Potholes, clocks, and phonographs made Elgin news in November 1908

Here's a look at stories that made Elgin area headlines in November 1908:

The clock tower of the Elgin National Watch Company was a community icon for decades, but before that, there was the clock in the old woolen mill. The timepiece, by which Elginites regulated their work schedules and children knew when it was time to go home, was being taken down after nearly four decades of service. Plans called for the tower to be bricked in and used for a water tank according to YMCA officials who bought the building. The structure, located just north of the Chicago Street Bridge on the east bank of the Fox River, remained until it was demolished in the 1950s.

May-December romance: A 50-year-old married man keeping company with a 15-year-old girl? It happened in the good old days too, and police credit their new bloodhound with being able to track the couple. On one occasion, the new elusive pair was traced to a wooded area of Lords Park. After being found together in various locales - all with the help of the dog - the man was arrested and held on a $2,000 bond - a hefty sum for the time.

Can gymnastics help treat mental illness?: "This innovation will remedy patients who can be treated in no other way," said the superintendent of the Northern Illinois Hospital for the Insane, now the Elgin Mental Health Center. Using the services of a nationally known gymnastics instructor, the plan called for the patients to participate in classes four times a week. Since the hospital had no gym available, activities were held in the amusement hall.

Gross abuse: Citing what they called "gross abuse of the special police stars," city of Elgin officials requested all holders of such badges to surrender their stars. The badges would then be reissued on a limited basis according to the recommendation of department heads. Nearly every city employee had a special police badge, and was taking advantage of privileges such as riding the street cars for free, reports said. The new policy also called for all badges to be reissued every 60 days.

Nuptials on wheels: It wasn't Elgin's most unusual wedding, but it certainly was different. A local couple who met at a roller skating rink decided that location was also the prefect place to get married. The evening began with a period of free skating after which the "Clear the Floor" light was turned on. With a large wedding bell suspended from the ceiling and to the accompaniment of an Elgin orchestra, the couple then took their wedding vows. The "All Skate" light signaled the end of the ceremony and the bride and groom led the attendees in the "Grand March."

Outdoor music a no-go: "The phonograph has to go" was the decision of the city council after receiving numerous complaints about a phonograph outside a local theater. "The continuous grind of the barker" not only annoys passers-by but is a financial detriment to other stores in the area, the businessmen charged. The council spent very little time discussing the matter before quickly voting to ban the device from the city sidewalks.

Underground war: Who owns the space underneath the downtown sidewalks - the city or the store owners? The question came to the forefront as the city officials sought to ban a number of businesses, primarily pharmacies and grocery stores, from storing flammable containers in the sidewalk "vault" areas. One legal authority said the sidewalks and the space above and below them belonged to the city which would be liable for any damage should there be an explosion. City officials said they were considering charging the store owners rent for the items kept in the space.

Who's to blame?: Whose fault is it when a student is tardy to school - the child or the parent? "The pupil is not liable for tardiness and this is often true in the lower grades," the Elgin school superintendent told his staff. "Cooperation of the home and school is the most effective means of solving tardiness difficulty." The top official also warned against making the punishment so severe that the problem grew into one of truancy.

Woman's work is never done: Finally, saying that they were tired of waiting for the men to do the job, a group of about 30 women took on street repair project themselves. Using wheelbarrows and horses, the women excavated and filled an area known as "the gully" on East Chicago Street a half mile east of Liberty Street. The project was delayed because it lay at the county line and Hanover Township officials said it was the responsibility of the City of Elgin while city officials insisted the township should do the job.