USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Princeton > Trigentennial record : together with a journal of the reunion week, vital statistics, necrology, directory, and appendices, 1882 > Part 5
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My "biography" may be stated briefly :
Born in Baltimore, Md .; attended school at Dr. Pingry's with more than a dozen of our boys; graduated A.B. at Princeton, 1882; graduated from Columbia Law School in '84, and have followed the law as a vocation. On June 9,
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1906, I married Susie Marguerite Randolph, of Elizabeth, daughter of Hartshorne Fitz and Elizabeth Hewitt Randolph. Mrs. Wheeler died September 30, 1909.
My religious denomination, politics, and favorite pastimes have not changed since the last report.
YARD, ROBERT S.
No report. Attended the Reunion.
YEAGER, EDWARD L.
After leaving college I spent a year in travel in Colorado, and started to read law in the office of my uncle in Kansas City, Mo., but health failing went to Devil's Lake country, Dakota, where I have lived ever since.
I have farmed and at times, been in the lumber and hard- ware trade; also in real estate and banking.
I was a senator in the first Legislature after Statehood ; also county treasurer for four years.
I married Harriet C. Niles, Oct. 10th, 1892, and have five children : Dorothy, born Nov. 16th, 1893, died Feb. 21st, 1903 ; Imogene, born Sept. 8th, 1895; Sherman, born May 9th, 1898, died Aug. 14th, 1902; Marjorie, born Sept. 21st, 1899; Harry Clifford, born May 22nd, 1904.
I do not feel conscious of having done anything for Prince- ton other than to have tried to so live as not to reflect unfavor- ably on her in any way.
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CHANDLER WITHINGTON
WILLIAM H. WILLS
EDWARD L. YEAGER
THE JOURNAL
THE JOURNAL
As a matter of record, it may be noted that a dinner was held at the Princeton Club in New York, April 7, 1911. The men present were: Bannister, Barrett, Clarke, Collis, Hibben, Larkin, Lloyd, McCarter, Mills, Parker, Rankin, Rutherfurd, Simons, Sutphen, Van Stone, and Warfield.
On June 9, 1911 there was another informal reunion at Princeton, dinner being served at the Nassau Club. Those present included Budd, Campbell, Clark, Clarke, Collis, Hib- ben, Larkin, Lindsley, Lloyd, Martin, Mills, Peabody, Rankin, Rutherfurd, Simons, Sutphen, and Terhune.
The thirtieth year celebration really began with the general Alumni dinner at the Waldorf on February 23, 1912 in honor of Hibben's accession to the presidency of the University. The position of honor was naturally assigned to '82, and twenty- three men were present. Unfortunately the poll of those present has been lost, but it included all the regulars, with two or three stray sheep like Dunning and McWilliams.
The next event was the informal dinner and meeting held at the Princeton Club in New York on March 6. The at- tendance numbered twenty-five men, not including Sutphen who arrived the night after owing to a mix-up in his dates. The actual delegates were: Bannister, Barrett, Clark, Collis, Critchlow, Darlington, Edgar, Elmendorf, Fine, Hibben, Lar- kin, Lindsley, Lloyd, McCarter, Magie, Martin, Mills, Parker, Rankin, Rutherfurd, Simons, Van Stone, Westervelt, Withing- ton, and Wheeler.
It was decided at this meeting that a general fund should be raised to cover all the expenses of the Reunion, and that every effort should be made to ensure a record attendance. It was also resolved that the Class should be fully represented at the inauguration of President Hibben on May II. Accord- ingly, a few days later, Secretary Simons discharged his first broadside. Ed's temperament is inclined to be flamboyant, and
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he delights in headliner topography and exclamation points. Omitting these fireworks, the circular read as follows :
CLASS OF '82 PRINCETON UNIVERSITY Thirtieth Year Reunion
NEW YORK, MARCH 14, 1912 MEN OF '82 :
The preliminaries are over. The great Waldorf dinner and our own Princeton Club Class dinner are now matters of his- tory. To you who were not there in the flesh, be it told that '82 had the position of honor at the Waldorf dinner. Of the the several university presidents at the guest table, '82 sup- plied two. We were proud of that fact. We were prouder still of the bearing of our new President, John Grier Hibben. His clear-cut, simple but forceful, words were applauded by one-sixth of the living Alumni of Princeton. We had twenty-) three men present, and twenty-five at the Class dinner, March 6th.
