Public CurfewThe following appeared in the Rock County Star-Herald on March 2, 1945:Police Chief Reports Public Observes CurfewThe "midnight curfew," in effect here for the past three weeks, is being observed "to the letter," according to Chief of Police Paulsen. "I haven’t heard a single complaint," Paulsen stated this week. "I do know that all places in town affected by the order to close at midnight are asking their patrons to leave so that their places are empty and their doors locked by 12 o’clock."All meeting of organizations and other gatherings are observing the rule, too.He went on to say that when the midnight hour comes, the streets are usually pretty well crowded, especially on Saturday and Sunday nights, but most of these persons get into their cars and the streets are clear in a matter of minutes.Duba’s café, the only eating place in the city which remained open 24 hours a day before the curfew, is the only place in town where food can be served after midnight. Chief Paulsen said that "those who haven’t had anything to eat and are hungry usually flock to Duba’s, and for an hour or hour and a half, it’s pretty crowded around there. I assign one police officer for duty there during the rush, and as yet, we have not run into any trouble."The curfew was ordered by War Mobilization director Byrnes on a nation wide scale to conserve electrical energy and to get more men into essential industry. Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent o mannmade@iw.net.
