Today in Labor History Dec 24, 72 copper miners’ children die in panic caused by a company stooge

[Omaha Steve]

December 24

72 copper miners’ children die in panic caused by a company stooge at Calumet, Mich., who shouted “fire” up the stairs into a crowded hall where the children had gathered. They were crushed against closed doors when they tried to flee - 1913

And this: December 24, 1913 - Seventy-four people in Calumet, Michigan, died in what became known as the "Calumet Massacre." About 500 youngsters and their parents had been taking part in a Christmas party for the children of striking copper miners, when someone yelled "Fire!" Within minutes, although there was no fire, dozens were trapped in a stairwell and trampled. The person who yelled was never identified, although many strikers said they thought it was a company guard. The copper strike dragged on until April 1914, but by then many of the strikers had left Calumet, forever touched by the Christmas party disaster.

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_12_24_2010

[sakabatou]

1. Is this where the "Never yell fire in a crowded room" start?

[MichiganVote]

2. Could be but if you travel to that area its a pretty amazing documentary area

The buildings have been well preserved and the history is astonishing.

[NBachers]

3. Hear Woody Guthrie sing "1913 Massacre"

Covered by Dylan and others- I remember hearing the Dylan version only once, and still it stays with me . . .

"To hear all this fun you would not realize
That the copper-boss thug-men are milling outside."

http://www.1913massacre.com/song.html