It is about the latter dinner I desire to write more particu- larly. The memory of it will always abide. Seated around the blazing log fire, we forgot that we were great university presidents, financiers, manufacturers, lawyers, doctors, engin- eers, merchants, lecturers, teachers, preachers, etc., etc.,-we simply became boys again-back in Princeton. We planned for the great time coming next June in Princeton at the "greatest-yet" reunion. The attempt will be made to secure the attendance of every living member of '82. We owe this to the University for its honor to us. The other Alumni look to us for a banner attendance. More later-lots more. This is merely a foreword to hold sacred to '82 the dates June 7, 8, 9, 10, II. Our Class Headquarters will be Thomson Hall, the very best obtainable, beautifully located and perfect in every respect. It will be so comfortable that we may refuse to "march" as incessantly as five years ago.
But between now and June will come a memorable event- the Inauguration of President Hibben. This will occur on May IIth. '82 will be expected in full force. Seats have
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been reserved for the Class already. Keep your eye on the date. More later.
Faithfully yours, EDWIN S. SIMONS, Class Secretary.
REUNION COMMITTEE: CLASS RECORD COM- MITTEE:
JOHN LARKIN, Chairman
ROBERT K. CLARK
W. G. VAN T. SUTPHEN,
JOHN GRIER HIBBEN
Chairman
UZAL H. MCCARTER
JOHN LARKIN
LIVINGSTON RUTHERFURD
LIVINGSTON RUTHERFURD
EDWIN S. SIMONS
EDWIN S. SIMONS
Following upon this preliminary announcement came the special letter upon the inauguration. It read :
TO THE CLASS OF '82 New York, April 20, 1912.
DEAR CLASSMATE:
President John Grier Hibben will be inaugurated Saturday, May eleventh. '82 expects every man to do his duty. In this case it will be a rare pleasure. I feel it would be out of place for me to urge your attendance. All our men within rea- sonable distance expect to be there, of course. It will be a memorable day for the Class of '82. Verily our cup will run over. You have by this time received details of the exercises, from Trustees and Faculty. If not, write me.
But there is a matter you must attend to, at once. The Class will "procesh" in Academic costume, that is, caps and gowns. Fill out the enclosed blank and mail to Cotrell & Leonard, 472 Broadway, Albany, New York, and apply, on May IIth, for your costume at the Princeton University Store, where you will be separated from $1.50 and look just as hand- some as, well-say- "Doc." Warfield. If you have any moral scruples against such transformation, come sans cap and gown. But come.
Very sincerely,
EDWIN S. SIMONS, Class Secretary.
For ten days before Saturday, May II, the weather was abominable, and on Sunday, May 12, the rains began again
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and lasted for nearly a week. But the inauguration day was perfect, barring a rather hot sun. Twenty-eight men were present, the complete list being as follows : Barrett, Bannister, Bryant, Clarke, Collis, Darlington, Dunning, Elmer, Fine, Greene, Hibben, Larkin, Lindsley, Lloyd, Magie, Martin, Miles, McCarter, Parker, Peabody, Pierson, Rankin, Simons, Sutphen, Terhune, Warfield, Welles, and Wheeler.
