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 – WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1914
There will be fair and clear skies over the city today with the high reaching a pleasant 79° and the low about 66°.
Philadelphia has a lady barber! Her name is Mrs. Emily Pecella (shown below) and she cuts hair and give shaves at 1003 Ridge Avenue. Mrs. Pecella has been working for just over a year now. Male customers were at first somewhat anxious allowing a woman so close to their throats with a razor but now they prefer her tender touch to the male barbers in the shop and will wait patiently for their turn in her chair. Mrs. Pecella’s husband is the proprietor of the shop and it was he who encouraged her to engage in the profession. Mrs. Pecella firmly believes other women should enter barbering as long as they maintain a business like attitude and never engage in nonsense or silly flirtations.
The initial investigation of the damage done by the fire yesterday on the USS Oklahoma reveals that 9 compartments have been severely damaged and will have to be completely rebuilt. The full investigation of the damage and its resulting cost will take 3 weeks. Steel bulkheads are badly damaged from the fire’s heat and all the wiring, plumbing and ventilation systems in the affected areas will need to be replaced. The Oklahoma is the latest American warship to have suffered a mysterious fire in the last few weeks. The dreadnaughts Alabama, New Jersey, New York and the torpedo boat destroyers San Francisco and Warrington have also been struck with fire causing many to believe foreign sabotage is at work.
On the sports beat, the Phillies finished up their series with the Cubs this afternoon and Grover Cleveland Alexander was masterful. “Alexander the Great” pitched a 3 hit shutout as the Phillies beat the cubs 1 to 0. Out in Detroit the A’s finally won a game after 5 losses beating the Tigers 4 to 3. For those who would enjoy an amateur game this afternoon, out at Newman Grounds, 59th & Market Streets, J.G. Brill Co. will be meeting Clifton Heights. Admission is .25¢.
WAR NEWS
On the western front, a French air fleet of 31 aeroplanes has bombed the railway station at Conflans in northern France. Conflans is 15 miles west of the German fortress of Metz and is an important railway junction supplying the German armies around Verdun and St. Mihiel. In the east, German shells are falling on the outer defenses of Warsaw and the German army is within 15 miles of the Polish capital. It is reported that the Kaiser has arrived at General von Hindenburg’s headquarters and intends to enter the Polish city with his army when it falls.
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