The headline in the Winston-Salem Journal on November 12th, 1918, was “Victory Celebration Continued All Day and Until Late Last Night.” Beneath the headline were these words, “At six o’clock a grand parade was staged in the center of the city; the Home Guard led the procession. The factories and stores were closed. Announcement of news by the Journal’s extra early yesterday morning brought the people from their homes.”
To get the full effect of the event as reported in the Winston-Salem Journal, here is the entire article that appeared in the newspaper on the day after the Armistice.
“From the time the news of the signing of the armistice was announced in the city early yesterday morning by the extra edition of the Journal until early this morning, the entire municipality was in an uproar. Young and old were overjoyed by the announcement of cessation of hostilities on a battlefield where the lifeblood of millions of men has already been spilled, and they did not fail to show it. Every instrument that would make a noise was brought into play, and all day long the celebration continued. Flags were flying from almost every automobile that appeared on the streets; the homes and business houses were decorated in National colors, and pedestrians carried flags, etc.
The streets were thronged with people from early until late. The factories closed down at noon, and the stores at 3 o’clock, in order that their employees and clerks might join in the celebration.
At 6 o’clock last evening a formal celebration in honor of the great event was staged. The parade was formed, led by Chief J. A. Thomas and Crouse’s Concert Band, followed by the Home Guard in full uniform. Bringing up the rear of the section occupied by the Home Guard was the gatling gun recently received by the company. Two young ladies, Hazel Norfleet and Ruth Efird, occupied the front seat of the gun carriage. A cannon, pulled by Boy Scouts, was also a feature of the Home Guard section. Both cannon and gun were beautifully decorated.
In the parade were numerous gaily decorated automobiles, some of which carried bells of various sizes, while others had pieces of tin dragging along behind. Hundreds of pedestrians brought up the rear of the parade as it followed the principal streets of the city.
After the parade was disbanded, the band proceeded to the stand on the west side of the Courthouse and gave a patriotic concert. The crowd that witnessed this concert, as well as the parade, was one of the largest ever seen on the public square of the city.
The public is indebted to Mr. Crouse and his excellent band for the delightful program rendered last evening. [section omitted concerning non-parade details]
The celebration, as stated, began immediately after the announcement of the signing of the armistice. The extra edition of the Journal, the first to carry the Associated Press story, aroused the population of the city to the realization of what had happened, and then the demonstrations began. The fire alarm was sounded at 6 o’clock, the time that hostilities ceased, and in a few seconds every whistle, bell, and other noise-making apparatus appeared to be in action.
Within a few minutes after the whistles began to blow, the girls of Salem College formed a parade and headed by a delegation with various noise-making instruments, paraded Salem Square, showing their joy in almost every way imaginable. They serenaded the home of President Rondthaler, singing their college songs and National anthems.
At 7 o’clock the members of the Salem Band, under the direction of Manager B. J. Pfohl, assembled on the roof of the Wachovia Bank building and played a number of national airs. Following the completion of this part of the morning’s program, the band headed various impromptu parades over a number of the main streets of the city. The excellent music of this band added enthusiasm to the occasion.
Shortly after the news was announced, Chief Nissen’s car and the motor trucks of the Fire Department covered the principal streets. giving out loud, shrill siren calls, awakening all those within hearing distance.
At 10:30 yesterday morning the Salem College girls, led by President Rondthaler with the service flag, Dean Shirley with the drum, and with flags floating gaily, gave a beautiful parade through the main section of the city, up Trade Street to the Post office and return. In one machine was a casket, with the inscription, “The Remains of Kaiser Bill,” which made a big hit with the crowds on the streets.
The loud noise in the city at an early hour yesterday morning was heard by many farmers in the surrounding country, the majority of whom are early risers and were about their work at the time. Not a few came to the city to inquire what the bedlam was all about. Many tobacco growers were en route to the city with loads of the weed, and the noise caused them to speed up and arrive in time to witness various impromptu parades and celebrations.
All sorts of instruments, vehicles, etc., were brought into play during the day and night. Late last night a crowd of boys borrowed a schooner wagon from a tobacco farmer, and at least a dozen of them acted as horses, while about twice that number rode, in, under, and on top of the wagon.
Parades composed of young ladies, children, and young men, marching single file and tooting toy tin horns were seen at intervals during the day. In the early morning a company of about fifty young men, each bearing a different instrument, proceeded over the principal streets, raising all kinds of noise.
A brief patriotic and thanksgiving service was held last night at 7:30 on Salem Square. The program consisted of prayer, singing, and speaking. The Salem Band furnished beautiful music for the occasion.”
Photograph courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
Stay tuned for the next historical post on Thursday, November 15th: World War I Soldier for a Day.