If the day was a brilliant one the spectacle matched it. The Class assembled at ten o'clock in front of Dodge Hall, Jack Larkin, who wore a pumpkin pie in lieu of headgear, acting as marshal of our division. Promptly on time the procession started, led by Libbey '77, the Grand Marshal. Following him came President Taft walking with Hibben; then Chief Justice White and Associate Justice Mahlon Pitney '79, and a long line of other dignitaries. The presidential party, marched slowly around the cannon square to the accompaniment of a running fire of applause from the other divisions lined up on the four sides of the quadrangle. When opposite the striking ensemble of youth, pulchritude, and manly dignity officially known as the Class of 1882 Jack was quick to enlist the atten- tion of the Chief Magistrate of the Republic. "My classmates, Mr. President," he said proudly, and forthwith the famous Taft smile broke upon us. The President said nothing, but it was evident that he was profoundly impressed by our dis- tinguished appearance and bearing. He might even have felt a little shy in our presence, but Henry Welles and Collis bowed so affably that the President's embarrassment was quickly relieved, and he passed on still smiling. It was a pleasant interchange of amenities, and Henry Terhune was moved to exclaim : "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Republican !" while Tom Clarke hastily tucked his Roosevelt badge out of sight. It would have been a shame to have spoiled the best time Mr. Taft had enjoyed for a year, and Tommy's magnan- imous action was generally approved.
The daily papers and the Alumni Weekly have given full details of the inauguration ceremonies, and it is not neces- sary to recount them. It was a stately and picturesque scene, that great gathering at the historic steps of Nassau Hall, and
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AT THE INAUGURATION, MAY II, 1912
IN CAP AND GOWN, MAY II, 1912
THREE OF A KIND, MAY II, 1912
John Hibben bore well his part in all that he said and did. We were proud of him, and as Jack has publicly announced that he is willing to be known by the company that he keeps, we may assume that he was not ashamed of us. At the Alumni luncheon he came to our table and shook hands with every man, John Larkin taking advantage of the diversion to eat up all the soft shell crabs in sight. Following the luncheon came the baseball game with Cornell, and then the reception given at Prospect by President and Mrs. Hibben. It was a great day. Perhaps the Sesquicentennial celebration surpassed it for sheer picturesqueness and wealth of color and beauty, but the Hibben inauguration was a close and memorable second.
The final summons to the Reunion proper is reproduced below :
CLASS OF 1882
Arrangements for the Class of '82 Thirty-year Reunion at Princeton in June are now completed. The attendance is expected to exceed any former reunion. The Class Head- quarters will be Thomson Hall. Do you remember the stone cannon-balls set on tripods? That's it-the most beautiful spot in Princeton available.
The general program will be :
FRIDAY, JUNE 7TH.
2.00 p. m .: Opening of headquarters. Singing of Class ode by Ed. Ernst.
4.00 p. m .: Welcoming the late arrivals.
6.30 p. m. : First Reunion dinner. Quite informal.
8.00 p. m. and on : "Near '82" Night. Visits from represen- tatives of '79, '80, '81, '83, '84, '85. No curfew will sound.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH.
9.00 a. m .: More arrivals.
12.00 noon : Early luncheon.
1.30 p. m .: Grand "peerade," with Voss' First Regiment Military Band, to the baseball grounds. Each musician can play a tune.
3.00 p. m .: Yale game.
5.00 p. m .: Victorious march to headquarters.
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5.15 p. m. : Class photograph.
6.30 p. m .: Second Reunion dinner.
8.00 p. m .: Grand band concert. The real thing. Just wait and see. You will be surprised.
10.00 p. m. : I forget-but it will be great.
II.59 p. m .: Good-night.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH.
8.00 a. m .: Class bath in Brokaw swimming pool.
II.00 a. m .: Baccalaureate services, President John Grier Hibben.
5.30 p. m .: Class of '82 religious service. Place to be an- nounced later. Evening : At headquarters.
MONDAY, JUNE IOTH.
10.00 a. m .: Baseball game between '82 and a picked nine. Expected to be a thriller. Afternoon : Special program being prepared. Announcement later.
7.30 p. m. : Class dinner at Thomson Hall. Midnight: The same.
TUESDAY, JUNE IITH.
10.00 a. m .: Commencement.
12.00 to 1.00: Balloting for Alumni Trustee.
1.00 p. m. : Alumni luncheon.
