1909's 55th
The 55th reunion of 1909 and the 195th year of Dartmouth College were celebrated under beautiful June skies from June 12 to June 14.
Twenty-eight classmates, 15 wives, seven widows, two daughters, one brother, one cousin, one niece, one son-in-law, and one honorary member made a grand total of 57 who were present during some part of the reunion.
The College had assigned Hitchcock as class headquarters with the tent facing Tuck Drive and Friday afternoon 54 gathered there after traveling by plane, train, and car from such places as Florida, Alabama, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York and the six New England states. Affable Al Newton, our genial president, was on hand to greet the arrivals and was ably assisted by '09's "Haggerty Twins," Dr. FrancisH. Bird and Dr. Reginald H. Colley, who dispensed refreshments. Jim McFate checked in to see that the buffet supper was as it should be and what with registering, eating, and talking the time passed all too fast and it was time to go to the Spaulding Auditorium to enjoy a concert by the Glee Club. It was nearly 11:30 when tired and weary classmates found their downy couches for a few hours' rest.
Saturday morning was cloudy with a threat of rain but classmates gathered in the tent from their various places of abode for a fine breakfast and more reminiscences. At ten o'clock about fifty gathered in the Church of Christ for a memorial service for the 47 who had gone to the country from which no traveler returns since our 50th reunion. Dr. Wilbur I. Bull had arranged the service and conducted it. Harold S. Clark, Oliver P. Greenwood, James Hitch-cock and Sanford B. Hooker made up a quartet to furnish music. Ushers were A. Gordon Weinz, Sidney C. Hazelton and George H. Hinckley.
At eleven o'clock President Newton called the class meeting to order with '25 present. After greeting the class he called on the chairman of the nominating committee, Edgar S. Chappelear, who presented the following slate of officers to serve for five years: President, Allen E. Newton; vice president, Harold S. Clark; secretary-treasurer, Bertrand C. French; executive committee: Maurice Readey, Edwin B. Martin, Clarence E. Cummings, Leon B. Farley, Edgar S. Chappelear, Wilbur I. Bull, Vernon F. West, and James Hitchcock. After the customary motion, the slate was duly elected.
Bequest Chairman Leon B. Farley then presented the following resolution which was adopted: "Resolved that the Class of 1909 formally endorses the Dartmouth Bequest and Estate Planning Program, and pledges to the College that the members of the class of 1909 will, to the extent possible in each individual's case, endeavor to take appropriate action to provide for Dartmouth in their estate planning."
The meeting was then adjourned and cars taken to go to the Leverone field house for the alumni luncheon and program. As guests of the college special tables were reserved for the class. Rain threatening a good many returned to the tent to visit. The Happy Hour was enjoyed until it was time to go to Thayer Hall to enjoy one of Miss Gill's steak dinners. Fifty-two were present. President Dickey honored us with a personal greeting and a short talk. Your secretary and his wife were surprised when vice president Clark was instructed to take us to the head table where President Newton presented us with a Dartmouth tray and an appropriate card in honor of our approaching 50th wedding anniversary on June 27. Our thanks was expressed in appropriate words for this unexpected gift. Dr. FrancisH. Bird then gave a talk on his trip to Australia and Hong Kong. The Bulls extended their usual gracious invitation to have breakfast with them at Cloudcroft on Sunday and Monday mornings. After the dinner some went to the show, some to the Senior Dance and some returned to the dorm where slides were shown of 1909 activities over the years.
Sunday morning dawned clear and breakfast was served at various places in town before going to the Commencement exercises. 1909 had the place of honor with only one member of 1899 preceding us in the line of march. After the ceremonies were over 45 gathered back at the tent where a farewell brunch of cold cuts and dessert was served. The next couple of hours were spent in saying farewells and making plans for future gatherings.
A note of sadness was injected when it was learned that Ralph H. (Dinny) Marston had passed away at his home.
The following were recorded as being present at some time during the reunion: Albert W. Bates and cousin, Mrs. Harold Haywood; Francis H. Bird, Chester and Martha Brett, Wilbur and Anna Bull, Edgar S. Chappelear, Harold and Harriet Clark, Reginald and Mary Colley, Clarence E. Dunbar and brother Victor '13, Leon and Virginia Farley, Bertrand and Hazel French, James and Hortense Greenebaum, Oliver P. Greenwood, Sidney C. Hazelton, George and Florence Hinckley, James Hitchcock, Sanford and Lillian Hooker, Stanley and Ella Leighton, Leon C. Marshall and niece Miss Carr, Edwin D. Martin, Henry E. Meleney, Allen E. Newton and daughter Eleanor, Maurice Readey, Lynde and Berenice Tucker, Herbert and Sarah Walker, Gordon and Grace Weinz, Vernon and Charlotte West, Henry B. Whitcomb, Ralph and Florence Wight, Mrs. L. C. (Marion) Chase, Mrs. B. H. (Mary) Dudley, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Heymann (Dot Chase), Mrs. Anson (Toni) McLoud, Mrs. Harold (Lamra) Prescot, Mrs. Curtiss (Beryl) Sheldon and daughter Mrs. David (Dianthe) Patterson and husband, and Mrs. Arthur (Mildred) Sporburg.
CLASS SECRETARY
