In recent decades, newspapers have declined in popularity, evolving from print copies to mostly digital. But the Illinois Wesleyan Argus has retained much of its original format from the early issues in the late 1800s and it now includes a website. Though the basic structure is the same, much has changed in the past 132 years, when the first issues of the Argus were published.
In the first issue of the Argus in 1894, there were advertisements in the newspaper for shoes typical of the Victorian era and a livery company advertising its carriages for use in Bloomington. In these early issues, there was a column titled “personals” that detailed the everyday coming and going of students. For example, in one of the 1926 issues, the column stated, “Hazel Hinrichs visited her sister, Myrtle Hinrichs last week end.” This is hardly an example of notable information that the Argus would publish today.
For anyone who has wondered what the inside of the Buck Memorial Library looked like, an article published in 1926 in the Argus discusses the Buck-Weems room, which at the time had just opened to IWU faculty. It describes the “old English furniture” of the room, which included pieces from 1535 and the room was adorned with a tapestry depicting a “mediaeval” hunting scene.
Forty-nine years ago last week, the Argus published an article about an incident where IWU and ISU students were attacked on the same day. The article said the incident was believed to be connected with the murder of ISU student Carol Rofstade. These unsolved crimes rocked the Bloomington-Normal community, and investigations continue to this day, including by IWU alumni Demetria Kalodimos ‘81 and Alexandra Daskalopoulos ‘18 in their podcast.
Almost exactly 50 years ago, on April 30, 1976, the Argus published an article titled “Liberal arts vs. marketable skills is discussed,” a debate that many students now are familiar with. The author of this article laments the choice that many students feel forced to make: study a subject they are passionate about or one they believe will make them the most money. The article ended with a timeless piece of advice: “If they [IWU students] are to find a value in their education, they had best stop looking to their bank books.”
The September 8, 2000 Argus edition featured an article by Sarah Hedgespeth titled “First-year students act as guinea pigs for Pipeline” announcing the debut of a “new web-based email system.” Though a strange concept to those of us from the internet age, e-mail at IWU worked on a server located on campus. The “one trial year” that Hedgespeth details must have been successful, as evidenced by most students’ inboxes today.
Many articles around this time also gave updates on the construction around campus, including the renovation of the Memorial Gymnasium into the Hansen Student Center and the construction of the Ames Library. Within ten years, the Shirk Athletic Center, Center for Natural Sciences, Center for Liberal Arts (renovation), Harriett Fuller Rust House, Dodds and Beadles (renovation), Ames and Hansen were all completed.
The Argus used to spotlight the “Sodexho” specials for the week. For the week of April 21, 2002, students could expect French bread pizza for only $1.99. Ice Thai Coffee was featured at The Coffee Shoppe, a large being $2.00 and a regular only $1.50.
Much has changed with the Argus in the 132 years of its existence, and the IWU community along with it. From Victorian shoe advertisements, to the dawn of the internet integrating to campus; the Argus has been here to bring news of changes. Many today might find themselves overwhelmed with the digital age, as a resurgence of print and analog culture might signal.
