Halloween
FIRST MENTION OF HALLOWEEN IN ILLINOIS NEWSPAPERS
Source: Sangamo Journal, December 06, 1834
We were reminded on Friday evening last, by the repeated thumpings
at our door, of something certainly harder than cabbage heads, of
the return of the anniversary of All Saints Eve. In the Church of
rome, particular days are set apart for prayers and ceremonies in
commemoration of the different Saints, and in particular for
celebrating the virtues of All the Saints – the ceremonies of which
commence on the evening previous, and is known as “All Saints Eve,”
“All Hallow-e’n,” or “Holy Eve.” In former times, and still by the
Church of Rome, these ceremonies were regarded with much importance,
and observed with strict religious devotion. Among the younger
portion of both sexes, the festivities of Hallow-een were
particularly interesting, and regarded with various superstitious
notions touching their future prospects and destinies in the
Hymenial house. Burns says Halloween is thought to be a night when
witches, devils, and other mischief-making beings are all abroad on
their baneful midnight errands; particularly those serial people,
the fairies, are said, on that night, to hold a grand anniversary.
And to this perhaps may be traced the present custom in vogue
amongst the mischief-loving gentry, of running away with other
peoples’ (cabbage) heads pumpkins, turnips, etc. These festivities,
however, appear to have changed considerably. In Scotland and
elsewhere, it was customary in former times for the young women to
go blindfolded into the garden and pull the first cabbage they came
to – the size and shape of which indicated the figure and character
of their future husbands. Nuts were put in the fire side by side. If
they burned together and blazed in unison, it was considered a sure
criterion that the lovers for whom they were previously named would
prove faithful, be married and live happy. If the nuts cracked and
flew, the lovers were fickle, and indicated no marriage, or a very
unhappy one. These and various other observances heightened the
festivities of former times.
HALLOWEEN TALES
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 04, 1875
Re-Printed from the Inter-Ocean, October 30, 1735
This Monday evening the whirligig of time brings one of those
time-honored festivals which our Scottish forefathers delighted to
honor, and which the old and young ones of the present generation
still cherish as the special night throughout the year. When fairies
light on Cassilis Downans and dance Or owre the lays, in splendid
blaze On sprightly coursers prance.
The night is devoted to fortune-telling, nut burning, love tests,
and "touz'ling." Hallowe'en, or All Hallow's Eve, is regarded in
Scotland as the night when witches, devils, and other
mischief-making beings are all abroad on their baneful midnight
errands, particularly those aerial people, the fairies. Taking its
origin from the religious festival of All Saint's Day among the
Presbyterians of Scotland, Hallowe'en came to be recognized as a
night to be devoted to fun and jollity. It is the last night of
October, the closing of the summer and the autumn; and, standing
upon the threshold of winter, warm-hearted lads and lassies were
wont to gather round the ingle nook, To burn their nits an pou'
their stocks, And haud their Hallowe'en.
The first ceremony of Hallowe'en, according to ancient custom, was
the pulling of a stock, or plant of kail. Two lassies went out, hand
in hand, with eyes shut, and pulled the first they met with; its
being big or little, straight or crooked, being prophetic of the
size and shape of their future husband. Should any earth stick to
the root, that was fortune, and the taste of the costec - the heart
of the stem - indicative of natural disposition. The stems or rants
were placed above the head of the door, and the Christian names of
the people whom chance brought into the house supposed to be the
names in question. The lassies then went to the barnyard and pulled
each, at three several times, a stalk of oats. If the third stalk
wanted a ton-pickle, the chances were that the young lady might
become a matron ere the marriage ring had touched her finger.
Burning nuts is another famous charm. As the nuts which are named
for some particular pair of sweethearts burn quietly together, or
start up the "lum," so will the fortunes of the lovers be.
Another method of showing one's fate is to take a candle and go
alone to a looking-glass, cut an apple before it, and comb the hair;
the face of the coming man will show itself in the glass. Sowing
hemp seed is still another old-fashioned mode of "looking back into
futurity."
