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 often for new updates.
To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1915
The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies through today and tomorrow. The high today will reach about 69° with the low this evening around 56°.
145 graduates received their degrees from Jefferson Medical College at the schools 90th commencement today held at the Academy of Music. Among those graduating was James W. Keath who 1 year ago broke his spine in a terrible accident and had to be wheeled into the hall. Dr. Keath completed his studies from a hospital bed while in great pain and successfully passed his exams last week. When he was brought into the hall both graduates and guests gave him a rousing cheer and round of applause.
And the Academy of Music will be filled again tonight as Temple University holds its commencement and grants degrees on 166 students. Degrees will be bestowed in theology, law, dentistry, pharmacy and the liberal arts and sciences. The degrees will be conferred by the school’s president, Dr. Russell Conwell (shown below).
Harry Smith, a Negro of 37 years of age and living at 237 South Clifton Street, had a big appetite that cost him his life. This morning Mr. Smith ate 9 hard-boiled eggs for breakfast. He became ill and a physician was called. Unfortunately the doctor arrived too late and found Mr. Smith dead. Since Mr. Smith had been healthy all his life the doctor believes his death was caused by acute indigestion from eating the eggs.
On the sports scene, Philadelphia’s Women won the Clement A. Griscom Cup in golf today defeating the New York ladies team 9 matches to 6 at Haverford. Mrs. Clarence Vanderbeck and Mrs. Ronald Barlow, this city’s 2 titans of women’s golf, led the local team of 15 ladies to victory. In baseball, in St. Louis, Grover Cleveland Alexander hurled a 1 hit shutout giving the Phillies their 2nd win in a row, 3 to 0. At Shibe Park the last place A’s also won their 2nd in a row beating the St. Louis Browns 4 to 2.
And out at Kelly’s Lane on West Chester Pike 3000 spectators cheered the athletic games of the Jovian League today. The events included a baseball game between suffragists and anti-suffragists, trapshooting, sprint and relay races, a wheelbarrow race and a fat men’s race.
WAR NEWS
Bombs dropped from the air again on the eastern English coast last night although little damage was reported. On the western front, The Germans have fought their way to within 2 miles of Ypres and are driving the British back. Further south the Italians are rapidly advancing on Trent and bombing Rovereto which is 15 miles south of that city. Also, artillery duels are raging in the Alps along the Fruli frontier. In the east, a huge battle is raging between Russian and Austro-German forces on the lower San and Dniester Rivers south of Lemberg in Galicia.