News of the Week May 6, 1916 -- May 6, 2016

The 06-May-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.  I am sad to report that this is the last "News of the Week as Shown in Films" that I have been able to find.  I wonder by the editors of Motography decided to drop the feature.  I'm going to miss it. 

"Here is a fully equipped camera reporter in Mexico -- a daring Mutual sharpshooter and his Yaqui bodyguard."  The Yaqui resisted the central government and tried to remain independent.

"Pearl White, the Pathe star, dons painter's gard to help on the Motion Picture Exposition sign.  Pathe News."  Pearl White was the first serial queen.  As a stunt, she climbed the scaffolding to put up signs for the exposition at Madison Square Garden. 

"Australia believes in preparedness.  The launching of her new fighter, the Brisbane, at Sidney.  Pathe News."  HMAS Brisbane was a light cruiser which was lauunched on 30-September-1915.  She served in the Pacific and the Mediterranean during World War One.  She was scrapped in 1936.

"Women police n the making.  School girl cops who help keep order in New York City.  Universal Weekly."  The Home Defense League was formed to train auxiliary officers to support the New York Police Department.  Perhaps this had something to do with that. 

"The wood in 'Home Run' Baker's bat is the most dependable of any whiffed by the N.Y. Yankees.  Selig-Tribune News."  Frank Baker was the third baseman in the "$100,000 Infield" of the Philadelphia Athletics.  He received the nickname "Home Run" by hitting two key home runs against the New York Giants, against Rube Marquard and Christy Mathewson, in the 1911 World Series.  After one of the fire sales that are still traditional with the Oakland Athletics, he went to the New York Yankees.  I guess "whiffed" didn't mean "struck out" then. 

"Home again! U.S. Dreadnaught 'New York' returning from five month's practice in Cuban waters -- Mutual News."  USS New York (BB-34) had been commissioned on 15-May-1914.  She patrolled with the British Grand Fleet during World War One.  She served in the Atlantic and the Pacific during World War Two.  After the war, she was one of the ships used in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll.

News of the Week April 29, 1916 -- April 29, 2016

The 29-April-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"just a sample of preparedness at Fort Scott, California.  Infantry at drill before a Selig-Tribune camera."  Fort Winfield Scott was established within the Presidio of San Francisco to command the Artillery District of San Francisco. After World War II, Fort Scott became a sub-post of the Presidio.  My father was stationed here.  "Preparedness" became a popular term as events led towards the US entering the Great War.

"When the 'bos'un' pipes "Coal Ship" the boys get busy.  Caught at Guantanamo Bay by a Pathe man."  Coal burning warships were coaled (loaded with coal) by their crews.

"Fifteen automobile ambulances for service in the battle fields of Russia, the gift of the American Red Cross.  Pathe."  An Orthodox priest blesses the new ambulances.

"Uncle Same is make new arms and legs for the crippled soldiers in Europe.  British supervisor at work.  Universal."  The war led to much new development in the science and art of prosthetics. 

"How the Selig-Tribune gathers Chicago camera news for its semi-weekly.  Editor Jack Wheeler with driver."  Someone who knows more about autos could probably identify this one. 

"Unloading supplies from the States of the U.S.A. field headquarters at Cascas Grande, Mexico.  Mutual News."  The Punitive Expedition chasing Pancho Villa established its headquarters at Casas Grandes, Mexico. 

News of the Week April 22, 1916 -- April 22, 2016

The 22-April-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"The good ship Jerome Jones taking to the water for the first time, at Bath, Maine.  Pathe News."  Jerome Jones, a five-masted schooner, was launched on 31-March-1916 by GG Deering.

"Raw! Raw! for Hawvahd! The crimson crew off for first spring practice, and Captain D. P. Morgan."  The Crimson crew went on to win the 23-June-1916 regatta against Yale. 

"The allies of Uncle Sam in the 'Mexican war.'  Troops of Carranza at a noontime pause.  Selig-Tribune." Venustiano Carranza was the leader of the Constitutionlists during the Mexican Revolution and President under the new constitution in 1917.

"Ambulance of Troop G, Eighth Cavalry, picking up wounded in Mexico.  Caught by a Mutual camera reporter."  The 8th Cavalry Regiment participated in the Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa. 

"The triple train wreck near Amerst, Ohio, recently in which twenty-five persons were killed.  Pathe News."  On 29-March-1916, three New York Central trains ran into each other in a thick fog.  About 30 people died.  The trains included the Twentieth Century Limited.

"'Getting Villa' American cavalry working their way into the mountains of Mexico.  Hearst-Vitagraph Pictorial."  Pancho Villa withdrew to the mountains to avoid pursuing US cavalry.

