Past Halloween shenanigans

Before I delve into the pranks and parties of Halloween’s past, or All Saints Day as it used to be known, I must do a “shout out” to the McCook/Red Willow County Visitors Bureau for their continued support of all things good going on in our wonderful SW Nebraska communities. Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society is a small, small organization that would never be able to bring the Expositions like we are having this weekend without their help. Thank you, thank you, thank you, not only for us, but for the many activities and organizations you help.

Now to Halloween going back first to 120 years ago from the McCook Tribune, Nov. 5, 1897: “A number of complaints have been filed of depredations by the youth of the city, last Saturday. It is a pity that All Saints Day cannot be celebrated without such wantonness.”

Nov. 4, 1898, McCook Tribune: “Halloween was not celebrated with so much abandon, this year. The boys have been carrying matters to excess and this year the police made and carried out plans to put a stop to such practices. Extra policemen were sworn in and the city was carefully patrolled until an early hour. The result is that the boys had to confine themselves to noise and innocent amusement, and that is all they ought to do at any time.” Well, maybe they missed a couple of things while patrolling because on page four there was this article: “The usual amount of business was transacted Halloween night. The city water works were drained to the last drop to satisfy the fancies of the mischievous spirits and numerous property transfers were recorded.”

Parties did abound during those days too and this from the McCook Tribune, Nov. 7, 1890, describes one: “ A gay company of young ladies and gentlemen participated in a sheet and pillow case party at the McEntee, last Friday evening, - Hallow E’ne. Dancing was the program of the evening. Refreshments were served. A delightsome time is reported.” (A sheet and pillow case party is exactly what it sounds like; dressing in ghostly costume and dance cards included the waltz, two-step, and caprice.)

Moving forward comes this party note from the front page of the McCook Tribune, Nov. 7, 1902: “One of the leading Halloween events was the party at the residence of H.P. Waite given by Edna Waite, Lillie Campbell and Emma Perry, last Friday evening to about 50 guests. As guests reached the portals, the doors opened by invisible means and the guests followed the string to the cloakroom. The porch and interior of the residence was lighted by candles in pumpkins and the electric lights were subdued with colored crepe paper. Apples and corn were strung in portiere effects. Louella Thompson and Clifford C. Brown played selections on the piano and a large music box completed the musical program. The dough-nut biting game was won by Rose Eibert with George Campbell a close second. There was also an interesting nut-guessing game. Partners for refreshments were chosen by duplicate cards. Apples, dough-nuts, pumpkin pie, grapes in cabbage-cases and salted peanuts in turnip-cases were served. Sup’t Thomas, Miss Gorby and Miss Smith of the high school were among the guests.” (Readers if you have never heard of grapes in cabbage-cases I found that the food does exist and you can actually buy a stuffed grape and cabbage rolling machine. I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that the turnip used was probably the turnip greens rolled around the peanuts.)

Saturday will be Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society's annual Genealogy Exposition, featuring a speaker on tracing adoptions in Nebraska and two speakers on charting DNA. Speakers begin at 9 a.m. and the cost is $25 Please plan on attending.