On this page we will look back at life in the city during the war years. Here we will provide the visitor with the stories making the news, what was happening in sports and entertainment, city politics, the social scene and the prominent people at the time. We will also recount the events occurring in the war on that day. So, check back often for new updates.
To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1915
The skies over the city today will be cloudy and overcast. There is a strong possibility of rain tonight and into tomorrow. The high today will reach 72° with the low about 61°.
Two summers ago, on the beach in Wildwood, New Jersey the cry of “she’s drowning” rang out at the edge of the water. George Morris, 2333 South 17th Street, heard the scream and dashed into the waves. In the breakers, Miss Edith Robson of 2510 South 18th Street was struggling and going under for what might be the last time. Mr. Morris dived for the girl, found her and brought her safely to shore. Although they lived a few blocks from each other they had never met before. George didn’t know it then but he had rescued his one true love. At a dinner given by Edith last night the couple announced to their family and close friends that they had secretly married in April.
The 1500 residents of Five Points on 2nd Street Pike below Fox Chase are requesting the city change the name of the area to Burholme because another area in the 35th Ward is also called Five Points. The city’s Department of Health and Charities announced that it will add 15 additional nurses to assist mothers in caring for their children during the coming summer months. The Department believes this effort will reduce infant deaths.
In entertainment, the Municipal Band will be in concert tonight at Mifflin Square, 5th & Mifflin Streets. The Band will be performing tomorrow evening at 2nd & Laurel Streets. And the Lit Brothers have announced they will begin showing motion pictures on the 2nd floor of the store, twice a day at 10:30am and 1:30pm. Admission is free.
In sports, Frank Lear (shown below), a Villanova lad with a good reputation as a hitter and base runner when he played for that school got the chance to play in the big leagues today. Lear replaced Kopf at 3nd base late in today’s game for the A’s but didn’t get a chance at the plate. Unfortunately the A’s weren’t able to match the Brown, losing 4 to 1. Better luck next time Mr. Lear. In St. Louis, the Phillies had better luck beating the Cardinals 8 to 4.
WAR NEWS
On the Western front, French forces used “liquid fire” on German trenches near Baugois, northeast of Soissons. The Germans assert the French used the spray as part of an attack this morning. Reports are that many soldiers were burned alive where they stood. The Germans claim the attack was repulsed. Also, the eastern coast of England was bombed from the air again today. This is the 2nd time in 48 hours. Five civilians were reportedly killed in the attack.