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 – TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1916
Today’s forecast calls for cloudy unsettled skies with the possibility of rain or even snow tonight. The high will be 41° with the low around 33°. Twenty-eight yacht and boat clubs along the Delaware River have contacted the Navy League for Preparedness and offered their vessels for use in the event of war. The clubs have over 500 boats of all types and sizes. These vessels would be of great use for patrol operations should the need arise. The Navy League is composed of private individuals who own yachts and boats. They intend to start a training camp at League Island and expand the membership to 10,000 nationally.
A woman’s scorn may be worth $100,000.00. That is the asked by Mrs. Bertha May Rinehart of 46th & Chestnut Streets and demanded from Anna Ethel Perry of 4627 Chestnut Street in the Court of Common Pleas today. The defendant is charged with the willful alienation of the affections of Mrs. Rinehart’s husband, Bentley. Mrs. Rinehart claims she has been deprived of the love, help and society of her husband since Miss Perry appeared on the scene 5 years ago. Additionally Mrs. Rinehart asked the court to enter a judgement against 4 properties her husband gave to Miss Perry as a result of her blandishments and persuasive powers over him. The properties are located at 4619, 4621, 4625 and 4627 Chestnut Street. Mrs. Rinehart asserts she was married in 1906 and the marriage was happy until 1911 when Miss Perry appeared and began to steal her husband’s love. Mr. Rinehart had instituted divorce proceedings against his wife but when Mrs. Rinehart countered the allegations and asked for alimony her husband withdrew the case and fled the city.
In national news, Theodore Roosevelt has released a statement emphatically asserting he will not seek the office of President of the United States in the upcoming election. Mr. Roosevelt made his position clear in a letter cabled from Port-of-Spain, Trinidad in the British West Indies where he is vacationing. The letter instructed that he did not wish his name to be entered in any of the upcoming primary elections. He did not, however, reject the possibility of his being drafted if the people wished his service.
On the sports beat, it has been learned that Allie McWilliams the guard of the Greystock Grey’s of the Eastern Basketball League may be offered a contract to play 2nd base for the New York Yankees. McWilliams was offered a position with the Cincinnati Reds a few weeks ago but turned it down because he did not want to desert Greystock at this crucial part of the season. And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania will have its own baseball league this season. The towns fielding teams will be Ambler, La Mott, Willow Grove, Glenside, Jenkintown, North Wales, Fort Washington and Bethayres.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.