1920

Our column on 1920's celebrated non-grad Gus Sonnenberg has elicited several reminiscences from non-1920 readers. A recent one from Lydon E. "Don" Amy '42 is particularly interesting: "I remember, while an undergraduate, driving down to Bellows Falls one Saturday night to see 'Dartmouth football hero and professional wrestler, Gus Sonnenberg, wrestling a bear.' (So the poster said.)"

"The bear was muzzled, had boxing mitts over his claws, and his trainer held a long chain attached to his collar. The bear would stroll out to the middle of the ring, sit up on his haunches, and wait. Gus would carefully circle around him until he thought he saw his chance, and then rush in—fast.

"There would be a quick flurry of action and then, all quiet, there would be the bear still sitting in the middle of the ring—but on Gus's chest.

"This happened three times, each time quicker than the last, and then Gus conceded to the bear.

"Who knows how much was staged? But Everyone seemed to have a good timeincluding Gus."

Thanks, Don, for a good story, well told.

Perhaps some member of the 1920 clan may be encouraged to write. Faithfully,

42 Lebanon St., 4A, Hanover, NH 03755

There would bea flurry of actionand then, allquiet, there wouldhe the hear sittingon GusSonnenberg. Alice Weymouth '20