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 – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1916

This is the coldest day thus far this winter. This morning’s temperature at7:00am was 5°, however 0° has been recorded in many locations both in the city and in the suburbs. Today’s high will only reach 20°. Although the skies are clear and bright the wind is biting and walking quite treacherous. Yesterday’s unexpected snow and ice storm has made travelling dangerous. Plows worked all night to clear snow from center city streets. An army of 3,500 men are now working to clear what streets they can and lay cinders for more secure footing for horses. Since the city has no money for snow removal these men are working on faith that they will be paid a fair wage later. And Superintendent of Police Robinson has ordered the arrest of business owners if their pavements are not cleared of snow and cinders, ash or sawdust sprinkled by 4:00 this afternoon.

An attempt on the life of Public Service Commissioner John Monaghan was made today as he went for lunch at the Little Wilmont Hotel on South Penn Square. A man was waiting for Mr. Monaghan when he arrived at 1:30pm. The assailant approached Mr. Monaghan and placed the muzzle of a gun against his chest. Mr. Monaghan grabbed the man’s arm and the gun and in the struggle disarmed him. Mr. Monaghan then punched and kicked the man out of the restaurant. The man escaped but he is known to police as someone who has written threatening letters to the Commissioner claiming he was “done out of a job.” An arrest is expected shortly.

In national news today, President Wilson formally announced his candidacy for re-election. This was accomplished by a letter written to the Secretary of State of Ohio giving his assent to his name being placed on the primary ballots there.

In sports, there are reports from New York that the Phillies have been sold. It is claimed that the vice-president of the club, Fred T. Chandler, along with 5 millionaire bankers of this city have bought out the holdings of Charles P. Taft and Charles Webb Murphy and will take control of the club immediately. The deal was finalized in New York at the National League meetings. The details of the sale have not yet been made public but the value of the club along with its real estate is thought to be $600,000.00. The city can now rest assured that the team is once again owned by local men. Mr. Taft and Mr. Murphy are from Chicago. The new owners include Walter Clothier, William H.T. Huhn, S.P. Huhn, Clarence Wolf and E.L. Hynneman.

GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.