Rats got the best of cats in Elgin in 1909 August 20th, 2009
E.C. “Mike” Alft
What was making headlines in Elgin in the month of August 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10 years ago?
1909
• Rats were overrunning businesses along the river. Cats, ordinarily successful in hunting them, were found nearly eaten to pieces when shut up in a cellar at night.
• Record crowds were attending the harness races at Wing Park.
• Several attendants at the state hospital resigned rather than work under a female supervisor.
• A blacksmith was proposing to fit buggies with rubber tires.
• The last of the cedar blocks that at one time paved Grove and Douglas avenues and Chicago Street in the downtown area were removed.
• Local banks were giving out the new Lincoln pennies.
• The price of milk rose to 12 cents a quart.
1934
• The Rialto featured a special short subject, “Pictorial Record of the Career of John Dillinger, ex-Public Enemy No. 1.”
A Ford Tri-Motor based at the Trout Park Airport was giving rides for 40 to 75 cents, depending on the time of flight. Police received complaints that the plane was flying too low over the city.
• Golfers could play as many rounds they wanted for only 40 cents for the whole day.
• A Pushmobile Derby was held around a four-block course at Lincoln, Spring, Slade and Douglas. Three races were held. Each team included the driver and as many pushers as he could enlist.
• The Tri-City Animal Hospital opened on Highway 58, three blocks east of Liberty Street.
• A bicycle fad was sweeping the city.
• Three Elgin sisters were married in a triple wedding ceremony.
1959
• Gromer Super Markets opened a new store in the Wing Park Shopping Center on the northwest side.
• The city had three title-winning baseball teams. Elgin’s National Little League team captured the state championship. The Elgin Teener All-Stars won the regional title. The Elgin Athletic Club was Illinois semi-pro champ.
1984
• Western alumni of Elgin High School converged on Fresno, Calif., for a large reunion that attracted newspaper and television coverage.
• Severe thunderstorms, 70 mph winds and more than 3 inches of rain toppled trees, flooded streets and knocked out electric service for thousands of residents.
• Annual percentage yields on one-year certificates of deposit at local financial institutions were better than 11 percent.
1999
• Three men were killed in a shooting at the Burnham Schoolhouse Apartments in a gang shootout. A crack-dealing gang tried to take a safe from another gang. The safe was stuffed with cash, handguns and a half-pound of cocaine. Seven suspects were charged with murder.
• In an unrelated incident, a midday gang-related shooting on Michigan Street injured two young men.