International Support for North Carolina Fallout Shelter Efforts

I have only begun to research the papers of North Carolina's governors regarding civil defense. In the civil defense papers of Governor Terry Sanford, I happened across a letter he received from Saarbrucken, West Germany. This letter, dated 31 October 1961, was from Johann Theiss, urged Sanford and the people of North Carolina to construct shelters. Theiss told Sanford

"In the near future there will be great disaster for mankind, especially destruction and also demanding many lives. I have seen the signs, which God sends to warn the people, in order to repent and to protect ourselves in time."

While Mr. Theiss may have indulged just a tad in nuclear holocaust prophecy, his letter was sent in the best of intentions, and Governor Sanford thanked him for concern "for the welfare of the people of our State."








Source: Folder titled "Civil Defense - General, A-Z," Governor Terry Sanford Papers, North Carolina Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina, Box 27.