120 years on: Principles that guided newspaper in 1885 still apply today

Exactly 120 years ago today, The Goldsboro News-Argus printed its first edition.

Front-page news was a little different in 1885: One of the lead stories discussed the latest rage, horse and buggy riding.

The first reporters and editors also covered the business beat, touring the J. Strauss & Co. business compound, in part for the story and in part as a possible advertiser — a fact they freely admit.

The article in that first edition mentioned the rice mill, but it was admiration of the planing mills and the blind, sash and door factory that occupied the premier spot in that first issue.

Market prices figured prominently on that first front page — eggs were going for 10 cents a dozen, while 40 sweet potatoes could be bought for 40 cents. Honey was 60 cents a gallon.

Although the front page content of the paper has changed, and so has the price of eggs, the principles on which that first paper was founded are not so different today.

The Goldsboro News-Argus is committed to providing the kind of report that celebrates the good while keeping an eye on those who are charged with governing this community.

We will continue to ask you what you think, especially after we share our thoughts with you. We want you to challenge us, and the people charged with taking this county and city into the future. Tell us what you think about our state, nation and world, too. You might be surprised how many people out there think exactly the same way.

If you hear something is going on, call us. And don’t think all we want to hear about is bad news either. We are just as interested in this community’s successes as we are in its challenges.

We will continue to be this community’s watchdog and its cheerleader. We are proud to have been in that role for more than a century.

So, here’s to another 120 years. Time sure does fly.

Published in Editorials on April 7, 2005 11:39 AM