1920
From Dick Shoniger via Al Frey comes word that Dick is still active in business and for that he is very thankful.
Roy and Emma Rubel have a condominium apartment in a quiet, attractive area near the beach, a golf course, and other nice neighboring places. The location is Concourse Drive, Turtle Creek, Fla. I have scanned the Florida map with a reading glass, Roy, but Tequesta eludes me. How about an assist, please?
somehow my November issue of Yankee magazine never reached me so I missed Almus Russell's interesting article therein, dealing with fireplaces. Almus retired from Bloomsburg (Pa.) State University six years ago but he keeps active with civic duties, travel, and writing. His prolific pen turns out many an interesting article
From Captain Adolphus W. Gorton,USN (Ret.) comes some interesting news. Your secretary persuaded "Jake" to reveal some of the highlights of his life since he left Hanover in the Spring of 1917 along with Zack Jordan, Chick Hopkins, Gordon Bartlett, and Harry Gortner for France to drive front line ambulances and ammo trucks for the French in World War I. Hopkins and Bartlett lost their lives in this service. Jake, Zack, and Harry returned to the States; Zack to see a commission in the Army at Pittsburgh, Jake and Harry to become naval aviation cadets. At the close of the war Zack came back to College; Harry, to civilian life, and Jake, who had about made up his mind to return to Dartmouth, serve as waiter at the A.A. Club and run track for Harry Hillman, had temptation thrown his way.
He was among the 150 young reserve officers chosen by the Navy as a nucleus for the enlargement of its naval aviation branch. They were to be retained as regular officers and considered on a parity with the men from Annapolis. Thus Jake continued a noteworthy career: four letters of commendation from two Secretarys of the Navy; the first "hook-on" of a heavy aircraft to a dirigible; one of four officers chosen to make the first night-landing on a carrier at sea, the old U.S.S. Langley, in 1925; and a four-year member of the U. S. Navy team participating in the air races so poplar in the twenties.
Jake led a charmed life in these races. In 1922 he won the Curtis Marine Trophy Race at Detroit. In 1923 he was a member of the Navy team representing the U. S. in England in the Schneider Cup Races. Dave Rittenhouse won this race, bringing the cup home to the U. S. for the first time. The day before the race Jake's plane motor disintegrated in flight while he was but 200 feet above the water. Hitting the water at high speed, Jake found himself but 100 feet from his still floating plane. He was rescued with minor injuries consisting of a bruised ankle and a bloody nose. In 1924 he was chosen the sole representive of the U. S. to defend the Schneider Cup at Baltimore. In a test flight of his plane near Philadelphia he had difficulty in getting his new plane aloft. When he succeeded, it promptly turned over on its back. Jake hit the Delaware River at a high rate of speed and gulped up much of the river water before he succeeded in extricating himself from his wrecked plane. And so ended all Navy participation in cup racing!
Navyman Gorton resigned from the regular Navy in 1930 to take a position with the Curtis Publishing Company in Philadelphia. Later he joined the Kudner Advertising Agency in; New York.
In March 1941 he was ordered to duty with the Navy as lieutenant commander, assigned to training command and promoted rapidly to the rank of captain. He served as C.O . Naval Air Station, Banana River, Fla., then he became Island Commander at Johnston Island in Pacific. He retired in 1949 while serving as Public Relations Officer for the entire Reserve Command at the Naval Air Station, Glenview, Ill.
Jake especially records with pride his membership in the Association of Early and Pioneer Naval Aviators and his having been a student at Dartmouth College though only little more than a semester. His son Bill, has followed in his illustrious father's footsteps. Bill is a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, serving with great distinction in Vietnam. He has been awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, and five Air Medals. He is a real chip off the old block.
Laddie Myers reports an uneventful summer for him save for participation in June at a reception for Reverend Ernest Wood, Presbyterian minister, who celebrated his 100th birthday. Reverend Wood graduated from Lake Forest Academy in 1888; Laddie graduated from the same institution in 1916. Some 500 friends formed a line to greet Reverend and Mrs. Wood at their home in Deland, Fla. A most rewarding experience!
Charlie Crathern informed me that his daughter Barbara Jean who died suddenly at her home in Arlington, Va., last Fall, was Editor of "Guide to Scientific Instruments" published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D. C. Barbara was in the prime of life when stricken.
The October issue of The ColumbiaChurchman, published by the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, Wash., contains a fine tribute to Bill Farnham Jr. Because of ill health Bill resigned as Treasurer of the Corporation and of the Diocese, effective September 15, 1971, thus ending 50 years of service by the Farnhams; Bill Sr., Bill Jr., and sister Ruth to their church organization. Bill Jr. is now in an excellent convalescent center located near his sister Ruth with whom he made his home. The home address is now 5.1621 Grand Boulevard, Spokane 99203, an apartment in lieu of the home location of long standing.
Secretary, Robert Frost Lane Etna, N. H. 03750
Treasurer, Beersheba Farm, Star Route Richmond, Me. 04357
