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23 Oo War’s End and the End of an Era The Allied armies continued their thrust in both theaters of war. The world knew the end was coming when Benito Mussolini was shot on April 28, 1945, and Adolph Hitler committed suicide just two days later. By May 7, Germany had surrendered unconditionally. On August 6, Paul W. Tibbets Jr., flew the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, stunning the world. Still Japan did not bow to Allied might. Three days later, on August 9, 1945, a second atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. Six days later Japan signaled surrender , signing the official unconditional surrender papers on September 2. Stunned by the unleashed fury of the atom, the Baruchs had no way of knowing that Bernard Baruch would play a major role in determining the future of atomic weapons control. Belle was in New York when word of peace came and joined the cheering throng in the streets as horns honked, whistles blew, and Americans celebrated victory. Belle had experienced her own small war at Bellefield over the past few months and was feeling dissatisfied and guilty about the outcome. Dickie’s resentment of Lois Massey had grown to unmanageable proportions by the spring of 1945. She considered Lois to be an uneducated, southern hillbilly and hated the ease with which Lois responded to the many dignitaries who visited Hobcaw. Lois, she felt, was nothing more than a servant and had no right to presume to extend the hospitality of the barony to anyone, let alone the president of the United States. Yet Lois Massey had welcomed guests to Hobcaw Barony for over twenty-five years, often representing the Baruchs in their absence. She was loved and respected for her unassuming charm and War’s End and the End of an Era 143 concern for the comfort of Hobcaw guests. It was the obvious affection Lois garnered so easily that galled Dickie most. Dickie stepped up the campaign to get rid of Lois Massey. More often than not, Lois stayed at Bellefield day and night when Belle was in residence. Belle liked to have her available to ensure that the household ran smoothly, to act as liaison with the many Hobcaw workers who had known and respected Lois and her uncle, Jim Powell, for decades. She was treated as a friend as well as employee, joining the family and guests at cocktails and meals, often accompanying them on shopping trips and outings. Usually it was Lois who coordinated schedules and transportation, often escorting guests on sightseeing and shopping tours in lieu of Belle, who had little liking for such ventures. Lois admittedly resented Dickie as well. When Barbara Donohoe left, Belle relied heavily on Lois for both assistance and companionship. Lois had enjoyed their close friendship and resented Dickie’s barbed reminders that she was, after all, nothing more than an employee who did not know her proper place. One night, according to Lois Massey, everyone had gathered in the sunroom around the French bar. Dickie was pouring the drinks and, so Lois believed, slipped something into Lois’s cocktail. “Everything became distorted,” Lois recalled. “I didn’t know what was happening . I just knew I had to get out of there.” At two o’clock in the morning, Lois got in her car and somehow managed the drive up the dirt road to her mother’s home at Pawleys Island. “What in the world’s happened to you?” her mother exclaimed when Lois staggered into the house. “I don’t know,” she said, “but I’m going to find out.” The next morning, Lois returned to Hobcaw and went looking for Dickie. She found her in the pantry, mixing an early-morning drink. Dickie’s cocktail hour had been starting earlier and earlier, commencing with breakfast. In a rare loss of temper, Lois grabbed the lapels of Dickie’s robe and slammed her against the sink. “You dirty son-of-a-bitch,” she said, “I want to tell you something. If you ever put anything in my drink again, I’m going to beat the hell out of you, and I mean it!” Dickie opened her mouth to deny Lois’s allegations, but Lois shook her violently and said, “Now don’t say you didn’t do it, because I know you did!” Lois was as tall and strong as Dickie and in much better...

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