The rather destructive pranks of the 1800s鈥� Halloween revelers, like hoisting buggies on top of barns, tipping over outhouses and putting gates in the nearest lake, gave way to more genteel parties later in the century.  These house parties had decorations of jack o鈥� lanterns, sheet ghosts, paper witches, fortune-telling, popcorn, and pumpkin pie.

One such party was given in October 1892 by Mr. And Mrs. G. M. Grainger of Ashland, Ore., in honor of Miss Carrie Beekman. Their invitation read as follows:

鈥凌别辩耻别蝉迟
 

As herein will be seen,

The pleasure of your company

On the eve of Halloween

At a little social party

At their home on Granite St.

At eight you鈥檒l form a merry circle

That will around true friends meet.

They would also kindly ask you

A favor so please do not decline,

And that is this; be sure and send

Your acceptance or regrets in rhyme.

And to the one whose verse is best, In rhyme and meter as the judges shall deem,

There will be given a dainty prize.

With the kindest regards of Halloween.鈥�

Source: The invitation is in MS 137 at the Southern Oregon Historical Society Research Library and in their Halloween Vertical File.