1914
It's reported by fairly responsible sources that several years ago in May there was a wild commotion at midnight in many different houses scattered throughout the land. So the fathers got into their slippers and bathrobes and went down the hall - and came back chuckling. "What's the cause of the commotion?" said the new mother. "Well," said father, "That little fellow says he wants to go to Dartmouth and I guess we'll have to let him." These are the fellows that so early in life indicated their choice of college - and we're all glad of it: Files, Kingsford, LeCount, MacAllister, MacKinnon, Main, Sleeper, P. C. Smith, and Warren. Our heartiest birthday congratulations to all of these youngsters!
A good letter from Hugh MacKinnon way out in one of America's favored cities - San Francisco. Hugh reports that he's still active at the organ keyboard and we know that a great many residents in California's hospitals, rest homes, and other institutions are grateful to our Hugh for his performances on the instrument in which he is so expert. Hugh also reports he would like to see us in San Francisco and we can think of nothing more delightful than to sit in Hugh's living room looking out from Russian Hill over magnificent San Francisco Bay. Please keep the invitation open, Hugh, because we just ordered a new pair of shoes and we might just start walking in your direction.
I know how risky it is to recommend a young lady to a good friend who is seeking a wife. It is some times frustrating. And it may be almost equally frustrating to recommend reading to such an erudite clan as Dartmouth 1914. But I'm going to take a chance and suggest that you secure a copy of Holiday, Nov. 1955 and read the article "Ivy Superiority" by H. M. Robinson. He's no relation to me which may guarantee its excellence. I would be glad to have your written reactions after you read it.
My neighbor, Bill Emery, says: "More and more Americans share in the good life. For proof, just go to any spot of scenic beauty and count the beer cans."
George Boggs writes that their children are scattered all over the country which makes family reunions somewhat difficult. But "The Apple King from Nova Scotia" says that all is well, especially since he and his good wife spent a good part of the winter in the haunt of many other "idle rich" - Florida.
The Gus Fullers have been traveling again. This time to England, Scotland, Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland, and they enjoyed this trip so much that their next trip will cover substantially the same countries, but will add the Scandi navian Peninsula.
Rubber Floyd down in Cartersville, Ga., keeps busy since his retirement with much activity for the local Lions Club, American Legion, the Country Club and in state and national elections. And, as if that weren't enough, he's just completed 31 cabinets for kitchen and bathroom for his son's new house in Marietta. That's a lot of cabinets - and a lot of sawdust! He also reports that he had a wonderful visit with Al Overton who was down in Cartersville visiting his son. He ends his letter with this paragraph: "Since there are several friends here who, when they want something made, say 'Let Floyd do it. He doesn't have anything else to do.'" On the evidence, that statement is fallacious.
And now another retirement. Cap Lawrence has retired as president of the North Middlesex Savings Bank in Ayer, Mass. Cap has been president of this bank since 1942 and a trustee for 49 years. Good luck in your retirement, Cap, and a long continuance of your practice of keeping in sharp trim through plenty of exercise!
John Burleigh comes across with the following and we are very glad to have it. "Bunny and I have already had our Southern vacation, having left Winter Harbor two days before the first of November for our other home in Bedford, N. H., and were gone until we returned on January 15. That gave us a large enough house to have the children for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and a more or less steady stream of guests along with it. Neither of us cares particularly for warm weather, so Florida and the Southwest have no great charm for us. Here we live a very quiet and sometimes restful life. Anyway, we like it and that's the really important thing at our age."
Your secretary's heart is warmed with any response to his appeal for news and he's particularly delighted with the following letter from Janet Hammett, the sister of our beloved Ted Marriner. "We moved to this rural area of New Jersey in 1961. My husband retired from the faculty of Columbia University where he had been a professor of Chemistry for 40 years. Since then we have traveled about the world some and my husband has had several three-month periods as visiting professor at several colleges and also been resident consultant for some chemical industries. He is writing a textbook now and during the summer we both garden. Our grandchildren (seven of them) visit us. Our son is an attorney in Philadelphia. His oldest son, Theodore (Ted) Marriner Hammett, is graduating from Harvard this year. Our daughter lives near Washington and has three boys. My small contribution to 1914 Fund brings me news of the Class which I read with much interest. It seems a long time since Ted's death (October 1937). I have not been in Hanover since 1914. I am sure that there are many changes there which is right for a growing modern college." (Signed, Janet Marriner Hammett [Mrs. Louis P. Hammett].)
The Lize Wheelocks are on the move again. Two weeks in Florida with a visit to Atlanta with their younger son. These retired Congregational ministers, if Lize is a typical example, seem to get around.
And now a mystery paragraph: A short note from the Hotel Marrakech says, 'There's no change in my status. I am spending a couple of months down here in this beautiful place. Kindest regards." Since this letter was unsigned, I shall have to go to England immediately to consult Sherlock Holmes. But anyway - whoever you are it was a good try and I thank you.
Win Snow has many claims to distinction. His brother is a well-known author, as most of us know. But we didn't know that his grandfather sailed 1,000 miles up the Yukon River during the Alaska Gold Rush. This Snow family has always been characterized by activity, and I happen to know that Win himself once swam against the celebrated Duke Kahanamuko - and beat him.
Hank Llewellyn pleases us greatly with his prompt and interesting replies. This time he enlivened his letter with a verse worth quoting:
It will give your life a flavor Make you stronger, braver, It will fill your heart and spirit to the end. So if he's earned your praise, bestow it. If you like him, let him know it. Let words of true encouragement be said. Don't wait 'til life is over And he's underneath the clover. He can't read what's on his tombstone When he's dead.
And besides, he can't change his will And leave you any money.
A note from Lay Little, Class Chairman: "When I get the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, I turn first to the 1914 class news, and then read the news of contemporary classes. It would be gratifying if we could see the name of every classmate (and every widow) at least once a year in our class news - and I know that this is the ideal which our secretary has set for himself. But even the best class secretary can't make bricks without straw, and it is up to the rest of us to help provide the straw. So I hope that Elmer's repeated requests for news of you and your family will bring a wide and cooperative response, especially from friends not recently heard from. Will you do it now? Best regards to all in the Friendly Class of 1914!"
Secretary, Farwell Lane, New London, N. H. 03257
Class Agent, 9 Keogh Lane, New Rochelle, N. Y. 10805
