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 JULY 19, 1917

There was rain overnight and more may come this evening. Today will bring cloudy skies and unseasonably cooler temperatures. The high will only reach 79° with the low near 70°. It was another day of fun outings for over 7000 Philadelphians. This time the city folks found sun and cool breezes in Atlantic City. The trips are organized by the Tioga Business Men’s Association and the Kensington Board of Trade.

In crime news, Rupert Dencher, 14 years old, shot and critically wounded his step-father, William Stiller, in order to protect his mother. Around midnight last night the couple was engaged in a heated argument in their home at 421 West Ontario Street. Young Dencher was jolted awake when he heard his mother screaming. He ran to see what was happening and saw Stiller beating her. He then took a revolver from a bureau and as Stiller attempted to hit the woman again he shot him in the neck and stomach. The boy is being held at the House of Detention. Stiller is in Episcopal Hospital and not expected to live.

The E.G. Budd plant has a war garden association with 150 employees participating. Each man has a plot of 25’ by 100’ on Dobson farm between 29^th and 30^th Streets on Allegheny Avenue. The company leased the land for the gardens. The only reason there are only 150 employees involved is the size of the farm. Additional land is being sought because, according to company officials, a few thousand other workers want to be involved.

In sports, the Phillies game here against the Reds was postponed due to the condition of the field caused by the overnight rain. The A’s are visiting Cleveland and will open a 3 game series tomorrow. There will be bicycle racing tonight at the Point Breeze Motordrome beginning at 8:30pm. Clarence Carmen, Percy Lawrence, George Wiley and Vincent Madonna are all expected to compete.

WAR NEWS

In London there has been a shakeup in the Cabinet. The most notable move is the appointment of Sir Eric Geddes as First Lord of the Admiralty. Mr. Geddes has spent a great deal of time in the United States where he studied engineering. Also appointed was Mr. Winston Churchill as Minister of Munitions. Mr. Churchill previously served as First Lord of the Admiralty but resigned after the Gallipoli campaign. He then joined the army and served on the western front.

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