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Table of Contents Halloween 4 through a Halloween: Christian lens a change of pace for us real-life 7 ghostbusters By Greg DeVries Editor-in-chief Last semester, The Lariat pub- In the scream lished a special issue examining the 10-11 cost of college. While highly informa- tive, many stories reminded me of the ed houses, I hope our reviews persuade of things harsh reality that accompanies student you to change your mind. loans. This year, the staff and I went in a At first I was worried. I’m a pretty different direction. big guy, but I am capable of scream- Halloween is a holiday that many ing like a little girl. If one of the actors fall in love of us celebrate but few of us know a lot at the haunted house made me scream 16 about. There are many facets and con- like that in front of my co-workers, they with a classic troversial topics as well as different ways would never let me hear the end of it. to celebrate. Fortunately, I had a blast because I kept Fall drink This special section is meant to be an open mind. more entertaining and visually stunning Halloween may not get the family to- than last year’s. gether like Christmas or Thanksgiving, I had a hand in “In the scream of but it is certainly an annual opportunity things,” on page 12. A few of the staff to have a good time. Hopefully our spe- unquenchable members and I traveled to haunted cial section can teach you something 19 houses all over Texas. Before this fall, I about the unique nature of this holiday. had never been to a haunted house. If Happy Halloween! thirst you are like me and have avoided haunt-

Photo Illustration by Matt Hellman | Lariat Multimedia Editor

baylorlariat com Baylor Lariat WE’RE THERE WHEN YOU CAN’T BE Editor in chief A&E editor Copy editor Staff writer Sports writer Ad Representative Delivery Greg DeVries* Taylor Griffin* Taylor Rexrode Maleesa Johnson Shehan Jeyarajah Sam Baerenwald James Nolen City editor Sports editor Staff writer Photographer Ad Representative Linda Wilkins* Daniel Hill* Copy editor Ada Zhang Constance Atton Victoria Carroll Mashaal Hashmi News editor Photo editor Staff writer Photographer Ad Representative Alexa Brackin* Travis Taylor Broadcast News Paula Solis Jill Swartzentruber Erica Owarume Producer Assistant city editor Multimedia Editor Haley Peck Staff writer Photographer Ad Representative Reubin Turner Matt Hellman Rebecca Fiedler Robby Hirst Zachary Schmidt

Web Editor Asst. Broadcast Copy desk chief News Producer Sports writer Editorial Cartoonist Delivery *Denotes member Linda Nguyen* David Trower* Leah Lebeau Parmida SchahhosseiniAsher Murphy* Brandon Cottrell of editorial board 3 Secular holiday has religious origins

By Ada Zhang soul cakes, and in return, they promised to pray for Protestants a reason to detest and ridicule Staff Writer those who were deceased in the donor’s family. Catholicism, Foley said. “It used to be that you only gave soul cakes to the On Guy Fawkes Day, boys went door Halloween as we know it today is a chance for children to poor,” Foley said. “But then everyone started doing to door asking for coals, which they used play dress-up and obtain copious amounts of candy. There- it. It became a social thing.” to burn down effigies of Guy Fawkes and fore, it may surprise some people that this light-hearted holi- After the Protestant Reformation, Catholics had the pope. Those who denied the boys coals day originated from ancient religious practices. to practice these traditions secretly for fear of reli- were to expect some sort of prank, hence Dr. Joe Coker, lecturer of religion, said Celtic traditions gious persecution, Foley said. English Protestants the “trick” part of trick-or-treat. were brought to America in the 1800s with the arrival of at this time began celebrating Guy Fawkes Day on “The modern American custom of trick Scottish immigrants. Over time, aspects of the Celtic tradi- Nov. 5. or treating is combination of old Irish- tion mixed with aspects of English religious practices and According to “Halloween: An American Histo- Catholic Halloween and anti-Catholic Brit- resulted in contemporary Halloween. ry, An American Holiday,” a Catholic revolution- ish Guy Fawkes Day,” Foley said. The history of Halloween is complex, Coker said, derived ary named Guy Fawkes was involved in the 1605 People wore Guy Fawkes masks on Guy from no single tradition. Gunpowder Plot to blow up the British parliament Fawkes Day, Foley said, a phenomenon that “All of these traditions add to the celebration of other- and protestant-sympathetic House of Lords.. probably further contributed to the mas- worldly, spooky stuff,” Coker said. Foley said, however, he does not believe querade aspect of modern-day Halloween. The spooky origins of Halloween emerged from an an- Fawkes’sactions were a part of a deliberate politi- Foley said nowadays, of course, when cient Celtic festival called Samhain. On Oct. 31, the Celts cal agenda. kids wear masks or ghoul costumes, it bears believed demons and ghosts of the deceased would rise from “They said that this no religious significance. the underworld, according to “Halloween: An American was a Catholic plot to Holiday, An American History.” To escape harm, the Celts overthrow parlia- disguised themselves as the demonic beings whom they were ment, but it wasn’t,” afraid of. This is where modern-day Halloween derives its Foley said. “He costume element, said Dr. Michael Foley, associate professor was just crazy.” of patristics in the Honors College. Whatever “They followed the principle ‘If you can’t beat them, join F a w k e s ’ s them,’” Foley said. true mo- According to “Halloween: An American Holiday, An t i v e s American History,” the Celts believed that not all the spirits w e r e , of Samhain were evil. h e The Celts made offerings of food and wine in hopes that gave the spirits of their loved ones would return for a visit. Celtic communities also made bonfires because they be- lieved the sun was weak during the winter. They sacrificed animals and made predictions about the future based on the entrails. Humans might have been sacri- ficed too, according to “Halloween: An American Holiday, An American History.” Cats were also burned in wicker cages. This might explain where Halloween developed its iconography of cats and fire. When Catholicism entered the Celtic lands, church leaders tried to navigate the Celts away from their pagan practices, Foley said. It just so hap- pened that All Saints Day, a pre-existing Catholic tradition, was the day after Samhain. As a re- sult, church officials were able to convenient- ly transform Samhain into All Hallow’s Eve. Coker said church officials tried to “Christianize” Samhain. “It worked well because Catholics in Ireland were able to take advantage of the coincidence and steer the Celtic tradition away from unpleasantry,” Foley said. From All Hallow’s Eve, the modern-day concept of trick-or- treating emerged. Called “soul- ing,” the poor would go from door to door begging for 4 Figuring out Halloween through Christian lenses

By Rebecca Fiedler Church of Woodway, said he does not see the coming of the god fear of hell should a person not accept Christ as Staff Writer modern American practice of Halloween as an of darkness, the savior. evil observance, but as a time for tricks and article says. “From a Christian perspective, I’m uncom- While some churches today take issue with treats. “For the fortable with the whole hell house thing, be- children dressing as ghouls and goblins for Hal- “To me it was always witches of cause that’s not my understanding of how God loween, many churches are accepting of the just a harmless, fun We ymout h calls people to be in a relationship with the di- holiday. thing,” Johns said. it is one of Halloween as modern Americans observe it In the 1980s Johns their most is an American creation that has roots in some- said his church youth important re- thing called the All Saints Day festival from Eu- ministry at the time ligious festivals, rope, said Dr. Rosalie Beck, associate professor put on a haunted a time when they “I don’t think that one of religion. house to raise mon- believe the barriers be- night a year Satan goes However, the holiday is made more from ey for the youth ski tween the physical and Latin influences concerning the Day of the trip. spiritual worlds are at around and tries to decieve Dead, which at first was not a Christian celebra- The intent their thinnest,” the ar- people. I mean, evil we see tion but was adopted by the church in the Span- of the haunted ticle says. ish colonies. house was not Beck said in most in our world is represented “Most Christian celebrations other than to evangelize, cases, however, Pa- every night on the news; Easter are adopted from some pagan form; like Johns said, but gan rituals on Hal- Christmas was a Roman pagan celebration,” to provide a loween are not a people killing innocent Beck said. fun event for concern to Chris- peole with suicide bombs, Before World War II, Halloween was about the commu- tian churches. tricks, not treats, Beck said. nity. “In Waco, and sexual predators “The whole monsters thing is really a cre- “ W e people are go- ation of fairly recent emphasis,” she said. didn’t have ing to have more abusing children.” There have been Christians in the past and demons or dev- trouble with a Bob Johns | Youth pastor of First Baptist present who have seen the scary aspect of Hal- ils or witches,” Johns young woman Church of Woodway loween as a glorification of evil, Beck said. Most said. “We stayed away wearing a harem major voices in Christianity aren’t currently at- from that. We just had harm- girl costume than tacking it as a pagan holiday, though, Beck said. less, you know, cemetery they will with a Most of the opposition, Beck said, she hears scenes and werewolves and deranged peo- young boy wearing from churches is about the safety of children ple behind bars, and stuff like that.” a zombie outfit,” vine,” Beck said. when they head out at night to trick-or-treat. Johns said that he could not put on such an Beck said. Johns said he expresses a similar belief. This is why many churches host fall carni- event with his church today. S o m e “A lot of people do the hell house thing,” he vals, where the intention is to provide a safe He would never try that at FBC Woodway, Chris- said. “That’s not my style. I don’t care for it. It’s place for children to have fun and receive candy he said. tians offer way too sensational and manipulative for my on Halloween, Beck said. Johns said making a haunted house even in evangelis- liking.” the past was probably not a good idea, though tic alter- Johns said that despite his lack of condemna- he did enjoy the project work that went into natives to tion of the observance of Halloween, he doesn’t making it and the bonding experience with the haunted want to minimize the influence of evil he be- “Most Christian other youth members. houses in lieves is in the world. celebrations other than Those Christians against Halloween often something “I don’t think that one night a year Satan believe that the world will get worse and worse called a hell goes around and tries to deceive people. I mean, Easter are adopted from approaching the Apocalypse, and indicators to house, Beck said. evil we see in our world is represented every some pagan form; like that event will be a return to Paganism, like the Hell houses are night on the news; people killing innocent peo- use of witchcraft, Beck said. similar to entertainment- ple with suicide bombs, and sexual predators Christmas was a Roman There isn’t a particular denomination based haunted houses, but abusing children.” that specifically believes these things, but their purpose is to impose a Johns said he believes one of the greatest

