Daily Illini, April 26, 1914

In honor of Founder's Day 2012, here is the oldest published notice of our fraternity. 

In 1964's Jubilee issue of The Archi, Leo Bauer recounts that when leaving the Hotel Sherman on Easter Sunday April 12, 1914, he and Chandler Cohagen pledged not to divulge the results of their negotiations until the next regular meeting of their respective chapters. That meeting would not be held immediately. At Illinois, classes would not resume until Tuesday afternoon (4/14). Arcus probably met next later that week (perhaps old minutes could be uncovered). Imagine trying not to spill that exciting news to the brothers you see in the house and studio for better part of a week!

It would not be until two weeks later until the Daily Illini bore the first published announcement of the new fraternity on April 26, 1914.

The unfamiliar chapter name was misprinted as "Anthemia," much to the amusement of the primary author of this blog, who has used the term as an email and Twitter handle for years.

Near the top of the list of faculty names is, Professor Loring H. Provine, who was acting head of the Architecture Department at the time. Provine would serve as department head until 1948.

The complete issue of the Daily Illini is available in the university libary's online archives. It's an interesting artifact of college life in 1914. Just looking at the top of page 1, we see one institution starting while another takes a final bow, worries about possible war with Mexico, and a discobolus named "Butt."

June 25, 1924, Volume 5, Number 9, Part 1

Two More Brothers Meet their Master

If you were wondering why it has taken me so long to blog about the next issue, i admit that it has to do with the headline above, which could be found on page 3 of this issue. What I did not expect as a result of this project was that I have been finding myself getting somewhat acquainted with these brothers. At this stage in the game, it's pretty guaranteed that everyone i've come across has probably already met their master. But in the end, it doesn't matter what year it happens, it is always jarringly tragic when you hear of such young people dying, as in the case of these two brothers, B. G. Webb and Gervase "Jack" Wenzell.

Brother Webb hailed from Anthemios, and graduated in 1920. Only last year, in 1923, he married a young lady named Josephine Webb (see the issue 2/1/1923, Volume 4, Number 4, Page 2). Tragically, both brother Webb and Mrs. Webb, along with his parents, Mr & Mrs. Alves Webb were all killed when their automobile was wrecked by a B & O Train near the city of Holton, Indiana. In a moment, a family was just wiped out. It's truly truly sad, even 76 years later.

Brother Wenzell initiated as a brother of the Andronicus Chapter in 1922, though he was not a charter member. He left school at the end of last year (1923) because of health issues, described as "trouble with his eyes." He went to live with his brother in San Diego who was a doctor, and it seems he then contracted pneumonia, and died a long time later. It can be assured that it was a long illness, and though there aren't specific details, I wonder that if in this day and age if Brother Wenzell might have been spared. After all, penicillin has not yet been discovered.

According to the Archi account, Brother Wenzell was the son of a famous artist and illustrator named A. B. Wenzell. It wasn't very difficult to find artwork by Mr. Wenzell on the internet. The example below is an illustration from The House of Mirth, written by Edith Wharton.

Following the wikipedia information, it turns out that Brother Wenzell was also preceeded in death by another brother, Arthur, who was killed in a car accident in 1915.

What Else Happened??
I can't leave you with just a dirge.. here are some other interesting things that came about in this issue:

Harry J. Korlsund, MNES '20 admits that he's been too busy to establish a chapter at Boston Tech. Though he has met with some of the fellows there, he doesn't think the time is right just yet.

The Kallikrates Chapter has rented a brick cottage on Carr's Hill for their home next year. The word used to describe the place is "Salubrious" and that's a fantastic word that we need to use more often in 2010.

Mnesicles Brother Leon Makielski's little brother S. J. is initiated at Kallikrates. Not only that, Brother S. J. married Miss Alice Lee Patton on May 19th.

