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, SEPTEMBER 24, 1915
There will be partly cloudy skies today and this evening with the high reaching 76° and a chilly 41° tonight. The Barbers Sunshine committee will be donating free haircuts to the children at the St. John’s Orphan Asylum, 49th & Wyalusing Avenue this Sunday. And every following Sunday barbers from this organization will visit other institutions to provide free haircuts.
Robert D. Dripps (shown below), a political reformer and ally of Mayor Blankenburg in Common Council has been named the new Director of the Department of Public Safety, succeeding George Porter. Mr. Dripps was welcomed to the department today by Superintendent of Police Robinson and Fire Chief Murphy. Director Dripps promised to continue the work of reform, improvement and modernization in the Police and Fire departments that were begun under Director Porter.
Robert Dripps
On the southern border one American soldier was killed and 2 others injured when they were ambushed by Mexicans near Progresso, Texas last night. Progresso is 45 miles west of Brownsville. The dead soldier is Private Stubblefield of Troop C, 12th Cavalry. The wounded are Captain A. Anderson and Private Kennedy. The Americans were patrolling the area when they were shot at by 30 or 40 Mexicans wearing the uniforms of Carranza’s army. The Americans returned fire into the mesquite bushes where the Mexicans were hiding until help arrived. The Mexicans escaped back across the Rio Grande.
On the sports beat, in baseball both our teams played doubleheaders to make up for rained out contests throughout the season. The Chicago White Sox are at Shibe Park and took both games from the A’s who are now in 8th place and 57 games back. The Phillies are in Chicago at West Side Grounds against the Cubs. The Cubs took the 1st game 6 to 0 but the Phillies took the 2nd game by that same score. Penn’s football team engaged in a full practice today at Franklin filed before 2000 students and fans in preparation for tomorrow’s match with West Virginia. There were definitive clues as to who would constitute the starting lineup. At quarterback DeBenneville “Bert” Bell will get the start although Mr. Grant and Mr. Murdock will also probably see some action in the game.
WAR NEWS
On the western front, during the last 24 hours French artillery has conducted a continuous bombardment of the German positions near Arras. In Champagne the Germans are again using asphyxiation gasses against the French. But due to new precautions instituted by the French the gasses are having diminished effects. The King of Greece has ordered his army to mobilize. The order was given today in light of Bulgaria’s mobilization and threatening attitude toward Servia with which Greece has treaty obligations. The Greek army is thought to be between 280,000 and 300,000 strong.
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