait for Bill's curve to come in.

"Bo" Beauchamp, Cad informed, wandered into York Beach one day, tarried to play, and stayed all summer. He was a utility man who played shortstop, left field, and pitched. He was older than the others and had played ball in the Southern League and the New England League, a valuable addition to the team. Jim Driscoll, who played second base, got more hits than any of them. Cad estimates he hit around 350.

"Cap Kelley, who played short stop, was the piano player," Cad explained. "At the movies he would win the applause prize, a couple of bucks, and, although he did not smoke, he would treat us to tailor-made cigarets. Joe Brusse was ticket taker and handled the money for Mickey McLane, catcher, who also was the manager. Sid Hazelton, of course, was our winning pitcher. I don't remember his losing a game.

"Knuck Kennedy, right field, always had some lady who kept him in Rameses which we sponged from him. I was not flashy, but dependable. My first error was the middle of August after quite a few games. Jess Hawley, center field, was the base runner that everybody had to watch when he slid into a base. I can see Jess now, sitting on our piazza doping out plays for Andover, the team he first coached after leaving Dartmouth. All of these men were swell fellows. I could write a book, but I guess I won't."

John Varney, Poet

Some men, when they retire, don't do much except complain about their aches and pains. Others have constructive interests that they pursue. In the latter category is John Varney, retired professor of English poetry at New York University, who now devotes his time to writing. John is not one of the vocal members of our class; he doesn't talk much about himself. He lives alone at 185 Bleecker Street, New York 12, N. Y.

If it hadn't been for Elbert Moffatt, who was a frat brother of John's in Gamma Delt, it is doubtful if our class would be aware of John's attainments as a poet. During i960 he was in Europe, most of the time in England where he completed and had published three books of verse: "Poems For a Prose Age"; "Spun Sequence"; "Star Men, U. S. A.," a verse play. Prices of these volumes are $3, $3.25, and $2, respectively. All or any may be obtained from The Eighth Street Book Shop, Inc., 32 West 8th St., New York 11 N. Y.

John, who was graduated with honors from Dartmouth, will be remembered as giving the address to The Old Pine at our Commencement exercises. In furthering his education he received from Harvard his A.M. degree in 1911 and his LL.B. degree in 1917.

Reminiscent of the song, "The Last Time I Saw Paris," the last time I saw John was at our 40th reunion. How about coming out for our informal reunion this month (12-14), John? Bring some of your books with you and we'll see that they're made available for sale.

A Man They All Remember

Among the men of our time who stand out in memory is one who was a senior when we were freshmen - Morrill Allen Gallagher, known as Gig. If anyone ever possessed a vibrant personality, it was Gig. His love of Dartmouth was akin to a religious fervor. As a cheerleader he was unsurpassed, for he was able, through his own personal magnetism, to arouse his fellow students to vociferous support of Dartmouth teams, particularly at football games.

Gig was a little guy, but he measured tall in the eyes of his companions. As a campus leader he was accorded social honors, including membership in the Sphinx senior society. His voice was heard in the Glee Club. For some reason he didn't graduate in '06 but in '07 after which he attended Harvard Law School where he received his LL.B. degree in 1911. Then he practiced law with his father until 1918 when he enlisted in the Infantry during World War I and served overseas the ensuing year. He was promoted to the rank of captain in France. After the war, Gig engaged in the ship chandlery business in Portland, Me., where he died of heart failure on February 24, 1920 — young in years for a guy to die, but oh how much he crowded into his short life span. He never married.

The great impact that Gig's personality had on others was expressed by a memorial gift of $25,000 made by Mrs. Kate M. Morse whose husband was a close friend of Gig's. This established the Morrill A. Gallagher Memorial Scholarships which later became a part of the Dartmouth Education Association. Until 1931 it was sustained by donations and memberships. At one time BobHolmes was treasurer of the fund.

At the first annual meeting of '06, which took place at the Revere House in Boston, the affair was publicized in the Boston Herald: "From the moment when 'The Backs Went Tearing By' until the 'whistle blew,' it was one continuous round of enthusiasm and Dartmouth spirit. Under the leadership of one of the greatest cheerleaders the college ever had, Gig Gallagher, the old cheers and songs rang out in a way that brought back memories and associations of the old college among the New Hampshire hills."

At this meeting, where over forty were present, Ralph Scott, class secretary, was toastmaster. Gig led off with a few well chosen anecdotes. Other speakers were Bill McGrail, Jess Gage, Kid Gleason, Bob Blood, "Judge" Marden, "Alderman" Russell, and "Venus" Wells. Others present were Art Farrington, Charlie Main, Windy Winship, Art Chapin, Shorty Davis, Norm Russell, Bob Wallace, Cliff Perry, Fussy Flanagan, Doc Bailey, Tim Frazier, Had Stanton, How Cheney, Hal Pattee, Tubby. Thompson, and Whit Whittemore.

Gig's special interests were described as being "his love for Dartmouth College and his loyalty to the flag." Could any finer epitaph be written to revere the memory of a man?

Dartmouth baseball players back in the early part of the century found an outlet for their baseball talent at York Beach, Maine, where they worked at various summer jobs, while playing baseball on the side. See the '09 class notes for identity of players.

Class Notes Editor, 141 Pioneer Trail, Aurora, Ohio

Secretary, Sandwich, Mass.

Class Agent, 66 Lilac Dr., Rochester 20, N. Y.