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 – SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1916
Snow, yes snow covers the city today and this morning men began digging out (shown below). It began around 3:00am and when it was over between 4 and 6 inches had covered the ground. Rain was expected but snow was a surprise. This was the largest snowfall this late in April on record. Today’s high will reach around 42° with tonight’s low near 32°.
A riot took place last night at the Alhambra Theatre, 12th Street & Passyunk Avenue. The fight began when members of the “Knock’em Dead” gang objected to the music. At the end of the first feature the orchestra began playing to drown out the gangs’ hoots, moans and vulgar remarks. The gang of about 30 or so rowdys took exception to that and threw whatever they had handy at the musicians. The police were called to eject them and when they arrived the fight was on. The gang and their boss “Chief” Joe Curry pulled out empty milk bottles they had hidden under their coats and swung and threw them at the police. But the police didn’t run. They took the gang on. One policeman, detective Carlin, was rushed by Curry and 2 others and almost thrown over the balcony but another policeman came to his aid and they both beat the gang members off. Eventually the police gained control and got the gang members out of the building but the fight continued outside. Now the police had had enough and took out their blackjacks. Soon the tide turned and the toughs were beaten into bloody submission. Curry and 4 of his lieutenants were arrested and held on $1,000.00 bail each.
In sports last night, the Greystock Greys soundly defeated the Paterson Crescents, 38 to 16 in the first game of the world series of basketball. The 2nd game is tonight and will be played up in Paterson under Interstate League rules which excludes the use of a backboard. This may make another win for the Greys more difficult. Today outdoor athletic events scheduled by college and high school teams have been postponed due to the weather.
In entertainment this weekend on stage at the Garrick, 1330 Chestnut Street, the Cohan & Harris comedy “It Pays To Advertise”. At Nixon’s Grand, Broad & Montgomery, 6 big comedy acts are on the bill including Kay, Bush & Robinson and Keno & Green. And at the Adelphi, Broad & Cherry Streets, the new play “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come” a romance of 3 waifs, a boy, a girl and a dog opens starring Robert Forrest. At the motion picture shows at the Belmont, 52nd & Market, John Barrymore stars in “Nearly a King”. At the Girard, 7th & Girard Avenue, Dorothy Gish stars in “Betty of Graystone” and at the Lafayette, 2914 Kensington Avenue, Dustin Farnum stars in “The Call of the Cumberlands”.
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