New Britain herald., 1923-08-03
WENT To SCHOOL
With PRESIDENT
Mr.. and Mrs. HemenHay Ac-
quainted With Coolidge

From the time he was a youth ir
college Calvin Coolidge was destined
for the presidency of the United
States or for some big position re-
curing great leadership, according to
the opinion of Mrs. Rufus N. Hemen-
way of III Lexington place, this city
Mrs. Hemenway. when she was Miss
Marion Prior of Ludlow, Vermont,
was a student at the Black River
academy at the same time young
Coolidge was a student there.
Mr.. Hemenway also was a student
at the institution and was in Mr..
Coolidge's class. The students were
intimate at that time and Mrs. Hem
enway was chum of Mr.. Coolidge s
sister, Abbie, now deceased.
The Coolidges lived on the family
homestead on Plymouth Notch in the
town of Plymouth. which adjoins the
town of Ludlow, where Mr.. and Mrs.
Hevenway come from.
The elder Coolidge was typical
big man of the village, he was not a
rich man but was a fairly successful
farmer land according to Mrs. Hem
enway, although the new president
can claim to have been born on a
farm and to be the son of honest
and highly respected parents, he
cannot lay claim to being the son Of
poor parents. The Coolidges always
had enough visible signs of prosperity
to be independent and to give their
children good education. The
elder Mr.. Coolidge himself says Mrs.
Hemenway was a man of remarkably
good education.
Calvin Coolidge always held a little
apart from the rest and, although
popular among his schoolmates, was
Of a more studious type and did not
Indulge in athletic contests while at
school. One of the seasons for this
IS because young Calvin, as a boy, was
where he was born, grew. up, still
spends his summers and where at
2:30 o'clock this morning he was
sworn in as the 30th president of the
United States, according to Mrs. Hem
snway, is one of the prettiest spots in
he Green Mountains. Calvin Coolidge
llways was very much attached to
his home, she says, and every sum-
ner he came back, put on his old
frock and went to work
n the fields.
Mrs. Hemenway was in several |
classes with the new president, al
hough she is a few years younger,
tut Mr.. Hemenway and young Cool
dge were classmates all through their
ERIN at the academy.
Mr.. Coolidge's family, Mrs. Hemen-
way says, come from early Revolu-
ionary and Mayf1ower stock and the
residents ancestors are among the
'arly settlers of the old Massachus-
etts colony. The presidents father
S one of the most highly respected
md popular men in the little town
Ind is the one man man to whom
everyone looks up.
Calvin in his school days was a dig
lified and studious type who took
much interest in history and upon his
he delivered an Grafton on |
Oratory in History" He always
eemed grownup," said Mrs. Hemen-
way, land was very reticent, he being |
capable of sitting in room
or half day at a time without say
ng word"
An amusing incident in connection
nth the reticence of the president is
old by Mrs. Hemenway. Calvin was
candidate for some minor Office in
'ermont when he first got into poll
les. He was elected and after the
lection neighbor congratulated him,
aging: II want to congratulate you
Though l didn't vote for you" The
Dung mans reply was characteris-
C. Some did," he said, and the con-
ersation was over.
One of the New Britain woman's
recollections of the president
his intelligence as young man and
is fondness for classical studies He
as a noted debater at that time and
ad a powerful personality although
OF easily influenced by others.
Mr. and Mrs. Hemenway were en-
rtained at the same time as Mr.. and
RS. Coolidge, at Ludlow, during the
NOUS police strike in Boston. Mr..
oolidge then governor of Massa chu-
it's, was very much worried about
lie strike situation and was on the
okout for messages every minute.
DR.. Henry T. Bray of this city was
classmate of Mrs. Coolidge at the
University of Vermont. She gradu-
ed after an art course the same
ar as did the local doctor. in a medi-
/ course. The doctor describes her
"a wholesome, plain and likeable