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Community Corner

This Was Doylestown, 1918

A look back at Doylestown, 93 years ago this week.

County Seat Goes Wild Over The Armistice [original headline] -

Editor's note - World War I ended on Nov. 11, 1918, when an armistice between Germany and the Allies (principally the United States, Britain and France) took effect. Many soldiers from Doylestown were members of Company G, 111th Regiment, based at the Shewell Avenue armory. When the American Legion post in Doylestown was formed in 1919, it was named in honor of Albert R. Atkinson, Jr., a member of Company G killed in action in France. A plaque outside honors Atkinson and 24 other men from Doylestown who died in the war.

Doylestown went happily mad before daylight Monday morning when the news of the signing of an armistice and the flight of Kaiser Wilhelm was received.

It was but a few minutes after 4 o'clock when locomotive whistles wakened the people on receipt of the first news by Station Agent Lewis Gerlach. In a few minutes every bell and whistle in town was "doing its durndest" to express the pent-up emotion of the people over the conclusion of the awful war which had been in progress for four years and has cost millions of lives and more millions of wounded soldiers, maimed civilians and ruined homes.

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Long before the first streaks of daylight broke the gloom of night, men, women and children were out on the streets, and by 6:30 there were sporadic parades of cheering, deliriously happy people, hopeful of the return of their sons, brothers, husbands to their homes.

Mills, factories and schools came to a standstill. Workmen and children were too jubilant to pinch their thoughts down to labor or study. But the stores kept open.

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Several hundred children of the Doylestown public schools paraded late Monday morning about the principal streets singing their songs and waving flags. Later they were grouped on the steps of the National Bank, opposite the 104th Regiment monument, and entertained hundreds of citizens by singing lustily and well many of the popular war songs. Children from township schools also came into town and joined the local boys and girls in this impressive scene.

Meanwhile, the Doylestown Band was out, and an impromptu parade in which many women and girls took part was going over the streets. Bells ringing kept up a continual clatter for hours in the morning, and during the strenuous use of the one at the fire house, the rope and clapper were broken.

 

Memorial services held for Albert R. Atkinson, Jr. -

Memorial services for Albert R. Atkinson, Jr., a member of Company G, 111th Regiment, who was recently killed in France, were held in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of which he was a communicant member, Sunday evening.

For the occasion there was an augmented vested choir, and a service flag and American flags were conspicuously shown. Addresses were made by the Rector, Rev. William F. Edwards; Thomas Ross and Henry A. James.

Rev. Edwards spoke of the qualities of courage, unselfishness, generosity and cheerfulness which distinguished Albert R. Atkinson, Jr.

He also read a letter from Albert's brother, Lieut. Daniel D. Atkinson, in which he said that on October 20th he received the first word of his brother's death from Capt. George Ross. Lieutenant Atkinson wrote that it was too bad and hurt, but that it was to be expected under the circumstances, adding that Bert gave his all gladly and is now in a far better place.

"This service is both sad and joyful," said Rev. Edwards. "It is sad because one who once was among us will not return. It is joyful because we know that he gave his life gladly, willingly, cheerfully and is tonight in paradise. He has fought the good fight. He has finished his course. He has received a crown of righteousness."

Thomas Ross paid an earnest tribute to the worth of Albert Atkinson. He knew him well, he said, and knew that everybody was proud that he had been a member of the church and of the community. Albert was straightforward above all things. There was no concealment about him. What he espoused he espoused openly and loyally to the end.

When he left, he had some conception of what he faced, and he faced it manfully. In this solemn hour of the triumph for which he fought, our regret is that he could not live to see this triumph. But he did not sacrifice himself in vain, and he has handed the banner on to us.

Henry A. James, in speaking of his intimate acquaintance with the Atkinson family, said he had never known a family of boys [there were six brothers] so devoted to each other and gentle in their home life. Albert was brave, manly, cheerful and strong in his friendships and his likes and dislikes. Moreover, he was industrious and faithful in all he undertook.

 

Boys tear down the Kaiser's picture -

One of the best illustrations of true American blood was illustrated Thursday evening, after the parade in Doylestown.

