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 – THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1915

Today the city will have another beautiful day with clear skies and moderate winds from the north. The high will reach 79° and the low tonight about 59°.

William H. McClellan lies dying at Hahnemann Hospital today. But if he leaves this earth he will leave it a hero. This morning McClellan, 42 years old of 210 DeLancey Street saved the lives of dozens of children who were standing in front of Hollingsworth School at 15th & Locust Streets. McClellan is a teamster and had just mounted his wagon when he saw a runaway team careening toward them. He jumped from his wagon and in front of the wild horses to try and stop them by grasping their bits. The force of the impact knocked him under the horses. He was trampled but did not let go. He pulled himself up and again grabbed the bits. His grip was like iron and finally the horses stopped before reaching the frightened children. His ribs were broken, his eyes badly injured but it is the other internal injuries he suffered which may take his life. All Mr. McClellan asked as he was taken by police to the hospital was “Are the children safe?”

An arsonist set the firehouse of Engine Company No. 31 at 2712 North 2nd Street ablaze this afternoon. The fire started after Engine 31 was call to a false alarm at American & Dauphin Streets. While searching for that fire the men were informed that their own house was burning. The company returned to the station and put out the blaze which had been started in the hayloft. Police are investigating the incident.

In baseball, Heavy rains in Chicago postponed the Phillies-Cubs game today. At Shibe Park however, the A’s bats came to life as they clubbed the Indians 11 to 1. One of the most exciting moments of the contest was a 2nd inning inside the park home run by 3rd baseman Larry Kopf (shown below). With runners on 2nd and 3rd Kopf drove a line drive to left which skipped past the Indians’ Smith. Kopf’s speed served him well as he rounded the bases. This is the first inside the park home run at Shibe Park.

6-10-1915 Larry Kopf

WAR NEWS

In the west, both London and Paris are reporting gains in the area around Arras. On the Italian front, fighting continues east of the Isonzo River and the Italian offensive continues. The Italians have also reportedly captured Monfalcone, an important railway center 12 miles inside Austrian territory.  In the east, south of Lemberg in Galicia, Russian reinforcements have halted, at least temporarily, the Austro-German advance.

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