Easter
GRAND EASTER BALL
Edwardsville
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, March 06, 1889
Camp Bernius No. 178, Sons of Veterans, have arranged to give a
grand Easter ball at the St. James Opera House, Monday evening,
April 22. Brendle’s orchestra of ten pieces has been engaged for the
occasion. Tickets will sell for $1. Supper, which will be served at
the St. James, will be extra. The following committee has the affair
in charge, and will spare no pains to make the ball of success:
Captain E. I. Prickett, John Schumacher, James Waters, H. A. Durer,
Jule Vandenbroeck, and Elwood Jones.
EASTER PARTY AT OPERA HOUSE
Edwardsville
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, April 19, 1895
The Easter party at the Opera House, Tuesday evening, was a marked
success socially, although the attendance was not as large as was
hoped. The arrangements had been made on an elaborate scale, and the
hall never presented a prettier ballroom scene. The stage was banked
with flowers and evergreens, Easter decorations predominating. The
lights were shaded with colored paper, which gave a soft, mellow
effect. An excellent program of music was rendered by Schwarz’s
orchestra. Professor J. Well of St. Louis again did the calling. A
splendid supper was served in the dining room of the St. James. It
was nearly four o’clock when the last of the merry party wended
homeward. Among those present were: Miss Louise Marlow of Quincy;
Misses Eloise Brown, Hattie Morehead, and M. Thompson of St. Louis;
Miss Annie Smith of auburn, Kentucky; Miss Maude Burden of
Lexington, Missouri; E. J. Rivard of Decatur; Charles Ward of East
St. Louis; W. A. Yule, J. H. Shield, and Ed Morriss of St. Louis.
FIRST MUNICIPAL EASTER EGG HUNT
Rock Spring Park, Upper Alton
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 02, 1915
Alton’s first municipal Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Rock Spring
Park tomorrow morning. It is being promoted by J. G. Shepler, the
candy man. Mr. Shepler had made arrangements to hide three thousand
eggs in Rock Spring Park tomorrow morning. Some of the eggs will be
marked, and special prizes will be given to the persons finding
these eggs. Mr. Shepler has invited all the children of the city of
Alton to join with him in the hunt for eggs.
EASTER EGG HUNT
Rock Spring Park
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 03, 1915
Fifteen hundred children were on hand this morning to take part in
the municipal egg hunt at Rock Spring Park. The ages of the children
varied from four to sixteen years of age, and more little girls took
part in the hunt than boys. I.D.S. Shepler, who was promoter of the
Easter egg hunt, was more than pleased with the results obtained. He
said that sight of the little ones hunting the eggs more than repaid
him for the expense and trouble of promoting the hunt. Everything
went off smoothly, and there was not a fight over a nest.
Over four thousand candy eggs were given away all together, and
besides this, there were fifteen premium eggs, and a large number of
artificial birds hung in the trees. Most of these were found, but
Mr. Shepler said that he believes a large number of the eggs would
never be found. He and his party went to the park at four this
morning, and hid the eggs. Hardly had they finished hiding them,
when the children began to appear. A watchman was stationed at each
gate to keep them out of the park until the time for the hunt. By
nine o’clock, it is estimated that fifteen hundred were waiting to
enter the park. Many of the children were accompanied by older
persons who were anxious to watch the fun. When the time for the
hunt started, the children were allowed to enter the park, and they
rushed hither and thither looking for the eggs. On account of the
large number of children who took part in the hunt, it soon became
evident that some of the children probably would not get any eggs.
To make certain that every child would get at least one candy egg,
Mr. Shepler returned and got another fifteen hundred eggs, which he
gave to the children who had not been fortunate enough to find a
nest.
EASTER EGG HUNT AT ROCK SPRING PARK
Upper Alton
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 06, 1916
I. D. Shepler, candy man, announced this morning that he would have
his annual Easter egg hunt for the kiddies of Alton on April 22, at
Rock Spring Park. This time he is planning to make the affair bigger
than it has been in the past. Over 10,000 candy Easter eggs will be
distributed over the park on the morning of April 22. The time for
opening the hunt and other details will be announced later. It will
probably start at 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning. The children from
all parts of the city will be invited to the park, and will gather
at the front entrance of the park to start the hunt. When the word
is given, the children will start on what promises to be the biggest
Easter egg hunt ever held in the city of Alton. Over one thousand
children attended the hunt last year, which was a big success. At
that time, three thousand eggs were hidden in the park and almost
every one was found by the children who took part in the hunt.
Distributing the eggs for the Municipal Easter egg hunt will be no
small matter. Mr. Shepler and a crew of men will go to the park
early in the morning, carrying the eggs in automobiles, and most of
them will be hidden before daylight. Mr. Shepler may find it
necessary this year to have some of the police of the city of Alton
aid him in conducting the hunt, so there will be no trouble with the
children. He is expecting over two thousand children from all parts
of the city to take part in the Municipal Easter egg hunt.
FIRST ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT
Collinsville
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, April 29, 1916
The first annual Easter egg hunt was given under the auspices of the
businessmen of Collinsville in Mauer Park in the West End Sunday
afternoon at 3 o'clock. The affair drew several hundred spectators,
all in Eastern toggery to the scene and at the stated hour all
children over thirteen years of age were turned in to hunt for the
eggs. There were about 93 marked eggs hidden and 155 prizes were
offered by the businessmen for their recovery. The prizes ranged
from a show ticket to several dollars, and included everything from
an ice coupon book to a pound of candy. Needless to say, the
youngsters had a fine time and brought all the eggs in, and the
grown folks too declare it was real pleasure to watch them.
EASTER EGG HUNT AT BIRTHDAY PARTY
Troy
Source: Troy Call, April 05, 1918
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hecht gave a delightful party at their country
home last Saturday evening to a number of young folks, in honor of
the birthday anniversary of Miss Frieda Sudhoff. One of the social
features was an Easter egg hunt, which began at 10 o'clock. The
guests were provided with lighted candles to make the search, and
prizes were awarded to Misses Oliver Norbury and May Niebruegge, and
Henry Kirchoff and August Niebruegge. Refreshments were also served,
and a most enjoyable time was had by all.
FIRST EASTER EGG HUNT
Edwardsville
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, April 18, 1930
An Easter egg hunt was held for the first time in the American
Legion Park in April 1930. A “golden egg” worth $2.50 was hidden, as
well as three “silver eggs” worth $1 each. Approximately 2,300 eggs
were hidden for the children.