pagan celebration.” usually the people who do tend to be arguments for the existence of God is the exis-

more socially and politically conserva- tence of evil. Dr. Rosalie Beck | Associate professor tive, Beck said. As the church becomes more and more Religion department They come from traditions that aware of the evil in the world, he said, interpret the Bible very strictly, it’s caused the church to pull back from she said. things that might offend people. For According to a 2010 ar- this reason, Johns is cautious of how ticle from the BBC, a coven his youth ministry observes Hal- “There are lots of Christian expressions that of modern-day witches in loween. have no problem with Halloween at all, on any Weymouth, U.K., celebrate the theological basis, because of the way they read Pagan holiday of Samhain on Hallow- Scripture and understand it,” Beck said. een, in which they acknowledge the Bob Johns, youth pastor of First Baptist * 5

By Robby Hirst & Constance Atton | Lariat Photographers Celebrating the dead crosses cultures, people

By Jordan Corona All Saints Day for the commoner. Celebrators experience, a party, from memories of someone ligions, you see a lot of similarities,” Yuko Pre- Reporter use the first day of November to remember who lived a good life. At certain cemeteries, it’s fume, lecturer in Japanese, said. their deceased loved ones. Typically there’s spe- not uncommon to find headstones decorated In Japan, candles take to the Aug. 15 night There’s a definite something about that time cial food involved, music and pictures — all of with things a person enjoyed in his or her life. sky. Illumining colored paper lanterns and in- of year for last harvests. When the greens are which form an experience unique to life of the Italian families often observe a similar day to cense lead the dearly-departed to a festive, all gold, save the winter grass at pasture. And departed. remember, the second day in November. weeklong homecoming. It’s a magnificent sight. heartier vegetables, namely of the squash vari- Mark Arnold, ex- Dr. Roberto Pesce, It’s Obon. ety, grace the kitchen in pies and casseroles. The ecutive director of the a lecturer in Italian, is “One day in August, the dead are supposed time of year signifies a bounty unique to its own. Art Center of Waco, is from Venice. to come back,” Prefume said. It’s an old Buddhist It’s not at all like the first harvest in mid- to late putting together a Dia “We’re taught at a very “We do not really idea that’s become part of Japanese tradition. June — plump and sweet and bright. de los Muertos celebra- young age to mourn for celebrate Halloween,” Many make a special effort to remember For it is from this, the last harvest, all am- tion for the community. he said. “But it’s import- their family, friends and beloved of the com- ber tree-line and pumpkin spice, the vigilant eye He said the cultural death. But we forget the ed. It’s more a way for munity who have died. To honor their memory, sees the imminent farewell. holiday came from re- happiness our loved ones adults to have a party. they leave a trinket or a snack on the household The wintertime is a great nap for all of na- ligion. Even then it’s not for the altar. It’s a welcoming gesture. ture. Icy and fair, it is death. “We know the old brought to our lives.” kids or even about being When the Lunar calendar indicates Aug. 15, People like death. expression ‘laugh- s c ar y.” Dr. Xin Wang, associate professor of Chinese, People fear it, sure. But watch the narratives ter through tears,’” he Mark Arnold | Executive director of Art Giorno Dei Morti said people in China have a holiday. that people tell one another. I mean the real, said. “I think Dia de Center for Waco is the Italian day of the “It’s a family reunion. It’s like thanksgiving,” gripping sort that make the listener to remem- los Muertos is a little dead. Pesce said people Wang said. ber something or change something. Redemp- like that. We’re taught have big dinners with That day, people make a special effort to be tion and tragedy, people love stories about the at a very young age to their families to remem- with their families. Together, with their still- end. And they’re fervently about the business mourn for death. But we forget the happiness ber the people they loved. living loved ones, they share a meal and have tea of remembering what has ended, and that what our loved ones brought to our lives.” “We go to church and pray for our dead,” and moon cake. has not, will soon. There are also a number of traditional, hol- he said. Many in the country, where Catholi- “The belief behind it is to remember even Halloween takes place by night. Traditional- iday-specific novelty pastries. Children, even cism is a very prominent fixture of life, visit the though we’re at different places, we are under ly, it has had something to do with strictly pagan adults decorate sugar skulls and cookies baked cemetery and attend a special mass at the local the same moon,” he said. and strictly Christian ideas. Strictly spiritual, in in the shape of skeletons for the festivities. church. It’s easy enough to make a comically gro- all, having to do with death, the dying and dead. “It’s a way to celebrate the people we loved,” Afterwards, Pesce said, Italian families have tesque event of remembering the dead. But for As long as there are people involved, there’s Arnold said. big dinners with toasts to the people they loved a globe of people, despite their world of differ- been a sort of celebration about that. It’s a global For many, the day is not complete without a and conversation about what made their lives ence, everyone may agree on this. Death is a part trend. Here are a few examples. trip to the gravesite. Morbid? To some, perhaps, special. of life. And the living are only the more alive for From Mexico, El Dia de los Muertos is like but Dia de los Muertos is about making a good “When you start learning about different re- remembering those who lived good lives. 6 The Hauntings Ghost stories from Waco

By Austin Eck “You go through this gate,” O’Beirne said. “You can’t drive would still see her ghost walking through the park chasing after Reporter your car because the gate is actually closed, but you can walk them,” Turner said. “She’d fetch a switch. In some cases, she through it. Eventually, you’ll go down there and you’ll see some would look frantic like she lost the children, and she would From cattle rustlers to young lovers jumping off a cliff to be ruins.” attack the person thinking they had kidnapped them. In the with each other for eternity, Waco has picked up a few ghost Around the area there are concrete walls and brick walls winter, she would be carrying a lantern, crying out for them, stories along the way. crumbling. and whenever she came across you she would beat you with a The stories can be shared between co-workers, police offi- “There is no actual house,” he said. “You’ll see these walls, switch or knock you senseless.” cers in squad cars or children during sleepovers, but regardless and you walk around. You’ll see these areas that actually still of where they are told, they capture people’s imaginations. have have crumbling walls in places.” Lindsey Hollow Road “When it comes to folklore, a lot of people obsess or try to On his first trip, he and his friends encountered something Another ghost story in Cameron Park O’Beirne has heard find out if this stuff is true or not,” said Bradley Turner, assistant unusual around the witching hour. involves two cattle thieves. professor at McLennan Community College and author of the “We went there about 2:30 a.m. We were just running In the late 1800s, a couple of men stole horses. They were book “Cotton Bales, Goatmen & Witches: Legends from the around the trails, just kind of looking around,” he said. “It was captured and hanged from a tree on Lindsey Hollow Road in Heart of Texas.” “When it comes to folklore think of it as telling a pretty still night, and all of a sudden, the wind picked up out Cameron Park, he said. a joke, specifically an Aggie joke. I don’t know if an Aggie ever of nowhere. It started blowing hard, and someone asked what “From what I’ve heard that is an actual true story,” O’Beirne walked into a bar and said something or not. Whether or not it time it was. I flipped open my phone, and it was 3 a.m. exactly.” said. “Where it gets kind of crazy, people who drive along or happened doesn’t make it any less funny. Meaning, the purpose He and his friends quickly left the area. walk along Lindsey Hollow see their bodies hanging from the of the story isn’t necessarily that it happened. The purpose of “We didn’t see any witches — nothing out of the ordinary,” tree.” the story might be entertainment, might be moral, etcetera.” he said. “It is just kind of a spooky place.” Another tale focuses on a woman living by Proctor Springs Lovers’ Leap Witch’s Castle who would lure people to her house, kill and sacrifice them. Decca Lamar West wrote one of the earliest documenta- Witch’s Castle, sometimes called Witch’s House, is the most One night after killing some travelers, she killed herself. Tales tions of the Lovers’ Leap story in 1912. The original can be well-known ghost story in Waco. There are a few variations, but include people approaching where she lived and smelling the found as part of The Texas Collection. Baylor 2013 alumnus Stephen O’Beirne of Waco told the two decaying corpses. In West’s version of the tale, Wah-Wah-Tee, the daughter of versions he had heard. Other tales focus on a woman, or a witch, wandering the the Chief of the Wacos, fell in love with an Apache man. As the The first story took place in the late 1800s or early 1900s. woods and in some cases chasing after a person in the woods Apaches are threatening an attack on Wah-Wah-Tee, she goes A woman people suspected of witchcraft lived in the woods of of Cameron Park. to meet her lover, but a member of her tribe followed her. Wah- Cameron Park, and people went missing in the woods. Resi- “The Cameron Park Witch was actually a Victorian nanny Wah-Tee’s spy tells her father about the rendezvous. Her father dents of Waco believed the woman was the cause of the disap- to the Cameron children,” Turner said. “This one is probably and her brothers go to kill the Apache, but before they could pearances. They formed a mob and burned down the woman’s the most fitting.” kill him, the Apache and Wah-Wah-Tee embrace and jump off house while she was inside. Before the park was dedicated, the Cameron family owned the cliff. The cliff is now known as Lovers’ Leap. The second story involves a woman and a boy. The boy it, but while they owned it, vagrants would camp out on the West goes on to say in the book that when the moon and would invite his friends over to his house, and every time the property. When the Cameron children would play in the forest, river is full, the figures of the two can be seen on the cliff. boy’s friend would go missing. Supposedly, the boy was mur- the nanny would go along with them, and if they encountered a “There’s Lovers’ Leaps all over — everywhere,” Turner said. dering his friends and hiding the bodies in Cameron Park. vagrant trespassing, the nanny would chase the intruders off of “It’s always the same legend. Anywhere from Jamaica, North People took notice, but blamed the woman who they suspected the land. To shoo them away she would use a switch. Carolina; it doesn’t matter.” was a witch. A mob burned her house down, but the boy was “Legend is, she was probably called the witch while she was never found. still living,” Turner said. Photo By: Robby Hirst | Lariat Photographer The first time O’Beirne went to Witch’s Castle was during She fell sick and died quickly. Lindsey Hollow Road is considered by some to be haunted. Waco is home to several ghost stories and rumors. his sophomore year at Baylor. “Legend says that the bums and the vagrants, in particular, 7 Paranormal society embodies real-life ghostbusters

