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 – TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1918
The Weather Bureau is assuring us that there will be no snow today. However, there will be cloudy, overcast skies for today and tomorrow. The high today will reach 34° with the low tonight about 22°. This winter has so far been the hardest on the city in 98 years. The average temperatures are the lowest since the winter of 1819-1820. As of today the city has suffered 43 days where the temperature has remained below freezing. An average Philadelphia winter has 19 days. One piece of good news from all the cold is that farmers along the Perkiomen Creek have cut and stored nearly 200,000 tons of ice which will be available for Philadelphians when the summer gets here.
On July 4, 1874 the cornerstone of Philadelphia’s new City Hall was laid. On it were inscribed the names of 23 distinguished citizens who had played a major role in having the new structure built. On Saturday the last living member of that group, Richard Peltz, passed away at the age of 85. Mr. Peltz was born in 1832 in Passyunk Township. He was a veteran of the Civil War and went into politics upon returning home. He served in many city offices including as a member of Common Council. He will be buried today after a funeral at his home at 3701 Baring Street.
Philadelphia City Hall Cornerstone
In sports, baseball forecasters are predicting that both the A’s and the Phillies will finish 8th in their respective leagues. And that is only because there are only 8 teams in each group. For the Phillies the soothsayers claim the reasons are the trading of Pete Alexander, Bill Killefer and Dode Paskert and the enlistment of Eppa Rixey in the military. The A’s losses have been deeper. Stuffy McInnis, Amos Strunk, Joe Bush and Wally Schang were all sold to the Boston Americans and 10 other A’s players have joined the service. Philadelphia fans are hoping that Connie Mack can pull something big out with either a trade or finding some good young prospects. As for the Phillies, President Baker and Manager Moran feel that with the intact infield and outfield all they need are a few good twirlers to make them a competitor.
WAR NEWS
Aerial bombardments took place on the western front today. Germans bombed London twice within 4 hours. The first German air group was sighted around 9:00am. British airmen intercepted the squadron over the Essex and Kentish coasts. Some of the German aeroplanes were turned back but a few reached the capitol city. The second squad reached the city around 1:00pm. As of this afternoon the casualty report lists 10 dead and at least 10 more injured.
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