War Rumors Cause Wildest Enthusiasm
Long Pent-up Feelings of Victorians Burst Forth When Premature Reports Say Peace Arrived—Cheering Crowd Wave Flags As Whistles Scream and Bells Ring.
… In the afternoon, at 2:30, a parade was hurriedly assembled outside the Victory Loan “dugout” at the corner of Government and Fort Streets. It marched through the principal streets, which were lined with a solid mass of cheering people keyed to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. The “flu” germ and the health orders against crowding were subordinated to the spirit shared by everyone that here was the opportunity and duty to celebrate as never before. …
… In the evening the Great War Veterans organized a parade to the Parliament Buildings … [speeches by Premier Oliver et al]
… The parade reformed and proceeded up-town, where it disbanded, the marching crowd joining the dense throng on the streets and continuing the celebration with unabated enthusiasm. …
Colonist, November 8, 1918, p. 6
The “dugout” was site of the Five Sisters block, destroyed by fire in 1910. During the war, veteran soldiers dug out the ground to create a model of a European war trench. Admission was charged to raise funds for the war effort.
Enthusiasm Rampant at Peace Celebration
Cheering Thousands Hear News That War Is at an End and Pent-Up Feelings of Victorians Burst Forth in Notable Demonstrations—Soldiers Turn Out in Strength
… Especially at the “Dug-Out,” where the returned soldiers were opening up for their day’s labor of selling Victory Bonds, the enthusiasm reached a climax in the crash of firecrackers and bombs, the cheers of the crowd intermingled with the stentorian demands from the enthusiastic salesmen to “come across” with the money with which the boys will be brought home, making the spot a rallying point in the celebrations. …
Colonist, November 12, 1918, p. 7
Great Gathering Offers Up Thanks
Many Attend Thanksgiving Service on Cathedral Hill—Bishop Schofield Delivers Address Asking for Guidance
Yesterday shortly after noon … number estimated at 600 to 1,000 … Bishop in address [gave] thanks to God for the cessation of hostilities. … Remember the men who had given their lives for the cause …
Under the leadership of Dr. Watson, Cathedral organist, the congregation sang “The Old Hundred[th]” [All People That on Earth Do Dwell] concluding with the Doxology.
The Bishop then offered the old prayer, “Thanksgiving after Victory.” This was followed by the reading of the 124th Psalm by the Rev. Dr. Leslie Clay.
Dean C. B. Quainton led the prayer …
The hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” was sung. … the Bishop asked for God’s help in the removal of the influenza epidemic. Then came the blessing. …
Colonist, Nov 12, 1918, p. 6
Thousands witnessed the grand naval, military and civilian parade which formed the afternoon’s portion of Victoria’s peace celebration. Through streets solidly packed with people … the parade, largest in the history of the city, wended its way from the starting point on Yates Street, via Douglas, Pandora, Government, View, Fort, Government, Menzies and Niagara Street, to Beacon Hill Park. …
… The parade wound its way from Niagara Street to the open space south of the roadway immediately in front of the Burns Monument, and as the naval, military, government and civic representatives watched it progress the procession continued its march past, later disbanding.
Owing to the prevailing health regulations, there were no speeches, but from a small platform … community singing led by Mrs. MacDonald Fahey and Mrs. Frank Sehl continued for an hour or more.
“Enthusiasm Rampant at Peace Celebration,” Colonist, November 12, 1918, p. 7
The morning after, second thoughts …
“Flu” Is Mounting, Crowds are Blamed
Over 100 Cases Reported Yesterday—Dr. Price Says Ban Cannot Be Lifted Unless People Guard Themselves.
… reports to Medical Health Officer A. G. Price show a distinct increase in the Spanish influenza epidemic in Victoria … yesterday 104 new cases …
“I am not surprised,” said Dr. Price. “The crowds are to blame; the general progress from day to day shows that. If the people will only realize that the instructions we have given are for their own good, and not simply idle words meant to be disobeyed, we will have the epidemic mastered completely in a few days and it will be possible to lift the ban on meetings, theatres and churches—but not till then.”
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Armistice celebration in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, November 11, 1918 (detail). Photographer J. Howard A. Chapman. BC Archives Call No. F-05828, Catalogue No. HP094250. Courtesy Royal British Columbia Museum Corporation.
Seattle and Vancouver have withdrawn the embargo on public assembly. A strong movement is said to be starting among representatives of the business men and clergy to have the ban revoked in Victoria. …
In response to Dr. Price’s appeal through The Colonist yesterday two men have applied for service in the hospitals as orderlies. Dr. Price says they are just the type of men required, and there is a need for still more of them.
Colonist, November 13, 1918, p. 7
<Free Time with the Flu: Worship and Leisure During the Outbreak How Victoria fared>