April 15, 1924, Volume 5, Number 7

Smith Memorial Hall

So Long Brother Ricker
The bulk of this issue focuses on the passing of Brother and Master Architect Dr. Nathan Clifford Ricker. Great detail is given to his personal biography, as well as professional biography. To be honest, I have read a lot about the man over the years, but I would venture to say that this may be the most heavily detailed account of his life that I have ever read.
Brother Ricker died at age 81, after being stricken by a "sudden attack of apoplexy," which is an old timey broad term that generally means that someone went unconsious and died shortly soonafter. Later, on page 5, it is noted that he, more specifically, suffered a stroke.
There is an account of his memorial serivce, which was held at the Smith Memorial Hall on the University of Illinois Campus. The service was lead by the local Masonic Lodge. In addition, an honor guard from the Knight Templars was also present for the festivities. In tribute to his service to the University of Illinois, Dean K. C. Babcock had many kind words about Brother Ricker's professional life.
Letters of condolence were sent to the Archi by founding brother Leo M. Bauer, and former Grand Council Member Arthur E. Benson.

Welcome Polyklitos!
The final column of page 8 heralds the arrival of another new chapter. The ninth new chapter, to be named Polyklitus is forming at the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. We have Iktinos Brother Alfred E. Naser to thank for assisting in forming this chapter.

Prohibition

I can't believe it took this long for it to occur to me that the past few issues of the Archi have been during the Prohibition era of our country! Prohibition took place from 1920-1933 in the United States. It makes sense that the fraternity would make no mention of alcohol, one way or the other, in its national publication. However, on page 2, Mnesicles brother George Dahl writes from London to say:

My best wishes to all our brothers of our dear old fraternity and may they all
prosper. I drink to their health (remember i am not in dry territory.)

Well, Brother Dahl, from this end of time and space, I drink a toast to you as well.

March 15, 1924, Volume 5, Number 6

10 years...
The Archi Staff are in a tizzy because in less than a month, the fraternity will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. Messages from such dignataries as Leo M. Bauer, Chandler C. Cohagen and Lorentz Schmidt send well wishes to the brotherhood in its current state, and waxes nostalgic for its infant days when we were a mere 2 interested parties. As of 1924, the fraternity has grown to 7 national chapters, and 1 soon to join the fray. I picture them each in a drafting smock late at night, carefully drafting these correspondence with fountain pens.

The Grand Council Directory
The bulk of this Archi consists of a directory of all members to-date. this is not the first of these directors to be published, but as someone who is painstakingly entering each name into a database, I can assure you that it's getting ever so long. I admit that it is pretty neat to look at the names and see their addresses. I find myself wondering if these places of residence are still there. So I took a random sample - 1 residence from each active chapter and entered it into google maps - here we go!

Anthemios - Adolf O. Budina: 618 10th St., Wilmette, IL ----BINGO!
Looks like it's still there. A house like this was likely built before 1924, and what a sweet little house it is too.

View Larger Map


Iktinos - Eugene D. Straight: 479 W. Willis Ave., Detroit, MI ----Hmmm..
For some reason google street view hasn't made it to Willis - and it's now being called Willis Street. It looks like the John C. Lodge freeway has been built on this site. Unfortunately, judging from the nearby interesection this is a blighted neighborhood.

Demetrios - Russell M. Krob: 1209 Hamlet Ave., Colmbus, OH ----DOH!
This is seriously the cutest neighborhood, with good old american four-square homes, built one after the other, except it appears that there's a vacant lot where brother Krob's used to be. You'll noticed that a house does comes up when you type in the 1209 but you can see the address number is not 1209. Well, at least you can get a sense of the neighborhood.

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Mnesicles - Howard F. Dunn: 1692 Princeton Ave., St. Paul, MN ----??
Darnit google! They haven't documented this neighborhood using streetview, but it appears that this house is still there. It appears to be a garden-style designed neighbohood, and he homes appear to be built in the late teens to early twenties. If it weren't for all the snow in the wintertime, I'd want to live in this neighborhood.

