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 – MONDAY, JULY 19, 1915
There will be no relief from the heat today and 4 more deaths have resulted from it. There is the possibility of showers in the late afternoon which may cool the city off somewhat. The high today will be 90° with the low tonight around 71°. The heat has resulted in an increased use of the public baths houses. Last week there were nearly 500,000 visits recorded to use the pools. The visitors included 78,182 men, 210,682 boys, 135, 470 women and 34,651 girls. And ice cream is in high demand.
Mr. Richard Luther works as a telephone operator for the Bureau of Water at City Hall. During a lull at the switchboard last evening he pushed his chair back and heard a terrible cry as the chair pinched the tail of one of the new born kittens belonging to Scow, a cat that has taken up residence in the office. The cry of the kitten enraged Scow. She jumped to the attack and furiously scratched Mr. Luther on his face and neck and locked her teeth onto his arm, biting him badly. Eventually Mr. Luther freed himself and got her out of the room. He was taken to Hahnemann Hospital for treatment of his wounds. And although “Mother” Scow won the battle she lost the war. She was put to death this morning at the Morris Refuge Home.
In entertainment news, The Lubin Movie Company has built another studio at 17th & Glenwood Avenue. The new studio is the 3rd built by Lubin in the city and its 9th in total. For the music lovers the Philadelphia Band will be appearing at City Hall Plaza this week. The Fairmount Park Band will be playing tonight at Georges’ Hill beginning at 8:00pm and the Municipal Band will be performing at various locations throughout the city this week. Tonight they will be at Broad & Snyder Avenue; Tomorrow at Starr Garden Playground, 7th & Lombard Streets; Wednesday evening at Stinger Park, 33rd & Reed Streets; Thursday night at Gorgas Park, Ridge Avenue & Hermitage Street; Friday night at Northwood Park, Arrott Street and Castor Road; and Saturday evening at Belfield Playground, 21st & Nedro Streets.
On the sports beat, three of the city’s boxing arenas will be active tonight. The Broadway A.C., 15th & Washington Avenue, the Quaker City A.A., 26th & Dauphin Street and the Allegheny A.C., B Street & Allegheny Avenue will all have 5 bouts on their cards tonight. In baseball, the Phillies held off the Cubs 5 to 4 at National League Park with Erskine Mayer getting the win and “Pete” Alexander getting the save. Out in Detroit the A’s were clubbed by the Tigers 12 to 6.
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