It was also the custom in Burns' time to go to a south running
stream where three lairds' lauds met, and dip the left shirt sleeve.
The lad was then required to go to bed in sight of a fire, and hang
his wet sleeve up to dry. Sometime near midnight, an apparition of
the desired object would come and turn the sleeve, as if to dry the
other side.
Then there was the dish-test, clean water in one, foul in another,
and the third empty. The person being blindfolded was led to the
dishes; if he or she touched the clean water, a maid or bachelor
would be the favored fate; if the foul, a widow or widower; if the
empty dish was touched there would be no marriage at all.
Such are a few of the old customs which gave its humor to Burns'
famous poem. While people have become too sensible in these
practical days to believe in omens and "ghosts," there was just as
much sense in the old love-tests of Hallowe'en as in the modern
devotion to Spiritualism, for while the former caused the lassies'
hearts to thump, the latter turns their heads. The night is observed
this year upon Monday, owing to the last day of October falling upon
a Sunday. While in the cities the old folks are not perhaps so much
inclined to encourage "such foolishness," away in many a comfortable
farm-steading the lads and lassies will gather as did their
forebears across the sea around the kindly fireside, and while the
rafters re-echo with their loud, infectious laughter, the minds of
the auld anes [ones] will wander back to the days of langsyne, when
they too burned their nuts and pulled their stocks and held their
Hallowe'en.
[Reference to Robert Burns poem, "Halloween."]
ALL HALLOWS EVE – 1887
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, October 31, 1887
Tonight is All Hallow’s Eve because it precedes All Saints Day,
November 01. It is observed by the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, and
Lutheran Churches as a festival, in honor of all the Saints. In an
ancient Roman calendar, it is called “The feast of old fools,” and
is the occasion of many foolish customs, charms, spells, and
incantations. It is supposed by many that supernatural influences
prevail on this occasion, and that by various procedures,
apparitions and wraiths can be called up, lovers can ascertain who
their intended is by ocular demonstration, that is, by seeing the
“shadow of a
shade.”
In calling up the apparitions, nuts are cracked, salt and apples are
eaten, cakes are baked, a looking glass is peered into. Those who
use these means frequently depend on dreams as the means of
revelation. It is a great night for love-sick maidens and smitten
youths, the most of whom have a sufficient amount of superstition to
induce them to try for a vision of the future husband or wife. As
these customs have nothing connected with them of a religious
nature, it is supposed that they are of pagan origin. To ascertain
as to the faithfulness of a love, a nut is put on a grate over a
fire. If the nut cracks or jumps, the lover is unfaithful. If it
burns steadily, he is true. A great many young persons who have no
faith in the signs and omens of All Hallow Eve, try some of the
processes in vogue with the idea that they may see or hear something
out of the usual line of events.
Another familiar custom is for a young girl to take the skin of an
apple which she has pared, and after swinging it three times around
her head, to throw it upon the ground, where it is alleged it will
present the semblance of the first letter of her future husband’s
name. In the North of England, while this divination is being
performed, it is customary to repeat the following lines: “I pare
this pippin round and round again, My sweetheart’s name to flourish
on the plain; I fling the unbroken paring o’er my head, My
sweetheart’s letter on the ground is read.”
CELEBRATION OF HALLOWEEN
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 01, 1892
Halloween last night was universally celebrated throughout the city.
Around
the
firesides of many households’ merry groups of children laughed and
popped chestnuts, while some of the bad boys promenaded the streets
visiting ruin on fences, sidewalks, and portable estate. With a
spirit of fun, they wreaked vengeance on the haters of boyish sport,
and many a property owner wondered to what unknown realm his gate,
sidewalk, fence, or wood pile had disappeared. One young gentleman
declares that the method of popping chestnuts to see which girl is
in love with you is a fake. He tried seven young ladies, all of whom
he thought were in love with him, and to his horror found that not
one cared for him. Bobbing for apples and contests of eating forty
yards of string with a raisin tied at the center were among the
games to which the most fun is attached. Old “lasses candy pulls”
did their share toward entertaining the young people and
disconcerting the older ones. All the while, the sly old moon took
notes and grinned with much satisfaction on the general proceedings.
