Glimpses of the Past
October 31, 1884
Even the old-time festivities of Hallow E’en were overlooked last week, which is another proof of the potency of politics. Thank Heaven, we are once more freed from the cares and anxieties of that perplexing problem, politics.
October 31, 1890
Last Friday night was Halloween, and the “kids” in town indulged in a number of tricks, the worst of which was stringing wires across sidewalks. Rev. Briggs was tripped by one of these wires and severely injured. The boys should not engage in such dangerous and unlawful practices.
November 1, 1899
Wednesday morning, the day after Halloween, revealed many curious pranks of the preceding evening. Wagons were on the sidewalks and on the tops of buildings, somebody’s gate was ajar near the top of the liberty pole, and there was evidence of other mischief that was the result of efforts either of several big boys or a whole lot of small ones.
October 31, 1909
The usual display of farm machinery, vehicles and other movable property on Main Street Monday morning showed that the Hallowe’en goblins were out in force Sunday night.
October 31, 1921
York — Halloween passed over quietly, in the way of upsetting things, around here. Sure was a very sane Halloween.
October 31, 1930
Halloween night was observed at Whitehall without the destructive pranks that are sometimes carried out on this occasion. A few soaped windows were the only noticeable reminders of Halloween on Saturday morning.
October 30, 1937
Hallowe’en was observed by the youngsters of Whitehall on Saturday evening. In years gone by, boys often committed depredations, but youngsters of today are contented with harmless amusements and the pranksters confined their activities primarily to soaping windows and misplacing street signs. Oh yes, limberger cheese was used in liberal quantities on doorknobs in the business district.
October 31, 1945
Youngsters were out in large numbers last evening observing Hallowe’en, but apparently no particular damage was done.