By Adam Harris Nagel stood in the hallway across the through its website. The team holds a pre- said. The spirits, she said, are able to disrupt Reporter house when she heard the noise. She made her investigation to discuss the severity of the the white noise and use words to commu- way to the kitchen when, suddenly, the front situation and they work to prioritize cases nicate with the group. She said curse words A glass clinked in the empty kitchen across door opened. involving children. will occasionally come the Central Texas house. The noise garnered “There was a solid storm door on the out- Following the in- through on the radio as the attention of Becky Nagel, lead investiga- side that was closed,” Nagel said. The hairs on quiry and phone Two of our staff members well as voices saying the tor for the Central Texas Paranormal Society. her arms stood up as a bad feeling rushed into calls, the team will, names of people who The group had been contacted by the parents Nagel. in some cases, visit joined the Central Texas used to live in the house. of twin boys who had been experiencing un- “That was the first time I suggested some- the home before “Knowledge is power explained incidents. one move,” Nagel said. She said she stayed in coming in for the Paranormal Society on and once our clients “They kept talking about things the par- contact with the family and things were nor- investigation. an investigation. Check know what’s going on, ents couldn’t see,” Nagel said. Unexplained mal in their new home. The team, then they have the pow- scratches, strange sounds and uncharacter- This was only one of the many investiga- which consists of out our video online at er,” Nagel said. “It’s not istic behavior revolved around stories of an tions the society has taken on since Nagel’s fa- part-time and full- www.baylorlariat.com so scary once we go in unexplained bad man being present in their ther started the non-profit group 10 years ago. time investigators, and get the evidence we home. “He was a truck driver and was hurt in an goes out every need.” Another member “The kids were telling them, ‘This guy was accident,” Nagel said. “He passed away Nov. 6 other Saturday for of the team, Adam Bry- in my room’,” Nagel said. of last year and I took over after investigations. They cease investigations be- ant, has a different reason to help their clients. the holidays.” tween Thanksgiving and February to give the “There’s a reason a spirit’s attached to a The society in- team a break for the holidays. location,” Bryant said. “The people that are vestigates in- One member of the group joined up fol- stuck, the spirits waiting for someone who quiries that lowing an investigation at her house. Teresa might be waiting for them somewhere else. are made McLean contacted the group about six months It’s for closure, not for money.” Bryant said he ago in regard to her 100-year-old house. finds pleasure in helping spirits move on from “My granite is from a historical old church, the locations they investigate. my tile from a hospital and I have an old brick Bryant said he has been interested in para- wall from a train depot,” McLean said. “All normal investigation all his life. those features brought energy into the house.” “My mom would catch me talking to peo- McLean said the first night she moved in, she ple that weren’t there,” Bryant said. “When had a security system installed. That night, you’re a child, you don’t get it as well.” Bryant the alarm went off and, upon further investi- worked independently with makeshift teams gation, all three of her doors to the outside before he found the Society. “I’ve been with were wide open. Similar occurrences came this outstanding group for about a year now after this and her curiosity led her to call and almost every other week we go out on an the Society. investigation.” Nagel said other members join by Their investigations also function under sending a request through the team’s certain guidelines. Along with prioritizing website. On the site there is a form that cases involving children, the group debunks can be filled out expressing interest in cases if there are scientific factors involved. joining the group. The team takes out “You can’t assume it’s a ghost,” Bryant said. Na- potential recruits to see how they fare gel said if the investigation can be debunked in investigations and the team decides with science, then it’s not a paranormal situ- together who makes it into the society. ation. “Usually we say a prayer to keep Nagel also said she understands there are spirits from attaching to us after an people out there who don’t agree with para- investigation,” McLean said. “In my normal situations. “If you believe in the Bible investigation, I guess I attached myself and that you have a spirit, then that’s all you to them.” She said the team finds plea- need to believe,” Nagel said. “If God gave us sure in helping people not be afraid any free will and he’s perfect, then why would he more. stop us from coming back and helping loved The team uses an assortment of tools ones or those in need?” to measure the presence of spirits dur- More information can be found on the ing an investigation. Along with multiple team’s website: centraltexasparanormalsoci- instruments to measure electric activity, the ety.com. team uses a secured infrared camera along with handheld cameras to search for paranor- Matt Hellman | Lariat Multimedia Producer mal activity. Nagel said the team also uses a Central Texas Paranormal Society investigator tool called a “Ghost Box” to try to communi- Teresa McLean uses dousing rods during an in- cate with spirits. vestigation Oct. 13 in Cedar Park. Dousing rods “The ghost box is a radio that constantly are a way for the investigators to communicate scans and spirits can interfere with it,” Nagel with the spirits living in the house. 8 * Having fun but staying safe during Halloween

By Paula Solis Staff Writer

Goblins, ghouls and ghosts will soon fill the streets as Halloween approaches, but with high pedestrian traffic and escalated occurrences of drunk driving, the real fright this October may just be something as simple as someone behind the wheel. “Those that are old enough to have a drink, please just have a designated driver,” said Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton, the public information of- ficer for the Waco Police Department. “We don’t want to seem like party crashers, but if you do things to put our public in harm we’re going to protect our people even if that means putting someone in jail for the night.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 44 percent of the nation’s fatalities during the 2011 Halloween weekend occurred in crashes involving a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above the legal limit of 0.08. Swanton said Baylor students tend to handle themselves well during Halloween, and for him, the largest concern is people who underestimate the influence a drink or two can have on their capability to drive. “Buzzed driving is drunk driving; it doesn’t take much to blow a .08,” Swanton said. Most Baylor students will probably be at parties rather than trick-or-treating, Swanton said. He said he cautions those not of age to avoid drinking or even holding alcoholic bever- ages. Both could land a student with a minor in consumption (MIC) violation, a Class C misde- Graphic By Robby Hirst & Constance Atton | Lariat Photographers meanor resulting in a $500 fine or license sus- pension. slipped a drug that could make them vulnerable. Doak said many international students who because they can hinder vision while driving. That’s where having good friends comes in. have the Nairobi mall attack that took place NCPC’s website suggests trying paint-on Friends who know when someone isn’t act- Sept. 21 in Kenya fresh on their minds may not masks or finding costumes that do not require “We don’t want to seem like ing like his or her normal self can act as a safe react well to people walking into buildings with a mask at all. guide home, which is essential to not being masks. Mask-free faces are best especially if students party crashers, but if you do taken advantage of. Swanton said this is vital Swanton said it isn’t just the classroom where do plan to go door-to-door looking for treats, things to put our public in harm for both women and men, so as not to become a students should be careful. Swanton said. we’re going to protect our people predator’s next victim. “It’s not a good idea to wear a mask inside He said people answering their doors to Baylor Police Chief Jim Doak said he agrees convenient stores or department stores,” Swan- strangers have to be extra cautious of robbers even if that means putting that alcohol consumption is the primary issue ton said. “Leave those for parties or answering taking advantage of the holiday. If someone someone in jail for the night.” faced on and around campus, though he de- the doors. That can startle attendants at service doesn’t feel secure answering the door, they scribed Halloween as a non-event in his depart- stations and fast food places because you appear shouldn’t feel guilty, Swanton said. Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton | Waco Police ment because Baylor students manage them- as a possible armed robbery suspect.” Trick-or-treaters have other options for selves well on this occassion. Another thing to consider when choosing picking up loot, such as events at Zoo Boo at He said he concerns himself more with stu- how to dress for Halloween are accessories. Cameron Park, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Halloween dents who wear masks on campus. Swanton said fake weapons are never a good night, or Treat Night in the Baylor resident halls “Every year, someone will think it’s a good idea, and if a call is made about a possible threat, on campus. For those 21 and older who plan to drink, idea to wear a scary mask to class,” Doak said. even if it turns out to just be a plastic gun ac- “We want people to enjoy themselves,” Swan- Swanton said common sense and good friends “It’s not. They’re not considering our interna- companying a clever detective’s costume, it ton said. “Build memories, but good memories, are the two most important things to have for tional students on campus who don’t celebrate could turn a good night into a bad one quickly. things you can be proud of. Not the memory of a night out. or know what Halloween is. For some people, The National Crime Prevention Council, going to jail because you did something stupid If someone is having a drink, he or she seeing someone in a mask could trigger scary which celebrates Crime Prevention Month dur- and now you have to call mom and dad to bail should tend to it and be sure he or she aren’t memories.” ing October, also advises against wearing masks you out of jail.” 9 Waco is no stranger to grotesque side of life By Alexa Brackin, News Editor Compiled from newspaper accounts and books 1916 Lynching of Jesse Washington

At sundown on May 8, 1916, Lucy Fryer, the wife of a well-known cotton farmer, was found beaten to death in the doorway of her house. Shortly after, police took her husband’s 17-year-old African-American farmhand, Jesse Washington, into custody. When he was taken to trial on May 15, the judge asked Washington for a plea, to which the teen simply replied “yes.” When his defense at- torney asked him if he had committed the crime, he replied “that’s what I had done” and quietly apologized. The court took this as a guilty plea and sentenced him to death. Just minutes after his fate was announced, Washington was forced outside by a furious mob, predominantly made up of whites, chained up and dragged through town to the front of City Hall. On the way downtown, he was stripped, stabbed and beaten. When they finally arrived, a bloody and semiconcious Washington was doused with oil, tied up and hanged from a tree over a pile of burn- ing wood. For the next few hours, he was raised and lowered into the fire, unsuccessfully attempting to climb up the chain. According to newspapers, throughout the term of torture, specta- tors castrated Washington and cut off his fingers to keep as souvenirs even removing the fingernails to hand out to other people in the crowd. Photos Courtesy of The Texas Collection Several hours into the lynching, Washington’s body, which was The public square where people gathered to trade, barter and celebrate became a place of horror on May 15, 1916, when Jesse nothing more than a torso, was placed into a bag and dragged through Washington was hanged and burned at the stake after a court found him guilty of the murder of Lucy Fryer. the town before being put on display in Robinson. 1982 Lake Waco Murders 2003 Patrick Dennehy Murder A little more than 30 years ago on the shores of Lake Waco, the bodies of A hungry dog and an abandoned car were telltale signs a homicide and the autopsy confirmed that it was casued three teenagers, Raylene Rice, 17, Jill Montgomery, 17, and Kenneth Franks, that something was awry in the world of Baylor junior for- by multiple gunshot wounds to the head. In post-arrest 18, were found by fisherman, brutally stabbed and mangled. wards Carlton Dotson and Patrick Dennehy. interviews, Dotson claimed On July 13, 1982, Franks’ body was found propped up against a tree with In the summer of 2013, the pair purchased guns that he had been hearing sunglasses over his eyes, while the women were found tied up with their amid concerns for their safety after threats by fellow voices and suffering from throats slashed. Truman Simmons, one of the first police officers on the Speeg- teammates. Just days later, Dennehy’s family reported hallucinations. leville Park scene, along with other detectives investigated the case for eight him missing and his roommate returned home to find In October 2004, he was weeks before it was mark as “suspended” because of a lack of credible leads. that his dog had not been fed in a while. deemed incompetent to Just days later, Muneer Mohammad Deeb, the owner of a local gas station who On June 25, just six days after the report was filed, stand trial and sent to the was known to have a confrontational relationship with Franks, was arrested Dennehy’s Chevy Tahoe was found in Virginia with no state mental hospital for after having told two young women that he had committed the murders. Deeb license plates. evaluation where psychia- was arrested and given a polygraph test, which he passed, spurring his release. According to an affidavit filed to obtain a search -war trists determined he ap- After unraveling a web of lies, murder-for-hire and drugs, Deeb was ar- rant for Dennehy’s computer, an informant told police peared to be suffering from rested again nearly a year later along with three accomplices. The gas station that Dotson, who was now back home in Maryland, told psychosis. owner took out a life insurance policy on one of his employees who bore a his cousin that he had shot and killed his friend during Doctors did note that striking resemblance to Montgomery. an argument while they were firing their guns outside his accounts of hallucina- Police hypothesized that Deeb hired David Wayne Spence, Anthony Me- of town. tions and voices were “sus- lendez and Gilbert Melendez to murder the employee but killed Montgomery On July 21, Dotson was charged with the murder Dennehy pect.” instead and killed Rice and Franks because they were witnesses. Spence was of Dennehy and taken into custody in Maryland while Dotson returned to jail executed in 1997. Deeb was initially sentenced to death, acquitted and later awaiting extradition to Texas. in 2005 after it was deter- died of cancer. Gilbert Melendez was sentenced to two life terms and later The search for Dennehy’s body finally ended just four mined that he was able to stand trial. Just five days before died in prison. Anthony Melendez is still serving out his prison sentence while days later when police found his decomposing body in a his trial was set to begin, the former basketball star pleaded subsequently fighting to obtain new DNA evidence to exonerate him. All four gravel pit southeast of Waco. guilty to the murder and was sentenced to 35 years in pris- men were eventually convicted of the crimes. The preliminary report ruled that Dennehy’s death was on. He will be eligible for parole in 2021. 10 11

to either chase passersby with chainsaws as roughly two-thirds of journey was made house with a masked man with a revved never breaking character. Taylor made or invite them to do-si-do on a gravel-cov- in a pitch-black tour of the hall. chainsaw running after them. several friends during our visit — a clown ered dance floor. When we thought the attraction had As we approached the door of the whose shriek sounded like barking, a lady In the After a knee-slappin’ good time with given attendees all the scares it had to of- haunted house, I linked arms with Taylor clown who sought every opportunity to the sharp-toothed party killers, which fer, something else would grab, scream or Griffin. I was the last to enter the house. scare Taylor, a bloody bride and even Mi- quickly escalated to a twerk session for reach out. This site was full of surprises. The moment I stepped across the thresh- chael Myers, who chased a boy around the Taylor G., we made our way deeper into After we came out of the smoke filled old, it was like I was walking onto a forbid- lot. the attraction. exit, we walked to what was possibly the den property, all signs telling me to turn There were several other notable fig- The first attraction, which I suppose most disappointing of the entire tour — and run. The path through the house was ures from classic Halloween movies, but I was intended to be a magic show, made Sam Hain’s Trail of Torment. winding and shadowy. I huddled close to won’t spoil that here. I even saw the lady little impression on even the youngest Many of the one-room houses had my group, but that didn’t stop me from clown go through the chainsaw house with members of the audience. In one trick, the characters in them we could see before we jumping and shrieking when a bloody a child to lessen the scary factor of the Terrell magician suspended a champagne glass in even got into the house. Furthermore, they butcher jumped from the darkness onto house. That’s customer service. By Reubin Turner, Assistant City Editor midair and one child exclaimed “I can see more or less just engaged in dialogue with the path in front of me. The nooks and The second attraction was more like Scream the string!” us, rather than trying to frighten us. I was crannies of the house were perfect to hide your typical haunted house. The actor at Trails of terror, 3-D clowns and mul- This act, needless to say, did not earn thoroughly disappointed. the actors, who made sure to follow us the beginning of the house said there was a tiple dance-offs between Taylor G., the the attraction the reputation as one of the Finally, Cassandra’s Labyrinth of Ter- closely after they initially scared us. rule — those in front get scared first, those of things clowns and me made Thrillvania by far one scariest haunted houses in the nation. ror proved to be more entertaining than The story line of the house was easy to in the middle get reached out at and those of the most interesting haunted house I’ve After a riveting performance from the frightening, as 3-D clowns and goblins Waco follow. Once we made it past rooms filled at the end get chased. I was chased. At one ever been to. By using visual effects, which magicians, we came to the first haunted popped out at as we walked through the By Linda Wilkins, City Editor with severed hands, ghastly villains and point, Freddy Krueger creeped behind me, >> Lariat staff mem- sometimes included complete lack of vi- house: the World Famous Verdun Manner. attraction. gory, bloody scenes, we entered a room whispering eerily. The actors stuck to the bers Taylor Griffin, Taylor sion, the haunted house exhilarated, enter- The house was full of child-like characters, Many of the clowns, living up their I was planning on running for my life. of near complete darkness. I assumed the rule throughout the house. What I person- Rexrode, Reubin Turner, tained and engaged thrill-seekers looking some dead, some alive, who effectively name, jostled and danced with us as we When I went to the Waco Haunted Hous- chainsaw was about to start. I yanked open ally thought was hilarious was that the lady es, I thought I was prepared. The location Matt Hellman, Linda for a good, hearty scare. spooked those they could follow around made our way through the attraction. It the door to the outside and rushed out, de- clown who followed Taylor around leaped In the end, although the site was not with creepy and spontaneous outburst of added to the creepy effect partially. I’d has two attractions — The DeadZone and spite the fact there was no chainsaw-wei- out at her in the house. Wilkins and Linda Nguy- fully able to maximize the fear factor that laughter and fits. never experienced a 3-D attraction at a the Texas Chainsaw Nightmare Haunted lding man behind me. (One of the actors I would recommend these haunted en reviewed some of the many, including myself, sought, the laughs One attempted, unsuccessfully, to hold haunted house before, so it definitely made Houses. told us the chainsaws get clogged with dirt houses to anyone — they are creepy and haunted houses around and sheer entertainement gathered from Linda W. hostage. After we were able to es- this one stand out. First of all, it’s only fair to warn you and often do not start after repeated use. I often quite startling, but not excessive Texas. Here are their the attraction made the two hour trip well cape the manor without being chased by a Overall, if you’re seeking a haunted at- that chainsaws give me the creeps. I haven’t thank the Lord for this because I probably when it comes to gore. seen the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies thoughts and experiences worth it. chainsaw, we made our trek up to Thorn traction full of thrills and chills, I’d consid- would’ve keeled over and died if it had.) The jump-out-and-scream approach is Before we started our odyssey down Hall, which sat upon the top of a hill over- er other options. Otherwise, this haunted and I have no desire to. As we waited in The best part of the attraction is the ac- used quite often, but the different charac- at these houses. the trail of torment and terror, we were looking the haunted theme park. This was house is sure to offer visitors an unforget- line for the haunted house, a door busted tors who wander around outside. They in- ters and props make these houses one of immediately greeted by clowns who chose perhaps the scariest of all the attractions, table time bursting with tear-filled laughs. open and screaming people ran out of the teract with all the haunted house patrons, a kind.

the only house outdoors. The house was an outdoor maze a haunted house veteran and looking for a blow-your-mind the same time. Actors weren’t allowed to touch any of the put yourself in a Y2K conspirator’s mind, this house created complete with actors in scary costumes leaping out from scare, this definitely isn’t the place to go. However, I’d defi- customers, and from a legal standpoint, this makes a lot of this person’s worst nightmare. Actors dressed up as sentient around the corner, plastic and mangled bodies hanging nitely recommended it for new haunted house enthusiasts. sense. However, my experience would have been a lot scari- androids, and the costumes looked stunning. The walls were from the top and chainsaws. The chainsaws always get me. It’s the perfect amount of scare for those that typically shy er if the actors were given a little more freedom. painted with brilliantly awful images of fetuses inside of Overall, the plastic hanging body parts were just annoying away from haunted houses but want to experience it at least The first house we entered was called Mind Control. artificial wombs attached to a machine. The actors in this and the actors did little more than startle me. The scariest once. Visually, the house accomplished its goal of being creepy. house were great at knowing exactly when to pop out of thing for me are the chainsaws. The most memorable parts were when the house utilized its the shadows and frighten people as their eyes and attention The next house we visited was the Blackthorne District. strobe lights. Some were flashing quickly as actors moved were fixated on the scenery. This was the biggest and main house. The actors and rooms around you, but the last one was very slow. The slow flashes The final house wasn’t a house at all. It was set in a wood- all ran together. The rest of the group agreed that the first made reality look different. It was as if time slowed down ed area, which meant that actors could come at you from part of the house, with all the bloody parts and graphic im- and my mind started operating differently. It was only after almost any angle. At the beginning, a warning was played ages of slaughtered human beings, was easily memorable, we reached the exit that my mind was at ease. over speakers that warned of a virus that caused the dead but I didn’t think it was a huge deal. I will say, though, there After Mind Control, we went to The Darke Institute. to come back to life. It was as if “The Walking Dead” took a was one point in the house that made me jump and scream, This was supposed to be some sort of hellish mental in- turn for the demonic. but I won’t spoil it. stitute. This house was weird in the best way possible. The At times, it was hard to tell which bodies were props The final house we went to was Cursed: Ancients actors did well to play their spine-chilling characters. The and which were actors. Just as you were sure it was one, it P hoto Emerge. It didn’t really have much to do with the overall Darke Institute wasn’t scary, but it was disturbing, which I turned out to be the other. In one instance, I found myself I llustration Austin theme. It was kind of this island and pirate-y theme. At one believe was the intended goal. The best part was toward the too scared to approach a body. Just as I was sure it was a By Linda Nguyen, Copy Desk Chief point in the house, we had to walk through some sand. That exit when one of the actors, in a very dark, disquieting voice prop, I approached it only to be startled by an actor that had B y T was probably the biggest surprise, but overall, it wasn’t ex- said, “Welcome to The Darke Institute, where the doctors been behind me the whole time. ravis T actly the bang we expected from the end of our first haunted took cover when the patients took over.” In another part of the woods, there was a little girl that aylor Located at the corner of Austin’s Highland mall lies the | L House of Torment. house walkthrough. Next came Claustrophobia. I was worried that this one was contorted in such a way that made me sure that she was ariat P House of Torment is divided into three houses: Black- Now the logistics. The set design was phenomenal. They would make me uneasy, but there was really nothing claus- a prop. After all, an actor couldn’t stay still in such an un- hoto made a good use of a variety of spaces from tight, claus- trophobic about it. There weren’t really any closed spaces, comfortable position for this long, right? I then idiotically E thorne District, Slaughterhouse: The Harvest, and Cursed: ditor Ancients Emerge. trophobia-inducing spaces to wide-open, fog-filled rooms. which would have likely scared me half to death. Instead, bent over to examine the girl further, and just as I did, she The characters walking around outside the houses were Especially in the Blackthorne district, there was a lot of Houston the house was treated as a catchall for generic scary things. It lunged at me. Luckily I screamed like a man and not a child, pretty hilarious. One guy dressed as an insect in an exter- detail involved in creating the sets and setting the scene of By Greg Devries, Editor-in-Chief did a fair job of presenting some hair-raising imagery, most but it was certainly a scare I will remember. minator’s outfit walked around asking visitors to smell his a mental institution. The acting, however, while just scary notably a man with a knife and a mask who stared with a Overall, Phobia was worth the experience, but it could finger. enough, was monotonous and after the first five minutes of A truly great haunted house has to have three things: tilted head around one of the corners, but the house wasn’t have done a better job of causing people to fear the un- After getting pictures and interviews, we braved our way people jumping in front of you, it was easy to just be done great imagery, darkness and creepy things popping out at any more claustrophobic than the rest. known that lies ahead. The incredible imagery and creepi- to the first house on our list, Slaughterhouse: The Harvest, with it. Overall, it was a cute little haunted house. If you’re you. Phobia used all three of these things well, but rarely at Dawn of the Machines was the next house. If you can ness factor certainly made up for it, though. 12

A History of Horror 1920s 1930s 1940s

1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s ? 1990s 2000s 2010s 13 The evolution of scary movies reflects our culture

By Taylor Griffin A&E Editor s 1930s s The Halloween season, to me, is synony- 1920 1940 mous with monsters, eerie music and a just little bit of blood. Horror truly began for film in the 1920s. The 1930s aroused a new breed of scares: the As the film industry started to reach While countless horror fanatics pop in Without prior experience in this genre, an air conception of the movie monsters. With ele- momentum, so did the incline of World a classic for a good scare, I slowed down to of avant-garde and experimentation filled the ments of romanticized horror, Universal Studios War II. The genre devolved in the 1940s as examine why and how horror film changes screens with the majority of the films drawing churned out classics like “Dracula” (1931) and a result of the real-life horror happening from decade to decade. In my research, I dis- plot lines from gothic literature. “Frankenstein” (1931, pictured). around the world. covered that the horror culture indirectly re- Films like “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920),” While Universal ran the market for scary To lighten the theaters, the famously- flects the time and society in which it occurs. “Fall of the House of Usher (1928)” and the flicks during this time, RKO Pictures produced funny duo Bud Abbott and Lou Costello In retrospect, it’s interesting to see how iconic “Nosferatu (1922, pictured)” all reflect outliers in the horror genre that are still icon- created parody films spoofing the monster far society has come. From barely a drop of the essence of the birth of horror film. ic today, including the original “King Kong” movies, including “Abbott and Costello blood to seeing a human’s guts fall out, our (1933). Meet Frankenstein” (1948) and “Hold that culture feeds it and inadvertantly embraces Ghost” (1941, pictured). the spooks and scares as they come.

1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s Following the war, a new wave of hor- The culture of the 1960s blew up with turbu- Although economically a bad time in soci- With the new and invogorating rise of ror fanatics were introduced to the drive-in lence and revolution as a result of the Vietnam ety, this era was arguably the greatest decade of this genre, the ’80s turned up the notch movie experience. War. In conjunction, this era saw a dawn of hor- horror. While the genre consisted mostly low- with gross-out and outlandish special ef- This post-atomic bomb era recognized ror and depicted that the scariest aspects were budget independent films, they appeared so- fects. Excessive overkills and blood splat- the impact of the teenage crowd and heavily unseen and left up to imagination. cially in tune with the evolving times. ters highlighted the cult classics and slash- catered to their tastes. Hitchcock’s “Psycho” (1960, pictured) was a The first horror blockbuster, “The Exorcist” ers like “Evil Dead” (1981), “Nightmare on With this new and revived market, the major turning point which showed that a mon- (1973, pictured), set a new standard and reeval- Elm Street” (1984). ’50s welcomed iconic films like “Godzilla” ster isn’t necessarily Frankenstein. Other films uated the genre altogether. The first “Halloween” Additionally, Stephen King’s horror (1954), “Attack of the 50-foot Woman” include “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968) and “Night of movie (1978) and “The Omen” (1976). novels became the stories people screamed (1958), “The Blob” (1958) and “Creature the Living Dead” (1968). for, as seen in “The Shining” (1980, pic- from the Black Lagoon” (1954, pictured). tured) and “Cujo” (1983).