News of the Week April 15, 1916 -- April 15, 2016

The 15-April-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Not a submarine victim.  The wreck of the 'Herman Winter' off Boston.  From the Selig-Tribune News Films."  SS Herman Winter, carrying 800 bales of cotton, caught fire on 14-March-1916.

"Flyers are not so light on their 'feet.'  Freighting one of Uncle Sam's 'planes to Mexico. Pathe News."  The First Aero Squadron used Curtiss JN3s to perform liaison duties and aerial reconnaissance for the punitive expedition.

"Uncle Sam's boys receiving supplies on the troublesome Mexican border.  Scene from Hearst-Vitagraph News."  On 09-March-1916, Pancho Villa attached the town of Columbus, New Mexico:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2016/03/columbus-raid-100-years-march-9-2016.html

"Rescue of an adventurous horse who plunged into a New York subway.  Taken from the Universal Weekly."  Sources say that the pavement had to be cut away to free the horse. 

"The first United States dirigible navy airshop, just previous to its first trials.  Pathe News."  This looks like the DN-1, which was based on the Parseval type, but it didn't makes its first flight until 1917.
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/parseval-airship-february-1-2011.html

"Specialists in the business of war.  Scene in the trenches at Solmka, from the Hearst-Vitagraph News."  In 1915, an Allied expeditionary force occupied the Greek port of Salonika to support the Serbians.

News of the Week April 8, 1916 -- April 8, 2016

The 08-April-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Chubby little future Jess Wiilards being weighed at Chicago's Baby Week.  A scene from the Universal Weekly."  National Better Baby Week took place in March, 1916.  Jess Willard was the very large heavyweight champion.

"One of the many varieties of gas masks used in the European war.  Pathe News Weekly."  Gas warfare took place starting early in the war.  I'm not sure this is a soldier in a gas mask.  It may be a Red Cross worker spraying disinfectant. 

"Seminole Indians give the Sun Dance before a big society affair at West Palm Beach, Florida.  Selig-Tribune.  " The Seminole Sun Dance was a festival held in West Palm Beach from 1916 to 1923 to try to get people to come to Florida.

"The cause of the Mexican war of 1916.  Funeral of the Columbus raid victimes.  Hearst-Vitagraph News."  On 09-March-1916, Pancho Villa attached the town of Columbus, New Mexico:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2016/03/columbus-raid-100-years-march-9-2016.html

"All aboard the 'Aero sled' and we're off at forty miles an hour.  From the Mutual Weekly."  Not long after World War One, an older uncle of mine and some of his friends put an airplane engine and propeller on an ice boat.  He said it was a wonder they didn't get killed.

"These mermaids of Long Beach, California, may look 'tired' but they're not.  The tires hold 'em up.  Pathé."  Bad pun.

News of the Week April 1, 1916 -- April 1, 2016

The 01-April-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"The 'boys' at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, near Chicago, awaiting the order to entrain to Mexico.  Selig-Tribune."  These soldiers may have joined the punitive expedition against Pancho Villa.  Fort Sheridan closed in 1993.

"Looks like spring!  Larry Doyle, 'king of second baseman' of New York Giants, at early practice.  Mutual Weekly."  New York Giant Laughing Larry Doyle won the batting title in 1915. 

"A thousand dollars for a dress design.  J. A. Pugh presenting prize to (M)arguerite Johnson, after the Chicago dress-making contest.  Universal Weekly."  Commodore James Pugh put up a $1000 reward for the best American-designed gown.

"Hattie is a dainty girl, but she enjoys playing 'horse' in the snow with the keepers of Central Park, New York.  Pathe News."  It looks as if Hattie is pulling a snow plow. 

"This picture, from the Pathe Weekly, gives an idea of how Villa and his men put the '___l' in Columbus, New Mex."  On 09-March-1916, Pancho Villa attached the town of Columbus, New Mexico:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2016/03/columbus-raid-100-years-march-9-2016.html

"This is said to be a good sample of the troops Villa has gathered about him.  Hearst-Vitagraph News Pictorial."

News of the Week March 25, 1916 -- March 25, 2016

The 25-March-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"California High School girls dancing in the snow of Central Park, New York, in Grecian costumes.  Mutual Weekly, No. 63."  Isadora Duncan had a strong influence on modern dance, especially in her native California.  These poor girls must have been awfully cold. 

"Old Alsatian women, who recalls previous ward, greeting friend soldier after a recent victory.  Pathe News."  In 1871, Germany annexed the Alsace-Lorraine from France.  In World War One, it went back and forth a few times.  At the end of the war, France kept it.

"Frank Moran, heavyweight boxer, out with his ice-auto for a little wintry ozone.  Pathe News"  Frank Moran, the Fighting Dentist, fought heavyweight champion Jess Willard, the Pottawatomie Giant at Madison Square Garden on 25-March-1916.  Willard won in 10 lifeless rounds. 

