Digging through the archives
The dawn of a new decade has us looking into the past for a bit of reflection. Here is what The Oracle was talking about during January in years past.
Shelby Dinsmoor and Hannah Porter
Issue date: 1/26/10 Section: Voices
1900 The Oracle had accounts of what filled the datebooks of Hamline students, including guest visits, vacations, illnesses, dates and other observations.
1910 Through the early part of the 1900s, The Oracle featured artwork as a cover page for the newspaper.
1919 "Hamline Will Be Moved" headlined the front page. The City of St. Paul offered $225,000 for the old campus to turn it into public school buildings. Editors note: In the original version of the story, The Oracle incorrectly reported Hamline moved after the approval of the Board in 1919. In 1921, as explained in the article "Extensive Building to be Done on Enlarged Campus," it was clarified that plans had changed and instead the campus would be expanded rather than moved. The city of St. Paul eventually grew around Hamline instead.
1929 "Marriage Listed As Big Problem" was a feature article in the January edition of The Oracle. One hundred forty-five students were surveyed on urgent ethical dilemmas within their generation, and 106 answered that marriage was the biggest problem. Students were worried about the problems surrounding marriage and settling down, while the next two problems were related to wartime demands and nuclear action.
1934 "Time Rolls Back as Pipers Recall Charred Embers of Old Hamline" was a feature article by Harriet Smith. The sub-heading read: "Old Time Hamlinites Remember Dramatic Incidents of 1883 When Fire Raged About Towers of Hamline."
It was unclear where the fire was started and by the time the fire was discovered it was already too big to fight. Students and professors attempted to save furniture in the building and books from the library - some carrying out armfuls - while others carried a piano out of the music department.
The fire was caused by defective ducts and chimneys and burned for nearly 24 hours.
1942 "Campus Will Mobilize To Assist War Efforts" was the feature story that January. Hamline offered students an option to graduate in three years instead of four by taking summer term so that they could more quickly be able to help organize war efforts.
They also offered Red Cross classes and nursing programs which were mostly directed at female students.
1942An article reported that Anne Simley, head of the drama department, had escaped a near-death experience when her automobile was involved in a "Holiday Smash-up." She survived with minor injuries and went on to direct the production of Male Animal later that year.
1960 After decades of debate about requiring Hamline students to attend church services, The Oracle featured a Speak Out asking students what they thought of the matter in an article titled: "Should Hamline Have a Non-Required Chapel?" It was a major step toward separating Hamline from the United Methodist Church and the eventual decision to have a non-required chapel. In the Speak Out, some students felt church participation was necessary and others felt it alienated non-Christian students.
1974 The Oracle published a list of New Year's resolutions the staff intended to keep:
"To report all the 'no comments' we receive in response to interview requests.
To recycle all the paper that is still in The Oracle office.
To greet all volunteers for The Oracle with open arms and a story assignment.
To give rock, blues and art equal coverage until the debate is resolved.
To give the new financial aid director a fair chance.
To support the bus service to Minneapolis and the late Friday hours at the library.
To tape all major interviews and put them on file without any 18 minute gaps.
Not to take advantage of President Bailey's absence and to continue the objective view of administrative news that is part of The Oracle's tradition."
1980"HUSC formalizes Anti-Draft Action" was featured as front-page news. HUSC officially declared opposition to the draft and thus was the first collegiate group in Minnesota to do so. Activists against the draft used the United Methodist religion to back up their ideals of resolving conflict peacefully.
1910 Through the early part of the 1900s, The Oracle featured artwork as a cover page for the newspaper.
1919 "Hamline Will Be Moved" headlined the front page. The City of St. Paul offered $225,000 for the old campus to turn it into public school buildings. Editors note: In the original version of the story, The Oracle incorrectly reported Hamline moved after the approval of the Board in 1919. In 1921, as explained in the article "Extensive Building to be Done on Enlarged Campus," it was clarified that plans had changed and instead the campus would be expanded rather than moved. The city of St. Paul eventually grew around Hamline instead.
1929 "Marriage Listed As Big Problem" was a feature article in the January edition of The Oracle. One hundred forty-five students were surveyed on urgent ethical dilemmas within their generation, and 106 answered that marriage was the biggest problem. Students were worried about the problems surrounding marriage and settling down, while the next two problems were related to wartime demands and nuclear action.
1934 "Time Rolls Back as Pipers Recall Charred Embers of Old Hamline" was a feature article by Harriet Smith. The sub-heading read: "Old Time Hamlinites Remember Dramatic Incidents of 1883 When Fire Raged About Towers of Hamline."
It was unclear where the fire was started and by the time the fire was discovered it was already too big to fight. Students and professors attempted to save furniture in the building and books from the library - some carrying out armfuls - while others carried a piano out of the music department.
The fire was caused by defective ducts and chimneys and burned for nearly 24 hours.
1942 "Campus Will Mobilize To Assist War Efforts" was the feature story that January. Hamline offered students an option to graduate in three years instead of four by taking summer term so that they could more quickly be able to help organize war efforts.
They also offered Red Cross classes and nursing programs which were mostly directed at female students.
1942An article reported that Anne Simley, head of the drama department, had escaped a near-death experience when her automobile was involved in a "Holiday Smash-up." She survived with minor injuries and went on to direct the production of Male Animal later that year.
1960 After decades of debate about requiring Hamline students to attend church services, The Oracle featured a Speak Out asking students what they thought of the matter in an article titled: "Should Hamline Have a Non-Required Chapel?" It was a major step toward separating Hamline from the United Methodist Church and the eventual decision to have a non-required chapel. In the Speak Out, some students felt church participation was necessary and others felt it alienated non-Christian students.
1974 The Oracle published a list of New Year's resolutions the staff intended to keep:
"To report all the 'no comments' we receive in response to interview requests.
To recycle all the paper that is still in The Oracle office.
To greet all volunteers for The Oracle with open arms and a story assignment.
To give rock, blues and art equal coverage until the debate is resolved.
To give the new financial aid director a fair chance.
To support the bus service to Minneapolis and the late Friday hours at the library.
To tape all major interviews and put them on file without any 18 minute gaps.
Not to take advantage of President Bailey's absence and to continue the objective view of administrative news that is part of The Oracle's tradition."
1980"HUSC formalizes Anti-Draft Action" was featured as front-page news. HUSC officially declared opposition to the draft and thus was the first collegiate group in Minnesota to do so. Activists against the draft used the United Methodist religion to back up their ideals of resolving conflict peacefully.
Be the first to comment on this story