Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-12-30
christmas Panic to Be Made
4 Subject Of Probe By a
County Grand Jury
EDERAL SOLICITOR
lis ON WAY TO SCENE
'harly All of Victims of
Fake Fire Call Buried
at Union Service

Calumet, Mich, Dec. 2s.-The
Inquest into the cause OF the
Italian hall panic in Calumet
Christmas eve which cost the
lives Of 72 men, women and chill
dren held the center Of Interest in
the copper country strike district
this rning. Coroner william
Fishe ;alIed the inquest in the
/ town hall. The room was crowd
ed to capacity.
The testimony Of the witnesses
disapproved the generally circu-
lated rumors that a man wearing
4 citizens alliance button had
rushed UP the stairs and shouted
.Fire" and that deputies stood
at the foot OF the stairs and held
back those coming out Of the hall.
Calumet, Mich, Dec. 29.-With most
Be its dead buried, Calumet today turn
Sd it's attention to the coroner's in
S,uest of the Christmas eve panic,
which cost the lives of seventy-two
persons and to the Houghton county
-rand jury Investigating the torclble
lection from the copper country OF
harles H. Meyer, president OF the
Western Federation of Miners. The
,oroner's inquest began here today and
y he grand jury investigation is expect
ed to begin tomorrow at Hancock,
where Meyer was assaulted and put
hoard a Chicago bound train. John X.
ensmore, solicitor for the depart
ent of labor, is expected here today
) make an investigation for the de-
,artment of the strike of the copper
miners, Before reaching here he Will
consult with Governor Ferris at Big
Rapids. Gathering of evidence as to
v he identity Of the men who escorted
President Meyer out of Hancock Fri
hay night was continued by strike
hader. o. N. Hilton of Denver, chief
ounsel for the federation, will present
ghe evidence. The man who shouted
Ahe first false alarm of fire, thereby
8aueing the panic, is still uncaught,
Union men intimated, however, that
gaey have clue to his identity and
aat an arrest may be made soon.
The extent of the action Of Solicitor
soensmore probably will be made known
IN the demand at his conference with
s.etary Wilson of the labor department
will not take further action until he
receives a comparative report. Sew
aral witnesses who expected to testify
st the coroner's inquest were prepared
s8 assert that the cry of fire. which
arted the panic, came from near the
enter Of the hall instead of from the
oorway as was related in first ac-
counts. . .......~
Dead Carried to Graves.
q Only nine of those who were killed
Aemain to be buried. Fifty-nine bodies
Including those of forty-four children
we're given public funeral yesterday.
thousands of miners with their wives
marched in the funeral procession.
Because Of the limited supply Of
earses in Calumet. the bodies OF the
3hildren were carried to their resting
place by the strikers while the bodies
If the adults who met death were car
ed on an automobile truck, in wagons
nc in the few hearses. Delegations
al miners from other towns marched
81 the procession which was headed by
band. "
Discuss a Probe.
/ Washington, D. c., Dec. 29.-Con-
a-essional investigation of the Calu-
copper mine strike was discussed
in informal conference before men,
i Of the house rules committee to-
j and individual expressions indi-
led that those present agreed that
federal question was involved.
Sirman Henry Is opposed to an in
,igation. Acting Chairman Pou de-
cred that the committee would be
heed to Investigate nearly all local
Dor disputes if it set precedent in
\ t. Calumet case. The Western Fed
faiion of Miners and Representative
Mcdonald of Michigan are pressing
'or federal inquiry.
John B. Densmore, solicitor of the
apartment Of labor. is in Michigan
citing for Secretary Wilson.
" No United States Inquiry.
Big Rapids. Mich, Dec. 29.-John B.
ensmore, solicitor Of the government
apartment of labor. and George A.
3icholls, special prosecutor in the cop
sr mine strike district, conferred
ith Governor Ferris at his home here
day concerning the strike situation.
.r. Densmore had made arrange
rents to leave for Calumet before
Don. .e,....-. ..
II am still of the opinion that there |
no necessity for the federal au-
lorities taking action in this affair.""
lid the governor this morning. There
grand Jury now in session at
oughton Esoyer or anybody else can
) before that body and get Justice 1t !
strict,r state matter and Michigan
handle 4,