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 each day for new editions.

To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com

TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1915

There will be clear and fair skies over the city today with somewhat cooler temperatures arriving tomorrow. Today’s high will be about 87° and the low around 70°.

A photograph found in the pocket of an unidentified Canadian soldier killed at Ypres has created a mystery for the family of a deceased woman here. The woman in the picture is Mrs. Delia Rayer who lived at 2525 North Clarion Street. Mrs. Rayer died on August 16, 1913 at the age of 28. She had been married for 11 years before her death and had 2 children. The picture was taken at the Lipp Studio of this city and was recently sent there by a member of the Canadian cavalry in the hopes the woman could be identified and the photograph returned.

On its reverse side were the words “Good-by and good luck, Harold darling till we meet again, Nell”. Mrs. Rayer’s sister said she had no knowledge of a Canadian friend of her sister and cannot imagine how the soldier got the picture. The soldier was a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and fell in the great charge at Ypres on April 24. Whoever he was he carried this lady’s picture close to his heart, into fierce and terrible battle and unto death.

Agents of the French government began the inspection of the horses it has purchased at the Bull’s Head Bazaar at 38th & Market Streets. The French intend to inspect 1100 horses per week. France has contracted for 41,000 horses. The inspections are being done by a French veterinarian and Count Bertier de Sauvigny who are assisted by a number of French soldiers. The French have paid about $180.00 per animal. If a horse passes inspection it is given a special brand on the right hoof (shown below) and prepared for shipment overseas. According to Count de Sauvigny the life expectancy of these horses once on the battle front is about 8 days.

8-25-1915 Branding Horses

In International affairs, the United States has presented to Haiti a 10 year Convention which includes provisions that the American government will control the country’s finances and customs receipts, establish a police force commanded by Americans and settle outstanding and past due Haitian bonds. Haiti has until tomorrow to agree to the Convention. Some in Haiti’s Congress oppose the measure but have given the new President the authority to sign it if he chooses. Also today Secretary of State Lansing emphatically declared that the United States had no intention whatsoever of annexing Haiti.

In baseball today the Phillies took a doubleheader from the Reds at National League Park. In the first game Grover Alexander threw a 4 hit shutout and also smacked his 1st home run of the season leading the Phillies to an 8 to 0 win. The 2nd game was closer but the Phillies pulled it out 6 to 5. Out in St. Louis the A’s dropped their 3rd in a row losing to the Browns 5 to 3.

GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY JUST CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW OR STOP IN AT YOUR NEAREST BARNES & NOBLE OR OTHER BOOK STORES.

 

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