The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-11-11
RECEIVE PEACE WORD
AT AN EARLY HOUR
THIS MORNING
Message Goes Over the Wires at 3:45
a. m.-City Hall Given First In
formation of Signing of
ArmiStice.

News of the signing of the peace
armistice was received in Watertown
at AS a. NJ. A telephone message to
the city hall announced the receiving
of a message from Washington to that
effect. Shortly after the continued
whistling of locomotive aroused the
people from their slumbers and a few
minutes later the local factory whis-
ties, fire bells, church bells and fire.
arms added to the increasing din,
which was kept up until the sun arose.
The news was foreshadowed by the
abdication of the Kaiser on Saturday.
The story of the abdication of Kaiser
Wilhelm was received in the News Of
flee at 5 p. m. Saturday and was tele-
phoned to various places about the
city. The story was carried on the bull
letin boards and was the first informa-
ton that the Watertown public had
that the emperor had quit the throne
Of Germany.
Celebration Begins.
Celebration of the signing of the
peace terms began shortly after Z
o'clock. The school children secured
flags, drums, whistles, rattles and
other noise makers and paraded the
streets and also occupied places on
the various motor trucks. The weather
was fine and the air bracing and the
day was all that could be desired for
a big time. There was no school, fac
tories closed down and a general re-
joicing was the order of the day
One of the hits of the morning was
the drawing of the old ambulance
wagon about the streets by number
of youngsters who had all sides COW
cred with inscriptions: Kaiser Bill
is a Dead One" He's Gone to Hot
Place." and the like Tin cans and
COW bells tied to autos were dragged
about the pavements and contributed
much to the great noise.
Business Suspended.
Business was entirely suspended at
noon and all stores, saloons, and other
establishments were closed tight until
p. m. In the afternoon thousands of
people thronged Main and West Main
streets waiting for the big parade
which was scheduled for o'clock.
And they were not disappointed as the
line of vehicles and marchers was
more than mile in length and ira
versed the principal business streets.
There were many unique floats, one a
coffin carried by boys, while one auto
trailed the effgy of Kaiser Bill along
the pavement In another was large
bell which was kept ringing during
the whole line of march Men, women
and children crowded the auto trucks
and autos all gaily decorated with
the American flag, while two bands of
music furnished music for the
marchers. One of the floats was made
up of a wagon in which were seated
representatives of the army and navy
drawn by representatives of the allied
nations. The parade moved shortly be-
fore as follows:
Mounted Escort
Motor Truck and Girls
Auto-Mayor
T. A. Wondreyka, o. c. Wertheimer,
Gladys Mollart
Northwestern College Band
NOILuW oSC0Tn COlleSo CADETS
Allied Nations
WatertOwn Guards
Fire Engines
PostOffice Employees
Kaiser's Coffin
Fire Trucks with Girls
Ambulance-Kaiser Bills Last Ride
Citizens
G. B. Lewis Co. Employees
Motor Trucks
City Band
Autos, Carriages and Citizens
Biggest Thing Ever.
The demonstration was the biggest
thing ever. Last Thursday witnessed
an amazing Spontaneous gathering,
but the affaid today far surpa ssed 1t.
While the parade was marching in
Main street several stops were made
while the bands played patriotic airs
and the thousands on the sidewalks
joined in singing.