Overview of the strike
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When Christmastime arrived in the area, it was apparent that for many people involved in the strike, the holiday season would not be filled with the joy, presents and feasts usually expected. Nevertheless, a union group had organized a Christmas party on December 24th at the Italian Hall in Calumet. As the evening progressed, many children of mining households were awaiting the handing out of presents. Suddenly, a cry of "Fire!" arose. What followed was one of the largest tragedies of the early 20th century. People rushed from the hall, located on the second story of the building, to the main exit at the bottom of a long stairway. The doors at the bottom of the stairs opened inward instead of onto the street, and as the masses of people stampeded down, those at the bottom were crushed first against the doors, then against each other as more people attempted to come down. By the time the panic had passed, more than 70 people, mostly small children, were dead. Whole families were decimated, one losing 5 children and their mother. The outpouring of grief which followed prompted donations of food, clothing, money and other goods to those affected by the tragedy by those who had just before been in opposition to the striking families. However, union bosses forbade accepting these donations, refusing to capitulate to the companies. This action was viewed by the general public as capitalizing on the deaths of many people rather than acting in the interest of the strikers. Citizen's Alliance members stormed into the hotel headquarters of union bosses, threatening to lynch them. Instead, they were rescued by men from the sheriff's department, and put on the next train out of town. It was shortly after the Italian Hall disaster that the WFM announced it was giving up on its strike, and the area began to heal from the months of derision that it had endured.
This is by no means a complete account of the events surrounding the 1913-1914 strike. A report to Congress by the Department of Labor outlines nearly every aspect of the strike, from holdings of the mining companies to union membership applications. This report is available in its entirety for download on this site. The report is also available in the Copper Country Archives. Other works on the strike include Rebels on the Range by Arthur Turner, published in 1984.
The Department Of Labor Report on the Miner's Strike, printed in 1914 (in .PDF format): Miners' Strike Home |
