Most people have but a vague and indefinite idea in regard to the vampire, his raison d’etre, his haunts and habits. It seems that after death some people do not rest quietly in their graves, but come forth at night when the moon shines. They live by sucking the blood of men, and return to their tombs at the approach of dawn, after gorging themselves with human blood
Long before the Christian faith made way among the untutored peoples of ancient Britain, the Druids had performed special rites of what is now known as Hallowmas Eve: fires were lit deep in remote forests, upon outlying spurs of hills, even upon the great plains that stretched between dense forests and partially cleared woodlands; mystic rites were performed, the help of the true God was implored, the machinations of evil powers were protested against.
The following account of a Halloween frolic in the country is true and was from 1913.
The success of all Halloween frolics depends upon the mystery which shrouds the arrangements. Last year the boys of a country neighborhood noted for its entertainments were delighted to receive unique invitations from the girls for a Halloween party. The invitations [...]
From Massachusetts
On Halloween a girl is to go through a graveyard, steal a cabbage and place it above the house-door. The one on whom the cabbage falls as the door is opened is to be the girl’s husband.
(Editors note: provided he survives)
From Pennsylvania
On Halloween walk backwards from the front door, pick up dust or grass, [...]
From Alabama
A Halloween custom is to fill a tub with water and drop into it as many apples as there are young folks to try the trick. Then each one must kneel before the tub and try to bite the apples without touching them with the hands. The one who bites one first will marry [...]