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.
To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1915
Today’s forecast calls for overcast skies with light rain in the afternoon. The high today will be 60° with the low about 44°.
From Washington, D.C. there is wedding news out of the White House. It was announced last night that President Wilson is engaged. The bride to be is Mrs. Edith Bolling Galt (shown below), a widow of 8 years. Mrs. Galt is not just a member of Washington and Virginia society but also American Indian royalty. She is the granddaughter, in the 9th generation, of Pocahontas and John Rolfe. A wedding date has not yet been set but close friends of the couple believe it will be in mid-December.
Edith Bolling Galt
In local news, World Series ticket-scalpers were out in force today and making a handsome profit. Gangs of men paraded on Broad Street from the Union League to the Bellevue-Stratford. Tickets priced at $2.00 were being sold for $10.00, $20.00 and even $30.00. In scholastic news, Mrs. Lucy Langdon Williams Wilson has been elected by the Board of Education to become principal of the Southern High School for Girls which is being constructed at Broad & Jackson Street. The school is scheduled to open in December. Mrs. Wilson had previously been mentioned for consideration as superintendent of public schools.
On the crime beat, Mr. Julio Vasquez lies in Hahnemann Hospital today as the result of last night’s supper. Mr. Vasquez complained about the meal served to him by his wife, Fena, who then slashed his arms and hands with a razor and shot him in the stomach. Mrs. Vasquez is now in jail at 10th & Buttonwood Street station awaiting word on her husband’s condition.
In international news, The Haitian Chamber of Deputies has voted to enter into a treaty with the United States making the country a protectorate for 40 years. The Chamber voted 75 to 6 in favor of the arrangement. The treaty must still be ratified by the Haitian and United States Senates.
WAR NEWS
On the western front, the Germans have suffered terrible losses in their effort to retake ground lost to the French in the Champagne region over the past week. In the Balkans, Austro-German armies have invaded Servia from three directions crossing the Drina, Danube and Save Rivers. The armies are being commanded by German Field Marshal von Mackensen who was withdrawn from the Russian front to direct the invasion.
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