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 – WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 1918

There will be cloudy skies over the city this afternoon and tonight with cooler temperatures. Rain is also likely later this afternoon. Today’s high will only reach 76° with the low tonight about 70°. Tonight the Philadelphia Band will be performing at City Hall courtyard. And the Municipal Band will entertain at Ringgold & Mayfield Streets. Both concerts are free.

The employees and management of the Eddystone rifle plant of Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company are rightly proud today. The plant has established a new national record by producing 130,000 rifles in the month of June. In fact on one June day the workers turned out 6000 rifles.

In Washington D.C. it was announced that President Wilson will nationalize and assume control of the country’s telephone and telegraph lines tomorrow. Postmaster General Burleson is expected to be placed in charge. The President assured the members of the press that notwithstanding the Federal government takeover of the wire services, freedom of the press will be upheld.

It was announced today that Quentin Roosevelt, the youngest son of the former President was killed in battle near Chateau-Thierry on Sunday morning. Lieutenant Roosevelt was flying inside enemy lines when he was engaged by 2 German airplanes. His cousin, Captain Philip Roosevelt, witnessed the battle from his position in the trenches but did not know until later that it was his relative who fell. Lt. Roosevelt joined the signal officers’ reserve corps shortly after America entered the war. He quickly transferred to the aviation corps and rapidly progressed through training. He was made flight commander of the 95th Aero Squadron in June of 1918 and recorded his first confirmed kill on July 10. Quentin Roosevelt was 20 years old.

Quentin Roosevelt

In sports, last night at Shibe Park “Lefty” Lew Tendler of this city had the better of “Irish” Patsy Cline of New York. The fight was the featured match and was viewed by 12,000 boxing enthusiasts. In the six round contest Tendler used skill and craftiness to get Cline to tire himself out. The first round went to Tendler, the second was a draw, Cline took the third and fourth. But then he looked spent and in the fifth and sixth rounds Tendler turned on his speed and administered a whirlwind beating on the New Yorker, hitting him almost at will. When the fight was over and Tendler awarded the decision the crowd rushed the ring to show their appreciation for the home town victor.

Philadelphia has given another of her sons in the cause of liberty. He is Corporal William M. Salvador, U.S.A., of 1243 South 53rd Street. Corporal Salvador was 18 years old. Also listed as severely wounded are Sergeant Joseph Hibbert of 6240 Reedland Street, Corporal Harry M. Hall of 5114 Baltimore Avenue and Luigi Mezzanotte of 185 West Logan Street. Additionally Private Effim Lehukey of 936 North Franklin Street is listed as a prisoner of war.

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