by Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer

(2003) Humanity Saved!

That’s how The Observer greeted the news that Germany had tossed in the towel, putting an end to the First World War on Nov. 11, 1918. The screaming headline, in the largest type size ever used by the newspaper up to that time, included a sub headline that read ‘Kaiser’s Mad Desire to Rule World Has Terminated.’

Actually, rumours of peace had broken out the day before. The Nov. 10 edition of the paper included a story that said, “the people of Sarnia kept the wires to The Observer hot the whole afternoon with rumour that emanated from Toronto, Detroit and Windsor to the effect that the armistice had been signed and that the war was at an end. They would not be satisfied with our assurance that nothing official could possibly have been received to this continent at the time these cities began their noise-making.”

When a factory whistle was heard in Port Huron, people in Sarnia rushed out of their homes, certain the Americans had heard that the war was officially over. Scores of them walked to The Observer offices to ask if it was true.

People were aching for peace after four years of conflict that had claimed 20 million lives, including more than 100 young Sarnia men. They were so anxious to see an end to the bloodbath that they held an impromptu celebration, walking six abreast down Front Street carrying homemade signs. When word came through that the war was officially over, The Observer reported the city, “went wild.” Whistles blew, church bells rang, schools and shops were closed and Mayor J.S. Crawford declared a public holiday. He also issued a special proclamation declaring that God had “granted to the armies of the Allies victory over the powers of ruthlessness and despotism in the greatest war of all time.”

Special church services were “packed to capacity.” There was a gigantic official celebration that included a parade in which the German Kaiser was hanged in effigy aboard an Imperial Oil float. Later, The Observer reported, “the Kaiser, or the ex-kaiser, or the exit-kaiser, or whatever you prefer to call him, will be burned sharp at nine o’clock.” His effigy was, in fact, put to the torch during a celebration at what is now Norm Perry Park.

“Thousands marched in processions armed with noise makers consisting of old cans, drums and anything from which they could produce noise,” The Observer said. “Thousands of flags and firecrackers were purchased by the enthusiasts. Business was at a standstill. Hundreds crossed to Port Huron and engaged in the celebrations of their American cousins, who in turn came over to Sarnia to share in the demonstration here.” The Yanks brought with them a wax model of President Woodrow Wilson, which was paraded through downtown Sarnia. A sober reminder of what the city had been through was the appearance of a number of “men in khaki, some on crutches and others maimed by German soldiery.” A Chinese band came from Toronto to help out, and local natives showed up in colourful costumes. Marching bands came from Walpole Island and Forest as well. On top of that, mounted troops from London were on hand.

In an editorial, The Observer urged readers to “celebrate all you like; go to it. Rejoice and rejoice and again rejoice today, tonight and all the time. The Kaiser is licked. Germany as a nation is trimmed to a frazzle and the world is at peace.”

Merchants moved swiftly to make hay out of the peace. Mills Brothers Importers urged people to buy flags for peace celebrations and for the “homecoming of the boys.” Woolworths, meanwhile, was advertising “flags, confetti, horns, jazoos and whistles.”

The joy of the populace “knew no bounds,” the paper said. It was no wonder. A long and cruel war (was) finally over. Better yet, the experts said it was a “war to end all wars.” In other words, Sarnians were celebrating not only the peace, but what they were confident was the end of war.