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 – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 1918
There will be fair skies over the city this afternoon and tonight. The temperatures will be on the cool side with a high of 65° and a low of 45° tonight.
Over 3000 Philadelphia men who were scheduled to leave for army training camps have been informed their trip will be delayed due to the Spanish Influenza. The men were drafted in the last selection and were to depart between October 7 and October 12 for Camp Lee and Camp Humphreys. The flu is sweeping through all but 13 of the army camps in the country and the death rates are beginning to climb. Here, 2 more sailors died overnight at the Naval Hospital and 100 soldiers stationed at the Frankford Arsenal have now fallen ill with the disease.
The body of Edward B. Williamson, 50 years old of 5643 Sprague Street, was found in a field at Haines & Crittenden Streets. Mr. Williamson had been shot 6 times. There were 3 wounds in the back of his head, one in the back of his neck, one in his abdomen and one in his left breast. Police believe his death was the result of suicide. They think the small caliber of the bullets at first only stunned him causing him to continue shooting himself to bring on death.
In sports, the high school football season begins this afternoon for those schools fielding a team. The purple and gold of Catholic High is hosting Radnor High at Cahill Filed, 29th & Clearfield Streets. Penn Charter meets Lansdown High at Queen Lane and Haverford High is visiting Darby. There has yet to be a decision on sports for the public schools of this city. Today the athletes of Frankford High joined their counterparts from Central, Germantown and South Philadelphia in petitioning the Athletic Council of the school board for permission to play.
WAR NEWS
The Kingdom of Bulgaria has petitioned the Allies for peace. Messages have been sent to officials in London and Paris asking for a meeting to discuss terms. The French commander-in-chief in Macedonia, General Franchet d’Esperey, announced he had received a message from the Bulgarians requesting a meeting to discuss a cease fire pending formal negotiations. That request was denied. The United States is not presently in a state of war with Bulgaria. Also, the Kingdom of Italy has formally recognized the independence of the new nation of Jugo-Slavia. The new nation’s borders will be decided at the conclusion of the war.
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