Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-11-14
When the Peace News Came.

Last Thursday afternoon. as was
published in the issue of the Register
Just then going to press, the news was
flashed all over the country that the
terms OF the armistice offered the Ger
mans by General Foch had been signed
and that the war was over. The news
was given out by the United Press, and
though 1t was premature by several
days, II was sent all over the country
The whole of the United States went
wild, and Immediately in city. town and
village the public literally were crazy
with enthusiasm and JOY. In cities like
New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and
Baltimore the scenes of excitement and
rejoicing were beyond all description.
In old Shepherdstown the good news
spread like wild6re. The church bells
began to ring Immediately, and in a
short time an impromptu prade was or
ganized, with flags flying and drums
beating and all sorts OF noise sound
Ing This kept up most of the after
noon, and We saw sights that We never
expected to see in Shepherdstown.
Dignified women who had never been
In procession in their lives marche
up and down the street blowing horn.
Ing yelling themselves hoarse, making
demonstrations of Joy that were unmis
taxable even if they were in a way very
funny. The women were more enthu.
siasuc than the men, while the small
boys used the opportunity to let off &C.
cumulated energy that had been gather
Ing during month of inaction. The
enthusiasm kept up all afternoon and
evening, and at night grew more in
tense. The drum corps headed another
procession, which paraded the streets
Men, women and children marched about
the streets, shouting and blowing horns
and exercising various instruments for
making noise. A bonfire was built in
the public square. and the people gather.
ed around it and sang patriotic songs
and Mayor Waldeck made abriefspeech.
Many country folks who had heard the
news and the ringing of the bells came
to town and the noise and excitement
kept up until late hour.
Word came in the evening that the
news was premature, but nobody paid
much attention to it. for we all knew
that it wouldn't be long until it woulc
be true, and so We kept right on. They
did the same thing in New York-why
not in Shepherdstown? Friday morn
ing'S paper brought denials of the news
but we had our fling and everybody was
happy. The news from abroad made
1t evident that the Germans could not
possibly hold out much longer.
Monday morning about 8 o'clock word
came from Washington that the
armistice had BEEN signed, and this
time the news was official BY sun-up
1t was being made public in our neigh
oorhood, and once more the church bells
rang out, carrying the good news to
everybody. The school boys and girls
celebrated by parading and shouting
but the Older folks expressed their
thankfulneSs by their happy faces and
IN congratulating each other that it was
all over at last.
AT twelve o'clock noon, the Episcopal
Church was filled with people who had
assembled 10 attend a service of prayer
and thanksgiving conducted by the
rector, Rev. J. w. Ware. There were
many thankful hearts in that audience,
and sincere and earnest prayers were
rendered to God for his goodness in
bringing peace to the war-weary peoples
Of the earth.
Monday night there was another
parade led by the teachers and students
of Shepherd College and the Graded
School and participated in by the people
of the community. Headed by the drum
corps, with red lights burning and
hundreds Of flags waving, the enthu-
siaStic marchers paraded the streets
and then assembled at the old college
building, where patriotic songs were
sung and address were made by Prof.
Thos. c. Miller, Prof. J. D. Muldoon and
H. L. Snyder. 1t was a really credit
able demonstration and all the com
munity was interested and filled with
enthusiasm. Shepherdstown has done
her full share in sending her young men
TO the service OF our country in the
Army and Navy, in supporting every
worthy cause that has been presented
to us, and now we have celebrated
victory and the coming of peace in a
happy and becoming manner.