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 often for new updates.
To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – FRIDAY, JULY 9, 1915
Fair and clear skies are in the forecast today. Yesterday’s rains have moved on. The high will be around 82° and the low tonight will be about 62°.
On the Delaware at the William Cramp Shipbuilding yard the new torpedoboat destroyer Conyngham (shown below) was launched yesterday afternoon. The honor of christening the vessel was given to 18 year old Anna Coyngham Stevens of Rydal, Pa. who broke a bottle of champagne on the bow. Miss Stevens is a descendant of the ship’s namesake, Gustavus Conyngham the Revolutionary War hero. In other naval news, in the Mediterranean the U.S.S. Tennessee is carrying to safety hundreds of Jews from Asia Minor to Alexandria, Egypt. The Jews begged to be rescued from alleged atrocities being committed by Turkish soldiers and authorities.
In national news, reports are filtering in from the west that tornadoes have swept over 7 states leaving at least 60 dead. The tornadoes touched down in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas. In Cincinnati, 33 are known dead and St. Louis has reported 7 deaths. In Canada, the British munitions ship Minnehaha has returned to Halifax but has been ordered quarantined and not permitted to dock. The ship will undergo a complete examination and investigation before being allowed into port.
On the sports scene, The Phillies beat the Pirates today at National League Park 2 to 1. Grover Cleveland Alexander got his 16th win of the season. Out in St. Louis, Bullet Joe Bush got his 5th win of the season as the A’s beat the Browns 3 to 1. In boxing tonight at the Ludlow A.C., 59th & Ludlow Streets, 5 bouts are on the card including Joe Brock of Southwark vs. Kid Tracey of Shenandoah. At the Garden A.C., 3rd & Girard Avenue, Sykes O’Neill of the 17th Ward meets Patsy Kline of Southwark along with 4 other fights.
In entertainment today, the Fairmount Park Band will give an afternoon and evening concert at Strawberry Mansion. Selections include Verdi’s “La Traviata” and Sousa favorites. The Philadelphia Band will be at City Hall Plaza tonight starting at 8:00pm. Selections will include Mendelssohn’s “Ruy Blas Overture” and Wagner’s “Good Friday Spell” from Parsifal.
WAR NEWS
The reports that the Germans are moving enormous numbers of troops from the east to the west for a new offensive have been confirmed. Dispatches from Switzerland assert 2000 German military trains carrying 240,000 troops have crossed the Rhine heading west. In France, the ancient city of Arras including its magnificent medieval cathedral is in flames from ceaseless German bombardment. In the east, The Russians are driving the Austrians from the area around Lublin, Poland and back into Galicia.
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