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.
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TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1915
There will be partly cloudy and somewhat dreary skies over the city today. The high will reach 73° with the low about 41°. The Republican organization officially went on record today supporting every proposed amendment to the Commonwealth’s constitution except the one calling for women’s suffrage. The order to ignore that proposed amendment came directly from Congressman William Vare. When questioned about the omission Congressman Vare avoided giving a direct answer on the subject.
Another new motion picture company has opened in this city. The Franklin Film Manufacturing Corporation will have its studio at 20-54 East Herman Street in Germantown and has also leased 251 acres for outdoor scenes on a farm at Barren Hill. The company is capitalized with $200,000.00 and has already begun filming its first 5 reel feature, “A Wild Rose” staring May Ward. The company intends to produce one new feature every four weeks.
On the sports scene in High School football the boys of Southern High (shown below) beat Camden High 27 to 7. In other games Catholic High beat Villanova Prep 26 to 0, Germantown High and Frankford played to a 0-0 tie, Episcopal 7 St. Luke’s School 6 and Swarthmore Prep 10 Penn Charter 7. In women’s field hockey Friends Central 2 Friend Select 1, Philadelphia 6 Germantown 1, Moorestown Friends School 6 Miss Irwin’s School 0.
In news from around the nation, south of the Mason-Dixon Line nearly every school child this morning sang “Dixie” in honor of the birthday of Daniel Decatur Emmett of Ohio who wrote the south’s most beloved war song. There is more fighting along the southern border. One U.S. soldier was wounded and 6 Mexicans killed at the little town of Capote, 31/2 miles from Hidalgo, Texas. Twice the Mexicans charged the 20 Americans guarding the town but the soldiers held their ground forcing the invaders back across the Rio Grande before reinforcements arrived. And finally, fires broke out last night in 3 cities destroying supplies and munitions awaiting shipment to the Allied forces. The fires occurred on piers in Seattle and Baltimore and on a ship in New York harbor. The losses are valued at more than $500,000.00. Authorities believe all the fires were intentionally set.
WAR NEWS
Today in London at St. Paul’s Cathedral a memorial service was held for Nurse Edith Cavell. The Bishop of London presided and Queen Mother Alexandra attended representing the Royal Family. The King is presently visiting the troops in France. Premier Asquith along with his Cabinet was also in attendance along with most of the representatives of the diplomatic corps. Also 600 nurses were given seats of honor in the Cathedral. The execution of Miss Cavell has caused such worldwide outrage that the Kaiser himself has ordered a halt to all executions in Belgium while he personally investigates the situation.
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