Shave and a Haircut · A Little Off the Top
The Sunday Test Case
Eden v. People (1896)
Charge: Keeping a barber shop open on Sunday in violation of an 1895 Illinois statuteCourt: Supreme Court of IllinoisDocket: A Little Off the Top
Could Illinois make Sunday barbering a crime while leaving every other trade free to open?
The facts
In 1895 Illinois passed a law, pushed by barbers who wanted a day off, that made it a crime to keep a barber shop open or do any shaving or hair-cutting on Sunday. Fines ran up to $200 for each offence. No other trade was covered: under Illinois law other businesses could open on Sunday so long as they did not disturb the peace. William Eden, a Chicago barber, opened his shop on a Sunday to test the law. Other barbers reported him. A justice of the peace found him guilty, and the Criminal Court of Cook County fined him $25. He appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: Eden v. People, 161 Ill. 296 (1896)
Read more at cite.case.law. The source reveals the outcome.