Just a friendly reminder that Tuesday, Oct. 31, still is Halloween officially --- even though Chariton picked up beggar's night and moved it to Saturday this year. No complaints. It makes perfect sense to move a sugar-fueled evening as far away as possible from the school day that would follow if the calendar were observed strictly.
The photo, taken a couple of years ago at the Chariton Cemetery, is a reminder that Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, precedes All Saints Day, Nov. 1, and both occasions were designed by designers of the Christian church to recognize those who have gone on before --- saints, if you like.
Most likely the timing reflected an attempt to baptize pagan celebrations, which is where all the merriment and deviltry comes from.
Halloween seems to have calmed down a lot when compared to the goings on when I was a kid. I grew up in the country, so was not an active participant, but do remember that Russell's main street sometimes was so littered after a night of pranks and vandalism that detours were necessary.
One of the earliest references to Halloween that I found in Chariton newspapers appeared in the Newbern News column of Nov. 6, 1889:
"The usual unhallowed observances of Halloween took place here. Some of the acts were of a very vicious and deeply depraved nature."
My goodness.
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