Evening star., 1943-10-31
BY John Clagett Proctor.

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There are certain events occurring in
ones life that even time will not erase
regardless of how old and infirm he may
become, and especially is this true of the
beautiful part of his early days, when
life was young and all the world was a
stage and every one was his own
comedian.
OF the writer's early days the special
events he recalls most are Christmas,
independence Day, the picnics, excur-
sions, the old swimming holes along
Rock Greek, the big bonfires at night,
when the national election returns were
coming in and Halloween.
At this time, however, so and more
years ago, the city of Washington was
comparatively small to what it is now,
with a population then of about 10000
persons. Indeed, there was then much
vacant ground in all parts Of Washing
ton and the little frame, boX-Shaped,
one-story dwelling was considerably in
evidence throughout the city. A few of
these may still be seen, inspiring fond
memories of the past.
There was then plenty Of open space
for fireworks on Independence Day, lots
of room for bonfires and the kids had
acres of fields upon which to play, where
now are blocks of houses and where they
could perform all kinds of diabolical and
fendish tricks, if they wished to, which
would not be tolerated or permitted in
l.; njt Ivnc
ton has since grown to be.
1t is said by some that Halloween was
not celebrated with the same eclat and
enthusiasm following the Civil War as it
was prior to that time. Maybe this is
true, but those who were born ,subse-
quent to that event will never believe
it-especially the boys who lived in the
sparsely settled parts of the Capital.
Halloween Bonhres
The Police Department was kept busy
protecting peoples property. For in the
davs of bonfires, which surely did not
cease until around 1855, such detachable
things as front gates were not safe, and
anywhere a box, barrel, hogShead or
other portable wood could be found 1t
was added to the bo1tlre, the reflection
from which at times looked as though
that part of the city was on fire.
MANY of the small frame houses here,
of so years ago and earlier, had before
the front door a small stoop OF one, two
or three steps, as was required to make
access to the home easy. IN many cases
these were not nailed to the house, and
when the "foraging" or scouting party
found one that was portable it was
quickly carried away and consigned to
the flames, and many a person almost
broke his neck the following morning
when he stepped out of the door and
landed horizontally upon the ground,
instead of perpendicularly upon the ac-
customed stoop.
Many of the things the boys did in
those days were really dangerous and
had to be stopped. The writer recalls
an incident where rope was tied from
one of the old, low fire plugs near the
curb to a fence few feet away, en-
dangering the life and limb of any one
who might pass along the sidewalk that
way.
night or SO before, the Schneiders-
who then lived in the Garfield Hospital
property-had given a dinner at their
home, and the caterer, with a large baS-
ket of dishes was the first one that Hal
loWeen night to pass that way. When
in the darkness he struck that rope and
went down sprawling with his load of
chinaWare, the rattle of broken dishes
could be heard for a block away Just
as sure as the thief does fear each bush
and officer so did the rapScallions who
placed the obstruction there fear the
officers under 1t. Johnson, and soon
thereafter each one sneaked into his
awakened anytime before morning and
charged with a criminal offenSe.
Dangerous Stunts
But the destroying Of private property
In this way was not the only method
used and, as many will recall Others
were equally as despicable.
The Star was never keen for this kline
Of so-called sport and the day after the
Halloween celebration of 1882, said:
''Mischievous Fun.-LaSt evening. Al
Halloween, the boys throughout the cit!
had their fun, If mischief can be callee
Those Were th,