New-York tribune., 1913-12-25

more than FIVE years old, were soon
derived Of fear with the snuffing out
Of their lives under the heels OF the
larger persons. who blindly, or because
impelled by those behind, trod their
very offspring to death
one man was seen to stoop TO take
up his little girl. only TO be pushed with
great force 70 tread her beneath him.
4 woman who ran TO seize three small
bows was crushed TO death with them
as she sought TO shelter them in her
arms
One child. about FIVE years old. VINO
was too greatly frightened 10 give her
name. made her way unharmed TO the
street by way of the fire escape, after
all others who were free had fed. she
had been knocked down by the mad
rush. but no noe had stepped on her, as
she was near the tail end Of the line
A search was begun tonight for the
man who caused the panic. Some OF
the strikers asserted that they had rea-
son TO believe the man was MEMBER
of the Citizens Alliance, recently or
eanized 10 restore law and order in the
mining field during the strike. This
charge was quickly denied by alliance
members. hundreds Of whom were early
on the scene aiding in the removal of
bodies and caring for the injured and
bereaved.
1t was said by those near the door
that the man came up the stairs from
saloon below, and that his breath
smelled strongly Of alcohol. II was
said by some of those present that the
man NAV have been in a maudlin con
dition and shouted the word without
any thought as to what he was doing.
Many men in the crowd about the
hall after the catastrophe swore ven
geance II the man could be found. 1t
is also feared that the distraught con-
dition Of mind rnder which many per-
sons are laboring as a result of the dis
aster may renew open hostility between
members Of the miners union and the
Citizens Alliance.
The Coroner tonight began to I'M
panel a jury to make thorough in
vestigation of the disaster. Meetings
will be held on Christmas Day TO decide
whether to hold a general funeral with
a procession composed Of nearly every
resident Of Calumet.
Holiday festivities in many private
homes were saddened tonight by the
disaster in Italian Hall. Many parents
who had rushed out to learn details Of
the tragedy returned to the homes and
suspended decoration of the family
Christmas tree out Of respect for the
childless homes that resulted from tine
panic in the hall.
Among the men killed in the hall WIS
John p. Westola, secretary of the Fin
nish Mutual Life Insurance Company,
Of Calumet.
Aid for the Bereaved.
Citizens Of Calumet and Houghton
rallied tonight to the aid OF those be-
reaved by the panic. BY 2 o'clock resi-
derts of Houghton had pledged $1,000,
and a committee was appointed TO take
charge Of additional subscriptions. This
action was taken al A public meeting,
at which resolutions were adopted
pledging the citizens there to do all in
their power 10 relieve the distress here.
Public meetings have been called for
Christmas afternoon by the Mayors Of
Red Jacket and Laurium. Everything
possible will be done to relieve rela-
tives of victims, it was promised to-
night.
Arrangements already are under way
for public funeral Of the dead Sus-
perslon Of all work in the copper min
ing district during the exercises is
probable.