Kallikrates - W. Merle Brown: 810 Carter Road, Raleigh Court, Roanoake, VA ----So Close..
Once again, I am unable to find the exact house. I think that the homes of this area have been renumbered. I am able to verify the existance of a Carter Road, and this road is within a subdivision called Raleigh Court. According to Wikipedia, "the development of [Raleigh Court] reached its peak in the 1920's, so therefore the residences in this subdivision do fit into our time frame.

Andronicus - Paul E. Willhide: 1200 37th Pl., Los Angeles, CA ----SWEET!
The house appears to still be there. It's been severely remodeled, and currently houses a youth center, but the house is still there. The place is easily within walking distance from the USC Campus. No need to ride the red car.


View Larger Map

Paeonios - Lawrence Byers: 901 Carer Ave., Wichita, KS ---- Whew!
That took a bit of sleuthing - depending on what side of the street had the odd numbers, it was either this quaint little thing, or a PUD apartment complex (for shame). The house is located on a little peninsula of land surrounded by a river, and is not too far from a fantastic little place called the Castle Inn - it kind of makes me want to go to Kansas for the first time in my life.


View Larger Map

February 15, 1924, Volume 5, Number 5

Living Single, in Denver


Brother Andrew S. Phillips (Anthemios 1923) is reported to be living in "Single 'blessedness'" at the Argonaut hotel in Denver. Happily, i can report that this structure is still in-tact. It is now the Argonaut Apartments, located at 1505 Grant Street, only a few short blocks from the former Adam's Mark Hotel, where we held the 59th Convention in 2006. See Image Above.



Stop Thief!

The Andronicus Brothers were allegedly ransacked by a wily group of young lady friends during a dance held in honor of the newly initiated pledges.

The items reported stolen include: pennants, ash trays, bric-a-brack, and APX paddles. Luckily, the paddles were recovered following drastic threats from brothers Baldwin and Andersen.
Sorrority girls.. hmmph.





For the Autophiles


Ex-Anthemian David Postle presently living in Los Angeles is now moving to New York to get married. He plans on taking his honeymoon in his brand-new Rickenbacker Roadster. The photograph above is an example of a 1923 model Rickenbacker Roadster. Pretty Fancy Indeed!

January 15, 1924 Vol. 5, No. 4, Part 2

Carl Juline is a Badass.
This is the same Carl Juline from Anthemios who moved to Los Angeles, who Brother Christen of Anthemios (it turns out), was trying to set up with his old girlfriend. Well.. Brother Juline has bought himself a fancy Christmas Present of a brand new 1924 Ford Coupe (picture above). Not to be the kind of guy with any old Ford Coup... oh no. Carl sprung for the red wheels, and further customized it with his initials on the doors. However, the coup de gras is the large letters "APX" emblazoned on the spare wheel cover.

If I were Lester Christen, I'd be looking out for my ex-girlfriend's reputation. Mr. Juline might be moving a bit to fast for that old gal. After all, the day that he showed up with the vehicle, a crowd of co-eds formed, which led to him getting 17 phone numbers.

I must say, Stanley Cundiff is one hell of an Archi Reporter. He knocks his articles out of the park every time.

January 15, Vol. 5, No. 4 - Part 1

Convention Recap!

A mere 11 days after the close of convention, the recap was already out to the masses. Being charged with the duty of putting out a similar recap for the past 6 years, their punctuality makes me blush, i have to admit.

If you have been following along with the Archi, many of the updates are old news. However, here afe a few items of business discussed at the 9th convention:

Dinocrates
A petition of the Delta Club from the University of Texas was granted approval, thus inaugurating the Dinocrates Colony. Though, they didn't necessarily call the colonies back then. This group, aptly lead by Professor & Brother Raymond Everett of Iktinos, has 11 interested bodies.