4.00 p. m .: General reception at Prospect tendered by Presi- dent and Mrs. Hibben.
5.30 p. m. : Farewell-for five more years.
There will be no charge for meals, rooms, Yale game, or any other necessities of life, during the entire Reunion. Rooms will be provided in the Seminary for '82 men; our families cannot be accommodated in the Seminary, unfortunately. If you desire information as to boarding places, write the Class Secretary. Wives and children are cordially invited to take their meals at Headquarters, the charges to be 75c. for break- fasts and luncheons and $1.25 for dinners.
Members of the Class attending the reunion are requested to bring blue serge or dark sack coats, and duck or white flannel trousers, for the "peerade." The committee will provide straw
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-
THE LAWN AT THOMSON HALL
HIGH BALL TEA
-
THE ROUND TABLE
hats (good ones, too), banners, '82 insignia, etc., etc. We are going to do it right, this year, Men of '82!
There is one thing the Class Secretary must have by return mail-the size of your hat-very important. The order cannot be placed till you reply.
Now listen to Billy Sutphen :
Please take final notice that your latest photograph and auto- biography are wanted now for the Class Record. The only way to make the Record a success is for each man to do his share in supplying the material. Do it for the sake of the man who can't get to the Reunion. He wants to know, and you are the only person who can tell him.
The autobiography may be of any reasonable length, and should be written on one side of the paper only, so as to be suitable for printer's copy. Include everything that you think would be of general interest-civic, official, and ecclesiastical honors, titles of publications, travels, amusements, family sta- tistics, etc., etc. Also answer, if you will, these two questions :
I. What did Princeton do for me?
2. What am I doing for Princeton ?
Address all communications relating to the Record to Van Tassel Sutphen, Harper and Brothers, Franklin Square, New York.
The Class of 1901 has offered a medal to the class having the largest percentage of its living membership in attendance be our last great Reunion. Can you not make the sacrifice at Commencement. May we not aim to capture it? It may necessary to enable you to come, dear '82 man ?
EDWIN S. SIMONS,
May 17, 1912. Class Secretary.
Reunion Committee-John Larkin, Chairman; Robert K. Clark, John Grier Hibben, Uzal H. McCarter, Livingston Rutherfurd, Edwin S. Simons.
Class Record Committee-Van Tassel Sutphen, Chairman ; John Larkin, Livingston Rutherfurd, Edwin S. Simons.
It was beautiful weather from start to finish, although a trifle cool for the first two evenings. Consequently the Class
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chose to gather in the great hall after nightfall rather than on the gaily illuminated lawn. You could see the pretty Japanese lanterns just as well through the windows, and there are such things as rheumatism to be reckoned with after one has passed the fiftieth milestone. A few "Near '82" men dropped in on Friday, the visiting night, and we had two or three "peerade" calls from other reunion classes-these last in honor of Hib- ben.
And now to chronicle an amazing fact. For the first time in our history the supply of beer was greater than the demand. It is true that Bob Clark had not as yet arrived, and several gallant spirits made heroic efforts against the heavy odds, but the solemn fact remained; Eighty-two was no longer in the ring with our old adversary, Gambrinus. Perhaps this is not so much a confession of weakness as it is evidence of the wis- dom that comes with mature years; and yet there is a gentle tinge of melancholy in the thought. Is it possible that we are no longer able to drink all the beer in the world, and are even unwilling to attempt the experiment? It may be re- corded that very late on this same Friday night several of us who had rooms in the Seminary were disturbed by a gang of ruffians, "men of the lower class and meaner sort", who profaned the ecclesiastical calm of the Seminary campus by loud yells and other unseemly noises, proclaiming themselves to be Eighty-two men, and otherwise bringing discredit upon the fair name of the Class. They even came in the entry, and gave three cheers, or three times three cheers, or three times. thirty-three cheers for Eighty-two, much to the indignation of honest citizens like Burt Chamberlin who needed their beauty sleep. Moreover the most mystifying feature of the whole affair lies in the fact that these impudent impostors entirely escaped detection. No one was able to identify them, and the occurrence remains the one blot on our otherwise un- tarnished escutcheon. The same sort of thing used to happen in New York when the Thanksgiving Day football game was held there. Everybody was a "college boy" on Broadway that night, and Princeton and Yale were hardly responsible for all the things that used to happen. But let us forget this un-
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LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF CUYLER HALL
PRESIDENT HIBBEN AND FAMILY
TEA AT PROSPECT
happy interlude ; in all other respects the Trigentennial Reun- ion might have ranked with any W. C. T. U. convention. And, curiously enough, we had just as much fun out of it.
