Webster saved his Alma Mater, and after the favourable decision on the College Case, Judge Hopkinson wrote to Professor Brown of Dartmouth suggesting an inscription on the doors of the college building, “Founded by Eleazer Wheelock, refounded by Daniel Webster.”  These words are now placed in bronze at the portals of Webster Memorial Hall.

To go back, as I did, from Andover to Hanover, I pay my tribute to Professor John Newton Putnam, Greek Professor at Dartmouth.  His character was perfect; his face of rare beauty shone with kind and helpful thought for everyone.  I see him, as he talked at our mid-week meetings.  One could almost perceive an aura or halo around his classic head; wavy black hair which seemed to have an almost purple light through it; large dark eyes, full of love.  What he said was never perfunctory, never dull.  He was called “John, the Beloved Disciple.”  Still he was thoroughly human and brimming over with fun, puns, and exquisitely droll humour, and quick in seeing a funny condition.

It is said that on one occasion when there happened to be a party the same night as our “Thursday evening meeting,” he was accosted by a friend as he was going into the vestry with the inquiry, “Are you not to be tempted by the social delights of the evening?” To which he replied, “No, I prefer to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”  The college inspector reported to him that he was obliged to break into a room at college where a riot was progressing and described a negro’s efforts to hide himself by scurrying under the bed.

“But how unnecessary; all he had to do was to keep dark.”

Once he was found waiting a long time at the counter of a grocery store.  A friend passing said, “You’ve been there quite a while, Putnam.”

“Yes, I’m waiting all my appointed time until my change doth come.”

Expecting “Help” from Norwich, he was gazing in that direction and explained, “I’m looking unto the hills whence cometh our help.”

We often diverted ourselves at his home with “Rounce,” the duplicate of euchre in dominoes.  And we were startled by a Madonna dropping to the floor, leaving its frame on the wall.  Instantly Professor Putnam remarked:  “Her willing soul would not stay ‘in such a frame as this.’” And when called to preside at the organ when the college choir was away, he whispered to me, “Listen to my interludicrous performance.”

How sad the end!  A delicate constitution conquered by tuberculosis.  With his wife he sought a milder climate abroad and died there.  But no one can compute the good accomplished even by his unconscious influence, for everything was of the purest, highest, best.