1990s 2000s 2010s

A recovery phase in horror began in the The devastation of September 11 forced In only the three years in this decade, the 1990s with the advent of psychological thrillers. Americans to rethink what truly scares them. horror genre has already morphed once again. Notable works from this decade include “Si- Horror evolved into situations that could actu- At this point, remakes have overtaken the box lence of the Lambs” (1991), “Se7en” (1995) and ally happen, including viruses in “28 Days Lat- office,such as “Carrie” (2013, pictured) and “Interview with a Vampire” (1994). er” or psychopaths in the “Saw” franchise (2003) “Nightmare on Elm Street” (2010). Although Hollywood was pushing the men- Although “The Blair Witch Project” (1999) Television’s also taken a bite out of scare tac- tal horror scene, slashers still remained a promi- caused a storm in the late ’90s, the found-foot- tics. “American Horror Story” (2011) and “The nent entity. age element in horror exploded with the “Para- Walking Dead” (2010) have both set the bar The most iconic from this decade was the normal Activity” series (2007, pictured) and much higher for film. House invasion movies first of the “Scream” series (1996, pictured). other demon possession films. like “The Purge” (2013) are also adding to the genre. 14

“Hocus Pocus.” While they are not as feared as ing over the salt shaker are both actions that they were in the past, people are still wary of some people avoid because that they believe that these “possessed creatures.” something bad will happen. ery “I don’t like cats and I especially do not The bad luck that comes from walking under V like black cats,” said Sugar Land junior Walta a ladder comes from early times of Christianity, Nemariam said. “Black cats just look like they’re where it was a form of blasphemy. uperstitious: up to no good. I think that maybe black cats In his book “The Encyclopedia of Supersti- used to be white cats and then got dirty from tions,” Richard Webster explains theories for the S the bad luck they bring people.” belief. However, not all people believe in this super- “Walking under a ladder is believed to cause the writing’s on the wall stition that began many years ago. bad luck,” Webster said. “No one really knows The Woodlands junior Juanita Gamboa why, but theories have been proposed. The most owns a black cat and said she bought him spe- likely theory is that a ladder forms a triangle about belief in bad luck cifically because of the superstition. when placed against a wall, and the triangle “I had always wanted a black cat,” Gamboa symbolizes the Holy Trinity. Consequently, said. “I think they are mysterious but I don’t be- when you walk through it, you effectively insult By Abigail Loop while, and how they came to be a part of our lieve the whole satanic thing. The black cat has the Trinity and attract the devil.” Reporter Halloween fears takes us back to ancient times just gotten a bad rep. It’s also fun seeing people’s Bad luck is also said to come from spilling and ancient beliefs. reaction when they notice him.” salt and not tossing it over the left shoulder, Halloween is the time of year when people Superstitions are beliefs in aspects of the su- Another superstition that dates back to which is said to prevent the devil from getting love to be scared. Wild imaginations come to pernatural. ancient times is the sinister belief behind the that person. life, and superstitions take on a new promi- The black cat is one of the most common su- number 13. In “Encyclopedia of Superstitions,” “Salt is a preservative, which makes it a natu- nence. A black cat crossing a person’s path, perstitions. When a black cat crosses a person’s author Christina Hole explains the number 13 ral enemy of anyone or anything that seeks to Friday the 13th or breaking a mirror all seem path, it is usually followed by a fear of bad luck. is considered unlucky as it was regarded by the destroy,” Webster said. “If a superstitious person to have more meaning during this time. These However, in olden times, it was believed that ancient Romans as a symbol of death and also accidentally spills some salt, he must immedi- common superstitions have been around for a a black cat brought with it a much more omi- allegedly the number of witches in a coven. To- ately toss a pinch of salt over his left shoulder. nous threat, the devil. day, even businesses avoid the number. Webster goes on to explain that salt must be Carole Potter, author of “Knock on “Hotel-keepers rarely have a room in their tossed over the left shoulder to prevent the devil Wood & Other Superstitions,” said black house which is numbered 13,” Hole writes. from attacking from behind. cats used to be cherished by the Egyptians “Houses numbered 13 are often hard to let or The left side is considered the sinister side. as a good luck symbol. Then toward the s e l l .” Brownsville freshman Waldo Villarreal said Middle Ages, the black cat was a symbol of Friday the 13th is considered to be the un- he believes by throwing spilled salt, good luck bad luck or evil having to do with satanic luckiest day of all. will follow. witches. Religious figures then and the “Everything bad in history is said to happen “I think it’s definitely good luck to throw Puritans in the New Age that came after on Friday, such as the Flood, the day the Temple spilled salt over your shoulder,” Villarreal said. then thought of the black cat as satanic. of Solomon fell, and the day Christ was cruci- “It’s become a habit for me that when salt is “Because of its long association fied,” Potter wrote. “The combination of Friday spilled, I want to toss it over my shoulder. One with witches, the black cat is a symbol with thirteen can be terrifying.” time after I did it, I avoided getting a speeding of Halloween,” Potter wrote. “It is said Friday the 13th is played upon even more ticket.” that these possessed creatures perch during Halloween, with scary movies and Besides the common superstitions most on sleeping babies and old people and pranks. The number of “Friday the 13th” mov- people know, some Baylor students have unique suck the breath out of them.” ies is now up to 12 and people can’t seem to get superstitions of their own. The black cat is still a symbol of enough of Jason, the killer who is the franchise’s Fort Worth senior Stephanie Moreno has a bad luck and the supernatural and main character. superstition that her whole family believes in. has yet to outlive its bad reputa- Rather than be scared of Friday the 13th, “We believe that if you are staring at some- tion in America. Black cats are people are more excited to go see the scary mov- thing or someone for a long time, then you have a common Halloween dec- ie coming out that day or participate in pranks. to touch it,” Moreno said. “Otherwise, the object oration and have been However, not all people feel this way. In fact, will break or the person will get sick. We call it used in shows such some people actually suffer from friggadiskaid- the ‘Evil Eye’ or ‘Ojo’.” as “Sabrina the ekaphobia, the fear of Friday the 13th. Alexandria, La., junior Lexi Williams also T e e n a g e Round Rock freshman Allison Neidig said has superstitions of her own. Witch” while she does not have a phobia of Friday the “I’m from Louisiana so I believe in a lot of a n d 13th, she does feel that the day can have an aura things,” Williams said. “I believe that if you of spookiness. are walking with a group of people and a pole “I feel like with the hype it gets, it does be- comes up and your group splits up around the come a little eerie,” Neidig said. “With the mov- pole, bad things can happen. I also believe that ies that come out about it, whenever Friday raisins are considered a bad omen. I just don’t the 13th does come around, I think of the like them.” scary things that are associated with it, This Halloween, as people venture out to and that can be a little creepy.” face fears and open up to a world of witches and Besides the superstitions that are demons, superstitions tend to become as real as played upon during the Halloween sea- they seemed in the past. son, there are also superstitions where Whether a person believes in the supernatu- people believe some simple actions re- ral or not, the hype of superstitions during this sult in unlucky consequences. time of year can get everyone feeling spooked. Photo Illustration By Matt Hellman | Multimedia Producer Walking under a ladder or knock- * 15 six feet UNDER Our fascination with graveyards

Photos By Constance Atton | Lariat Photographer An angel overlooks a grave. Many people see a fear of cemeteries as a fear of death and the unknown.

By Michael Davidson Religion. “About 50 percent of Amer- scared of ghosts and urban legends mention of the word. someone dies, I think cemeteries rep- Reporter icans believe in ghosts, and about 20 but death is what we associate with Certain cultures, however, do not resent people finally being at peace. percent believe humans and those cemeteries and that’s what gets people feel this way, but, in fact, quite the They no longer have to deal with the It’s midnight on a crisp October ghosts can interact with each other in the most.” opposite. Ancient struggles and evening and you find yourself stroll- the material world.” Burial grounds have long been the Egyptians embraced sadness that life ing through the local graveyard, Spirits, ghouls, demons, source of fear and mystery for many death and saw it not can sometimes weaving in and out of tombstones phantoms, banshees, ap- cultures around the world. For exam- as an ending to one’s “Yes, people are scared br i n g .” with the full moon as your only paritions — whatever ple, in certain tribes of ancient Malay- time on earth, but the While there source of light. There is a slight you want to call them sia and India, friends and beginning of another of ghosts and urban are differing chill in the air. You can feel the — and the supersti- family would often bury journey in a differ- legends, but death is opinions on terror coursing through tions that sur- their deceased, ent world. what we associate with what makes your veins, and your heart round them have hold some sort They even a cemetery a pounds in your chest as been around of ceremony, mummi- cemeteries and that’s frightening you hear a rustle in the since the dawn and then quickly fied their what gets people the place, or even bushes nearby. of time. flee from the lo- dead, cre- if they actually most.” Panic is just one of Something cation as fast as ated elabo- are inherently many things that come to about the dead they could, never rate coffins frightening, Elly Spencer | Temple junior mind in a situation like has always to return. and stored them in the concept is this. But what is it exactly evoked fear in Some people even even more elaborate something that that makes a graveyard so the hearts of suffer from something tombs. has been in anxiety-inducing? Being the living, and called coimetro- Even in mod- humankind’s surrounded by the dead? even more so, phobia: the fear ern times, many people think history. Perhaps the spirits of something about of cemeteries. of cemeteries as tranquil Whether it is in books, movies, those dead? where the dead While many find and serene, a scenic place plays or paintings, folklore has forev- Maybe you should ask are buried is graveyards to be to reflect and spend time er depicted cemeteries and the dead yourself. After all, you are cause for even eery and fright- with their loved ones who in a spooky light, and most likely, al- the crazy one in a cem- more terror. ening, coime- have passed away. ways will. etery in the middle of the “Death is trophobia goes “I actually find cemeter- “People have always been super- night. what makes a step further, ies to be nice, and I really stitious about these things and I think “Humans’ fear of people the un- actively interfer- don’t know why people get they always will be,” Mencken said. cemeteries is simply just easiest, and that’s ing in the lives so freaked about them,” “Superstitions about the dead make a fear of the paranormal,” everywhere,” said of those who said Mission Viejo, Ca- sense because as humans we try to said Dr. Carson Menck- Temple junior have it, even lif., junior Jordyn Bode. create explanations for things that are en, professor and direc- Elly Spencer. causing anxi- “Death is inevitable, unknown to us.” tor of Baylor Survey of Constance Atton | Lariat Photographer “Yes, people are ety at the very Constance Atton | Lariat Photographer and while it is sad when 16 Hey, pumpkin: Fall in love with classic autumn drink

