Disbelief, shock and utter grief and dismay spread over the City of Williamsport Friday afternoon when news of the President’s assassination came.

Persons gathered in small groups to hear the latest information on transistor radios. Quiet conversations began as persons tried to ease the initial shock. Traffic slackened.

Yesterday the city was not the same. A cloudy sky and steady downpour of rain matched gloomy spirits of residents mourning the death of a man they had come to love — President Kennedy.

About 4:30 p.m. yesterday a rainbow appeared in the skies above Williamsport. Perhaps it was a reminder that God was with us, and an omen that the future will not be as gloomy as the present.

For a short time after the news, the average man-in-the-street was unaware of what happened. Early Christmas shoppers discussed selection of gifts, whether or not to buy a necktie or gloves.

Then the news began to spread. Radios gave out the sad news in one store after another. Customers stopped talking — and listened.

In one department store, the manager shed tears as he heard the news.

Two nuns on a downtown street were advised what happened, and immediately scurried off, perhaps to offer prayers or to find someone to tell them that the news was not true.

Special services have been planned in the Williamsport area, many businesses and schools will be closed tomorrow on the day of the President’s funeral and burial.