Professor William McAdams’ home was the scene of pleasant Halloween
games, which was enjoyed by about 20 young people.
Miss Mable Rice entertained her friends last evening with an
old-time Halloween party. “Men and maidens” to the number of thirty
assembled at her home and enjoyed every game known to our ancestors.
A rollicking time was had, and a dainty supper served, after which
the fun was continued to a late hour, and some who were there are
laughing still.
Twenty young people met at the residence of C. A. Herb dressed in
fantastic costumes and masks. From there they proceeded to call on
their friends. Carriages, buggies, and surreys were called into
requisition to carry them around. They finally called at the
residence of Mr. G. W. Dudley in Upper Alton, where they enjoyed
good old-time Halloween games until long after the midnight chimes
had sounded.
Four young ladies dressed in Halloween white paraded their immediate
neighborhood last night, scaring the neighbors out of their wits. A
young man full of Halloween terribleness was visiting a neighbor’s
yard with dire intent. Around a corner the four maidens met the
young man, who gave a loud “ough-waw.” Four shrill screams, and the
visions disappeared. Then all was still.
HALLOWEEN DOINGS
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 02, 1893
Surely the bad boys celebrated Halloween in the most approved
fashion Tuesday night. That is approved them, but their pranks met
with the greatest disapproval from citizens. Like flocks of cherry
birds, they swept over the suburbs of the city and left a path of
destruction behind. Sidewalks were torn up, gates carried blocks
away, and fences mutilated. Their pranks were carried far beyond the
limit of fun, and had the police effectually stopped their deviltry,
it would have met with satisfaction from the residents of
Middletown.
In marked contrast with the bad boys’ method of celebrating
Halloween was the manner in which the evening was celebrated at the
homes throughout the city, where parties met and bobbed for apples,
popped chestnuts, and spent the evening in the most delightful
merrymaking.
Misses Blanch and Eva Walter entertained the C.O.D. Club. The
members of
the club met at their home attired in ghostly costumes, hair
streaming over white robes, and masks covering their faces
effectually. With a chaperone, the young ladies went to the homes of
schoolmates, scaring them out of their wits, and at each place they
were received cordially as soon as the occupants were quite sure no
ghostly apparitions or fairy spirits wished to gain admission. After
enjoying themselves in this manner, they returned to the home of the
Misses Walter, and ate an excellent luncheon. At a late hour, they
returned to their homes and in dreams they masqueraded as
hob-goblins and merrymakers.
A Halloween surprise at the home of Miss Ida Meyer on Ridge Street
was most cordially received by Miss Meyer. The surprisers proved to
be schoolmates, and the young people had no trouble in spending the
evening delightfully with Halloween customs. An elegant luncheon was
served before the homeward journey was commenced.
The ladies of the Episcopal Church gave a Halloween party last night
at the home of Captain Collins on Second Street [Broadway]. The
attendance was about fifty, mostly young people determined to have a
good celebration of the night of fairy doings. That they had the fun
goes without saying. The evening was most enjoyably spent in all
manner of Halloween amusements. The revenue secured will be added to
the church charity fund. The ladies of the church will give a dime
sociable each month hereafter for the above named fund.
The high school senior class was royally entertained last night by
Miss Emma Clement at her home on Grove Street. A candy pull was the
feature of the evening, besides the various forms of amusement,
which the night of spirits and fairies makes interesting. At a late
hour, the young people departed after a thorough good time.
The Middle class of the high school, to celebrate the occasion, met
last night at the home of Miss Edith Rue, and enjoyed themselves
immensely. Every old-time Halloween custom was tried, and the
refreshments added materially to make the evening most enjoyable.
At a late hour last night, about twenty boys tugging at the tongue
of a wagon could be seen silently working uphill and down. The wagon
was dragged a long distance from its proper place, and hauled into
the middle of a pond at the corner of Fourth and Cherry Streets. We
will give the owner the benefit of not being a profane man, but if
he don’t “cuss” when he pulls that wagon out of the mire, he is not
human.
