1908

Your secretary has received the following letter, dated 9/25:

"Dear Freddy: While I appreciate the honor in being asked to fill the office of president of our class, I accept this honor with the greatest reluctance. At 88 years of age I should be eliminating responsibility instead of taking on another.

"I had so hoped that George Squier would accept this office and I wrote urging him to do so. There isn't a phase connected with the office that he doesn't possess. I trust my classmates will not consider me immodest if I quote from his reply to my letter. 'You are the senior man of our class with all friends and no enemies, and none is more deserving of the honor. I think that your acceptance of it would be greeted with cheers by all of us remaining. This is sincere and not flattery. So accept it with the gratitude of the class.' I think George is a bit optimistic as to my standing with our members, but coming from him, it thrills and inspires me.

"Well in the vernacular of Bill Shakespeare - 'Some have greatness thrust upon them.' Anyhow, I'll do my best to approach the high standard set up by my predeces- sors. Sincerely, Roland E. Chesley."

Alumni Fund Agent, John Hinman, files two cheerful reports: (1) Jennie and he had a most enjoyable summer at their resort in Canada; (2) '08's support of the Alumni Fund was very satisfactory. 'OB is now one of the Older Classes, the first year in this distinguished group. We had, and will have in the future no set objective or goal. 'O8 led all eleven Older Classes with a total of $12,259 contributed by 45 classmates and 19 others. The participation index, the percent which the number of givers bears to the number of living members, was 114.3, which stood number 24 among 70 classes.

A much relaxed Syd Ruggles is finding life most agreeable with his daughter's family. Good luck, Syd, enjoy your deserved rest.

A few additional facts regarding DollyGray have been furnished by his daughter, Mrs. Ely M. Brandes. Both Dolly and his wife, Jane, died after short illnesses at Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastopol. Jane was the daughter of a professor at the University of Arkansas from which she was graduated. Jane and Dolly first met in Manila and there they were married October 1, 1915. The family spent about 25 years in the Orient.

Secretary, 18 Bailey Ave., Montpelier, Vt. 05602

Treasurer, 17 Harland Place, Norwich, Conn. 06360