The 1913 disaster in Long Beach, Calif.

Subhead

A former Nebraska farmer’s wife is killed

On May 24, 1913, a crowd estimated at 25,000 gathered at a seaside auditorium to honor the memory of the late Queen Victoria of England. A newspaper account has an attentiongrabbing headline:

“Scores Writhe Upon Sand, Crushed Under Stand and Occupants, Parade of Celebration of British Empire Day Is Ending, When Great Crowd of Humanity is Dashed to Earth -- Mayor Hatch Thought Hurt or Dead -- Police…