The headlines nine months earlier, in 1944, did not make one feel optimistic that the war in Europe would end that soon.

Here we are 75 years after those terrible August 1944 headlines, so long ago. I was delivering 60 “war” copies of the Enterprise every single day as a newsboy: a route that covered Woodruff Street, Bloomingdale Avenue, Pine Street, Stevenson Lane and part of Forest Hill Avenue.

Now for some local news of 1944:

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Bobsled news

“Several local winning bobsledding teams may be broken up as the result of a new ruling adopted this week by the Saranac Lake Bobsled Club.

“Under the new rule, any bobsledder who raced last year who has failed to pay his summer assessment for maintenance of the bobsled shop here will be ineligible to slide under Red Devil colors next season until the assessment is paid.

“In urging delinquent members to pay the charges, Tuffield Latour, president of the local club, that the outfit’s racing strength may suffer if the delinquencies are allowed to continue.

“Other officers of the club are Andrew J. Fortune, treasurer and Frank J. Mahoney, secretary.

“Also an announcement was made that an electric-eye timing device may be installed at the Mt. Van Hoevenberg bobsled run this season under plans now being formulated by the Red Devils Club. It is understood that an anonymous avid bobsled enthusiast has offered to donate the funds for the project.”

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Art League ball huge success

“Alley Oop, the prehistoric edition of Superman; Ella Cinders, Esky the Esquire man and other cartoon characters took a brief vacation from their comic supplement and magazine cover backgrounds to dance at the Saranac Lake Art League’s annual costume ball at Durgan’s Grill last night.

“More than 200 persons enjoyed the artists’ program of dancing and entertainment.

“Costume prizes went to William G. Distin, Alice Kolb, Mott Chapin and Mrs. F. M. Fredericksen. William Steenken, Jr., was in charge of arrangements.”

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News from Paul Smiths

“Mr. and Mrs. Richard Patterson, who spent the past ten days vacationing in Springfield, Mass., have returned home.

“Miss Julia Tyler, student nurse at the Albany Memorial Hospital, returned to her duties on Sunday after spending the past three weeks at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Tyler.

“Lovell Newell, who is employed at Ilion, spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Newell, at their home here.

“Mr. and Mrs. James Titus, Jr., and daughter, Janet of Gabriels, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Claremont and family of Rainbow Lake were callers at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Titus, Sr., Sunday.

“Mr. and Mrs. Philip Beaney and sons of Gabriels were Friday evening callers at the home of his brother, Alfred Beaney and family.

“Leonard Otis and Hubert Brulliea, who are employed at Saranac Inn, spent the weekend at their home here.”

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The Enterprise, Aug. 1, 1944

“Cpl. Herman Fuller of Tupper Lake recently underwent a serious operation at the England General Hospital, Atlantic City, N.J., as a result of a leg injury sustained while serving with the Army in North Africa.

“Cpl. Fuller has been hospitalized since being wounded 16 months ago. He is the son of Mr. and Ms. Timothy Fuller of 5 Prospect Street who have received word of his progress.

“Nerves injured by machine gun bullet wounds in his left leg were spliced, the incision requiring 35 stitches to close.

“Cpl. Fuller enlisted in the Army on Jan. 1, 1940, and saw 13 moths service overseas, participating in four major battles before he was wounded at El Guettar, Tunisia, on March 31, 1943.”