The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1918-07-25
Wt.,. NEWS
GREATLY
EXCI7ES
THE CITY

Not since the G of the United
States into the wa pril, 1917, has
any mi -itary eveni on the fighting
lines created such excitement as the
reports that reached here on Thurs
day of the splendid successes achieved
by the Franco-American troops in
their great counter-offensive against
the Germans on a 25-mile sector be.
tween the Aisne and Marne rivers on
the western front. The first inti-
nation of the victory achieved by the
Allied forces, to arrive here, came in
kilograms from the United Press to
The Record office at 10 o'clock
Thursday morning. Subsequent wires
from the same source during the day
confirmed and strengthened the earl
ier reports. Enough information was
obtained from these messages to show
that great events were taking place
and that our American boys were
playing a conspicuous role in them.
The extent and value OF their tri-
umph was not known at that time.
altho the indications were that il was
one of considerable magnitude The
drive of the Allies against the Bo
ches was still on at last reports. but
its military Importance was not an
nounced and could only be conject-
ured. Its success evoked tremend-
our interest and aroused degree OF
enthusiasm such as has seldom been
among people here.
At about $3.50 o'clock Thursday
night it was learned from Intercepted
messages taken from the telegraph
wires that Denver, Colorado Springs
and Pueblo were in a high state of
jubiliation over the American victory
in France and the information was
communicated to the Arkansas Valley
Railway. Light & Power company's
plant and the steam whistle there was
turned loose to apprise the community
of the news. A few seconds later the
whistles at the Round Crest Canning
company's plant and other establish
ments Joined in the refrain. The
noisy demonstration they made was
heard for miles in every direction,
causing much excitement and inspir-
ing much speculation as to what had
caused it. Many people thot that a
flood was coming down the river and
that those living along its banks were
being warned to seek places of safe
ty. Others were of the opinion that
there had been an outbreak of the
prisoners at the penitentiary and that
the alarm was on that account. Some
were convinced that a great fire had
broken out and that people were be-
ing summoned TO help put 1t out.
Others thot that somebody had been
drowned in the river. or the big ditch
and that the signal was for assist
ance in finding the bodies. All kinds
of theories were advanced in explain
alton of it. but none of them wholly
convincing or satisfying.
The lecture of DR.. Ira D. Landrith
at the Chautauqua tent was temper
arily interrupted when his audience.
in state of suppressed excitement.
left their seats and made their way
out on the streets to ascertain what
was the matter. The tent was prac-
tically deserted for few minutes
while an effort was being made to
solve the mystery. When it was ex.
planned. the greater part of the audi
ence returned to their places and DR.
Landrith finished mis- address. A num-
Der of people at the Chautauqua tent
of nervous temperament, received a
severe shock in consequence of the
unknown cause for the blowing of
the whistles and are reported as be-
ing on the sick list today.
People came to town from the sur
rounding country in autos. on motor
bikes, bicycles and on foot TO learn
what had happened. From 10 O'Clock
until midnight. the streets were
crowded by those who were desirous
of getting all of the information they
could. The telephone and telegraph
lines to Denver and Pueblo were kept
busy with messages of inquiry and re-
sponse about the American victory in
France and the most exaggerated ru-
mors were current on the streets. One
report had 1t that the German army
on the western front. with 5000 900
men had been captured and that the
decisive battle Of the war had been
fought. Another rumor was to the