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 – TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1916

The forecast calls for another day of cloudy skies and intermittent rain. The Weather Bureau has issued an advisory that a strong storm is moving up the Atlantic coast and will reach Philadelphia tomorrow. The high today will only reach 44° with the low overnight near 37°.  In business news, Baldwin Locomotive Works announced today that it has received 50 orders for locomotives. Twenty Five locomotives were ordered by both the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Great Northern Railway. These orders, combined with those received from some of the warring European powers, will keep the plant and its employees busy for the foreseeable future.

In crime news, a man described as a huge Negro, attacked a woman last night on West River Drive in Fairmount Park. The woman was accompanied by a male companion. The attack was stopped by Park Guard Eugene Miller who grappled with the man and Guard Harvey Link who fired 3 shots at the man as he ran away. The Negro jumped into the Schuylkill River and is believed to have drowned. Park guards are searching the River today under Girard Avenue Bridge. The names of the woman attacked and her male companion are being withheld by Police.

On the national news scene, the Salvation Army has announced they will begin assisting British war widows to find good husbands here and in Canada. The Canadian government has already accepted the offer. Because of the loss of so many men in England the widows of that country are left with few good matrimonial prospects. The Salvation Army will assist these women to come to America and Canada and place them in a proper environment in which they can find good husbands.

In Mexico, General Pershing has advised General Funston that Villa has escaped and his whereabouts unknown for now. Notwithstanding this news, fresh troops have now arrived in Mexico to join the search. The new arrivals include not only Custer’s glorious 7th Cavalry but 20 Apache Indians who the army will employ as trackers to find Villa. Some of these Indians fought with Geronimo and are considered the best trackers in the world.

In sports, playing with the A’s in Jacksonville is legendary 2nd baseman Napoleon “Larry” Lajoie (shown below). If Mr. Mack brings the 6’1”, 200 lbs. Lajoie north with the team this season it will be his 21st year in the major leagues. Lajoie started his career with the Phillies in 1896. He jumped to the newly formed Athletics in 1901 and in 1902 went to Cleveland until 1915 when he returned to the A’s. If Lajoie completes this season as a regular player he will be one of a select few who have been in continuous major league service for 20 or more seasons.

Nap Lajoie

Nap Lajoie

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