Los Angeles Alumni Group
The LA alumni group was officially recognized. Of the 3 board members, none were originally from Andronicus. Glen Ingles was initiated as Mnesicles, but transferred to USC, and thus became a member of the Andronicus Chapter (BTW, served as their WA for a period of time.)
The other oficers were David E. Postle Jr. of Anthemios (Son of Honorary Brother David E. Postle Sr.) and Chester L. Carolja of Mnesicles (former Archi Editor).

Alumni Associations
Alumni Associations, as we know them today, specific to each chapter, came to be at the 9th convention. The idea was known as "the Chicago Plan" as it was put forth by the Chicago Alumni Group. Until this time, all alumni associations were established by city. By 1924, we had alumni groups in Chicago, Minneapolis/Minnesota, Columbus, Detroit, and Los Angeles (see above). This change in structure allows for the city based organizations to remain in place, but operate purely as a social organization. Though the official plan hasn't been spelled out for us in this issue, it would seem to me that this change may have been the death knell for city based alumni groups.

The Sister Pin
The 59th convention brought out a lot of discussion about the sister pin. Funnily, 50 conventions previous, it was asserted that The Sister Pin, which in this issue is described as "A larger size of the crest than is now worn as a guard..." shall only be worn by blood relations. Are we meant to assume that giving said pin to the lady in your life was verboten by the convention? I think so..
This is not going to be the last time we see something about the Sister Pin.

Changes to the Ritual
The Grand Lecturer, Rexford Newcomb presented his revisions to The Ritual, and they were subsequently adopted. The intent of these revisions were to provide a means to which each chapter could easily provide the same show, and included blueprints, and costume drawings. Likely, this is the version of The Ritual that has been retained by the Andronicus Chapter. This is a must-read for all you Ritual-o-philes! Page 3, people.

But most fascinating is the Editorial located on page 4. Those crazy Anthemians presented a paper that proposed an ADDITIONAL 5 degrees. That's right. not a total of 5, but an addition of 5... for a total of 8. The additional 5 called for separate degrees to distinguish a brother upon graduation, upon recognition in the profession, to distinguish faculty members, and to distinguish master architects.

After the discussion at the 58th convention to incorporate an alumni oath into the ritual, I am beginning to have that sinking feeling that every new idea any of us ever had, in regards to this fraternity, may not, in fact, be new at all.

I bet you can guess how this discussion went down. but if you want to know for sure, the last line of the editorial reads: "All APX men are brothers on the same footing when initiated; let us safeguard that ideal no matter what the circumstances intervene afterwards." Well said.

November 1, 1922 Vol. 4, No. 1, Part 1

pep
"vigor, energy," 1912, shortened form of pepper, which was used in
the figurative sense of "spirit, energy," from at least 1847. Peppy "full of
pep," first recorded 1922. Pep rally is attested from 1945; pep talk from
1926.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper

It appears "Pep" was a huge buzz-word in 1922, and the new Archi Board sure liked to use it to describe the properties of this new publications.

The new board sent a letter to all alumni asking for suggestions, and I believe the response from this unnamed brother succinctly describes why the new, peppier version was sought:

"As a suggestion, I would like to offer this, that there be less of
articles which we can get in Architectural magazines and more of a personal new
and chapter information."

And thus, aspirations to have the Archi be a periodical contribiting to our professions were put aside for a period of time. A loss for the profession? Perhaps. For us, however, Archi Names Project Gold!

In this issue we begin to hear the first rumblings of the project to build a house for the Mnesicles Chapter. Not to spoil anything, but much more will come on this subject in the future.

In other chapter house news, it looks like the Anthemios chapter moved to a different house, which would explain why I didn't recognize that photograph in the later issue. The poem included in the article specifically references a big rambling porch, which was quite distinctive. Anthemios also, is in the process of purchasing land for a future chapter house.

There are 2 brand new chapters, and it seems that the Archi Staff feels quite differently about each of them.

