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 – TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1915
There will be partly cloudy skies over the city today. The high will reach 73° with the low about 56°.
Representatives of 12 South and Central American countries arrived in this city today to confer with local businessmen about developing closer commercial interests between their nations and the United States. They were greeted this morning by Mayor Blankenburg at Independence Hall. In his speech the Mayor called for an “absolutely irresistible” union of American republics. Mr. Blankenburg also presented a “Declaration” based on our Declaration of Independence outlining this union of Pan-American nations. A proposed international flag for this union, made by Miss Sarah Wilson, great-granddaughter of Betsy Ross, was also presented to the delegates (shown below). The countries represented are: Argentina, Brazil, Chili, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador and the Dominican Republic.
Miss Mary MacElroy, 30 years old of 2039 East Sergeant Street, intended to commit suicide today by jumping from the Falls of Schuylkill Bridge. Fortunately for her but less so for the 9 rowers below she landed directly onto their racing shell. The boat overturned throwing everyone into the water. The men swam to Miss MacElroy to rescue her. She put up a fight but was eventually dragged to shore. It seems the woman is addicted to morphine and had run out of drugs. This made her despondent and she decided to die. She has been committed to Philadelphia Hospital.
In business news, Cramps Shipyard has completed or will shortly complete 5 torpedo boat destroyers for the United States Navy. When done all the vessels will have been built in just 6 months. On the sports beat, up in Brooklyn, the Phillies fell to the Dodgers 5 to 4. Here at Shibe Park, Walter Johnson led the Washington Senators to a 5 to 3 win over the A’s.
WAR NEWS
Late last night German airships attacked London. Ninety incendiary and explosive bombs were dropped on the East End and other sections of the city. This is the first time the British capital has been attacked. On the western front, Italian forces have captured Mont Zugna and have advanced to 13 miles of the Austrian city of Trent. The Italians also report the advance against Trieste is proceeding favorably. Also, Austrian aeroplanes bombed the Italian cities of Bari and Brindisi on Italy’s east coast. In the east, Russian forces continue to engage the Germans in the Kovno Province but are meeting stiff resistance. Further south the battle of the San River near Przemysl in Galicia also continues with the Russians appearing to be repulsing the Austro-German forces.