"Boys join in scientific baking at Lane Technical High School, Chicago.  Hearst-Vitagraph."  Lane Technical High School, founded in 1908, now serves as a magnet school.  Girls began attending in 1971.

"Steam fishing smack arrives in Boston covered with ice.  Hearst-Vitagraph."  Smacks were common fishing boats on the east coast. 

"A speeder in the winder motor boat regatta at Miami, Florida.  Mutual Weekly, No. 63."  I can't find reports about the 1916 regatta.  It may have been organized by Carl G Fisher. 

News of the Week March 18, 1916 -- March 18, 2016

The 18-March-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Double wreck on New Haven railroad at Milford, Conn.  Mutual Weekly." Ten people were killed by a rear-end collision and boiler explosion on the New Haven Railroad on 22-February-1916.

"Frank Chance, manager of Los Angeles ball team, photographed on his farm. Hearst-Vitagraph."  Frank Chance, the Peerless Leader, a native of California, had been the first baseman in the Chicago Cubs' famous double play combination of Tinker to Evers to Chance.  In 1916, he was manager of the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League.

"Canadian troops in maneuvers near Winnipeg before leaving for front.  Hearst-Vitagraph."  I have mentioned before that Canadian soldiers played a critical role on the Western Front.

"Subway halted for hours while rain is pumped from tracks, New York.  Universal."  Heavy rain on 04-March-1916 flooded the subway tracks. 

"American and Mexican health officers disinfect Mexican emigrants.  Selig-Tribune."  On 02-March-1916, the US Public Health Service reported cases of typhus in El Paso, Texas.  Mexican emigrants from Chihuahua were turned back at the international bridge because they had smallpox.

"Waiting in the trenches at Souchez, France, for call to battle.  Pathe."  Souchez is in northern France.

News of the Week March 11, 1916 -- March 11, 2016

The 11-March-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Wounded French soldier learning to write with his left hand -- Pathe."  The carnage of the war led to advances in prosthetics and treatment of injuries.

"Baptiste Ugo, nine-foot Italian and Esmiliare Adrien, 29-inch Frenchman Arrive in New York -- Pathe."  Battista Ugo was born on 21-June-1876 he and his younger brother Paolo Antonio performed in France as "les Geants des Alpes."  Baptiste was 7 feet, 6 1/2 inches tall.  Antonio was going to the United States to work for the Barnum and Bailey Circus.  He died on 15-February-1914.  Baptiste went in his place.  He died of diphtheria on 22-April-1916.  Adrien was 2 feet, 3 1/2 inches tall. 

"Fighting the five million dollar dock fire suffered by Brooklyn, N. Y. -- Mutual."  A 16-February-1916 fire destroyed Pier Three and two ships.  The fire was thought to be caused by electricity rather than sabotage.

"U. S. S. Pennsylvania, Uncle Sam's latest superdreadnaught, leaving for speed trials. -- Hearst-Vitagraph."  Dreadnaught USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was launched on 16-March-1915.  During the Pearl Harbor attack, she was in drydock, but her anti-aircraft guns fought back.  15 of her crew were killed, but she was able to sail to San Francisco for repairs.

"Miss Hildur Erlandsen, winner of cross country race at Cary, Ill., skee tournament. -- Hearst-Vitagraph."  It looks as if the ski meet was held on 13-February-1913.  One report says Mrs F. Lunde was first and Mrs Erlandsen was second.

"Superimposed turrets of the Battleship Pennsylvania, each carrying three huge guns. -- Pathe."  We saw a Hearst-Vitagraph about the ship above. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Polar Bear enjoying the winter weather in Central Park Zoo. -- Hearst-Vitagraph."  Just as we like animal videos, newsreel audiences liked animal stories. 

"Wreck of the Aberdeen, San Francisco harbor. -- Mutual."  During a big storm on 28-january-1916, steam schooner Aberdeen, carrying garbage for the city of Oakland, was driven ashore outside of the Golden Gate.  Eight men were lost.  I'm not sure the image shows the Aberdeen, which was reported to be smashed up. 

News of the Week March 4, 1916 -- March 4, 2016

The 04-March-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Archbishop Mundelein of Chicago (in center) on way to Holy Name Cathedral to be installed.  Hearst-Vitagraph."  George Mundelein was Archbishop of Chicago from 1915 to 1939.  He was installed on 09-February-1916.  He was created a Cardinal in 1924. 

"St. Paul, Minn., indulges in a 'Carnival of Winter Sports.'  Mutual Weekly No. 8."  The Outdoor Sports Carnival included a parade on 02-February-1916.

"Auto squadron tests transporting wireless equipment near Los Angeles.  Universal Weekly."  The Army was experimenting with new technologies like automobiles, radios and airplanes.

"Society folk from all over the country 'wintering' at Palm Beach.  Hearst-Vitagraph."  Palm Beach, Florida was an upscale resort founded by railroad magnate Henry M Flagler. 

"Famous Wurtemberg regiment which led way into Warsaw drilling in part in captured city.  Pathe."  Württemberg was a small German state.  The Germans had captured Warsaw on 05-August-1915.

"Arrival at Key West of the K-5 'lost' U. S. submarine.  Mutual."  Submarine K-5 disappeared in a heavy fog in late January, 1916, but turned up safe. 

"Henry Ford being photographed by Mutual Weekly cameraman during peace expedition.  Mutual."  Henry Ford was opposed to the war and wanted to inspire a peace conference.  Pacifist Rosika Schwimmer persuaded him to finance a Peace Ship to sail to Stockholm.  Oscar II sailed from New York on 04-December-1915.  Vicious fighting among the pacifists and an outbreak of influenza caused many problems.  Discouraged, Ford sailed back to the US. 

News of the Week February 26, 1916 -- February 26, 2016

The 26-February-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels. 

"Part of St. Augustine, Fla., collection of more than 2,000 alligators -- Universal."  Alligator farms have always been popular in Florida.  Perhaps this is the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, which has been open since 1893. 

"Quebec soldiers drilling to go to the battlefields in Europe. -- Hearst-Vitagraph."  I have mentioned before that Canadian soldiers played a critical role on the Western Front.  Some of the men of Quebec who didn't like the British may have been inspired by their French ancestry.

"Finishing famous French '75's' for heavy cannonading. -- Pathe."  The French Canon de 75 modèle 1897 was an important part of the Allies' war effort.  They were not considered heavy guns. 

"Food for cannon.  Horses at Watertown, Mass., ready for Europe. -- Universal.  Horses were important to all the armies in the war.  The Allies imported many horses from the Americas. 

"French torpedo boat destroyer hunting submarines near Lemnos, Greece.  -- Pathe."  "Torpedo boat destroyer" was an early term for what we now call a destroyer.

"Russian artillery in position in Galicia. -- Hearst-Vitagraph."  Greece was neutral during the war, but the Allies occupied Moudros Bay. 

"The arrival of the Appam at Norfolk -- Mutual Weekly."  Merchant ship SS Appam was captured by the Germans and used as a prize vessel to carry prisoners of war.  She was sailing with commerce raider SMS Möwe on 15-January-1916 when they approached SS Clan Mactavish, a British merchant vessel, near Madeira.   Möwe sank Clan Mactavish and took more prisoners.  Appam arrived at Norfolk, Viriginia, flying the German flag, on 01-February-1915. 

News of the Week February 19, 1916 -- February 19, 2016

The 19-February-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.  Last week there was no "News of the Week as Shown in Films."  This week it is back, with a change in the way the newsreels are identified. 

President Wilson in New York begins tour to preach preparedness.  Pathe News.  Wilson spoke in Cleveland on 29-January-1916, warning that the world was on fire. 

Members of Washington Riding and Hunting Club preparing for horse show.  Hearst-Vitagraph.  From the 11-March-1916 Moving Picture World: "
Washington, D. C.—Members of the Washington Riding and Hunt Club hold school for horses where steeds are taught to drive tandem in preparation for coming horse show."

Ford peace delegates arrive in Copenhagen, Denkmark.  Universal Weekly.  Henry Ford was opposed to the war and wanted to inspire a peace conference.  Pacifist Rosika Schwimmer persuaded him to finance a Peace Ship to sail to Stockholm.  Oscar II sailed from New York on 04-December-1915.  Vicious fighting among the pacifists and an outbreak of influenza caused many problems.  Discouraged, Ford sailed back to the US.  The remaining delegates went on to Copenhagen.

Hotel Humes, formerly Washington's headquarters, burned.  Paramount.  The hotel in Mercer, Pennsylvania, burned down on 18-January-1916.

Washington school girls organize rifle club.  Hearst-Vitagraph.  Newspapers reported that the girls of Western High School in Washington DC formed a rifle club in the name of preparedness.  From the 11-March-1916 Moving Picture World: "Washington, D. C.—Ralph Coffin, member of the Washington Hunt Club, uses friend's automobile as obstacle and rides his pony. "Rabbit." in a daring leap over the machine."

Boston school children begin campaign to save frigate Constitution.  Pathe News.  Kids all over the nation collected pennies to preserve the USS Constitution. 

Washington society man jumps horse over automobile.  Hearst-Vitagraph.  Here is another example of an additional item.  It doesn't look like a good idea.  The rider is Ralph Coffin, a member of the Washington Riding and Hunting Club.  The pony is named Rabbit.  How appropriate.  From the 11-March-1916 Moving Picture World: "Washington, D. C.—Girls of the Western High School form a riflle club and will compete with hoys for honors on the Target Range."