Two Halloween stories

Halloween is almost here!

Here are two stories from The Oklahoman just 10 years apart that show how the celebration of Halloween has changed. You’ll notice neither one mentions candy.

From Nov. 12, 1912:

97 POLICE CALLS FOR HALLOWE’EN

Old Pa Oklahoma City, robbed of half his fences and gate posts, disgruntled after a sleepless night and by no means pleased with the prospect of undergoing a thorough cleaning, is feeling the morning after effects of Hallowe’en today. The youngsters demonstrated to the satisfaction of everyone, including the police, that though Hallowe’en may gradually be losing it significance, the years detract nothing from its violence.

Of the  ninety-seven calls answered by the police between 6 o’clock and midnight, more than half were for vandals attempting to destroy property. A few rowdy gangs were broken up by the police. Masqueraders and boys enjoying innocent fun were not molested.

 

This one is from Nov 1, 1922. Notice the difference in the pranks and the nostalgic comment at the end.

RAIN FAILS TO HALT HALLOWE’EN PRANKS

Auto Placed on Front Porch; Tracks Greased

Not even the steady downpour of rain could keep Oklahoma City boys at home in bed Tuesday night. Some of them wandered up and down Broadway marking up windows with shaving soap. On one prominent drug store they placed the label “soup house.” On the window of an art shop they wrote “see the wild women.” The picture in question was an interpretation of spring by two women dancers.

Out in Capitol Hill they greased the streetcar tracks, to the consternation of motormen. On East Eleventh street they placed sewer pipe crossways of the street, nearly causing serveral automobile accidents.

Chicken houses were turned over and some were placed in the middle of Classen boulevard, near Seventeenth street. An electric automobile was placed on the porch of a house in the 1770 block on West Eleventh. Its owner has not yet been found.

Several boys were brought to the police station but were turned loose and warned to have a good time but not to destroy any property.

“Gosh! I’ll be glad when this night is over , ” said one of the policemen.

The full shift of police was on duty, and extras had been engaged for the night, police officials said.

No wanton destruction of property was reported. although pranks were many and varied. Citizens who had not made fast porch chairs, swings, rockers, cans, flower pots, or anything else movable, will wake up Wednesday morning to find things topsy turvy.

“Nothing like old times,” was the comment of the older generation Tuesday night.

Watch out for the ghosties and goblins, and have a safe and Happy Halloween.

mphillips@opubco.com

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