By Taylor Griffin of the Baylor Sciences Building. Batson said he sees seasonal drinks A&E Editor Her choice is sweet without too as the perfect opportunity to wow much spice, and she said Starbucks’ his customers. As the temperature drops, rendition could turn out a little bit- “Here, we have the freedom to PSl something about the color-chang- ter. However, any pumpkin spice change up our seasonal menus and ing leaves and brisk air sets the latte is sure to put her in the mood push what we think Baylor stu- mood for one of fall’s favorite bev- for autumn weather. dents would enjoy,” he said. “We erage: the pumpkin spice latte. “I love that it tastes like fall,” she craft those drinks to fit Waco.” People rush to the nearest cof- said. “It’s just so warm and homey.” Calling them classics with a pumpkin spice latte feehouse for the season’s first few twist, Batson said his coffee shop sips of this fall sweet and spicy offers three specialty drinks for treat, and for years, the craze has the season: Pumpkin Patch, a pow- run rampant among the Baylor “It’s a combination of dered chai drink with pumpkin es- The community. delicious and the idea of a sences; Candied Pumpkin, a white “It’s the combination of deli- seasonal drink that fits in chocolate mocha with pumpkin cious and the idea of a seasonal spice syrup; and the traditional Ta st e drink that fits in with the fall,” said with the fall. It validates Pumpkin Spice Latte with a Com- Blake Batson, owner of Common with the need to connect mon Grounds flair. Grounds coffee shop. “It validates “It’s bewildering,” Batson said. with the fall season.” of with the need to connect with the “It’s always been every year that

fall season.” people flip out for the pumpkin fla- Blake Batson | Owner FALL This season is a particularly vored drinks. It’s a phenomenon.” Common Grounds special time for Starbucks as their Whatever the reason, pump- pumpkin beverage celebrates a kin spice lattes have become an decade of putting people in the autumn favorite and a fall staple fall spirit. Using its perfected mix Baylor PSL aficionados can hit among Baylor coffee addicts. sweet of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove up Common Grounds on Eighth “Something about the combi- spices, Starbucks has delighted Street near campus for unique fla- nations of the cold weather, fall customers for the past 10 years vors and takes on the popular fall decorations and pumpkin flavors y 200 million times, according to the concoction. Selling between 200 make the total perfect experience,” Starbucks website. At an average of and 300 pumpkin drinks a day, Batson said. $4 each, pumpkin spice lattes alone have brought in around $800 mil- lion. Baylor students specifically have the privilege of enjoying a hot cup of Starbucks’ PSL studying for Best places in Waco spicy a big test in Moody Memorial Li- brary or sipping one on the way to class. As another option, Einstein Bros Bagels in the Bill Daniel Stu- Common Grounds dent Center offers hot, cold and frozen versions of this fall treat. Starbucks COFFEE For Irvine, Calif., film digital media sophomore Alex Zack, fall doesn’t truly begin until the local coffee shops unleash their pump- Panera kin spice goodness for all to enjoy. “It’s seasonal, so you can’t get it at any other time,” she said. “Once Einstein Bros it comes out for the season, people love it, and everyone flocks to it.” While many of her fellow Bears McDonald’s l get in line for a Starbucks or Ein- stein Bros brew, Zack said the best place on campus for her pumpkin Java City spice fix is at Java City in the atrium 17 Costume culture: Society’s changing acceptance of Halloween apparel

By Nico Zulli test.” But the craziest has to be the full body She graciously showed me around the differ- Reporter “Breathalyzer” costume. ent aisles of costumes, makeup and spooky ap- It seemed that the innuendos of the cos- paratuses, and did not shy away from expressing tumes are what ultimately cross the line. her opinion on the subject at hand. When I entered the Spirit Halloween store As I continued jotting down my observa- “You know what I honestly think is too far?” off of Valley Mills Drive, a colorful neon clown tions, I noticed two little children standing mes- she said. “The prices. I mean, think about some greeted me, bloody mallet in hand. It became merized by mechanical demon girl swinging on parents with three kids paying around $30 to clear that Halloween has come much farther a swing. As I approached the cage, I noticed the $40 a pop.” than orange and black. price marked $179.99. She scooted some of the costumes around But how far is too far? “Tell me that ain’t too far, too,” Lee said as on one of the shelves, finally settled on one, and Spirit Halloween opened its doors to Waco she gestured toward the sign. “I see about $500 pulled it off the shelf to show me. on Aug. 13, as it does every year for the season. worth of that stuff every day I’m at work, too.” “There’s a lot of unicorn costumes this year,” And some of the store’s employees were eager to Our next stop was the pet section, which she said looking whimsically at the plastic pack Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor express their opinions on the subject. included a selection of costumes that was as di- of unicorn themed trinkets. “I think that might A display on sale at Spirit Halloween features a Charlene Lee has worked at Spirit Halloween verse, if not more so, than the sections of cos- be a little too far.” demonic girl on a swing, in a cage. for three years. tumes for people. She carefully placed the pack back on the Lee immediately offered to give me a tour of years,” Frank said. “I feel like it’s easy for people the entire store as soon as I mentioned I was a to be influenced by the society around them, and reporter seeking to know which costumes and Halloween costumes have definitely changed a contraptions she believes take things a little too lot. Having worked here for almost 10 years, far. the costumes have gotten more revealing on one “Let me tell you what I think is crazy,” Lee end and more gruesome on the other.” said as she guided me down a long aisle of dis- As I made my way out of Wally’s, notepad torted facemasks and body parts. in hand, I watched as two male college students We stopped at a small makeshift island in the approached Hope. middle of the aisle and she pointed to a costume “Hey, do y’all have big suits?” one guy asked. hanging on one of its shelves. “Like a panda suit?” “How many people do you know that want Now, that is taking things pretty far, but to see somebody dress up with their private seemed a relatively normal request compared to parts showing?” she asked. all of the abnormal costumes I had been shown Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor As I focused in on the “Happy Camper” cos- throughout my adventures to the Halloween tume she was pointing to, we both started crack- Halloween costumes line the racks at the Spirit Halloween store on Waco Drive and Valley Mills. stores around Waco. ing up. When I arrived back to campus, I asked sev- “Now that is too far,” Lee said between “People love their pets,” Lee said. “We got shelf and directed me over to a wall lined with eral students what they believed was too far, and laughs. “We also have a costume right here that tutus, fairy wings, a taco, star wars. I mean, that’s solid color body suits. some of their answers might just surprise you. is a “Socket and Plug” and “Wet T-Shirt Con- just too much.” “These skin suits are always popular every “I think covering the three B’s is necessary,” I thanked Lee for the tour, and headed over year, mostly with the college boys,” she said. said Los Angeles junior Hayley Di Naso. “Put- to Halloween Bootique, also on Valley Mills “Can you imagine guys in these costumes that ting a fun twist on your typical witch costume is Drive, another hot spot for Halloween goodies are basically like wearing a full-body stocking?” great fun, but no one wants to see what’s strad- in Waco. she asked as she chuckled. “I mean you would dling that broomstick.” When I peeked in to the much more inti- see everything and that is way too much.” Dallas junior Laura Beth Vaughan had a mate store, I was casually welcomed by store Right as I thought I had heard and seen similar opinion. employee, Isabella, and asked her if she has seen enough, Hope recruited Wally’s employee “Yeah, I think Halloween costumes get a lit- any costumes that she believes take things too Frank to give us his two cents. tle out of hand when people try to be too sexy,” far. “I mean, the skimpy costumes are pretty she said. “Wearing animal ears with lingerie “Well, we are more of a family-oriented skimpy this year too,” he said. “And they always does not make it a Halloween costume. My fa- store,” she said. “So, not really. I have heard are a little too far.” vorite costumes are ones that are funny or have about a costume that is a sperm bank, though, Hope, Frank and I stood in the costume a lot of thought put into them.” which is pretty crazy. We don’t have that here, room a while longer to browse the different cos- All in all, students and the employees that though.” tumes and our conversation took quite an inter- serve and observe customers of various ages, The last stop on my search to discover how esting turn. genders and apparently species, seem to think far is too far was Wally’s Party Factory. At one point, I asked Frank, a nine-year that nothing goes unheard of these days when it Entering the oversized party supply store Wally’s employee, how he feels about the power comes to Halloween costumes and décor. “And, it keeps getting more insane by the Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor with no idea what to expect next, Wally’s em- of sex and violence in American culture, and ployee, Hope, led me straight to the back of the if they believe the Halloween costumes have year,” Lee said. “Skimpy” costumes for sale at Spirit Halloween So, how far is too far? Apparently never far on Valley Mills include pieces like this, a stud- store into a room reserved specially for the Hal- changed along with our culture. enough. ded bra. loween season. “Our culture has changed a lot over the 18