The boys of Upper Alton were not behind in the matter of recklessly
destroying property. We have reports from there that indicate that
considerable property was more or less damaged. The foolish fellows
even undertook to play tricks on the electric light wires, a very
dangerous experiment.
CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN IN ALTON
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 01, 1894
Halloween celebration last night was general. Every part of town had
its crowd of "bad" boys that roamed about like cherry birds in May,
bent on destruction. The police raid of last year, in which about
twenty young men paid fines of $3 for dumping a wagon over a cliff,
was not forgotten, and to some extent dampened the ardor of the bad
boys. Gates, sidewalks, and tree boxes suffered. Long white-robed
objects flitted about Middletown, which it was found was nothing
worse than a dozen young ladies decked out in sheets.
At the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a Halloween social was made
exceedingly pleasant to the number who attended. A program of
literary and musical selections was rendered and proved highly
entertaining. Miss Sophia Wutzler and Master Oscar Tonsor received
much applause for their part in the literary.
Mr. Guy Huskinson was the recipient of a pleasant surprise from his
friends. They assembled at the home of his parents on Twelfth
Street, laden with lunch baskets and good intentions. That they had
a huge time all agree that Guy's Halloween was a highly enjoyable
one.
The Misses Walters invited their young lady friends to meet at their
home en masque, so that in paying visits to their Middletown friends
they might inspire awe. This they successfully accomplished. The
guests came in long white robes and carried plates of alcohol-salt
fire to look as much like witches as possible. They could only
succeed in looking bewitching. After parading through Middletown and
scaring the numerous people, they assembled at the home of the
Misses Walters, where Halloween refreshments were served.
CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 01, 1898
Halloween was well observed last night by the young people, with
parties and candy pulls. The boys were out too, and they observed
the occasion in their accustomed way, in evidence of which many a
gateless gateway and a state of general topsy-turvy of things
movable gave mute testimony. At the home of the Misses Walker on
Henry Street, there was a jolly gathering of young folks who had a
most delightful time with their young hostesses. All the
time-honored Halloween games were played, and with other amusements
the young people passed away the hours until after midnight. Miss
Mabel Neece was hostess of a party of young friends last evening at
her home, Sixth and Easton streets. Dancing was the amusement of the
evening. The party was a very pleasant one and all enjoyed the
evening with the charming young hostess. Over in the East End,
painters completed last night the painting of a house, putting on a
white coat. During the night the celebrators of Halloween got hold
of some red paint, and "painted the house red." This is malicious
mischief which gives an exceedingly bad name to Halloween pranks.
Miss Edna Schnell gave a euchre party last evening to a number of
guests. There were eight tables, Miss Emily Degrand and Mr. Leo
Sneeringer captured first prizes; Miss Schnell secured the lone
hand, and Miss Alice Cremens and Mr. Will Dailey the consolation
prizes. A social was given last evening at the Presbyterian church
by the C. E. Society. Many of the young ladies were dressed in
quaint costumes presenting an attractive appearance. Beside
amusements of various kinds, a "candy pull" was indulged in, all
making a very enjoyable evening.
HALLOWEEN IN ALTON
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 01, 1899
The nervous old citizen says last night was the worst Halloween
known since his memory began, and that the boys exhibited shocking
depravity of an aggravated variety in the extent of the destruction
of property. The boys say they never had so much fun in all their
lives, and Halloween was never so fittingly celebrated as they did
it last night. The whole city was in an
uproar. Every boy not afraid to go out in the dark was out after
supper, and in the shades of the early evening ripped off gates that
could not be lifted off, carried off whole sections of fences and
sidewalks, and kept up a merry war on his crusty old neighbors who
have always disapproved of such an exhibition of innate depravity,
as they call it. Large bands of boys paraded the streets carrying
off everything portable and loosening everything fastened.
Many parties were given last evening to celebrate the day, and all
the customary incantations of burning nuts, looking glasses, apple
bobbing, etc., were invoked by the revelers to reveal the future.
