Class of 1923
In the fall of 1919 men came from far and near to matriculate with Dartmouth's class of '23. This is the story of a man who came from near, but since has gone far along the road to success.
George William Hamilton, "Spike" on the Dartmouth campus, did not have far to travel when he left home in Newport, Vt., probably on the same day that he matriculated at college. Spike was born in Newport on January 13, 1901. He attended (the Newport Graded School and Newport High School, and that which follows is the story of how the gentleman from Vermont made good.
The influences which led to success came into his life long before the Barbary Coast Orchestra played for dances in Hanover. When Spike was seven years old he began taking violin lessons, and probably liked the idea no more than does any other redblooded seven-year-old who finds music lessons always interfering with something infinitely more important. But nevertheless, the music lessons went on, and then came that event which nearly all artists seem to count as the turning point towards success, namely, coming in contact with a teacher, able to teach, and able at the same time to give that something more which is so essential to achievement. To my question, "From what experience duringyour whole life do you think you derivedthe greatest benefit?", Spike writes, "Myassociation with a violinist, Thomas Burroughs, who took me as a pupil and showedme the essential points of playing anddirecting." Thus, it is not other than we would expect to find George Hamilton, the violinist, attributing his success to another violinist, his teacher and friend.
But Spike does not underestimate nor undervalue his musical activities at Dartmouth. He ranks his experience as director of the Dartmouth Musical Clubs well among the first in practical value, and all of us remember "Spike Hamilton's Barbary Coast Orchestra," in which there were other good '23 musicians, such as "Cap" Palmer, "Mox" Hubert, Karl Williams. As we look back now on those four years at college we would say that Spike has always been headed in his present direction, but believe it or not, the man who is now recording "George White's Scandals" with Rudy Vallee in Hollywood spent four years at Dartmouth preparing to enter the department store business.
Spike plays just one musical instrument, but that fiddle has been enough. The picture, though not applicable at Dartmouth, of the star football player easing his way through college, hangs in every college man's art gallery. Yet consider the gentleman from Vermont who brought a violin instead of a headgear, "played" his entire way through college, and had enough left to make a trip to California afterwards. Just plain resourcefulness seems to pay bigger dividends in working your way through college than does an athletic reputation. Along this line Spike believes that perseverance is the quality which helps men most to get where they want to go, and the quality he admires most is reliability. It was not long after leaving Hanover that "George Hamilton and his orchestra" was engaged for a season at the Chicago Opera Club. That was in 1923. The next year he played at Young's Million Dollar Pier at Atlantic City, then back to Chicago, where for successive seasons his orchestra appeared at the Garden of Allah, Morrison Hotel, Stevens Restaurant, Southmore Hotel, Chicago Beach Hotel, Club Beau Monde, and the Edgewater Beach Hotel. The year 1930 found him playing at the Book Cadillac in Detroit, which was followed by a season at the Central Park Casino in New York, an engagement he counts among his most enjoyable. In 1931 the syncopation of the Hamiltonians was a special feature broadcast by the Chicago Tribune over station WGN. His last two years have been spent in Los Angeles and Hollywood. In Los Angeles his most continuous engagement has been at the Club Airport Gardens (two seasons), and at Hollywood, recording for Fox the George White's Scandals with Rudy Vallee. This last work Spike says is the most interesting since leaving college.
If the reader will now review the above list he will find absolutely nothing therein about an engagement in Anderson, S. C. Yet to that city is related one of his most important engagements, there being involved a young lady whose name was Miss Patricia O'Brien before she became Mrs. George William Spike Hamilton on February 5, 1925.
I have always been curious to know what goes through an orchestra leader's mind when he is observing the crowd and at the same time conducting. This being an excellent opportunity to find out, I asked Spike, and here is his reply, which may satisfy your curiosity also. "What requested selections have to be played and in what orderto retain the good graces of the crowd.Usually feeling out audiences as to theirreaction to waltzes, fox trots, etc.—slow orfast music, etc., and trying to rememberfavorite numbers of good customers, moviestars, etc." In other words, it is not only an art to be a good orchestra leader, it is a business.
All of his accomplishment is not included, however, in a prosaic list of successful engagements at swanky hotels and night clubs. Probably of greater importance on account of the creative effort they represent are the popular songs which Spike has written. As to the success of these songs no comment by this writer is necessary. Their popularity and the enthusiasm with which the public received them is their best testimonial. In 1927, "Bye, Bye, Pretty Baby" was published, and at least one song has been published each year since. The list includes such favorites as "I'll Never Forget," "Somebody Nobody Loves," "Blues Eyes," "Betty Co-ed," and "What Am I Supposed To Do."
Thus goes the story of the gentleman from Vermont who almost became a dry goods merchant.
