Local news

City hears news with expression of satisfaction

Realization of Pacific battles ahead tempers jubilation

(Editors Note: The following article was published on May 7, 1945 after The Express staff learned of the Germans' surrender to the Allies in Europe.)

Lock Haven calmly received the announcement of the unconditional surrender of the Germans to the Allies in Europe today.

The actual newspaper announcement occurred shortly after 9:35 a.m. when the teletype printer bell frang and the word came thus:

"Flash

"Reims – France – Allies officially announce Germany surrendered uncondtionally."

And that was the way it was spelled, too. Maybe the operater was excited.

Immediately the bulletin came through. In a couple of minutes the words were placed in the office window.

Lock Havenites were slower spreading the word than might have been expected. An Express reporter, immediately on the street, was impressed at the calmness of the public. Some wanted to know: "Do you think it's true?" It is, but the city fittingly decided to await the formal announcement of V-E Day by President Truman.

School Program

The announcement of V-E Day this morning caught a good many housewives -- most of them, in fact -- without their radios on for they were doing the family washing on the first nice wash day they have had in weeks! Consequently, many of them did not know the good news for some time. But the news, when it came, was just as welcome as it would have been "hot off the wires."

The announcement coming in a few minutes before the 10 o'clock chapel assembly program at the Lock Haven High School transformed the exercises into a quiet, but impressive celebration entirely appropriate for the occasion. The group observed a few moments of silent prayer, following which they sang hymns and the national anthem.

Pupils of the Immaculate Conception School who have been praying daily at the church for blessings on the decisions being made at the San Francisco Conference today added prayers of thanksgiving for victory in Europe as they made their devotions at 11:15 a.m.

From SHAEF

The first word came from Gen. Eisenhower's headquarters in Reims, France, and was accepted by The Express as the end of the war in Europe. The newspaper immediately swung into action to speed the Victory-in-Europe edition.

Mayor Heffner has his committee together at the Chamber of Commerce office in less than a half hour. The group decided that the actual sounding of the sirens and whistles, the local announcement of V-E Day, would await the formal message.

Several of the committee members who hastened to the Mayor's meeting covered the general public's reaction with the same remark: "We waited a long time for this!"

A woman clerk in a local store called The Express to ascertain the truth of the announcement. Told it was, she loudly exclaimed to her fellow clerks just before slamming up the receiver: "This is it!"

It was to her, for her husband had been fighting in Europe for many months.

The reaction was in marked contrast to World War I when noise and parades were the order of the day. But then the announcement of the armistice was a finality. Today there are many Clinton County lads in the Pacific fighting the Japanese.

Adopt Plans

The mayor's committee reiterated earlier plans and adopted the announcement to fit the situation.

There were no parades planned.

Schools were not to be dismissed early in the day because 500 public school students who live out of town would have to roam the streets to await departure of buses while others, elementary school children, are not expected home until regular time by their war plant employee parents.

Industries were to continue as usual.

Mayor Heffner prepared a proclamation ordering closed for 24 hours all local alcholic beverage establishments starting the sounding of the whistles.

Churches were to open immediately and many planned 7:30 p.m. service on the official V-E Day.

Church Services

St. Paul's Episcopal Church planned a service 30 minutes after the official announcement here, as did Great Island Presbyterian Church which also planned the evening service. Others planning 7:30 p.m. services were Trinity, E. Main St. and Flemington Methodist, the Church of Christ, Baptist, St. Luke's Reformed and Evangelical. The Church of Christ, Scientist placed its time at 8 p.m.

The local announcement was to be made with The Express relaying the official V-E Day word to Fred E. McEntire, county commander of the Office of Civilian Defense, who would use the old air raid warning system under George W. Rogers, chief air warden, to notify all industries and the fire department to sound sirens and whistles.

A sound system on a car with Joe E. Anderson at the microphone, was to advice people in the city of the formal proclamation by President Truman.

The plans completed, the mayor and his committee disbanded shortly after 10:30 to await the official V-E announcement.

On the table in the center of their meeting room was a stack of used clothing to be given in the drive to aid Europe's needy. The coming of peace will not be the end of it all.