Mr. H. A. Wutzler was treated to a jolly surprise last evening by a
party of about fifteen couples of his friends, who called to
celebrate his birthday with him. The surprizers took refreshments
with them, and enjoyed a very pleasant evening.
Miss Viola Erbeck entertained a party of friends at her home on
Bluff Street with a Halloween party to honor her guest, Miss Battles
of St. Louis. In the cellar the guests had much amusement with
traditional tricks and games, and the evening was one that everyone
enjoyed.
Miss Pearl Holl celebrated her fifteenth anniversary with a party at
her home on Fourth Street. Bean bag throwing was the principal
amusement, and the prizes offered were taken by Miss Florence
Lawler, first; Miss Barbara Biser, second; Miss Sophia Wutzler,
consolation.
HALLOWEEN IN UPPER ALTON
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 01, 1899
Ghosts and witches galore thronged Upper Alton last night. The young
men of the Sigma Phi Society found the girls at the residence of Mr.
and Mrs. H. C. First, and a very merry time was had. The young
ladies, some of them, were surprised and amused when they found they
had been showing undue respect to one of the college professors in
women’s attire. Apples, pumpkin pies, nuts, and oranges were served.
The young ladies at Martha Wood cottage entertained their friends
delightfully. One amusing feature was the young men, who arrived at
intervals of four minutes, were received at the door by a ghost who
kissed each and all of them. The ghost turned out to be a handsome
blonde young man, and a resident of Alton. That was a
disappointment, of course. Pumpkin faces were the decoration. Oyster
soup and pickles were served.
The Western Military Academy celebrated Halloween by rope climbing,
doughnut dangle, cracker race, cock fight, etc. Prizes were given to
the winners. Light refreshments were served. The teachers at the
academy have become so enthusiastic over football, that three of the
teachers – Major Drury, Captain Vandervourt, and Captain Pinar –
have gone into the first. The fourth team has been organized, and is
waiting for a challenge from Alton or Upper Alton. Saturday the
first team will play Manual Training School at St. Louis. The second
team will play at Hillsboro.
MURDER MOST FOUL! HALLOWEEN PRANK IN ALTON
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 01, 1901
Early risers this morning in the vicinity of Sixth and Ridge Streets
were horrified to see the form of a man lying on the sidewalk in a
big pool of blood, and to see also a stream of carmine [red color]
extending from the body along the sidewalk down to and into the
gutter. A foul murder had been committed. There was no doubt of
that, and some of the bravest ones made a sneak for the nearest
telephone to call up the police. Then it was discovered that the
"dead man" was a fake - a well stuffed dummy, and that the blood was
red paint. "Red paint" of other varieties is not an entire stranger
to Ridge street people, and their nerves speedily settled
themselves, while their owners remembered that last night was
Halloween.
HALLOWEEN PRANKS WENT ON WITH A VENGEANCE IN UPPER ALTON
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 01, 1901
Halloween pranks went on with a vengeance in Pie Town [Upper Alton]
last night. Street crossings suffered the usual up-turnings, and all
loose boards, in fact most everything which could be moved, found
itself in a new location this morning. Mr. William Schroer, janitor
of the public school, stayed in the school building to look after
things. A party of boys visited him and found trouble. One of them,
Charles Kortkamp, struck Mr. Schroer on the side of the head with a
sling shot. This morning Mr. Schroer swore out a warrant before
Justice I. H. Streeper for the arrest of young Kortkamp, charging
him with assault and battery. The arrest followed this afternoon.
The college dormitory and recitation rooms were not neglected. All
the chairs were taken from the recitation rooms and placed on the
flat roof of the library building. The dormitory halls were
barricaded so securely that it made breakfast late. At 10 o'clock
pupils were still standing in the recitation rooms. These things are
certainly very, very funny, and those who indulged in such fun must
be enjoying themselves very much today.
