The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-01-11
a Hungry Crowd.
THREE THOUSAND ARMS REACHING FOR
ELEVEN THOUSAND LOAvEs.

THREE THOUSAND ARMS REACHING FOR
ELEVEN THOUSAND LOAvEs.
Chicago Times Jan. IL
Such a scene as that around the bakery
of Messrs. G. l.. Woodman g. Co., at the
corner of Canal aud Adams streets, on
yesterday morning, was probably never
ton of IL 600 loaves of bread, of which
1O, 900 were donated by the Northwestern
Nationsl Bank and 1000 by the Fireman's
Fund Insurance Company, had been an
nounced, and at least 900 people gather
ed on all sides of the building, each for the
purpose Of receiving his quantum OF loaves.
Early in the morning the hungry began to
assemble, and before the time for the dis
tribution of the staff of life arrived, both
Adams and Canal streets were densely
packed for some distance in each direction.
The crowd was composed of every nation
VANS predominated. But few Irishmen
were out for a loaf. They apparently had
sent their wives, and a large number OF
| Milesan ladies were scattered throughout
the throng. 1t was with some difficulty
that the immense eager crowd could be
kept out of the building. The odor arising
from hot ginger snaps and crackers seemed
| to effect them as much as the blood OF an
Englishman did the "fe, Fl, 70, fun" giant.
They would fam have got at the crisp pro
ducts of the oven. Two policemen were
present to keep them from leaning too
hard upon the building. 1t was half past
IL o'clock before the first loaves were Civ
en- out, up to which time the people had
been comparatively patient. AS soon as
| the door was open and man bearing in
his hand the coveted loaf appeared, there
was such q scrambling as never was seen
before. About 5000 arms were thrust IN
the air, and as many people showed, crowd
ed, pushed, elbowed and wriggled, each
| one anxious to place himself to the front.
There probably never was such q dlsPosi
ton among the workingmen to stand
shoulder to shoulder. The man who got
the first loaf was sorry that he had it.
There was no way of escaping with his
treasure +; the crowd jammed into him from
every side, and gave him no chance to
make way for others. 1t was ill-bred,
though everybody wanted to be- we'll
bread. The efforts Of the two peelers did
not amount to anything in such strug-
Cling mass, and word was sent to the Tn
ion street station for additional help. Eight
policemen arrived, and by dint of hard
work they cleared passage for the exit OF
those who had been served, though the
struggle W as fearful, several women faint
ing, aud policemen and others being fairly
lifted off their feet. If this struggle for
bread is an indication, there must have
been a good many furnishing people 10 the
crowd. Persons were given from three to
six ioaves each, and IL goo were distribu-
ted. 1t was nearly o'clock before the
last loaf had been given away. AS they
were one by one served, professions OF
people with bread in their arms, inside
their coats, tucked into the bosoms OF
their shirts, and in baskets, could be seen
radiating in every direction.
Not much was done at the workingmen's
headq uarters on Polk and West Lake
streets on yesterday. In the morning the
husiness included the filling out of tickets
TO be presented to the Relief and Aid So
ciety, At both places quite number OK
applications were received, and the neces-
sary preliminary blanks filled out: In the
AFTERNOON the doors Of No. l39 Polk street
were closed, an explanatory placard' ae
follows, being displayed in English and
German:
"Closed to-day. Go to 81 and 81 La
Sale street. Ten Thousand loaves OF
bread given away this afternoon corner OF
Adams and Canal streets, at O'clock"
The doors were securely locked and q
life within the building. At Nos. 6S and
20 Lake street the apartment was deserted
= save by two OF three men W no were scrap
= ing the floors and otherwise RIDING the
the place of good deal Of dirt.
The 'unemployed" arc not so disheart'
ened or embittered against "caPitai" ~
By. not to occasionally require little relaxs
. ton other than bread mass- meetings, idioti'
O speeches, and windy resolutions. Las
d night many of them forgot for time tina
), tho cupboard was bare, and met at thel
6 olaces on Polk and Lake streets, and Spen
d the evening in social pleasures, m uSic, dan
. cling, etc. u.,-...- n,
r to morrow Chisbolms steel works, on tn
4 South branch, will begin RAINING again
and work will be given to 100 men,