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The Teton Range from the Idaho side
Upper Snake Sentinel
Serving the Upper Snake River Valley: Bonneville, Jefferson, Madison and Fremont counties, IdahoVol. 1, No. 7
This day in history

1918: Rexburg greets the armistice with horns, a bonfire and a mock hearse for the Kaiser

This day in history desk
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026In the Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 edition
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REXBURG — On Thursday, Nov. 14, 1918, The Rexburg Standard, the official paper of Madison County, led its front page with its account of the town's armistice celebration three days earlier.

The paper said the celebration opened early on Monday morning, Nov. 11, with cheering, auto horns and noise from the city and several factories. A huge bonfire was built on the public square. Cars dragged long strings of tinware. A local firm paraded a quickly made hearse bearing a casket for "the last ride of Kaiser Bill." The band played until only two members had enough strength left to carry on, the Standard reported.

Businesses closed for most of the day. The only mishap noted was an electric cable near the Standard office cut by a bullet and quickly repaired. The paper added that the influenza epidemic kept many from joining in, but that many homes flew the flag.

Source: The Rexburg Standard (Rexburg, Idaho), Nov. 14, 1918, page 1, via the BYU-Idaho Rexburg Newspapers collection: contentdm.lib.byu.edu.

Drafted by AI from the linked public source. Approved by a Daily News Editor.

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