ALTON'S FIRST HALLOWEEN PARADE
Street Filled With Masked Crowds in Celebration of East Broadway
Paving Work
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 01, 1916
Five thousand people thronged East Broadway from Henry to Cherry
Street Tuesday evening [Halloween] to attend the celebration given
by the East End Improvement Association in honor of the completion
of the East
Broadway paving improvement. The celebration was one of the most
successful ever attempted in the city. Shortly after 6 o'clock last
evening, the street began to fill with people. As the result of the
orders given by the police, all traffic except the street cars was
sent over Third Street. This gave the street, as well as the
sidewalk, to the crowds present. By 7:30 the street was alive with a
surging mass of humanity moving in every direction, but good natured
and out for a good time. Horns, bells, and other noise-making
instruments added to the din. Hundreds appeared on the streets
masked and paraded up and down the street before the arrival of the
band. While autos were barred from the street, several hundred
machines were lined along the side streets and were filled with
spectators.
EAST END HAS HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION
Big Crowd Frolics On the Streets and Enjoy Evening in Masque
Costumes
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 01, 1917
It is estimated that 2,000 hobgoblins, devils, witches, wizards and
just ordinary mortals participated in the Halloween parade and
festivities given last evening by the East End Improvement
Association. The parade was headed by the White Hussar Band, and
formed at Third and Broadway. The members of the Doby Club and the
Doby Band followed the Hussars, and then came the members of the
Improvement Association. After that, citizens from all parts of town
joined in. Most of the people were masked, and all were armed with
megaphones, tin horns or other noise makers, and the revelry was
fast and furious from 7:30 o'clock until 9, when the parade was
disbanded at Turner Hall. The dance at Turner Hall was attended by
so many people that the building was jammed until a late hour, and
the association must have cleaned up a nice sum of money from this
feature alone. A prominent professional man who has seen both, told
a Telegraph reporter this morning that the doings last night "did
not quite come up to or with the New Orleans Mardi Gras festivities,
but did not lack much of being just as good."
HALLOWEEN PARADE IN ALTON – 96 YEARS AGO
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 01, 1919
Several hundred people last night forgot that the nation was on the
verge of a great coal strike, forgot the unsettled conditions
throughout the country, and forgot to worry about the ever-mounting
high cost of living, to dress up in outlandish costumes and
participate in the East End Improvement Association's Halloween
celebration. Hundreds of others lined the streets to watch the
antics of the maskers. Long before the time for the parade, East
Broadway from Ridge street west was crowded with people. It looked
like circus day. The parade formed at 7:30 and came west to the city
hall, where the band played and then returned to the east end on
Broadway. At every corner the band stopped and played. So great was
the crowd following the music that all traffic was stopped when the
band stopped to play.
The parade was led by a tall man who carried a baton and led the
band. With him was a man dressed as Uncle Sam. Then followed the
band. Every member of the band was costumed. Almost every kind of
costume, from that of a farmer to that of a beautiful young lady,
was seen in the band. Frank Schenk, the clarinet player, easily
captured first place. He wore women's clothes, being garbed in a
dark suit and small hat. His face was nicely rouged, and were it not
for his masculine walk he easily could have passed for a member of
the fair sex. Behind the band was a singing, cheering, howling mass
of people. Young and old alike followed the band just as in the
"good old days." Every kind of costume the human mind could devise
was seen in that crowd of people.
Following the parade, the maskers went to Turner Hall where there
was a dance. More than 800 people paid admission to the dance. The
dancing floor was a moving mass of people. Joy reigned supreme in
that crowd, and the carnival spirit prevailed. Many people have
contrasted last night with the Halloween of a year ago. It is
estimated that several thousand people participated in the East End
festival, either by masking or standing on the sidewalks cheering.
There were dances in many sections of the city, and there were
countless gatherings in homes, to say nothing of the hundreds of
people who came down town to "look on."
A year ago, this city, like the rest of the nation, was sad. It was
at this time in 1918 [World War I] that the news of Alton boys
killed in battle began to be received here. It was at this time that
the allied armies were accomplishing the impossible, pushing back
the troops of the central powers. The nation then awaited
breathlessly for news of the supreme struggle in France, and many
mourned the loss of loved ones, so that Halloween was a mere sham.
But last night the people forgot everything save the desire to be
free and happy. The shouting, cheering and laughter showed just how
much fun a relaxed people can have.