Way back when, Election Day was dry around here

Enjoying a drink on Election Day, especially for victorious candidates, might be a common practice today, but a century ago it landed a number of bar owners in court. One Elgin theater found a unique way to add sound to its silent films, while a local telephone user suffered a mishap few of us would expect today.

Here's a look at those stories and other that made Elgin area news in April 1909.

Liquor lament: Can liquor be served on Election Day or not?

"No liquor shall be sold or given away on the day of any general or special election," said the Elgin police chief.

The law requiring saloons to be closed on Election Day didn't matter after the polls were closed, contended 26 of the city's 34 liquor establishments who were later arrested on charges of violation of the law.

"I warned all the night before," added the chief. The cases were later dismissed.

Feathers ruffled: Though women's hats adorned with feathers and flowers were the latest style, they were far from popular in one Elgin church.

"It is a matter of common sense," said one pastor who was upset that the hats blocked the view between the pastor and parishioners.

"If women wore more sensible hats, there would be no necessity of removing them at church services," added the pastor's wife.

The matter was resolved when the women unanimously agreed to remove their hats or sit is a separate section of the sanctuary.

Fires and firings: At least the good old days weren't filled with some of the more disturbing news we read about today - or, were they?

Two suspicious gas fires believed to be of incendiary origin erupted in the downtown area in the early morning hours. To help nab the suspects, rewards were even placed in the papers.

And, on the northeast side, two young men boys in possession of a .22 caliber rifle decided to use the window of a passing train for target practice creating havoc among the passengers.

Do-it-yourself "talkies": Silent movies - especially those at the nickel theaters - were gaining in popularity, but the lack of sound left many longing for more.

To make up for this technological shorting-coming, one ingenious Elgin theater owner placed several people behind the screen who spoke the parts of the actors. The idea was "well received" according to one newspaper.

Live wire: At least this isn't likely to happen to you while using your telephone today. Unable to get service on his phone, one Elgin man went outside to find his telephone and electrical lines intertwined. When he attempted to untangle the two, he was electrocuted.

The telephone company quickly put out a notice to subscribers that their telephone devices were safe, while the Elgin City Council issued an order for all telephone wires to be placed below electrical wires.

Doggone fees: Sometimes even seemingly small matters can make people upset with the city council. Angry that they were required to buy dog tags for their pets, over 90 residents signed a petition expressing their displeasure to the trustees.

One pet owner even took the matter to court and was awarded a verdict saying he didn't have to pay the fee, a decision city officials vowed to appeal.

The victorious litigant also became one of the 25 charter members of the Fox Valley Dog Protective Association. The group pledged to oppose further restriction by the council saying, "The city has so much graft and it is just unjust."

Hotheads: Finally, firefighters assigned to the same station often tend to be like a close family, but sometimes relationships between such individuals can become strained.

Apparently the result of a longtime feud, two men assigned to the Dundee avenue station took to blows with one ending up with a lacerated face and head. The fire chief, who had intervened on a previous incident, said he would be referring this matter to the Civil Service Board.