The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-12-30
CALUMET BURIED
IT'S CHILDREN
Immense ConcOurse at the Funeral
of the Victims of the Panic of
Christmas Eve


its dead today. Fifty-nine bodies,
including those of forty-four child
rem, were carried through the streets
down a winding country highway
and laid in graves in a snow en-
shrouded cemetery within sight Of
Lake Superior Thousands Of sad
dened miners formed the escort of
the funeral parties and passed be-
tween other thousands who. as spec
tators, testified to the grief that has
oppressed the community since sew
enty-two men, women and children
were killed in the Christmas Eve
panic in Italian hall.
For hours the Sabbath calm was
broken by the tolling of bells and the
sound Of voices intoning burial
chants In half a dozen churches
services were held earlier in the day,
and the mourners went about the
streets, passing from their homes to
the churches, back to their homes.
after brief respites, and again to the
churches to prepare for the last sad
trip to the gravesides.
Delegations Of strikers began
coming into Calumet early in the day.
The special train of nine coaches
brought hundreds of federationists
from the iron mines of Negauree and
Ishpheming and every town AM min
ing location in the copper country
sent members and friends Of the
union to swell the ranks OF march
ers in the afternoon.
BY noon the union host was as
sembIed. Months OF experience IN
demonstrating their numbers 20 form
ranks quickly ana with little delay
they lined, up four abreast.
The supply of hearses was made
quate and there were only fourteen
OF these vehicles in the van. Then
came three undertaken wagons AMI
an automobile truck, the latter car
rying three coffns. These vehicles
contained the adult victims and the
older children. Beside one marched
eight women, who acted as pallbear-
erS for q member OF the women s
auxiliary of the Western Federation.
1t was this woman's organization
which was distributing gifts of can
dy. shoes, caps and mittens to the
children of strikers when the panic
broke out.
Behind the hearses was section
Of the procession which brought
tears and sohs from onlookers
Thirty-nine white coftins, their size
testifying to the short life Of the lit,
tie forms within, were carried by re
lays Of strikers. Four men bore each
coffin and as their arms grew weary
or their feet slipped on the roadway
companions relieved them OF theil
burden.
Persons drawn to Calumet solely
by curiosity became mcurners as thi
contingent passed them.
Men turned away to brush tear
from their cheeks. Women, espe
cially mothers, sobbed openly. Doz
ems unable to endure the sight. rush
e1 from the streets, taking refuge i,
homes, where YuIetide had not beel
directly saddened by death Othe
mourners. too. were in eviJenc
among the toil-harjened men VII
carried the collins. They bore tn
bodies of their companions chfldre
and many a rough sleeve was brush
Ell hurIiedIy across down-turne
faces. the eyes OF which were con
cealei by peaked caps, drawn ia
forward.
Fifty singers chanted hymns in th
wake of those carrying the child
rens' coffins. Most OF these me
were English miners, who had Learn
e1 in Cornwall to chant Christina
carols in the streets and years ag
brought this old custom to the COZ
per country. Today, however. the
did not sing songs of a new Ii
born.
Jesus Lover of Ny Soul. Rock {
Ages and Nearer My God 10 The
came from the throats thick Wit
emotion, but the harmonies we're fl
and rich.
AS the singers turned into Hill
street, which led to the cemeteI
road. the open ranks OF marchel
wheeled into line. Ishpheming az
Negaunee men came first. followe
by a brass band and the mem hers
the copper country locals.
The last marchers had scarce