Halloween Night

The Evening Post, Columbia City, Indiana ~ Saturday, November 1, 1919

Nearly a Thousand Were Masked And Young And Old Enjoyed The Frolic

Big Crowd At The Dance.

The Community Halloween held in this city Friday evening was a big affair and there were simply hundreds and hundreds of people masked. It seemed there were flocks of ghosts or colored folks and injuns and witches and old men and old women and gypsies and clowns and young men and young women and Uncle Sams and Gold Dust Twins and faries and just one Devil, and fat men and hobos and grown up Indians and musical groups and family groups and many in "miscellaneous" lines.

The bad, threatening weather forced a slight change in the program and instead of having the parading and judging done on the street it was done in the City Hall auditorium. The crowd was so dense there and the number of entries was so great that it was difficult to do the judging with any speed, but each group was called and the winner chosen from them.

Many people came in to see the show, so instead of confining it all to the City Hall, a parade was first staged around the public square. The band lead the procession through the street and back to the city hall. The various groups were assembled together as well as could be for the parade and it was quite a spectable to see them all.

It is estimated that five hundred masked individual were in the city hall, and nearly that number remaining out on the street. The masked individual had a big advantage in that he knew who you were while you were helplessly handicapped in knowing to whom you were talking. There were folks who "cut up" Friday evening who have always been as meek as Moses and their very antics mislead their best friends. Some did not even mask, representing some type of citizen, but there was no end of fantastic costumes. Wonderful originality was shown in many of the make-ups and there is no question but that the Community Halloween is a howling success. It will be bigger than ever next year.

The Prize Winners. The prizes were divided into two general classes, those under fourteen years and those over fourteen years.

The winners under fourteen who received $1 each were:
Ghost, Milrie Leaman.
Clown, Stephen Clark.
Indian, Michael Walker.
Gypsy, Catherine Stemen.
Negro, Robert Anderson.
Fairy, Bernice Quinn.
Uncle Sam, Stemen Foust.
Charlie Chaplin, Charles Mannen.
Santa Claus, Samuel Stump.
Gold Dust Twins, Pauline Magley and Louise Johnson. Prize 50¢ each.
Colonial Group, Frances Clark and Florence Waterfall. Prize 50¢ each.

Over Fourteen. One $1 cash prize.
Devil, Adelaid Trout.
Ghost, Mary Francis Raber.
Clown, William Oberkeiser.
Fat Man, Catherine Eyanson.
Gypsy, Edith Smith.
Witch, Dorothy Biggs.
Hobo, Mrs. William H. Crowell.
Negro, Nellie Souder.
Family group, Vern Diffendarfer and family (consisting of Mrs. Diffendarfer and son Carter and baby, Vern, Jr., Mrs. Schuyler Luckenbill, Miss Ruth Boyd, Mrs. Will Oberkeiser and Mrs. Ralph Grant). Prize $2.00
Musical group, Lois Heller and Walburga Eyanson. Prize $2.00

The Side Features.

The side features included the Hula Hula Dancer, the Chamber of Horrors, two Fortune Tellers and the refreshment boot. These were located about the City Hall. Bob McNagny was the caller for the Hula-Hula dancer and the crowds flocked in. A couple of "native Hawaiians" with masks over their faces, but with their hair hanging down their backs, were the "decoys" who stood beside Mr. Mac as he challenged all to enter and see the famous dancers in their native costumes. A capacity house was required before the famous dancers would come out, but no trouble was experienced in getting such a house. A victrola was started and out came a mammoth, not a Hula dancer. It was Edgar Lorber, dressed in the true Hawaiian garb and as the "uke" music rolled from the music box, Edgar danced like a fairy from the islands, while the crowd shrieked and applauded. It was indeed great.

The fortune tellers were at the northwest corner and they disclosed the future to many a young man and young woman. This work was done by the Misses Hilda Grund and Hildreth Sharp. Louis Daniel called the crowd that way.

The Chamber of Horrors was in the Council Chamber at the foot of the stairs leading from the main room. Milton Lorber stood at the bottom of the stairs, being the ballyhoo for this and few there were who had the strength of character to control their imagination sufficiently to return home without visiting this chamber of mysteries. Here Miss Margaret Baker was the snake charmer, a wax figure was reposing within a casket, with a piece of mosquito bar over it. Beatrice Binder was the hypnotized lady of mystery and Thelma Daniel was the bearded lady. Elizabeth Clugston and Jean Trembley were the Siamese Twins.

