1914
The following venerable patriarchs have looked around and have decided to have another birthday. We honor these youngsters whose birthdays come in November: Austin, W. W. Barnes, Barrows, P. H. Brown, Campbell, Elkins, J. R. Gould, Foss, Hobbs, Humphrey, Piatt, Ross, Saltmarsh, S. C. Stratton, and Webber.
If your faltering memory will travel back to our 10th reunion, you might recall, through the gathering mists of years, that dignified gentleman in the accompanying photograph. That is Pennell Aborn, who, perhaps, is trying to illustrate just how the Wright brothers engineered their historic take-off. Or perhaps it is the influence of something else — we are not too sure. But, at all events, it is a good picture of "Pen" in one of his lighter-than-air moments! We are indebted to Clyde Buckley for this photograph which is probably called "Weston Wing Ding in Hanover."
The whole class sympathizes deeply with Clyde Buckley, whose dear wife, Olive, was taken from him in September, the victim of a heart attack. Clyde and Olive and their two sons formed a happy family - one of devotion and love. There are no words, but a strong handshake of sympathy.
Bill Hands wrote of a proposed fishing trip in September and told me that if he caught a 20-pound bass, he would send it along. Of course, I did not believe him, but, sure enough, that bass arrived! We invited Clem Lovering, Victor Dean, Gordon Bean, and Frank Butler, New London Postoffice officianados, up to a bass dinner because Bill very kindly sent along his French chef and his butler to serve it. It was perfectly delicious and. of course, we are all very grateful to our Class Chairman. Now I am on my way down to the Colby College Library where I am going to consult a new book on "Dreams." It is supposed to have some special significance relating to fishermen.
Ben Quarles writes from Washington that he has had two trips to the hospital this summer, but that he is recuperating and plans to write a letter bringing us up to date on his activities. Of course, we can all expect an occasional trip to the hospital at our age, but two jaunts in one summer is laying it on pretty heavy. Good luck, Ben, from now on.
Lou Corliss, our handsome schoolteacher, writes that the Plainfield, Conn., school board notified him that he has reached the retirement age; however, he is not at all dismayed because he has enough outside activities which, coupled with occasional substituting, will keep him happily engaged. Come up and see us sometime, Lou, now that you will have more time.
The redhead from Bath, Me., has gone far. Ray Trott, with his usual modesty, writes briefly that he was President of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company for ten years and that in 1957, he became Chairman of the Board. This, he says, with a number of charitable and business directorships, keeps him busy. Ray did not tell me, but our man in Rhode Island did, that Ray is known as "Mr. Providence" - that he has been active in every worthwhile activity and has so many directorships and memberships that several secretaries are kept busy with his appointment pads. When I was a boy in Providence, I used to walk by this building with considerable awe - little knowing that I would be a classmate Of the man who would some day head it. Since Ray was kind enough to enclose a statement of that well-known bank with assets of $359,000,000, I have an idea that Ray's progress up the ladder was not due to the fact that he is red headed, came from Bath, and was one of our athletic managers. Ray's only complaint is that his golf game doesn't improve. He says he can keep his share of the 4's and s's but cannot eliminate the B's and 9's. Ray divides his time between his house in Providence and on the coast of Maine, where he can be fond Grandpa to nine grandchildren. All is well with the Trotts.
"Win" Snow - the man who keeps 1914 well up in the list of successful donors to the Alumni Fund — is still more or less in the brick business. He is "semi-retired," but I suppose that well-known energy has to have a greater outlet than required by taking care of his seventy acres of timberland in Epping, N. H. It sounds most attractive — on the banks of the Pawtuckaway River — and it came to "Win" all equipped with his own private trout brook. He says he would be glad to show me the country if I were younger and able to push through rough country. I think I will wait, "Win," until you build a road and provide a Jeep or some other way of getting this carcass (which isn't so much older than your own!) up and down. "Win" takes off for Florida again in November. Have a good time!
Do you know how a fellow named Kenneth Grant happens to be called "Chick"? That fundamental mystery was not explained in "Chick's" interesting letter to me about his retirement after a successful career in the oil business. Last month, he and "Evie" took off from Wellesley for Honolulu to visit their son "Ronnie," where they enjoyed a two-week stay at the posh Royal Hawaiian. He says he may come home on this trip broke, but those who know "Chick" have grave doubts of this situation. He is an accountant by training, for years with Patterson, Teele and Dennis, then joined the Standard Oil Company and later founded his own chain of gas stations. So I doubt that we need to take up a subscription for Chick. His oldest boy, Allen, Dartmouth 1943, lives in California; another son lives in Sikeston, Mo., and a daughter, in Lake Worth, Fla. The Grants have scattered their blessings around.
When you ask Jesse Stillman to do something, you can count on its accomplishment. Months ago, I asked "Jess" to get in touch with my daughter, who lives in Wilmington, Del. Sure enough, he phoned her and was kind enough to forward a picture to Margaret which showed "the old Gent" and "Lay" Little on the top of Balch Hill in 1914. Little replied to my accompanying note by saying that he recognized me all right but wondered who the other fellow was! Thanks, "Jesse," for your kindness.
"Pen" Aborn reports a very interesting accidental encounter. He lost his wallet in a subway station. About 7:00 in the evening of that day the telephone rang. It was Mrs. "Clyff" Chandler who had found it and was, of course, returning it to Pen. Margerite, whom many of us well remember very, very pleasantly, is a house mother at LaSalle Junior College.
1914 - and particularly Win Snow - came out well in the drive for Alumni Funds. We are not surprised because of the factors that have gone into making 1914 deserve the appellation, "The Famous Class." The Governor of New Hampshire mentioned that to me a few months ago and, of course, the inevitable reply was that Dartmouth College never had a poor class. If this is bigotry, make the most of it!
A request from our chairman, Bill Hands:
"Our secretary writes that his news material is depressingly low and that his appeals have been in vain. Your chairman therefore makes the request that the regional newsgatherers send in an item or two to him as promptly as possible."
Pen Aborn '14, at his tenth reunion,caught, according to the class notes, inone of his lighter-than-air moods.
Secretary, Farwell Lane, New London, N. H.
Treasurer, 165 Marlboro St., Wollaston 70, Mass.
