Peace Celebration

15 November 1918

The Humboldt Republican
Humboldt, Iowa
15 November 1918
Page 1

Peace Celebration Was On In Humboldt

Lid Was Off And Joy Was Unconfined

Mob Goes Stark Mad

Everything Wide Open -- Hats Sacrificed -- Cannon Boom and Pandemonium Reigned -- No Casualties.

     It arrived -- the peace special.
     After testing the matter out thoroughly, the local authorities made the news public, and from that moment pandemonium reigned.
     It was about 3:30 in the morning (Nov. 11) and the start of the celebration was the ringing of the fire bell, the blowing of whistles, and the production of every sound a human is capable of making.
     Anxious mothers who had sons over there, sweethearts, sisters, people from all ranks and stations assembled on the main street at the wee small hours and started a celebration that lasted until midnight the next night.  The hardware stores were invaded and anything that could produce a sound was pressed into service.  Kettles, pans, shovels, hammers, anything and everything that would add to the confusion was used.
     Someone began snatching the hats from passers and throwing them into the fire.  This was immediately taken up, and almost instantly every hat in the assemblage disappeared on its way to feed the flames.
     Next someone noticed that the bonfire started on main street was dimming down and immediately all the small outhouses along main street were picked up bodily and carried to the flames.  One outbuilding contained a gasoline can, and the noise it made only added to the delight of the people.
     Outside the burning of the outhouses and hats, there was no destruction of property.
     Occasionally a citizen objected to seeing his favorite derby or Stetson feeding the flames, but such objectors were instantly silenced.  A few of the foolhardy brand started a fight to retain possession of their headgear, but the crowd was in no mood to be balked.  In fact, one objector had to be hustled away by the cool heads or he would have suffered severely at the hands of the mob.
     After dinner a procession was formed, and after the parade in which Kaiser Bill and the German colors were dragged in the dust, and the Kaiser was hung in effigy, Rev. Stuart, dressed as Uncle Sam, made a rousing patriotic speech from the bandstand in Main street.  Rev. Spellman next spoke and added comfort and content to the people, after which the crowd dispersed until evening, when Father Davern made a rousing speech, and our new Baptist minister called forth all the patriotism of the people in thanksgiving and prayer that America, in this great ending to the greatest time since the Savior of mankind paid the extreme penalty for the sins of the world, should be great enough to do her part in the days of reconstruction.
     Fireworks ended the celebration, and a tired people sought their homes after sixteen hours of celebration.