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This stark newspaper status report about human life
is an example of a community coping with
a mass tragedy in an era without
electronic communication. It was not
unique. Such lists were published for
days, likely used as reference by mortuaries and
municipal service personnel as well as
by friends, family, employers, and
coworkers of victims.
For the citizens of Chicago in 1903, in
addition to the fatalities, there were
hundreds of injured that needed help.
Newspaper reports helped identify which
families needed assistance and comfort.
There were examples of the press
pandering to rubbernecking, but it's
positive role was more important. As
would radio and TV in later years,
newspapers created a common frame of
reference for important mass
communication.
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