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, FEBRUARY 26, 1916
The weather forecasters are calling for fair skies today and an end to yesterday’s rain and sleet. There will be strong winds from the west with the high temperature near 40° and the low about 25°. The strike called by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America appears to have closed down over 100 men’s clothing shops in this city. Officials of the union claim 6,000 workers are now on strike and by this evening 10,000 will be out. A headquarters for the union has been opened at the Majestic Hall, 4th & South Streets.
Four year old Mildred Kern (shown below) was a happy child, always with a smile on her face and one who brought joy to her family and friends. Last night Mildred ran across the street from her home at 1620 Cayuga Street to a friend’s house to ask them to come out and play. As she recrossed the street in front of her home she was struck by a large white motor truck. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and the force of the blow crushed the child’s little body. The truck did not stop. Even the little girl’s screams did not slow the driver down. Mildred was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital but her injuries were too extensive and she died 4 hours later. Police are asking for the public’s help in finding the driver of the truck.
The Philadelphia Division of the National Fraternal Society of Deaf Mutes held their 3rd annual dance last night at the All Souls’ Protestant Episcopal Home for Deaf Mutes, 16th & Allegheny Avenue. Three hundred people attend the occasion and gaily danced to the orchestra’s music. Even though the guests could not hear the music they could feel the vibrations which allowed them to follow the beats and tempo.
Magistrate Carson of the Park & Lehigh Avenue Station issued a message to bartenders today that they are not permitted to beat drunken customers, even when those customers speak coarsely towards them. The case involved Jesse Adams of 3025 North 11th Street. Mr. Adams was refused service at a saloon at Germantown Avenue & Cambria Street because he was already drunk. Mr. Adams responded to this slight by telling the bartender, Joseph Freimiller, what he thought of him in impolite terms. Mr. Freimiller then took a rubber hose and beat Mr. Adams over the head before having him arrested. Judge Carson dismissed the charges against Mr. Adams and then spoke to Mr. Freimiller stating “Because you sell the stuff that makes men crazy, it doesn’t follow that you can hit them when they get in that condition”. The judge also said that if Mr. Freimiller or any other bartender is brought before him for beating an intoxicated customer he would put him in jail.
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