Throwback Thursday — 1945: The end of the war

Aug. 16, 1945

HARTINGTON — The news of the end of World War II was received in Hartington with jubilation shortly after 6 o’clock Tuesday afternoon — but there was no huge celebration.

The fire siren was blown and church bells rung to signal the surrender of the Japs, which was announced by President Truman to the nation at 6 p.m.

The general attitude here seemed to be that of thankfulness. The noisy jubilation here was confined almost entirely to the younger generation.

Shortly after the fire siren was blown there was a mild honking of automobile horns. This was followed by spontaneous parades made up mostly of grade school children, who roamed up and down the streets in decorated bicycles dragging tin cans behind them.

When news of the Jap surrender spread, Hartington bars and beer parlors closed their doors immediately. The lack of intoxicants probably had something to do with the mildness of the evening’s celebration.

Cafes also closed their doors early and by 11 p.m. the main streets were practically deserted.

Mayor F.G. Bruening, on behalf of the City Council, expressed thanks and appreciation to the residents of the community for the splendid manner in which they conducted themselves.

All business houses in the city closed for the entire day Wednesday in observance of V-J Day. Special services of thanksgiving and prayer were held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the afternoon.

With the end of the war, the federal government was not long in announcing the lifting of many restrictions under which the country had operated for several years.

Among the restrictions eliminated or relaxed were:

• the end of gasoline rationing.

• the end of fuel oil rationing.

• the end of rationing of canned fruits, vegetables.

• the end of shoe rationing.

• the end of manpower controls

The indications are that there will be some sort of food rationing for months, but many scarce articles are expected to return to store shelves soon. Price control will be continued to combat inflation.

Aug. 16, 1945

ST. HELENA — Pvt. Victor Schmidt returned home Friday to spend a 10-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Schmidt.

Aug. 16, 1945

HARTINGTON — Staff Sgt. John T. Lindsey, met his son, Pvt. Albin L. “Bob” Lindsey, on an island on the Philippines. They spent the weekend together.