Prepare for the Attack

Zombie scenarios put reality in perspective important to humanity without the issues ular culture to what was going on in history. “After the hype of vampires and werewolves being directly connected to us,” Parker said. He said zombies provide a flexibility to explore cooled down, zombies got popular,” she said. “Zombies are always associated with apoca- various real-life issues humans face. Salinas said she is a fan of “The Walking lypse; the setting forces the characters to get at “Zombie movies have given viewers a way to Dead” and she also enjoyed the movie “Warm By Brittney Horner what makes a human, human.” consider, if indirectly, problems such as natural Bodies,” which tells the love story between a Reporter In 1932, the first zombie movie, “White disasters, technology gone awry, deadly viruses zombie and a human. Zombie,” was released. According to the Wall and the daily grind of their own lives.” Gross “It was an interesting twist,” she said. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, B.J. Street Journal, between one-third and one-half said. Salinas said the zombie genre has a flexible Parker, an Atlanta doctoral candidate in the re- of all zombie movies ever made have been re- Parker shared Gross’s view of zombie culture. and mysterious plot that makes it so appealing. ligion department, would know how to survive. leased in the past decade, which demonstrates “For example, in the 80s, zombies were used “We are attracted to the zombie genre be- If he were in the backyard of his two-story, the growing popularity of zombies. as a metaphor for capitalism,” Parker said. cause we don’t know anything about it,” Salinas 100-year-old home in Waco preparing a garden, There has yet to be a zombie apocalypse, but The idea of using intelligence to manage lim- said. “There could be a story like ‘The Walk- his slobbering pitbull Petey panting beside him for Parker and many others, the idea is intrigu- ited resources is also a large aspect of the zombie ing Dead’ where there is no hope or a story like and a peeling cadaver shuffling toward him, he’d ing. apocalypse genre. ‘Warm Bodies,’ where there is hope.” know what to do. “Maybe on a subconscious level, there is Canton, Ohio, doctoral candidate Adam Although Parker appeared confident in his “A headshot or a brain trauma is the only something attractive to me about that kind of Marshall has played zombie video games such as ability to live through a zombie apocalypse, Sa- thing that can kill a zombie,” he said. difficult life,” he said. “If you want to live, it forc- “Resident Evil” and “Silent Hill.” He said zom- linas was not so sure. He would lift his shovel and bash the zom- es you to go backwards in time. Living would bie games are popular because they have strong “I definitely would not survive unless some- bie’s head. As the zombie lied on the ground require brutality and extreme effort as opposed story elements. one was taking care of me,” she said. “I can hissing and gargling, Parker would sever the to sitting in an air conditioned house.” “Most games do not present a challenge of shoot a gun, but I could not handle masses of zombie’s head from its neck — right in the tra- For him, the appeal is not in the act of vio- survivability,” he said. “With zombie games, zombies. That’s my biggest fear — a mass of chea. Finally, he would deliver the fatal blow to lence but the thought process behind the ac- you have to use the resources at your deposal zombies coming for me.” the zombie’s forehead with a final crunch. tions. to survive.” Parker’s knowledge of zombies comes from “I’m almost ashamed to admit it,” he said. Others think zombie popularity has grown collecting zombie comic books, watching zom- “There is a thrill in it. The thrill isn’t in striking out of the fun that comes with the supernatural bie films and researching for a paper he wrote a zombie on the head with a shovel. The appeal genre. Check out our “Make on “The Walking Dead,” a TV series on AMC. is in living a life of meaning — having to make Amanda Salinas, a previous Baylor engi- Parker presented the paper, “Living with the ethical decisions to survive.” neering student who plans to apply for Baylor’s Me a Zombie” video Walking Dead: A Close Reading of the Charac- Besides the appeal of ethical questions, the nursing school in Dallas, tweeted a picture of a at baylorlariat.com. ter of Rick Grimes,” at the Southwest Commis- zombie genre is popular for other reasons. white-board drawing of Baylor during a hypo- sion for the Study of Religion. Reporter Doug Gross, in his CNN article thetical zombie apocalypse. “Zombies typically end up being a medium “Why we love those rotting, hungry, putrid The drawing had a key with icons for zombie for humanity to explore ethical issues that are zombies,” correlated the use of zombies in pop- nests, weapon stashes, food routes and people. Photo illustration by Matt Hellman | Multimedia Producer * 19 An Unquenchable hirst Dr. Melton had always considered his study of vampires nothing more than a hobby — that is, t until he met Robert Eighteen-Bisang.

By Shelby Leonard late what is still to this day one of the largest movies and entertainment. of the Transylvanian Society of Dracula, of Reporter collections of vampire memorabilia. With its meticulous detail and wealth of which, Eighteen-Bisang is a member. “I after I met Rob I got real serious about folk history, the book is one of his best known. In Nashville, Melton put together a session Dr. John Gordon Melton has studied many collecting,” Melton said, adding that he and “The only time I’ve ever seen one of my based on Dracula, Buffy and the fact that vam- religious themes ranging from new and alter- Eighteen-Bisang have co-authored before. books in a bookstore was when I was walking pire interest has become such a popular item native religions to occultism. “Seeing his collection made around New Orleans at Hallow- in pop culture today. Since the early ’90s, however, one nontra- me aware of just how valuable the een,” Melton said. “There was my “I have pop culture stuff for every president ditional topic in particular has sparked his in- things I had accumulated were.” book in the window in a big book- since Nixon being portrayed as a vampire,” terests — vampires. It was then that Melton said he store, right there on Canal Street.” Melton said. “The permeation in our culture is Although studying vampire literature is started systematically gathering the Since the release of his first just phenomenal.” simply a hobby for Melton, it’s one that has, for materials, novels and films he had vampire book, Melton has trav- Melton said he is currently writing an ar- years, provided both an outlet and a research amassed over the years. eled to numerous vampire confer- ticle that incorporates this growing obsession venue for him. As a historian and biographer, ences around the world. in pop culture. There is a powerful metaphor It all began in the early 90’s in Romania Melton said he wanted to make Similar to Comic-Con, at these that’s entered into the culture, which can be with a man named Robert Eighteen-Bisang. sure any information he collected conferences, fans gather from all separated into two groups of people, Melton Although Melton had always engaged in was historically accurate. over the world for events, parades, said. vampire movies and novels as a way of escap- As a result, Melton began to re- costumes and discussions. “In the big group you have the millions of ing from the serious demands of his everyday search the history of vampires, as Melton Melton said he attended the fans of vampire books and movies,” Melton work, he said traveling, writing and reading well as the study of contemporary Count Dracula Society in Dublin, said. “Then you have the smaller group of peo- vampire novels was just one of the ways he vampire-related groups and rites. because it happened to coincide with a reli- ple who want to be vampires or people who chose to spend his leisure time. In 1978, Melton’s first encyclopedia, The gion conference in England he was attending. claim they are vampires and or people who “Up until the early ‘90s it was strictly a hob- Encyclopedia of American Religions, was re- While in Dublin, Melton said he met Elizabeth have adopted a vampire lifestyle. They work at by,” Melton said. leased. Miller and Jeannie Youngston. night. They sleep in coffins. They have fangs In the early ’90s, however, it developed into When Melton’s publishing contract was “In August of 1997, the three of us planned implanted in their mouth.” something more serious. due for renewal, his publishers called him into a Dracula centennial conference, in L.A., From fans to fangs, Melton has studied the During the time, Melton said he was fre- Detroit to talk about his next contract. He called Dracula ’97,” Melton said. “It was the historical transformation of vampires. In the quently traveling back and forth from Roma- made a list of 10 topics. biggest of several centennial events that year.” 1400s the notion of vampires was taboo. To- nia. On one of his trips, Melton met Eighteen- Item 10 was an idea for an encyclopedia of In 2004 Melton participated in “Therapy day, vampires are romanticized to the extent Bisang, a writer and vampire scholar who has vampires. His publishers jumped on the idea. and Magic in Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ and be- that people devote their life to the notion. one of the world’s largest collections of vam- Melton’s vampire encyclopedia, “The Vam- yond,” a conference “Buffy, the vampire slayer” “But for me, this is something I do at pire material. pire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead,” held in Nashville, Tenn. At the conference the end of the day or on the weekends, after Melton said he was inspired by his collec- was released in 1994. Melton was titled as the “Count Dracula Am- I spent the major part of my time doing my tion of vampire literature and films. The book included vampire folklore, the bassador to the U.S.” studies on China, African-Americans, Texas Although somewhat obscure, Eighteen-Bi- history of vampirism and vampire novels, Currently, Melton is also the president religious history, etc.,” Melton said. sang spent much time and money to accumu- 20

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