1902

Among the memories of college days are many associated with dormitory life and the dormitory itself. Some of our men moved every year, and some lived in the same dormitory for all four years. Probably financial considerations were often involved, yet there were cases where men felt an attachment to a certain dormitory, or even a certain room.

Looking back more than 70.years, it does not now seem at all strange that about a dozen of our Class roomed in Wentworth Hall for their entire college course. They were not all intimate friends, however cordial they might be. Certainly the physical equipment of the building could not be cited as a great attraction.

A freshman had to bring or buy on the spot whatever furniture went into his room. He was often the victim of profit-minded sophomores who had themselves been victimized. Some men apparently were not fully acquainted with certain details or lack of them, for this was still the preautomobile period. Only until later was it necessary to invent the phrases "running water" and "modern plumbing." However, that was far less disconcerting than it would be today.

Yet not everything was on the dark side. The location was central, the rooms were of good size and so arranged that suites for three or four occupants could easily be provided. The front of the building gave a view of the central campus; the rear windows looked out upon the hills to the East. Perhaps the view of those tree-covered sloped was not rated by the New Englanders as anything special, but one freshman from the Chicago area made visits to a room at the rear of the top floor for the privilege of gazing for an hour or so at a scene to him quite new.

But to get the real effect that gradually worked its way into your inner consciousness, it was necessary to live in an old dormitory, where the traces of former residents were still extant. Perhaps you didn't realize it until a former occupant knocked on your door and introduced himself as an alumnus of some 20 years standing. He wanted to see how present inhabitants had arranged the place; if the College" had replaced a froor board broken during some minor incident; or patched that hole high on the wall made by a huge hook from which he and his roommate had hung a dried tobacco plant, their supply as they stripped the leaves. Perhaps you were not surprised to learn that he was either holding a prominent federal office, or hoped to.

You became more curious than ever about those initials and signs scratched on many of those small window panes, and may have reasoned that those which bore no marks were of comparatively recent date. You may have wondered how many famous men had lived in your room, perhaps you hoped that if these walls did possess the power to help a man to achieve greatness, a little of that influence might descend upon you.

Our class family has lost one of its devoted members by the death on January 1 of LouisDow's widow. Ethel had been ill for years, at first in partial darkness, which deepened as time went on. She was a most welcome member of our reunions as long as she was able to attend.

The Christmas message from Fred Bradley gave no indication of the fact that on April 29 he will have arrived at the age of 95 years. We salute the third man of our Class to reach that milestone.

It may be desirable to repeat an earlier statement regarding class officers. At the 70th Reunion it was obvious that we could not go on indefinitely with the full slate of officers suggested for classes in general. Accordingly, the formal election made J. Frank Drake president and Hermon W.Farwell nominal secretary, actually the officer responsible for all class business not otherwise provided for.

And now we must add another name to those of our class family who have finished their course. Ida Louise Dudley died in her sleep January 19. after a fourth severe heart attack. One of a number of class wives who have contributed much to the success of our later reunions, she was a gracious hostess at Interlaken Camp where the Dudleys entertained the Class during one of the days of our Fiftieth Reunion.

Secretary, 6 Pasture Lane Darien, Conn. 06820