1945
J. Parr Godfrey, Publisher
Jan. 11 A fire started Monday night in the Palace Theatre destroying the theater building and two adjacent structures, the M. H. Dimitch grocery and L. J. Litchy machine shop, in what proved to be Royalton’s worst fire. Losses were near the $50,000 mark.
Jan. 18 The Civic Club held a meeting in which 92 of its 105 members were present and with the school boards approval movies will be shown in the schools gymnasium on Saturday nights until a new building can be built.
Feb. 8 The street lights are now attached to poles by new brackets and reflectors; they no longer hang from the middle of the thoroughfare, polls are fastened at the corners.
Mar. 29 Change of prices starting Monday, Haircuts on Saturday 50 cents, other days 25 cents the Meller Barber Shop, Royalton
Apr. 12 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dies less then 4 months into his fourth term as President of the Untied States. Jan. 30, 1882- April 12, 1945.
Apr. 26 Word was received of the death of Pvt. Joseph John Miadle on March 25 in Germany.
Apr. 26 Spring Supper at the Methodist Church on Tuesday May 1. Serving starts at 5 p.m. Prices 50 and 25 cents.
May 10 V-E Day Tuesday May 8th went on as usual in Royalton. We had no celebrations; no businesses closed and school went on schedule. Royalton folks were philosophic about it. They rejoice that the war in Europe was over; that the long awaited “V-E” (Victory in Europe) day had finally arrived; but they could see nothing to celebrate as long as so many of our boys are still fighting in the Pacific.
May 10 In a special election 145 to 5 voted in favor of a $15,000 Bond for a new village hall to be built after the old one burnt down in January.
May 31 19 seniors graduated clad in cap and gowns, white for the girls and blue for the boys. The received their diplomas from President of the PTA E.L. Stodolka.
Movies were discontinued at the high school for late of attendance. The Civic Club will show free movies out side in the open lot between the bank and the former Palace Theater.
June 28 J.A. Grell has rented the corner location in the Graham building from Dr. E. H. McGonagle and will move his log bar from the DeZurik’s building. The Graham building location was occupied by Pat’s Café which closed last week.
June 28 Lt. Ted Gilmer, B-29 pilot, was killed in the Pacific on June 30.
June 28 Confirmation in the death of T/4 John E. Motzko who was listed as missing in action since December 20, 1944.
July 5 Mrs. S. C. Lodermeir was appointed the position of third and fourth grade teacher for the coming year.
Aug. 9 The State Highway Department came before the City Council and showed post war plans to widen Hwy 10 from 18 to 24 feet and from the Graham building to Shady Oaks the state would widen the road by a street width.
Aug 16 Aug 14 JAPAN’S SURRENDER ENDING WORLD WAR II. At 6 p.m. Tuesday night August 14th radios blared the glad news—Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. The Holy Trinity Church bells rang out shortly after the news was spread. Then the old bell on the water tower rang for the first time in years only to be drowned out by the shrill, persistent wail of the siren.
Aug. 16 The POW WOW had 5,000 to 6,000 persons in attendance last Sunday. Cars were parked on both sides of the road for a mile. All concession stands were sold out.
Aug. 23 Lawrence Billig’s service station was broken into sometime Tuesday night and one tire taken. Damage was done to the back door.
Aug. 23 An addition, 13x20 feet, is under construction at the Royalton Elevator and Farm Supply Co. The new building is south of the office and will be used for storage of flour and seed.
Sept. 6 Pvt. Donald Starr drowned while swimming at Camp Wolter’s, Texas.
Sept. 13 It was a big thrill for the J.J. Carnes family last Friday when Col. Carnes called them by trans-Atlantic telephone and to talk to them with no more difficulties then would attend any long distance call. Col. Carnes is stationed in Rome, Italy and it took two weeks for a trans-Atlantic call to be placed.
Nov. 1 Vandalism reached a new high on Halloween Wednesday night when a false fire alarm was turned in at the train depot by pranksters. A number of shocks of corn were stolen, farm implements gathered from wherever they could be found, where parked indiscriminately on the school grounds. Air was let out of tires of church goers at Holy Trinity Church. Nearly every small out building and shed was upset.
Nov. 8 The I.W. Bouck block has been purchased by A.W. Schwartz, Dr. A.M. Watson and Dr. E.H. McGonagle, all whom occupy space in the building.
Dec. 6 Mrs.C.E. (Helen) Bennewitz became the first woman ever elected to municipal office in Royalton when she defeated two men. Mrs. Bennewitz was elected to a three year term and won on a sticker and write-in campaign. Dr. Watson won a land slide for a two year term as Mayor.
Dec. 13 More then 200 cold storage lockers are being installed in the back of R.E. McGonagle’s store. They should be ready for use in early 1946.
NOTE: After the war ends on Aug. 14th there are long lists of men coming home and stories of where they have been and what they have seen. There are also long lists of men who still are being drafted. Some men who were stationed in Okinawa will be slow in coming home as that area was hit by two typhoons close together and many ships were damaged and men killed. The whole area saw mass destruction. Slowly rationing is lifted you can buy gas and tires, something that has been hard to come by. All foods are again available and the ads in the paper show appliances and furniture, something that was shown little in the “war years”.