Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-30

ing of the cobblers or talors signboard
in front of his place.
ITO wear a high beaver hat in the
olden days was considered a mark of
high responsibility and standing. con-
tinued the old citizen. Most every man
who could afford the luxury of a high
hat wore one. The wearers of beavers
were regarded by the old-time Halloween
boys as their legitimate prey.
They formed ambuscading parties along
some less frequented street or road AS
the wearer OF a beaver came opposite the
hidden crowd of lads the cry was sound
ed, Beaver up Then the luckless wear
err would be bombarded with mud balls
and other things and his beaver knocked
into a veritable cooked hat
Practical jokes were the order of the
day in the long ago to a greater extent
than they are today. Every Halloween
was followed by a number of cases for
the physicians and hospitals as Fourths
of July are in these twentieth century
days.
II Maj. Richard Sylvester. chief of
police. and his bluecoats can prevent it,
all rough house" pranks will be sup
pressed at the celebration of Halloween
tomorrow night. The chief says he re-
calls the troublesome times pedestrians
and occupants of houses experienced years
ago and has directed the members of his
force to guard against such methods this
year
Il remember when a man was almost in
danger of being killed il he appeared on
the streets Halloween night said one of
the older police officials this morning
People were not safe always in their
homes.
There were truck gardens about the
city in those days. Boys would steal hum
dreds of heads of cabbage and other
growing vegetables to throw at pedes-
TRANS and into houses.
Boys and young men also gathered
animals, dead or alive, and used them in
manner that was calculated to arouse
the Indignation of a saint. Bonfires were
also lighted. And boys did everything
they could TO make life miserable for
others.
Later they INDUCED in throwing -four
and did considerable harm But during
the past few years there has been COM
plete change in the method of celebrating
and but little trouble has been caused
Police Chief Takes Precautions.
Mai. Sylvesters strict enforcement of
the law, il is said. caused the change in
the method of celebrating the night. A
number of boys were arrested for throw
ing -four and indulging in other objec-
tionable methods of celebrating. Penal
ties imposed by the judges of the Police
Court gave the violators of the ordinances
to understand they had to respect the
rights of others.
Each year the superintendent of police
has issued order to the members of
the force instructing them to the duty
they were expected 10 perform upon the
occasion of the holiday. his order to his
several captains this year reading:
Order your shifting section on duty on
the evening of October II. 1905. at 8
o o'clock, and have your reserve cooperate
with the police on the street for an hour
or two in giving attention to the pranks
of boys. especially those of older years.
in order that persons may be free from
insult and property from damage or de-
struction.
THE wheelmen. especially in the sub
Urban districts. should be active in keep
ing down complaints
Boys who fail TO appreciate the warn
ing given them should be taken to their
parents but those of older years, and any
who are guilty of fragrant violations of
law. should he sent TO the house OF de-
tention.
1.-The throwing of -four and other in
dignities will not be permitted.
Mai. Sylvester expects the police will ex-
perience no trouble with the boys tonor-
row night. but thinks ii we'll to have his
men ready to act i'm case of emergency
Boys have been behaving themselves Hal