1853

Allen Pinkerton arrested Abner Kern for counterfeiting money and using it in Dundee.

Allen Pinkerton broke up counterfeiting ring at Bogus Island. Island located just one mile north of Rt. 62 bridge over Fox River. For more information, Newspaper article.

1873

William Lade found seven skeletons while digging a ditch for the Cheese Factory. Several people thought they were from the railroad gang building the railroad. For more information, 1885 History of McHenry County article.

1878

John Steward murdered William Frost and set fire to a hay stack to cover up the murder. Crime is solved by Crystal Lake's famous detective L. Benthusen. For more information, 1885 History of McHenry County article.

1881

A man called Mallory took watches from several people and then skipped town. Said to come from Elgin, but never seen again

1884

Thomas Kabon was fined $65.00 and court cost for selling beer which was illegal on Sundays.

1885

James Stewart died in Joliet prison while serving his prison term after being convicted for the murder of William Frost.

1886

A child was kidnapped between Cary and Algonquin. Crystal Lakes famous detective L. Benthusen is on the case.

A $5 reward was offered to help convict the person who damaged several windows in the Episcopal Church that was located across the street from Lutheran Church on Washington Street.

1893

John Wandrack is shot by Bennie Tiffany of Elgin while tending the bar for Leonard's Saloon.

1897

Gypsies came to town and stayed four days. Everyone had to watch his money and beware of scams.

Government fined saloon keepers for selling liquor wholesale without the proper license.

1898

Mrs. Hannah Wollert, who was insane, murdered her step-daughter. Later died in a Kankakee Asylum. The village looked for a tramp while the famous Detective L. Benthusen of Crystal Lake solved the murder. For more information, Nunda Herald article.

Marshal Dodd served warrants on three saloon keepers in Algonquin charging them with violation of the ordinance by keeping saloons open on Sunday. Each paid the fine of $10 and court costs.

1899

Two prominent lawyers from Woodstock were fined for doing illegal seining (fishing with nets) in the Fox River.

Frank Minard leaves town after being charged with using dynamite in the Fox River while fishing. He jumped his $300 bond.

Burglars came to town and stole $88. P.W. Wollaver lost $60 in watches, William Rattray lost $8 in cash. E.A. Bigelow place was tampered with and burglars tried to enter B.B. Stewart's place on South Main Street.

1901

John Sedlacek, who was a wife beater, was visited by a committee of citizens and was asked to leave town. He was given a few hours to leave. He left immediately.

John Gillilian, early pioneer settler, was murdered in Lincoln, Nebraska. The killer was caught. John was the brother of Samuel Gillilian. He owned a large farm near Route 25 and Algonquin Road. He came to Algonquin a year after his brother. Helped build the Pingry Hotel that later became Morton House.

Supreme Court upholds the JM Pyott divorce case. His second wife gets no property when it appears she married him for his money. The Pyott property was turned over to his sons when the wife filed for the divorce. The Pyott Mansion still exists just north of Algonquin Road on Pyott Road. For more information, Crystal Lake Herald article.

1906

Ed Havorka who was caught seining (fishing with nets) in the Fox River at Algonquin, was found guilty and a a fined $40 and court costs were assessed.

Citizens of the village have a "woman in black" scare. A mysterious woman dressed in black appeared on the streets and followed people. Others have seen her, but she has not caused any of them harm. By her actions, people seem to think she is looking for widowers

1908

Seven larger milk firms, Borden's, Bowman's Mix's, Wanzer's, Kee & Chapell's, Yore Brothers, and P.A. Newtons were indicted on charges of acting in restraint of trade by fixing the retail price of milk. Borden and Chapell firms were both located in town.

Team of mules were stolen from Robert Crieghton who lives near the village.

Horse thieves operated in the village's vicinity and stole from the August Schutte farm a very valuable horse and buggy.

1914

Dr. Pillinger, who is the town's physician, is almost held up on road from Elgin. He got away from the three men who tired to ambush him. Dundee police captured two of the men. The men said they were drunk and only wanted only a ride with him.

1915

The residence of Robert Layer of Chicago was entered by burglars who secured the goods to the value of $1,000. Mr. Layer used the home in Algonquin as a summer house.

1918

Gypsies came to Algonquin and several thefts were reported. The band of gypsies were caught. Tegtmeier, Wever, Kniebush, Dahn, Bauer all claimed to have been robbed. For more information, Crystal Lake Herald article.

1922

Florence E. Hill, who ran a soft drink parlor in Algonquin, was arrested along with Paul Lageschulte and Harold Sachs for serving liquor. She promised to leave the county.

1930

Lone bandit got $2,800 at Algonquin State Bank. Robber entered 5 min. before closing time. He locked up his victims in the vault. The alarm was sounded when he fired his pistol in the bank while leaving.