With the sensational 60th four months away, I write this already presuming outstanding attendance. So far David Siegal reports that 120 alums have indicated that they are planning to attend, accompanied by 87 wives and friends and seven widows. According to president Allen Collins, it appears that another record-setting group is in the offing this year. He adds, “Interestingly, most reunion records are broken almost every year by the next class. However, 1953 still holds the records for the 55th reunion, with 124 classmates (11 more than the nearest class), and the 45th reunion record with 198 classmates (47 more than the nearest class). We are encouraging all classmates to attend the 60th to make it another 1953 record that will stand for many years to come.” Incidentally, it promises to be a wonderful event. Harlan Fair has scheduled many interesting and enjoyable programs along with some down time for savoring the moment.


I have just finished reading a marvelous book, Donn Piatt: Gadfly of the Guilded Age, the work of the Hon. Peter Bridges. What a prodigious piece of research! I am shocked that I knew nothing of this man before reading the book, as Mr. Piatt situated in Ohio, intersected with more people of note and import than one could ever imagine. He was a friend of Garfield, Hayes, Lowell and Twain, and Lincoln at times. He is a wonderful character complete with warts, but definitely admirable. He thought little of Grant or Sherman and spoke his mind. I found the book exhilarating and enjoyable, though exhausting because of the scope of Piatt’s activities—bang, bam, bang and off to the next without pause or rest. I loved every second of it, and am very admiring of the scholarship and energy with which it was created. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in a man who was at the same time a farmer, a soldier, a poet, a muckraker and above all a conscience for our government. Wonderful, Peter!


Sadly I report the demise of Pierce Law, Albert Murphy and Robert Yates, and offer the sympathy of our class to their wives and children.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com