The great event of Saturday morning was the laying of the cornerstone of Cuyler Hall in which '82 is to have an entry. Hibben, Governor Woodrow Wilson, and others spoke, and Jack Larkin took photographs. More arrivals made Headquarters a lively place, and the Reunion was now in full swing. Chamberlin and Sutphen teamed up at golf against Bryant and Campbell, the latter pair being the victors. McCarter arrived at the head of his band, the wives and daughters of Eighty-two appeared in their best clothes; and, after much tribulation, Photographer Rose succeeded in getting a Class picture. Then came luncheon and the grand march to the game, forty-four men being in line. It seemed a little strange to be up so near the head of the line, but seniority possesses some advantages and the older the class the better the seats. How easy it is to win from Yale nowadays, at least in baseball. Thirty years ago the odds were all the other way.
President and Mrs. Hibben gave their accustomed reception to the Class immediately after the game, and Prospect never looked more lovely than on this perfect June afternoon. There were a number of other guests, but we ranked as insiders; it was just a big family party with a few more prodigal sons present than usual. For this was our Trigentennial and we had pledged ourselves to capture that 1901 medal.
The concert in the evening was a great success. We sang Ed. Rankin's odes, McCarter had the supreme felicity of con- ducting his own band, and music and mirth ruled supreme until precisely 11.59 p. m., when the official evening came to a close. A few of the oldtime Indians kept it up until the small hours, but it was no use; nobody could drink all that beer.
Sunday was another bright and beautiful day. There was a large delegation at Chapel to hear Hibben's first Baccalau- reate, and breakfast went on intermittently until noon or there- abouts. After luncheon came the long, lazy afternoon with the
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swapping of innumerable yarns and reminiscences, and at five o'clock the Class marched in a body to the Faculty Room in Nassau Hall to attend the memorial service. Twenty-nine men were present.
It is not likely that any of us will forget the quiet half hour in that historic room, the old portraits looking down at us from the panelled walls, the gentle rustle of the wind in the elm leaves stealing through the open windows, the level rays of the westering sun barring the oaken floor at our feet. For once more we sat united, we in the flesh and they in the spirit. And it was in the silences, rather than in the spoken words that our true memorial was offered. John Hibben read a brief portion of Scripture, Pierson spoke, and Hillhouse prayed; there were a couple of hymns, and then two or three men made brief remarks. With bowed heads we stood to- gether for the benediction and the halfhour was over. But the memory of its fellowship must always endure.
Monday is the off day in reunion week. The programme had announced a baseball game between '82 and a picked nine, but evidently the latter were not ripe enough for har- vesting, and John Larkin could not get up the athletic en- thusiasm necessary to have the Class credibly represented on the diamond. So the contest was called off and everybody loafed, except the quartet of golfers who played a close and finally drawn match. We were honored incidentally by a call from Mr. William Rankin, father of Ed. and a Williams graduate of 1831. Mr. Rankin, who is easily the oldest living college graduate in the country, leads his son by just half a century, which gives him the respectable age of 101 years. For thirty-five years Mr. Rankin acted as treasurer of the Board of Foreign Missions in the Presbyterian Church, and he still retains an active interest in affairs both secular and religious. The venerable gentleman walked around to Head- quarters from his Princeton home, and seemed to enjoy the outing and his visit with the mere boys of 1882.
