In October of 1896, a ghastly and ghostly figure appeared in the streets of Terre Haute, Indiana. His skin was dark with mud, his nose upturned and red like a carrot, and he carried a basket filled with candy-coated pumpkin seeds as he lurked about searching for some unfortunate individual to terrify. This person was the first known appearance of what would become know as the “Pumpkin Head Zombie”. On that day, The Terre Haute Evening Gazette reported that, “The new sensation excited great interest all over town. People ran from their houses to inquire where the strange apparition could be seen again… The streets were almost deserted all night through fear of encountering him again…”
What Happened?
What caused this incident in Terre Haute in 1896? There are many theories. The first is that the story was started by a reporter on a whim, in an effort to increase sales. However, this theory has been discounted as the reporter in question, Ed Naff, was from Chicago and not Terre Haute. A second theory is that it was a publicity stunt for the local YMCA in an effort to increase donations. Another theory is that it was done by local students at Indiana State Normal School in an effort to get out of studying for upcoming exams. Yet another theory is that it was done by a group of students at Indiana State Normal School in an effort to get out of having to participate in the school’s “Pumpkin Festival” which was scheduled for the same night.
Who was the Pumpkin Head Zombie?
There is no evidence that the Pumpkin Head Zombie actually existed. He was apparently just a prankster who went around on Halloween covering his face with mud and handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. However, some say he was a zombie, ghost, or vampire. Others say he was just a prankster who attempted to scare people. There is no evidence that he was ever caught, either. It is likely that the incident in Terre Haute in 1896 was the first time a prankster used the “Pumpkin Head Zombie” costume.
The costume was a simple one that any prankster could make themselves with ease. The costume consisted of a dark pumpkin mask made from mud, a red nose, a tall hat, a black robe or overcoat, and a basket full of pumpkin seeds. The prankster simply put on the dark mask, put the red nose on the mask, put the tall hat on his head, put the black robe or overcoat on, and put the basket of pumpkin seeds in his hand. The Pumpkin Head Zombie was likely invented by whoever invented this costume. This person may have been a student or faculty member at Indiana State Normal School or at Terre Haute High School.
Why did the Pumpkin Head Zombie do it?
According to the Terre Haute Evening Gazette the Pumpkin Head Zombie was likely an attempt to “keep the students from studying”. This is because on October 31st, 1896, the day of the haunting, the students were preparing for the upcoming final examinations which were scheduled for November 5th, 1896. The Pumpkin Head Zombie was likely an attempt to scare students out of their studies. The Pumpkin Head Zombie may have been done by the same group of students who came up with the idea to hold a “Pumpkin Festival” during the same night. The “Pumpkin Festival” was a social event held by the students and local residents who came together to celebrate the harvest by carving and lighting jack-o’-lanterns. This “Pumpkin Festival” was scheduled to take place on Halloween night, the night of the “Pumpkin Head Zombie”. However, it is also possible that the “Pumpkin Head Zombie” was an attempt to simply scare the locals out of their homes. Whatever the reason, the locals were not amused.
Terre Haute’s Zombie Apocalypse
On October 31st, 1896, the Halloween night of the Pumpkin Head Zombie, the residents of Terre Haute, Indiana, were terrified. A small newspaper article in the Indiana, Pennsylvania, Standard newspaper was the start of the panic. The Terre Haute Evening Gazette, on that same Halloween night, reported that, “The new sensation excited great interest all over town. People ran from their houses to inquire where the strange apparition could be seen again… The streets were almost deserted all night through fear of encountering him again…”
The residents of Terre Haute were so spooked by the sight of the Pumpkin Head Zombie that they fled their homes and lived in the streets for the rest of the evening. The morning after the Pumpkin Head Zombie appeared, the morning of November 1st, 1896, the streets were still deserted and full of fear. Thus, the Indiana, Pennsylvania, Standard newspaper reported that, “The scare in Terre Haute continues. Business is at a stand still and no one seems to have the courage to attempt anything like business.”
A brief explanation of what happened in Terre Haute, IN on October 31st, 1896
On October 31st, 1896, the Halloween night of the Pumpkin Head Zombie, the residents of Terre Haute, Indiana, were terrified. A small newspaper article in the Indiana, Pennsylvania, Standard newspaper was the start of the panic. The Terre Haute Evening Gazette, on that same Halloween night, reported that, “The new sensation excited great interest all over town. People ran from their houses to inquire where the strange apparition could be seen again… The streets were almost deserted all night through fear of encountering him again…” The residents of Terre Haute were so spooked by the sight of the Pumpkin Head Zombie that they fled their homes and lived in the streets for the rest of the evening. The morning after the Pumpkin Head Zombie appeared, the morning of November 1st, 1896, the streets were still deserted and full of fear. Thus, the Indiana, Pennsylvania, Standard newspaper reported that, “The scare in Terre Haute continues. Business is at a stand still and no one seems to have the courage to attempt anything like business.”
Tips to avoid being caught by the Pumpkin Head Zombie and other Halloween-time scarers
There are many things that can go wrong on Halloween. There may be trick-or-treaters who ring your doorbell and then run away without leaving any treats. There may be trick-or-treaters who yell at you and say things like, “Get out of your house!” There may be trick-or-treaters who ring your doorbell and then throw rotten eggs and old meat at you. There may be trick-or-treaters who come to your house and knock on the door. And lastly, there may be trick-or-treaters who come to your house and attempt to break in. To avoid all of these Halloween-time problems, simply don’t ring your doorbell on Halloween. If you don’t ring your doorbell, there will be no trick-or-treaters to scare you.
And stay off the streets of Terre Haute, Indiana as every so often the Pumpkin Head Zombie reemerges to terrify kids and adults alike. And, Freddy Krueger is no match for the depths of depravity of the Pumpkin Head Zombie.
Muuuuuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Written by William Shitner
(Who loves Best Fiends merch!)