The Archi staff is tickled pink about those Andronicans out in Los Angeles, as they sent in many updates about students, pledges and faculty members. Most interestingly would be the mention of Carleton Monroe Winslow, made an honorary brother, who had been awarded a major project in Los Angeles, where he would be working in conjunction with Bertram Goodhue. It's a building that I enjoy visiting regularly; The Los Angeles Public Library! - see photograph above, courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library.

However, the Kallikrates brothers are having to face the painfully polite, yet passive agressive wrath of the Archi Editors.

"From Kallikrates we have received only the most meagre news and we shall be
expecting a perfect mess of it during the next few issues. Our suggestion is that about once a week a letter with such information as may be in hand should be sent to us to make it possible to be up to date..."

As a former Grand Council member, I have to say: some things never change.

After a few more comments about how each of the new chapters are doing on dues, theres a.. lamentable comment that wouldn't be right to ignore:

"As the old darkey said on the arival of his ninth heir, "Lawd, we's thankful
for what we have received, and may's we all be blessed even moh."

Whoa. reading something like that is cause to snap a person out of their nostalgic stupor, and be grateful for living in more tolerant times.

April 1922, Vol. 3, No. 1, Part 2

I'm going to have to say that my home chapter wins the prize for the most interesting updates of this issue.

Let's start with Anthemios's trip to Demetrios to attend the Illinois-Ohio State game in Columbus. Nine brothers made the 23 hour trek in their "reo 'speed-wagons'". I have to remark: "23 HOURS!" Man that is Brutal! How long would it take to get to Columbus in an REO Slow-Wagon? The image above is a 1917 REO Speedwagon, likely very similar to the vehicles taken by our brothers. (Thanks to Wikipedia).

Also, I find it curious that they took REO Speed-wagons, considering the band REO Speedwagon was founded by students attending the University of Illinois in the late 1960's.

When describing the game, I may be looking at it through a modern girl's eyes, but boy does it seem like the brothers were a little too.. um.. inebriated.. to follow every play. (Illinois won).

In OTHER Anthemios news, 2 of our brothers are soloists for John Philip Sousa! Holy CRAP! E.E. Newcomb (no relation to Rexford Newcomb) and Bill Snyder (Snyder is also noted as being Mr. Sousa's personal secretary). This fact had been noticed in the February 1921 issue, and that Mr. Sousa had dined at the Anthemios Chapter House, but I didn't note it here.

April 1922, Vol. 3, No. 1, Part 1

If you ever wondered how our fraternity dealt with the way architectural education shifted from a 4 year program to a more solidified professional degree, look no further than the article by Rexford Newcomb, called "Tendencies in the Architectural Education World. At first blush, it looks like a boring article about education, but don't be fooled. It is focused directly on Alpha Rho Chi. And what i find interesting is that the questions that he posed are questions we are still asking ourselves today: Who Are We? What are Allied Arts? How do we deal with some chapters having a 5 year program, while others have a 4-2 program? Quoting him:

"The Fraternity may find itself face to face with the difficulty of reconciling a double-headed condition, we may find ourselves eventually with chapters in which the men remain four years, other chapters in which they remain six years, and still others in which the period of study covers six years with the later four only given over to what may be called professional work."

Just this past weekend, at the summer meeting, we held a pretty tense discussion how to classify graduate students in a 4-2 program; does the member become an alumnus before or after the M.Arch?

For an Honorary Member, Brother Newcomb took a lot of care when writing this paper. It's inspiring whenever I see a faculty member develop a passion for this fraternity.

The majority of this Archi is dedicated to the 7th National Convention held January 2-3 in Champaign, Illinois.

This is the convention where Kallikrates AND Andronicus join the fray. Kallikrates sent two members (who we would today call colonists) where it appears they were promptly given their pledge pins (in ceremonious fashion, of course), and given a seat at the convention table. Later, they were incorporated into the Anthemios pledge class and made brothers. It is indicated that they would go back to UVA and with the help of the Grand Lecturer, initiate the rest of the members of the Kallikrates Club.