A straw vote for President yielded the following interesting result : Total vote, 49; Republicans 29, Democrats 19, and no affiliations, I. Taft, 19; Roosevelt, 5; Hughes, 4; La
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82
EIGHTY-TWO AT THE GAME
SINGING "OLD NASSAU" AT THE GAME
1
SALUTING '82 AT THE GAME
Follette, I. Wilson, 13; Underwood, 3; Harmon, 2; Gaynor, I; Darkhorse, I.
The Class dinner was scheduled for half past seven, but it was after eight when we finally sat down, forty-seven strong, at the three long tables arranged in the form of an open square. Hibben presided, of course, and Jack Larkin made an efficient toastmaster. Every man in turn was called upon, and every man spoke well; really it was a remarkable series of extempore speeches. Indeed special mention would seem al- most invidious, but one recalls particularly what Hillhouse and Critchlow, and Peebles, and Larkin had to say. Howard Bry- ant made a bully presentation speech in giving to Ed. Simons a silver loving-cup, as a slight testimonial from the Class to their indefatigable and wholly admirable Secretary; and Ed., although taken wholly by surprise, responded in a way that made us all love him better than ever, if such a thing were possible. Uzal McCarter, speaking on behalf of the Mem- orial Committee, explained the action of the committee in making the Class responsible for an entry in Cuyler Hall, and the Class, by a unanimous vote approved. The only other business was the re-election of Larkin as the '82 representative on the Graduate Council of the University. The Class poem followed :
TRIGENTENNIAL (1882-1912)
Princeton Junction ! Change for Princeton ! Who unmoved can hear that call, As we journey on through Jersey, Going back to Nassau Hall.
Tower, and arch, and ivied portal Crowd on our enraptured view ;
This is Princeton past and present, This is Princeton old and new.
Eyes that grow a little misty, As we gaze our eager fill;
Hearts that beat a trifle faster, As we mount that sacred hill.
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Once again our August Mother Bids her wand'ring children come ; Once again we answer, "Adsum"; Once again we are at home.
Thomson Hall stands widely open, Loudly blares McCarter's band; Simons, debonnair and smiling, Hurries up to grasp your hand. Billy Baker "loans his matches", Critchlow orders in a keg; And-you wonder if you're dreaming- No one tries to pull your leg.
Come and join the happy brethren, Scattered starlike on the grass ; Follow Martin's good example, Light your pipe, and fill your glass. This is something like re-uning, Peel your coat, and sit you down. Let me introduce you, stranger. Guess again-George David Browne!
Try another, mark him closely; Wait a moment ; hear him laugh. If it isn't old McWilliams ! Milford, kill your fatted calf. Thirty years since Mac departed, Thirty years ago this spring. Well, one little word explains it, His address was Ossining.
Who is this? Why G. P. Pierson, Portly Peck from Nippon's isle. Peck ! He's nearer now a bushel, If you measure by his smile. Let the banzais split the welkin, Whoop 'er up for Eighty-two! Who's all right? Why George Peck Pierson, He is solid through and through.
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Any more? Why there's Fred Williams! Old "Beef" Williams, by the powers! "Chimby" finds his long lost brother; Order up a brace of sours. Yeager too from far Dakota, Wonders never cease to rain. Blush for shame, ye stay-at-homers, Distant but an hour by train.
Other long lost sheep are with us, Sporting on the velvet green. Doland, Westervelt, and Elmer- Fairer sight were never seen. Edgar too, our blue eyed Morgan, Childlike, innocent, and bland. Pray come hither, pretty creature, Come and eat from Campbell's hand.
But we owe a public duty, We must place ourselves on view ; Once again the world is calling For the Class of Eighty-two. Where is Handsome? He must lead 11S, At our best we would appear. Henry Welles may spare his blushes, Isn't Tommy Peebles here ?
All aboard for "Seeing Princeton". Hankins is a port of call, But a nobler prospect beckons- Bonnets off to Nassau Hall. Hub of Princeton's dear horizon, Journey's end and heart's desire, Altar of our inner vision, Lit with immemorial fire.
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