1909
Those good old days When we were young, What fun we had When spring was sprung. The hikes we took Through field and glade, Duck on the rock, A game we played. Those days are gone To come no more; Our aging frames Are stiff and sore.
The gang at the Beta house was a bunch of enthusiastic hikers during our undergraduate years. On bright spring days it was their custom to take a weekly Sunday afternoon hike to Leb or some other nearby spot. Then they'd end up with a game of Duck on the Rock before the trek . home. At that time, only a few autos were in Hanover. The horse and buggy was still a favorite means of transportation if guys wanted to put on a little dog and impress the fair sex. They depended, otherwise, on "Shank's Mare."
The group in the photo featured with these notes hailed from the Beta house, and likeable hombres they were. You can see they went hatless, as do college boys of the present generation. They lined up for the camera in the spring of '07 as follows; John Hobbs '10 (left), Kid Stuart '10, Billy Ruhe, Les Wiggin '10, Hal Pratt, Art Farrington '07, Elsie Jenness '10, Dan Watson, Al Newton, Joe Brusse, and Chub Chase (I don't recall his year). Thanks to Art Farrington who furnished the photo.
Only three of these lads remain on this earth to recall those happy times: Affable Al Newton, Billy Ruhe, and Art Farrington. It must be explained here "Elsie" Jenness was no sissy. He got his nickname because of the similarity of his last name to that of Elsie Janis, popular actress of that era. I recall Billy Ruhe as a dapper little guy who always looked as if he'd just stepped out of a fashion shop. He had a brother Carl and the cutest sister you could imagine. I remember her visiting Hanover during his stay in college.
NEW DARTMOUTH ORGANIZATION
John Chipman '19, the prolific piano man, is the pioneer in forming a new Dartmouth organization which he calls the Circle of the Old Guard which, hereafter will be designated as COG. John says, "It includes all living Dartmouth men up to the age of World War I, after which world changes took a toll of something that is Dartmouth."
"In most ways," John continues, "the College is better than ever, but three wars have done something to people which we have experienced, but cannot define. That's why the COG is to me so individualistic in principle and represents the fruitage of the Dartmouth spirit. I hope its concept will live forever and that younger classes will see the vision and adopt it and practice it the older they get.
Jack Richmond '10, who had been informed about COG, adds to the group, "Lovers Of Almighty Dartmouth," from here on in referred to as LOAD.
So, friends, in the future, get a LOAD of COG!
The subject of singing has been given considerable going over lately, and justly so, for lifting voices in song has always been a part of Dartmouth. My good friend, John Patrick English 'l6, amplifies further on the subject: "Men love to sing, regardless of age, station in life, and I could add, nationality."
Jack, to revert to his more familiar moniker, has proved this assertion time and time again, in England, France, Germanv, Canada, and all over the United States. In 1943, he was in a replacement center, capacity 500 men, that was feeding and housing 1,500 and, because of the over-crowded conditions, it took an hour, standing in line, to get into the mess hall. So Jack started to sing all by himself — "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia," "Old Black Joe," "Suwannee River," songs of George M. Cohan, and others.
"A number of Padres," Jack relates, "were near me and they joined in. We sang for an hour, even when we went into the mess hall. From that time on, we sang every meal. ... In the pubs of England, the patrons knew all of our songs. In Germany, in the beer halls, or in the railroad stations, a song would get them all going, and we'd have songs in two languages." (Note: Were those awful saloons the only places Jack frequented?)
"We make a mistake," Jack adds, "when we don't sing a few songs at every Dartmouth gathering, for Dartmouth songs are tops in the collegiate world." Right you are, Jack. It is regrettable that not a song was sung at the football banquet honoring the championship teams of 1925 and 1962, especially when the rousing and inspirational song, "Men of Dartmouth," would have given a fitting climax to a memorable meeting.
JUNE, A MONTH TO ENDALL MONTHS
June is a month of destiny. It is the month that marks the close of the Alumni Fund campaign. It is the month of Commencement and reunions. The Alumni Fund, of course, is of prime importance, for it is the life blood of the College. These yearly transfusions keep old Dartmouth in good health and assure the energy it needs to maintain its steady pace of leadership and progress. What the "Old Mother" is able to accomplish in cultural and plant expansion is something to marvel at.
The glorious class of '09 has an opportunity this year to make a good name for itself by showing it has the stuff to do its share in supporting the 1963 campaign. Let every man ask himself, "Have I given realistically to this worthy cause?"
Reunions are getting to be big business in Hanover. Many of the old-time classes have reached the point where they have annual reunions, instead of meeting on those years set aside for their regular reunions. Naught Nine's president, Affable Al Newton reports, at this writing, that 30 classmates, wives, and relatives have signed up for the meeting June 17, 18, and 19, and that a few more will likely put in an appearance.
By the time you receive this ALUMNI MAGAZINE, it'll be June in Hanover. Let's make the most of it.
Class Notes Editor, 141 Pioneer Trail, Aurora, Ohio
Secretary, Sandwich, Mass.
Class Agent, 66 Lilac Dr., Rochester 20, N. Y.
