Hallowe'en at Ypsilanti

Detroit Free Press, November 3, 1890

Halloween in the latter quarter of the 19th century and the first
quarter of the 20th century was more of a mischief-making opportunity
than a candy-gathering holiday. Boys and young men were prone to various
forms of vandalism and pranks.

A favorite past time in college
towns was painting the facade of homes and businesses, re-working the
painted signage, dislocating fence gates from their post and hanging
them elsewhere, upsetting horseblocks and the classic hanging of cabbage
heads. A practice which I may revitalize this year with the full
knowledge that I'd likely be charge with a hate crime of some sort. Eh,
stuff it, cabbage heads!

In
1890 Ypsilanti had its share of autumnal revelry. Dr. F. K. Rexford had
the front signage of his practiced changed to "Waiting and James"
(whatever that means!). While Dr. James Houston (or Heaston?) had "New
York" painted on his home front. Others suffering paint jobs were the
Ladies' Library, Commercial Office, H. Goodspeed's dwelling and several
others. Liberal rewards were offered for information on the perpetrators
of the graffiti.

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A Dudley Randall Poem in Milestone 2

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Frederick Soop: Not An Equal Opportunity Restraunteer

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The Nankin Township Historical Society

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