Three small boys, about twelve or thirteen years of age--James Michener, George Corace and Roland Leatherman--having seen that a resident of North Main street had a picture of the Kaiser and his family hung in a back room of his shop, walked in, and after gaining admittance to the back room, tore down the picture.

The man asked what they meant by their actions, and they told him that he was lucky that he did not have anything worse done to him than this. The act was prompted entirely by the patriotism of the boys.

They proudly marched up the street and called at the office of a lawyer. They told him what they had done and said they expected to be defended without charge, in case they got in trouble.

The lawyer informed them that not only he, but every member of the Bucks county bar, would be at their service, and instead of being in any danger, they deserved the highest commendation and praise for their patriotism.

Editor's note - Was this the same James Michener who grew up to become a world-famous author? That James Michener was born Feb. 3, 1907, so he would have been nearly 12 in November 1918.

 

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Woodmen of the World form "Victory" camp -

The local camp, Woodmen of the World, was fully instituted Friday night in Hellyer's Hall, with 232 charter members.

The protection degree was conferred by Field Manager H.R. Miller. Owing to the large size of the class it will be necessary that some of the members receive this degree at some future time, as the hall was not large enough to accommodate the members present.

"Victory" was the name adopted for the local camp and is worthy of the name, this being the largest camp organized in any state this year. This again goes to prove that when it comes to victory in any undertaking, Bucks county is always at the front. The local camp has been granted permission from the Sovereign Camp to have an open charter for 30 days to increase the membership to a camp of 500.

This campaign will be known as the "Victory Drive" and will be ably assisted by Field Manager H.R. Miller, and promises to be one of the largest camps in Eastern Pennsylvania.

 

Two men escape death in car accident -

When the wheel of their Ford automobile collapsed at the little bridge at Edison [over Neshaminy Creek] they were crossing, two Philadelphia men narrowly escaped death Monday morning. The owner of the car is said to have been named Engel.

Both men were badly bruised, but their escape from death, as they were pinned under the car, was miraculous.

"I never so much disliked going to a car as I did then," said C.J. Walter, who witnessed the accident. "I didn't expect anyone to get from under that car alive."

It seems that the car turned turtle and hung over the edge of the bridge after tearing away the rail. If the car had been raised one way it would have crushed the men under it, and if turned another would have gone into the creek. The car was almost ruined.

 

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Doylestown Town Notes -

Friends of the owl, which has for several years frequented a tree in the Courthouse Park, were pleased to see it return this week. War has been declared by them on boys who have been stoning it.

Mrs. Louisa Goodchild, who has been confined to her bed with an attack of the grippe, is slowly recovering and able to be up.

Balmy weather just like the opening of spring lured nearly everyone with an automobile to trips through the country on Sunday.

Mrs. William Davidson and son, of Narberth, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Martin, of Ashland street, on Thursday and Friday.

Doylestown township's honor flag in the fourth Liberty Loan [for war bonds] was raised across the pike at Edison by Arthur Schuyler, one of the lieutenants.

William Hohlefelder, of Philadelphia, visited his parents in Doylestown on Sunday.

An old home-made hatchet was presented to the Bucks County Historical Society by Andrew Paist of Mechanicsville. It was made by his great-grandfather over 100 years ago.

Miss Rea Myers, who has been very ill for several weeks, was able to take a short walk Friday.

The Newtown trolley car due in Doylestown at 6:30 Friday evening did not arrive until 8 o'clock owing to the derailing of the car at Langhorne.

Miss Miriam L. Hastings, Teacher Training Superintendent of the Baptist denomination, will deliver an address Sunday morning at the Baptist church. In the evening, the pastor will take as the subject of his address, "Nothing Less Than Unconditional Surrender."

Mrs. Henry M. Clymer, of West street, entertained a few Doylestown and Glenside friends at cards Saturday evening.

Saturday afternoon about 5 o'clock the fire company was called to the home of Mrs. Frank Schaeffer on Washington street, to fight a very threatening fire started from a defective flue. Flames had gotten in between the weatherboarding and the walls, and for a time threatened the destruction of the frame house. But the firemen were quickly on the scene and fought it so effectively that little damage was done.

 

From the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer, Week of Nov. 10-16, 1918

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