
10/12/2025
In the 1930s, Halloween pranks were a "rite of passage" for adolescent boys—until Marshfield said 'enough.'
After a spree of vandalism on Halloween 1935—including 30 broken street signs—the city cracked down. The next year, police chief William Paape deployed six special police cars and issued a clear warning: fun stops where property damage begins.
The result? About 25 young men were rounded up! Read how the judge used an unusual sentence to handle the "would-be funsters" and restore order to the community.
A fascinating look back at the year Marshfield turned a mischievous tradition into a rap sheet: https://www.hubcitytimes.com/