Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-11-01
HALbOWE' EN- SPIRIT
BRINGS OUT CROWD
Frolic Ran Riot But Merry
maker Orderly and Take
Fun Good Naturedly
HUNDREDS IN COSTUME
ON MARKET STREET

Halloween fun and frolic ran riot
last night in the streets of Whining
ton. Weather conditions we're condu.
Give to an outdoor celebration. The
fun began In the early evening and
continued until the shower sent the
merrymakers scurrying homeward
around midnight Old and young.
adults and children. disguised so that
their own mothers would not know
them, paraded the downtown streets
and helped swell the noisy din with
never a fear that the COLLINS n get
you If you don't watch out"
The scenes on the streets resembled
the mummers parade in Philadelphia.
the Mardi Gras, of New Orleans. or
the masQue fete of the Asbury Park
boardwalk. Hundreds of costumed
men and women fitted about in every
direction. blowing horns in each
others ears, playing harmless pranks
or just being funny for their own
amusement and that of the numberless
spectators. The bulk Of the merry
making took place on Market street
between the Hotel DUPONT aud Fourth
street, but there were scattered groups
OF harlequins, clowns. Indians. Gypsies.
COW girls, ghosts, Negroes, baseball
players and other costumed figures
TO be seen in the residential portions
Of the city as we'll
There was no apparent organization
among the masses moving about. al
though the number and variety Of the
costumes and the general interest in
the celebration could have been turn
ed into a striking parade Even dane
Ing was not INDUCED in to any great
extent. although there were many
bands Of music out last night
The presence Of automobiles on the
crowded street seemed often to en-
danger lives, but many OF these were
jammed with gaily dressed occupants
and thus added to the enthusiasm. A
number OF decorated wagons with
parties OF mummers made trips about
the city The sidewalks became jam
med with people and the mummers
took TO the streets and paraded utter
" regardless, apparently OF the troll
ley cars and automobiles which passed
and repassed.
One of The prettiest features OF the
evening was a float. on a motor truck
arranged by the Elks. and containing
a party of young men and women ad.
vertising the coming Elks celebra.
ton. The car ran up and down Mar.
ket street and stopped at different
corners and entertained the people
with songs and music. a piano being
on the truck.
Despite the crowds on the street
there was no real disorder Trick
and pranks OF all kinds were the OF
der of the evening. but the butts O
the jokes and the victims Of IN
praaks took the fun good naturedl
and made no complaint The polio
made no arrests among the merry
makers for infractions Of the law nm
reported that the celebrants as
whole kept we'll within the confne
OF order Late in the evening a rougI
element made its appearance AM
sought 10 instill some trough house
into the frolic, but this was quicSl.
suppressed.
One man complained to the officer
that he Lad lost his wallet containing
/ SIS at Fifth and Market streets. bu
he did not know whether Il had beef
stolen by a piokpockst or whether
had dropped out Of his pocket Thii
was the only complaint OF any theft
during the night.