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 – THURSDAY AUGUST 2, 1917
There will be partly cloudy skies over the city today. The heat wave continues as the temperature will reached 96° this afternoon and drop to 75° tonight. The humidity today may reach 76°. The death toll from the heat has now reached 120 since Monday. Yesterday’s final count was 64 and today 43 more are reported to have succumbed. Forecaster Bliss of the Weather Bureau said today that he believes the worst is over and temperatures will begin to cool tomorrow.
More businesses closed today as employees, especially in mills and factories were falling ill at their positions. Even livestock are suffering. Over 1000 horses have died because of the heat. The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has dispatched water wagons throughout the city so horses have a ready place to quench their thirst. The Society has also appealed to teamsters to take their horses off the streets until the heat breaks.
The farmers out around Lancaster are predicting a bumper tobacco crop. The good crop is said to be largely due to the favorable weather and that the cutworm attacks on the plants have ceased. Presently there are 25,000 acres of tobacco this year which should yield 75,000 cases. And the Racquet Club has received word from France that the ambulance donated by the Club’s members carried over 514 wounded men in June and travelled over 4,136 kilometers in performing its duties.
In boxing last night, Lew Tendler outclassed Terry McGovern at Shibe Park in the featured match. The young Southwark newsboy put on an exhibition of punching accuracy for 6 rounds and took the decision easily. In the other bouts Joe Hirst defeated Pat O’Malley, Freddy Goodman beat Frankie Williams, Battling Leonard won by TKO over Andy Mitchell and Eddie Wagond bested Charley Thomas.
WAR NEWS
On the western front the Allied offensive around Ypres continues. German counterattacks have been repulsed but with heavy losses on both sides. On the eastern front, Rumanian troops have breached the German lines in the Putna River Valley in Rumania. The Rumanians report the Germans are in full retreat. From Petrograd, Russia comes the news that General Aleksei Brussiloff has resigned as commander-in-chief of the Russian armies. General Lavr Kornilov has been appointed to succeed him.
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