The entire arrangements were in the hands of the Children's Auxiliary of the Civic League, and Miss Frances McLallen was the chairman of the committee which had the affair in charge. It was a big undertaking, but admirably handled. A committee of ladies from the league served sandwiches and light refreshments and all of the proceeds from the side shows, etc., went to defray expenses and provide prize money.

Mayor John W. Baker was King Halloween and his train was carried by two pages, Jimmy Northam and Johnny Trembley. He lead the parade, just behind the band and upon the return to City Hall he mounted the platform with the band and made the announcements from there. At the close, after the prize winners had been chosen by the judges, Phil McNagny, Tom Pontius and James Adams, the winners were called to the platform and received the cash awards.

The Dance.

The Community dance at the Commercial Club was a fine affair. Perhaps seventy-five couples were present, many of them wearing fantastic make-ups, but dropping off their masks. The music was furnished by local musicians. Miss Farnan, of Fort Wayne, who is conducting a dancing class here, arranged for the Friday evening dance.

Goblins Will Get You If You Don't Watch Out

The Evening Post, Columbia City, Indiana ~ Friday, October 10, 1919

The fair is over, but the carnival spirit still lingers, therefore, arrangements are under way for a Community Halloween Celebration. Several years ago this occasion was hilariously observed and everyone had a riotous time, and at that time it was the intention of the committee to make it an annual affair. But due to the war and the influenza epidemic, it was indefinitely postponed. However, recent messages have been received from the land of the "hob-goblins" saying that they positively refuse to be neither seen nor heard any longer and that they are coming by legions on All Saints Night, Friday, October 31st, to make merry. Therefore a committee to receive this band of goblins, elvies, spirits, and fairies is already getting busy with preparations.

A Court of Reward with King Halloween in all his pomp and glory will be there to receive every masquerader in Whitley county who comes to compete for the king's favor, thereby receiving a cash prize. Twenty-five dollars has been set aside to recompense those who enter the lists and compete for the prizes. Three unbiased judges will counsel with the king, so fairness will rule in this court.

Make your plans now. Throw off the shackles of convention; help make this the biggest, gayest and most gladsome festival of the year. Come! Young folks, old folks, everybody come! Join the line of march lead by the band.

Aside from the grand parade there will be amusements for all - side shows and the Gypsie palmist, fancy dancers and Halloween refreshments, and other attractions which no one can afford to miss. Oh, it's going to be a great night, rain or shine! Remember, masqueraders only may enjoy the privileges which the evening may offer! Get out your grandmother's bonnet, or your fool's cap, or paint on a smile and a mustache, or wear your Charlie Chaplin shoes or your Mary Pickford curls - be what you ain't and fool your pa and ma.

"Backward, look backward.
Oh time in thy flight.
Make me a child again,
Just for to-night."

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Fourth of July in Whitley County (1917)

Columbia City Post ~ Saturday, July 7, 1917

Bugle Sounded From Court House Steeple.
The bugle sounded Reveille at six o'clock Wednesday morning and immediately came "The Star Spangled Banner." The morning was very still and the notes of the bugle rang out clear and sweet across the house tops. In the evening, once again the national anthem was played and following it "taps" was sounded. The morning service was taken by Phil Farren and the evening by Frank Summers. The custom which was begun on Christmas morning last year is one which always stirs the blood and we should like to see it kept up, commemorating the country's and the world's great days.

Tri Lake and South Whitley Celebrated.
Quiet reigned and all was well in old Columbia City - Accidents were Few and Far Between in this County - Autos Carried the People to the Resort and to South Whitley.

The grand and glorious old Fourth was very quietly celebrated in Columbia City Wednesday. After the noon hour human beings were almost as scarce as pears on a plum tree on the streets of this city. During the evening, however, a few people who returned from the lake or from South Whitley, early in the evening, gathered on the court house lawn and enjoyed some fireworks.

At Tri Lake.
From early morning until between six and seven o'clock in the evening every road leading to and from Tri Lake was filled with autos either going or coming to the famous resort. It would be a very difficult matter to name the number of machines at the lake Wednesday but the number is estimated at 1,500. After the noon hour people were not only arriving at the lake every minute but others were leaving. the line of machines began at the Miller cottage and extended around to the east end of the lake to a point on the road near the Cedar lake bridge. The woods back of the hotel was full of machines and in fact machines were everywhere.

Manager Logan Staples was well pleased with the size of the crowd and the smile on his face would not come off as he hurried here and there attending to the wants of various departments of the resort business. The program of the day began a few minutes after one o'clock when the Manager introduced Frank Northam, of the First National Bank, who read President Wilson's war proclamation, which had been delivered to congress, April 2nd, 1917. Rev. D. B. Kessinger, of the United Brethren church of this city, was also on the program for a patriotic address and the two numbers were listened to with great interest by the crowd that gathered around the speakers' stand. Reub Wilkins and his musician, Prof. Keenan, were in demand all day and the music and fun of these artists proved to be one of the leading features of the day.

The Balloon Ascension.
At 5 o'clock Roy Campbell, of Ft. Wayne, who makes a balloon ascension at the lake every Sunday, made a flight. the ascension was a beautiful one. Mr. Campbell rode the balloon until it was several hundred feet in the air and then cut loose. He made a perfect drop and landed a few hundred feet from the place at which the balloon went up. the balloon came down in the same neighborhood. Many people remained to see the balloon ascension and were not disappointed.

Other Amusements.
Boat riding and swimming were sports that were enjoyed. It was impossible to furnish enough boats for the crowd. They were rented our by the hour or day and as fast as they came in there were a dozen applicants for them. Bathing suits were also in demand and many who when to the lake to get the benefit of a good swim were compelled to go home disappointed as the suits were all engaged. The wateredge near the pier was lined all day with heads that bobbed up and down.

The dance pavilions were kept busy all day. The Rag Pickers orchestra of this city played at the Staples' pavilion and Albert Sampson and Merle Gipe furnished the music at the Esterline pavilion. Many young people remained at the lake until after supper to enjoy dancing which was continuous until late at night. The crowd in the evening after supper was considered larger than the crowd during the day. Probably due to the fact that many farmers worked all day and then went to the lake during the evening.

At South Whitley.
The forenoon and early part of the afternoon were rather quiet in South Whitley, but sometime before evening the crowd began to gather and by the time the program of the day was started several hundred autos and buggies line the streets. One of the leading features of the program was a water fight between four men who were given $10 for their services. Two men were assigned to a hose which was attached to the city water plugs. the water was turned on and the two-men teams went after each other. Many times they accidentally or on purpose turned the hose on the crowd and some of the people nearby got almost as wet as the men in the fight.

Another attraction was an auto race held on the streets of the town. Several barrels were stationed along the street thus causing the driver to dodge between them. This race was exciting and was a feature of the day which caused much pleasure. The last auto, a large truck, to make the race knocked over every barrel on the street. Many other amusements were enjoyed. The South Whitley boy band furnished music all day and during the evening, Rev. D. B. Kessinger, of this city, delivered a patriotic address.

Races and Contests.
During the afternoon after the speeches, contests were held on the road in front of the hotel. The following were the results:

• Fifteen year old boys' race - 4 entries - 1st, Willard King, 50c; 2nd, Harold Kinder, 25c.
• Men's boat race - 3 entries - Chas. Wibel, 1st, $1.00; 2nd, Boyd Soreman, 50c.
• Boys' swimming race - 3 entries - 1st, David Kessler, $1.00; 2nd, Willard King, 50c.
• Ladies nail driving contest - 5 entries - 1st, Nona Windle, $1.00; 2nd, Mrs. J. W. Beck, 50c.
• Pie eating contest - 5 entries (half raspberry pie each) - 1st, Edward McKenzie, 50c; 2nd James Wilcox, 25c.
• 100 yard dash - 7 entries - 1st, William Wilkins, $3.00; 2nd, Chas. Hawkins, $2.00.
• Fat man's race - 4 entries - 1st, Will Hawkins, $1.00; 2nd, Chas. Pinchon, 50c.
• Boys' sack race - 1st, Joe Cullen, 50c; 2nd, Olin Shaffer, 25c.
• Men's wood sawing contest - 1st, G. H. Zentie, $1.00; 2nd, W. E. Howen, 50c.

After the races and contests Rube Wilkins entertained the crowd by dancing and singing and other stunts.