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.
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TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – WEDNESDAY, March 22, 1916
The forecast calls for more rain or snow this evening with continued cold temperatures. Today’s high will reach 36° with the low about 29°. Coroner William Knight announced today that he will campaign against the indiscriminate sale of firearms in this city. The Coroner believes that purchasers of dearly weapons should be required to take out a license. He also believes that manufactures here would not be adverse to such a law. Mr. Knight noted that in the last month 4 homicides were committed with a gun. He has contacted Representative Peter Costello and asked him to introduce a bill in Congress to restrict the sale of revolvers and other guns.
The men enjoying their refreshments last night at the saloon of Joseph Fagmaila on the northeast corner of 8th & Fulton Streets in South Philadelphia received quite a shock as a thirsty steer walked into the bar. With a loud bellow it announced its arrival and undoubtedly some of the men there thought the devil was visiting when they beheld the animal’s large pointy horns. The patrons began to scatter, most out the backdoor and some out the windows. Before the animal could cause too much damage it was lassoed from behind by Patrolmen Isola and Bluebond and pulled out of the establishment. But the bovine had the last laugh because once outside it slipped its noose and ran away down 8th street. Considering that the steer had escaped from the abattoir of Benjamin Harris at 240 Moore Street who could really blame it for wanting one last night on the town.
In national news, from Lee’s Summit, Missouri comes word that Cole Younger (shown below), the famous outlaw, has died at the age of 72. Mr. Younger was a member of Quantrill’s guerrillas during the Civil War and with 3 of his brothers rode with Jesse and Frank James after the war robbing banks and trains. Mr. Younger was captured after the Northfield, Minnesota bank robbery attempt and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in 1901 and in 1913 was converted to Christianity. In his final years he became very devout and was active with church work.
Cole Younger
In sports, the Faculty Committee on Athletics of the University of Pennsylvania has relented in the matter of a playoff game to decide the championship of the Intercollegiate Basketball League. It will be recalled that Penn and Princeton finished the season tied for 1st place. A playoff series was requested between the 2 teams but that was rejected by Penn. Now Penn has announced that they will allow the team to play one game at a neutral location to play for the title. Representatives of the schools will meet soon to arrange the details for the game.
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