In response to the New Year's greeting sent to the class I have heard from half a dozen men and would like to hear from a lot more. George Whitelaw writes he has two sons headed Dartmouth way, 'one aged four years, the other two months. Jim Landauer, Brooks Palmer, Joe Millar, and Phil Jellison all came through with notes, so let me have a little news from the rest of you bozos.
Regarding the New Year's greeting, however, and in order to clear the record, 1 must say that I was not responsible for this brilliant idea, nor did I write the message. Entire credit goes to J. A. Rippel for the original idea, selection of the cards, and conception of the message. Aside from a few minor suggestions which I made over the telephone when Rip and I discussed the idea, he accomplished the whole thing.
On January 5 last, one of the best Dartmouth dances on record was sponsored by the Dartmouth Club of New York at the Plaza. Men of '23 attended in numbers, and it was a very close approach to the parties of pre-depression days.
Art Everit writes that he leaves the hospital on the 15th of this month. Four or five months in bed with a broken back isn't funny in anybody's language, and it is good to know that Art is suffering no complications and will be as good as ever in a little while.
Here is a paragraph from George Musk's recent letter. I believe the news contained therein will be very much of interest to others in the class. He writes, "It might beof interest to you as well as other membersof the class to learn that Julie and I adopteda five-months-old baby girl in September,Carol Sayre Musk by name, and if I do sayso, she is such a -wonderful baby that wefeel that she is much better than if shewere our own. I strongly recommend theprocedure to any couple in the class wholike ourselves have been unfortunateenough not to have any children of theirown."
Our traveling reporter, Pete Jones, submits herewith the results of his last newshunting expedition.
"In starting this letter for the class news Ifirst want to tell you how much I enjoyedthe '23 'get-together' at the New YorkDartmouth Club. The murals of our contemporary, Ted Geisel, alias Dr. Seuss, areboth an inspiration and a warning, andas you remember we spent little time withour feet on the brass rail admiring thesemasterpieces as a result. Nevertheless, conversation at dinner waxed fast and furiouseven with usually quiet Leonard (Nick)Bronner in the group.
"Fox the benefit of those in the class whowere not at this pleasant gathering therewere present: Chairman and Secretary JohnAllen, George Plant (see December issue ofAlumni Bulletin), Brooks Palmer, HockyHockenson (recently gone into the nowlegal liquor business), Dick Kershaw,Broker Ted Hellwig, Win Travell, who hasjust returned from five years in SouthAfrica, and a number of others whosenames have slipped my mind for themoment.
"The accomplishments of this groupmeeting were enough pleasure so that weall wanted another soon, and a considerable discussion of the then unfinished football season. Recent developments in thefootball situation at Hanover indicateclearly that the Athletic Council and theCollege were and are as anxious as we tosee the College properly represented in thissport.
"Several trips down the valley fromCincinnati to New Orleans have convincedme that our '23 population is rather scarcein those sections, and I hope to hear fromsome of the boys who have made Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, or New Orleanstheir home since the alumni list was issued.Just drop into your Bostonian dealer andleave word kuhere you are located so wecan arrange a get-together to discuss recentHanover news. At Cleveland I have calledVic Cannon, and know he reached homesafely after his sunstroke reunion. At NewOrleans I found Bob Elsasser, whom weall remember in class of 1921. Bob remainstrue to the teaching of Eleazar, and is bothpious and instructive to the students ofTulane University.
"Anyone who travels through the MiddleWest cannot help looking out a sleepingcar window to see stenciled on a refrigerator car 'Morrell's Hams,' anent classmateGeorge of Ottumwa, lowa, wherever thatmay be, and if one travels much he willmeet Frank Doten going from Daytonsomewhere in the interest of Frigidaire.T. T. Metzel has an attractive blondeyoung lady in his Cutler Shoe office whokeeps you waiting until Truman findsthere is a classmate without, after thatChicago's hospitality is flawless. We as aclass owe Truman many debts of gratitudeas a patient secretary, and particularly forhis starting the class scrap-book.
"If you go to Texas' most interestingcow town, Fort Worth, Charlie Scaling willshow you the sights and gladly write a leaseif you want to stay. You can still recognizeold Tex, but let me warn you he goes tochurch twice a week now, and I doubt ifhe will play bridge for money. How the oldtraditions change!
"In Kansas City everyone knows GeneCarbaugh just as they did in Hanover, butthey have a city manager in Kansas City,and as being mayor was old stuff to Gene,he had his people elect him district attorney, unless I exaggerate, if so correct me,Gene. So it goes in the breezy West. I hopeto see more '23 men next time, and finallyreturning from New York to Boston had amost enjoyable chat with 'Admiral' PemWhitcomb, who still does a bit of admiraling off the New England coast and a bit ofprinting his noted sartorial elegance; againcorrect me, Pem, if I exaggerate.
"In closing, John, please be sure tonotify me of any class meetings in NewYork as I want to attend if possible.
"PETE JONES."
Secretary, Box 14, Wall St. Station, New York
