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. So, check back often for new editions. To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com

TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – FRIDAY MAY 10, 1918

Strong winds gave some relief to the high temperature today. In center city the winds were measured at 20mph at times. The skies remain cloudy with the probability of rain tonight. Today’s high reached 83° with the low tonight expected to be about 59°. General Pershing has issued an order directing every man in the American Expeditionary Force to write home to his mother for Mother’s Day. The order read in part “This is a little thing for each one to do, but these letters will carry back our courage and our affection to the patriotic women whose love and prayers inspire us and cheer us on to victory”.

Is the Delaware River about to become fish-less? That is the claim of fishermen well acquainted with the waters. They say fish are leaving the river due to the constant noise of the shipyards. It seems banging hammers, movement of trains and trolleys, and the rat-a-tat of the riveters gets on the nerves of the fish. The fishermen were out to catch a meal for government workers at Washington Park, New Jersey. Today’s catch only included 6 skimpy shad and a few herring. The fishermen stated that it’s not just the shad and herring that are scarce but eel, carp and catfish also seem to be deserting the waterway.

In baseball, two members of the Phillies have enlisted. William “Pickles” Dillhoefer and George “Possum” Whitted have joined Uncle Sam’s army. The men will remain with the team while the paperwork is being processed and the army calls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Phillies lost yesterday to the Giants 4 to 1 and today are traveling to St. Louis. Over at Shibe Park today the A’s lost to the White Sox in 11 innings 5 to 3. An interesting batting race has developed in the American League. Red Sox pitcher George “Babe” Ruth is the league’s leading batsman with an average of .500. Tris Speaker is 2^nd batting .422. In yesterday’s game Ruth batted cleanup and smacked 3 doubles, 1 triple and 1 single. He also pitched all 9 innings but Boston lost to Washington 4 to 3.

WAR NEWS

Today’s casualty list contains 21 names. Four men were killed in action, one died of wounds, three died of disease, one from accident and one lost at sea. Seven were listed as slightly wounded and three as severely wounded, one listed as missing. One of those listed as dying of disease is a Philadelphian. Corporal George Sheperdson of Parkside apartments, 40^th & Girard Avenue, succumbed to scarlet fever on May 4. Cpl. Sheperdson was 28 years old and was a graduate of the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Pharmacy. He was serving with Penn’s Base Hospital No. 20. He leaves behind a wife, Mary Millman Shepherdson of Mount Airy.

GET YOUR COPY BY CLICKING HERE:  PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS