The Marshall republican., 1914-01-02
PANIC
EIGHTY PEARSONS KILLED IN
RUSH CAUSED by FALSE
CRY OF FIRE.

killed Wednesday night at a Christ
mas celebration CT copper-mlne stri-
kers in italian Hall, because OF a
needless panic caused by a false
alarm OF fire.
While several hundred miners and
their wives looked on, scores of child
rem pressed eagerly toward the stage
to receive Christmas presents, n mar
stuck his head in at the door OF the
hall and yelled Fire."
The cry OF alarm was at once taken
up by those in the hall. Everyone
started for the doors. The crush pre-
vented movement. The weaker were
thrown to the floor and those behind
tried 10 climb over them.
In a few minutes the panic was
stopped by the fact that the stairway
and the other n OF egress we're
blocked so effectually those inside
could not get out. and those without
could not get In to aid the MANNED
and remoye the dead.
The alarm was spread outside the
hall by n few persons who had been
near the door and had escaped In
hurt. 4 crowd soon assembled and
the work Of clearing the hall was
begun.
stairway Cioggcd With Dead.
The only regular exit was a narrow
stairway at the back OF the hall.
When this had been cleared Of the
bodies that filled II to the top and n
quick accounting had been made, =;
was found that seyenty-four corpses
had been piled up beside the hall
building. II was thought that probab-
ly u dozen more had been carried
away by friends.
The dead included thirty-seven
girls, nineteen boys. thirteen women
stood about the building. some dazed
by the sudden change from holiday
festivities TO tragedy. others calling
HISTORICALLY for n missing child and
n few even threatening violence TO
the rcscuers for keeping them back
from the long row OF bodies.
There was not much work for the
doctors, for those who were not kill
ed IA the first rush were held upright
and safe by the force OF the onrush
toward the exit. Only three Injured
persons were taken to hospitals, and
a few went home with the assistance
OF friends.
For many days the children OF the
"copper" mine strikers had waited anx-
lousy for the Christmas tree that had
been arranged by the Woman's Auxl-
liary OF the Western Federation OF
Miners. The entertainment was sot
for the early evening. and the hall,
which Is on the second floor, was iill-
ed to It's limit.
Woman Tries Ia stop Panic
The children selected to recite
lChrlstmas selections and sing carols
had finished their part OF the pro-
gramme, and the man selected to play
the part OF Santa Claus had appeared
TO distribute the presents that were
lrlled around the large tree,
The children were instructed to
march up the aisles to the tree 80 the
presents could be handed them. The
aisles were filled with boys and girls
when a man put his head in at the
door of the main hallway and yelled
"Fire."
Mrs. Caesar OF All Kearsarge
street, Larium, who was near the
door, realized the danger OF the cry
OF fire and seized the man who made
Il by the shoulders and tried tc
counteract the alarm. II was useless
1.-THE man tore loose from her GRASP
and dashed away. The fatal word had
reached the ears OF many In the hall
and IL was repeated throughout the
room OF ''hiN''' in''
Fire was shouted in several
Language as parents rose and rushed
forward to get their children. Their
lives were crushed out In almost {
twinkling. Then the physical impossi
bility OF further movement brought
/, the panicstrlcken persons to theii
, senses. II was realized too late tina
, there was no fire, but most OF thos'
in the hall could not get out Of thu
, Jam they had caused.
y Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence Howar'
and children leave New Years Ev'