The Andronicus Club was approved to become a chapter. This decision was endorsed by Rexford Newcomb, as it was revealed that he taught at USC before coming to teach at the University of Illinois. (This little parallel between Rex and myself, I admit, has filled me with glee.)

This is also the convention where the distinction was made between Faculty Brother and Honorary Brother, and Cass Gilbert was approved to become a Master Architect.. Take note that this approval took place prior to the death of Nathan Clifford Ricker, which happens in 1924.

It is also reported that Dave, the father of Anthemians Dave & G.R. Postle, was initiated as an Honorary member. It didn't take that long for us to get some legacies, did it?

The Formal Banquet took place at the Beardsley Hotel, which was located on Neil Street, just north of Main. Apparently, it was the nicest hotel in town at the time. Photo provided above, thanks to the University of Illinois Archives.

February 1, 1923 Vol. 4 No. 4 Part 2

View Larger Map

There's a lovely Letter from Myron Dassett of Mnesicles who is studying at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. He remarks that he has been visited by 2 brothers, Ed Loye & Galen Oman, and enjoys his letters from Howard Gilman. Notably, he is also visited by Professor S. Chatwood Burton - The same sculptor who created the bust of Dr. Ricker.
During his visit, the two of them dined with the "famous mural painter from St. Paul." It sounds like it might have been an unforgettable evening for young Brother Dassett. A brief google search did not result in any signifcant hits on Mr. Lalonde.

It's noted that he lives at "No. 1 rue de l'Albaye. I was unable to find that address in a google search, and according to my Par Arrondisment book that street does not exist in paris. But could it be rue de l'Abbaye? I sure hope so. It's an adorable place on the left bank, walking distance to the Louvre, the Tuileries and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Another Famous Sculptor is making waves, as Mr. Lorado Taft is noted as "giving a series of lectures at the University [of Illinois]. Mr Taft is well known by our Anthemian Brethren as the sculptor of University of Illinois' beloved sculpture "The Alma Mater."

The inscription on that sculpture reads: "To thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greetings."

Fitting, no?

January 1st, 1923 - Vol IV, No. 3

I did intend to start at the very beginning, and work my way forward. But because I haven't completely unpacked my luggage from the summer meeting, the 1st four available issues which I printed to share with my brothers during that meeting, are still tucked away.

However, as an Anthemian, I found it to be only fitting that I inaugurate this project with an Archi issue that bears the portrait of Dr. Nathan Clifford Ricker on the cover. Hello Doctor Nathan Clifford Ricker, Sir!

This issue does talk a lot about the chapter houses of our chapters at the time. Theres a nice rendering of the proposed home for Mnesicles. There is a picture of a house for Anthemios that doesn't look like the house I thought they lived in prior to their current place at 1108. It is stunning.

There is a detailed article about Howard Dwight Smith, who is an Honorary Brother at Demetrios. It appears he used to work for John Russell Pope.

I never knew that the Memorial bust of Dr. Ricker was sculpted by a professor from University of Minnesota. (Not a Brother)

I have a feeling I will like the correspondence recaps the most.
For example.. Brother Christen (Chapter as of yet unknown), suggest that the archi start some sort of "Lonely Hearts" section:

"I wonder if i could make use of the Archi as a 'fusser' bureau? I have a couple of very fine young lady friends in Los Angeles, and should like to find out if any of the Andronicus brothers would be interested to meet them. They are both "good lookers" and mighty good scouts."

He continues:

"In fact, one of them was my sweetheart back in the days when I was in school. If Carl Juline Anthemios is in L.A. he might be interested."

Oh Carl.. you must have really made an impression on Brother Christen.

Note to self: research what it means to be a "good scout."