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, APRIL 5, 1916

Light rain fell on the city last night and early today. The expected storm moved out to sea and made only a light impact on Philadelphia. There will be increasingly fairer skies over the city for the remainder of the day with the high about 48° with the low around 34°.

Fate has smiled on a 13 year old boy who was destined to spend life as a Negro. But through the vagaries of chance he has been proven to be white. The boy is known as George Hickman, which is the name of his Negro foster parents. For obvious reasons his real name is being withheld by the Juvenile Court. Six weeks ago the boy was caught playing truant. Upon being taken to court it was learned his Negro parents were not his true mother and father. Judge MacNeille then began to untangle the tale and even found the true mother. It seems that 13 years ago the boy’s mother, a white woman, was deserted by her husband, a white man. She had no means to support the child so she gave him to a kindly Negro couple for safekeeping. Then the mother disappeared. Now mother and son have been reunited. And even more good news is in store for the youngster. A wealthy man became interested in the boy’s story and now that the boy’s white blood has been proven this generous gentleman has offered to provide the lad an education in one of the most exclusive preparatory schools in the country.

In crime news, two tiny buglers were arrested today for steeling 1000 cigars, several boxes of cigarettes and whiskey from Joseph Lyons’ saloon at 4157 Main Street in Manayunk. The thieves are Andrew Dominoe of 4228 Cresson Street who is 9 years old and John Wisloski of 4159 Apple Street, 11 years old. The boys admitted to climbing the fire-escape and forcing their way inside. Neither boy is new to crime. Master Dominoe is on parole from the House of Detention and both boys are also accused of stealing 2 automobile tires and a gasoline lamp last Sunday morning from a carriage shop at Kingsley & Cresson Streets.

In sports, the major leagues of baseball have not opened their seasons as yet but that does not mean baseball is not being played here. On the local college schedule the red and blue of Penn will meet Villanova’s 9 this afternoon at Franklin Field.  And today’s high school games include Germantown High against Germantown Academy, Cheltenham High vs. Friends Central, Vineland High comes north to play Episcopal Academy, Haverford School meets the Fourth Street Club and Philadelphia Textile School takes on St. Joseph’s. And in the semi-pro game the Tulpehocken Reds of Germantown (shown below) are ready for the season and are looking to take on class A teams. To arrange a date contact Manager F.W. Kalbacher at 4414 North Cleveland Street.

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