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 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1915
The forecast calls for cloudy skies today with the possibility of rain tonight and tomorrow. Today’s high will be an unseasonably 75° with the low tonight about 56°.
A horrific tragedy has occurred in San Francisco at the Presidio involving the family of General John Pershing. Mrs. Pershing and 3 of her 4 children were killed in a fire at their home early this morning. The dead are Mrs. Pershing and daughters Margaret age 3, Anna age 6 and Helen age 8. The General’s son Warren age 5 was rescued by fireman. The bodies of Mrs. Pershing and her daughters were found under a bed where they had apparently crawled to escape the smoke. Before her marriage Mrs. Pershing was the former Helen Frances Warren, daughter of Francis E Warren, a United States Senator from Wyoming. General Pershing is currently stationed in El Paso, Texas where he commands the 8th Brigade.
In International news, it was learned today that Germany will apologize for the sinking of the Arabic and promise changes in the conduct of submarine warfare. German Ambassador von Bernstorff met today with Secretary of State Lansing for 35 minutes to discuss the matter. Previously Secretary Lansing had asserted Germany must apologize for the sinking, make reparations to the families of the victims and punish the submarine commander.
In sports the Malta Boat Club will travel to Wildwood, New Jersey today to meet that town’s team in a basketball match. The game is meant as a first step in inaugurating basketball as a winter sport for the Schuylkill Navy clubs. Captain Lewis Kenney will lead his Malta team and their friends south on a special car on the Reading Railroad at 5:20pm. Captain Kenney is hoping the hundreds of Schuylkill Navy members will join together and create their own basketball league to provide themselves with an indoor sport during winter months which will keep the clubs active.
The Theatrical Baedeker is brimming with shows, motion pictures, comedy and music this weekend. Here are some of the entertainments available. At the Stanley Theatre, 16th & Market Streets, George Fawcett stars in the motion picture “The Majesty of the Law”. At the Garrick Theater, 1330 Chestnut Street, Mr. Lyman Howe will present his travel pictures featuring the American Navy and native life in the Philippines. In vaudeville at the Casino Theatre, 8th & Walnut Streets, The Rosey Posey Girls are appearing in “The Redemption Club or She Sins Again”. At B.F. Keith’s, 12th & Chestnut Street, Tom Lewis & Company, Charles Olcott and Grace Fisher will be on stage. And at the Trocadero, Milo stars in “The Lady Buccaneers”.
Finally in music, The Philadelphia Band will be at City Hall Plaza with selections by Rubinstein, Puccini, Wagner and Herbert. The Fairmount Park Band will give afternoon and evening performances at Strawberry Mansion today and through the weekend performing Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn and Rossini. So, enjoy you weekend everyone.
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