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. So, check back often for new editions. To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com

TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – MONDAY APRIL 15, 1918

And now comes the heat. It seems this city has gone from winter to summer and just skipped spring. Last week we dealt with cold, rain, sleet and snow. Today we will have clear skies and plenty of sun with the temperature as high as 73° and the low only near 50°. Tonight Swarthmore College will unfurl a service flag containing 75 stars during a Liberty Loan rally in the school’s auditorium. Each star represents a Swarthmore man serving his country.

Former Mayor Rudolph Blankenburg will be buried today. His body will lie at the Arch Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Broad & Arch, from noon till 3:00pm. The public is welcome to pay their respects. At 3:30 a funeral service will be held after which his body will be cremated and interred in Fairhill Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers include some of this city’s well known businessmen and artists such as Edward Bok, Isaac Clothier, Samuel Fels, Thomas Mitten, Edward T. Stotesbury and writer Owen Wister.

In sports news, Grover Cleveland Alexander, late of the Phillies and now with the Cubs, has been called into the army. Upon hearing the news Old Pete declared he is ready to go and do his bit for the country. Also in baseball the A’s opened their season today up in Boston at Fenway Park. Elmer Myers started the game on the mound for Mr. Mack but it was just not his day. Myers gave up 7 runs in 6 innings as the A’s were beaten 7 to 1. For the Red Sox, the big fellow, Babe Ruth pitched all 9 innings and even drove in 2 runs with his bat.

WAR NEWS

American troops on the west bank of the Meuse between St. Mihiel and Verdun are under sustained artillery attack including gas shells. German infantry attacks against the Americans have all been repulsed. In Flanders the British have held the Germans all along the front and have now driven them out of Merville an important railway center southwest of Armentieres. The British did lose Neuve-Eglise which was captured by the Huns yesterday. According to English observers the German attacks are becoming more feeble. It is as though they are being worn out.

GET YOUR COPY BY CLICKING HERE:  PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS