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, APRIL 27, 1916
This will be another cloudy day over the city with the possibility of rain this afternoon. Today’s high will be 56° with the low near 40°. In Kensington one neighborhood is up in the air (shown below). The residents living on Lehigh Avenue between Emerald Street and Frankford Avenue have had the street under them regraded and lowered. One can only hope the work will be done before someone coming home from a party late at night has to navigate these steps.
The 3rd Regiment Armory, Broad and Wharton Streets, will be hosting the 5th annual Philadelphia Indoor Horse Show beginning today. Some of the finest horses in the East will be on display and all of Philadelphia society is expected to attend. Ninety-three horses in 11 classes will comprise the program. The classes include ladies saddle horses, gig horses, jumping ponies, harness ponies and a police mounted unit. Also tonight the 175 voices of the Strawbridge & Clothier choir will perform Victor Herbert’s “The Captive” at the Metropolitan Opera House, Broad & Poplar Streets. Maestro Herbert himself will lead the chorus. All expenses for the evening have been borne by Strawbridge & Clothier and all proceeds will be donated to relief associations assisting the poor.
In Mexico yesterday 2 American soldiers were killed and 3 wounded in running battles with Villistas near Tomachie in the Guerrero district. Six of Villa’s men were killed and 16 wounded. The American troops were led by Colonel Dodd while the 200 or so Villistas were under the command of Cerevantes Boca.
In international news, the Kaiser is meeting with his Chancellor and Grand Council to decide upon a response to President Wilson’s demand that Germany stop submarine attacks against passenger and merchant ships within 24 hours. The President has stated that if the German response is unsatisfactory it could lead to a breaking of diplomatic relations between the countries.
On the sports scene, the Phillies were beaten yesterday at National League Park by Brooklyn 6 to 3. It was Grover Alexander’s first loss of the season. The Dodgers did their damage in the 7th scoring 5 runs. Dode Paskert did give some thrills to the home town fans by knocking a home run in the 4th. The A’s yesterday beat the Senators down in Washington 3 to 2. Rube Oldring gave the A’s the winning run with a triple in the 8th scoring Whitey Witt. Unfortunately today the Mackmen went down to defeat to the Senators 4 to 2. In high school baseball, Northeast defeated Catholic High 8 to 1, Frankford demolished Germantown High 13 to 0 and West Philadelphia beat the Trades School 9 to 2.
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