The Italian Hall Disaster happened on Christmas Eve, 1913. It is a tragic story where nearly 100 people died, mostly children, at a Christmas party held by striking mine workers. We know someone called out "Fire" in the crowded hall leading to panic and death. We don't know who yelled "Fire" but many testified that he wore a "Citizen's Alliance" button. "The Alliance was funded by mine management and actively opposed the union and the strike." (Wikipedia)
Woody Guthrie called it the "1913 Massacre".
Woody Guthrie - 1913 Massacre
Here's a link to the Wikipedia article quoted in this story.
Italian Hall disaster
more ...
On Christmas Eve many of the striking miners and their families had gathered for a Christmas party sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Western Federation of Miners.[4] It is estimated that there were over five hundred people at the party, which was held on the second floor of Calumet's Italian Hall. A steep stairway was the only way to the second floor, although there was a poorly-marked fire escape on one side of the building and ladders down the back of the building which could only be reached by climbing through the windows.
The tragedy began when someone yelled "Fire!"; there was none. However, people panicked and rushed for the stairs. In the ensuing melee, seventy-three people (including fifty-nine children) were killed. To date there has been much debate about who cried "fire" and why. The most common theory is that "fire" was called out by an anti-union ally of mine management in order to disrupt the party.
Here's Rambling Jack Elliot singing the Woody Guthrie Song.
1913 Massacre - Rambling Jack Elliot
Although the Citizen's Alliance's culpability in the tragedy has not been proved we do know this.
After the first wave of grief had passed following the tragedy, while there was bitterness against the company, it was considerably greater against an organization known as the Citizens Alliance (the "Alliance"). The Alliance was funded by mine management and actively opposed the union and the strike. Knowing what poor condition the strikers were in, the Alliance took steps that purported to help the families. It offered money to the union, telling union leaders to spend it as they wished.
The Alliance's offer was not unconditional. Rather, it insisted that Charles Moyer, president of the Western Federation of Miners, publicly exonerate the Alliance of all fault in the tragedy. Moyer refused. Rather than provide such an exoneration, Moyer announced that the Alliance was responsible for the catastrophe, claiming that an Alliance agent yelled the word “fire”.[11] Members of The Alliance subsequently assaulted Moyer in nearby Hancock, then shot and kidnapped him. They placed him on a train with instructions to leave the state and never return. After getting medical attention in Chicago (and holding a press conference where he displayed his gunshot wound) he returned to Michigan to continue the work of the WFM.
All quotes from Wikipedia.
JayRaye did the research for this article. We hope to collaborate on We Never Forget diaries in the future. He sent me this terrible list.
Labor Martyrs of the Italian Hall Massacre
Aaltonen Family Milelchich Family
Sanna-39, Mother Elizabeth-9, S
Wilma-9, Daughter Agnes-7, S
Sylvia-3, Daughter Paul-5, B
Heikkinen Brothers Myllykangas Brothers
Eino Felpus-10 Johan-10
Eli-9, Edward-7
Edwin-7th birthday
Mr & Mrs Niemela
Isola Family Abram-24
Ina-33, M Maria-22
Tilma-5, D -she was able to hold her
6 mo old baby over her
Jesic Family head as she died.
Barbara-25, M
Rosie-5, D Papesh Sisters
Mary-14
Kalunki Family Annie-6
Brida-42, M
Anna-9, D Rydilahti Sisters
Efia-8, D Emlia-16
Heli-13
Klarich Sisters
Kristina-11 Taipalus Sisters
Mary-9 Elisina-6
Kararina-7 Sandra-4
Kotajarvi Family Tulppo Family
Anna-30, M Kaisa-45, M
Mattie-5, S Mamie-10, D
died next day
Anna-4, D
Lanto Family
Maria-40, M
Hilja-5, D
Lesar Family
Mary-13, Sister
Rafael-2, Brother
Manley Family
Elina-26, M
Wesley-4, S
Mantanen Family
Yrja-13, B
Mathias-10, B
Ella-8, S
Lempi Ala-12, F Sulo Lauri-8, M
Herman Alla-60, M Arthur Lindstrom-12, M
Will Biri-7, M Lydia Luoma-10, F
Ivanna Bolf-9, F Alfred Lustic-7, M
Katarina Bronzo-21, F Walter Murto-9, M
Victoria Burcar-9, F Kate Petteri-66, F
Joseph Butala-7, M Saida Raja-10, F
Nick Cvetkovick-33, M Terresa Renaldi-12, F
Jenny Giacoletto-9, F Elma Ristel-6, F
Kararina Gregorich-10, F John Saari-5, M
Uno Jokepii-13, M Elida Saatio-11, F
Johan Kiemaki-7, M Mary Smuk-5, F
Johan Koskel-10, M Antonia Staudohar-7, F
Mary Krainatz-11, F Edward Takola-9, M
Lydia Talpaka-10, F
Hilja Wualukka-8, F
Johan Westola-48, M
They were mostly Finnish, Croatian, Italian, & Slovenian immigrants.
We must never forget this tragedy and the terrible toll that anti union violence can cause. We must support the right of workers to strike and the right of workers to organize. We must stand together in solidarity.
JayRaye suggested these references for further study:
Rebel on the Range by Arthur W Thurner
John H Forster Press, 1989
Tall Annie by Virginia Law Burns
Enterprise Press, 1987
Big Annie of Calumet by Jerry Stanley
Crown Pub, 1996
Wikipedia also has a substantial bibliography at the above link.
So on this Protest Tuesday We Never Forget the 1913 Massacre.
Thanks,
Hairy Larry and JayRaye