Today in labor history Dec 24, 72 copper miners’ children die in panic caused by company stooge

[Omaha Steve]

December 24

72 copper miners’ children die in panic caused by company stooge at Calumet, Mich. The stooge shouted “fire” up the stairs into a crowded hall where the children had gathered. They were crushed against closed doors when they tried to flee - 1913

December 24, 1913 - Seventy-four people in Calumet, Michigan, died in what became known as the "Calumet Massacre." About 500 youngsters and their parents had been taking part in a Christmas party for the children of striking copper miners, when someone yelled "Fire!" Within minutes, although there was no fire, dozens were trapped in a stairwell and trampled. The person who yelled was never identified, although many strikers said they thought it was a company guard. The copper strike dragged on until April 1914, but by then many of the strikers had left Calumet, forever touched by the Christmas party disaster.