1913

Our colorful and popular classmate, John Joseph Scarry died in 1953 after an eventful and successful life. As a freshman he incurred the wrath of the sophomores and got himself dunked in the old campus watering trough. In 1915-16 he lived in Java as a representative of Standard Oil Company and wrote frequent letters to his Delta Tau brother, Warde Wilkins. The following letter, written from Bandjarnegara, Java, on November 13, 1916, typifies the personality that endeared him to us:

"This Bandjarnegara is a great dump. A rotten hotel, six white men, who at present are at the Club drinking gin (if two Dutchmen get together they have to have a club), and many Chinese and natives, who have to have oil, hence my presence here. Most of the towns are like this, especially up this line (Serajoe Valley). I just left Wonosobo, though, where I weekended, and that is better: high, cold, and a bunch of people and a good hotel. It's sort of a summer resort, if you can call it that in a land where it is always summer. At Soekaradjia I usually stop with the American missionary, who is a mighty good fellow with a pleasant little wife. There I have ice cream (real ice cream), corn bread, griddle cakes, fudge, and lectures on drinking and smoking. He won't convert me, I'm sure, but after pouring out Malay and Dutch for about two weeks, I drop in there and hear how I'm ruining my body with a glass of pink lemonade in my hand. I take it smiling. No doubt he has the right idea, but he considers two whiskey sodas in one day the height of overindulgence. I haven't had more than four in one day for months, however, and sometimes I go for days without a drop. Went three months when I was sick.

"The life is fine as ever, quite carefree, and much like Hanover. It's like strolling over to hear old "Teabrick" Hawes on sociology and then free as a lark after work. But the men are different and there's the rub. With a few of the old gang here I would be happy forever. Then, too, no theaters, no football, no baseball - we go crazy over third-rate magicians, circuses, and singers that would disgrace the opera house in White River Junction."

Secretary, 1351 Macopin Road West Milford, N.J. 07480

Treasurer, 601-A Robin Ave. Ormond Beach, Fla. 32074