Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1918-11-14
TOWN CELEBRATES THE
SIGNING OF ARMISTICE
Spontaneous Jubilation Brings
Business to a Stand
still

w OnOay, NOVEMBER 11CH VIII NC
recorded in the history of this town
as one of the few times when the
entire population turned out to cele-
brate the greatest and best news
which this country has received in
many years. From o'clock in the
morning, when several automobiles
containing patriotic citizens and
various instruments which would
create a noise, until midnight there
was no let up to the celebrating.
When the news was first received,
- the Power Company's truck contain
ing several men with drums, horns
and cowbells toured the principal
streets in the village and spread the
glad tidings. The church bells were
rung and the siren screeched forth
the news to the farthest parts of the
village and from every direction
men. women and children, young
and old, flocked to the center to talk
and laugh and shout. American
flags suddenly appeared from nearly
every store and house and the chill
dren, not to be out done by their
elders, marched about with flags,
blowing horns and striking pans or
any other article which would make
a noise.
1t was a most wonderful morning.
Old Sol coming up over the hills
seemed to smile on the merrymakers
and give his assurance that the war
was really over at last. The pent up
feelings in the breasts of those who
have sons and relatives or friends
in the service, found relief in tears
of Joy and shouts of gladness and
with one accord it was decided to
abandon all attempts to work and
all places of business closed at noon.
Plans were hurriedly made to hold
a celebration in the evening in which
all could participate. The evening
program opened with a street parade
which was composed of men on
horseback, the State Guard, sailor
girls, Red Cross, Canaan Band, God
dess of Liberty, Uncle Sam, Camp
fire Girls, Boy Scouts and those who
served on various war work COM
mittees in addition to many automo-
biles carrying mothers and other
relatives of the men in the service.
There were many features i'm the
parade which attracted considerable
attention and caused much favorable
comment, and considering the short
time in which it was arranged it
was excellent. Those worthy of
special mention are the twenty
young ladies dressed as sailors, in
white trousers, blouses and hats;
Miss Elizabeth PIERCE representing
the Goddess of Liberty, supported
on either side by Howard Hatmaker,
representing the navy and Kenneth
Roberts representing the army;
Frank johnson as Uncle Sam and
the Boy Scouts with the kaiser hung
in effigy on scaffold.
After the parade huge bonfire
was held in the center square which
illuminated the square in every, di-
rection and upon which the kaiser
was burned in efigy. AS the stuffed
figure representing the kaiser was
thrown on the flames the great
crowd, estimated at more than
1,OOO,/ cheered until they were
hoarse.
After singing patriotic selections,
appropriate remarks were made with
great feeling by J. Henry Roraback,
and Major F. w. Garvin. At the close
of the exercises the younger people
adjourned to the town hall where
dance was held to complete perfect
day.