Appleton Reunion 1909 - Part 2

Discussion of the "Fifth Period" which started in 1904

Reunion Date: August 25, 1909

Word of the day

DESCANTED - talk tediously or at length. "I have descanted on this subject before"

NEW IPSWICH - 1909 Appleton Academy Alumni. 

   The fifth period began in 1904 and may be called a "re-organization." This is the first meeting of the alumni here during this period. Contributions have amounted to $6241, of which $5182 has been devoted to repairs. About $3000 was given by one person. The par value of the investments is $33,200. The market value is $49,521. Most of these investments are in the same companies of 56 years ago; some of the certificates are just as Mr. Appleton gave them. 

   Dr. John Hildeth gave the report of the trustees. " management of the present curriculum is more expensive than ten or twenty years ago." The needs of increased finances were shown; instead of an average income of $1853. besides the tuition, there should be $5,000. The endowment should be increased $15,000. 

   Music by the orchestra. The president appointed William A. Preston, Charles H. Chandler and Miss Nellie Mecuen a committee to prepare a list of officers for the ensuing year. 

   Principal Herschel W. Lewis said, that during a brief period the enrollment of students had quadrupled. The importance of a dormitory and a gymnasium was emphasized in order to accommodate students and train them athletics. He hoped to report again after a lapse of five years, of the further growth and development of Old Appleton. It will be remembered by most of the alumni that there was both a dormitory and a gymnasium formerly connected with the academy. 

   James G. Ramsdell of Philadelphia, dwelt mainly upon his school days at Appleton, while his home was in Rindge. He emphasized the fact that he boarded himself in 1856, that woman is divine, but man fails to divine her that his mother intended him for a minister, but he missed the cue that he early worked in the field and mill. He had vivid memories of the outlook from his windows, where the shades and shadows of tombstones in the cemetery entered his suite of rooms, and played upon the plates and platters of his culinary department. His gambols were sandwiched with mirth as he descanted upon past scenes. 

One Hundred Formulas -

George Carmichael donated a copy of Stephen A. Thayer’s “One Hundred Formulas” which was published in 1883. It contains recipes from everything from printing ink to pain killers. Today we will share the formula for another ink concoction:

This book sold for a dollar and was one of the many enterprises that Steven A, Thayer was involved with. The book is filled with promotional material:

James Roger diary entry

October 9^th 1908 (Friday)

Cloudy morning fine day. Wind W. to S.E. David and Henry Royce at John Preston’s cabin.  I fixed the Davis lot and seeded it down and sowed grass on Marshall lot, and took some soil up to Gordon lot.  Mrs. Lowe called today..