...a locker fell over her...
Augusta Houillion, one of eight children in her family, was a 14-year-old employee at Western Electric. She survived the Eastland Disaster only because a locker fell over her and provided an air pocket for her to breathe. She was below deck, where few people survived. Augusta lost her best friend in the tragedy.
Augusta was told to report to work on Monday morning following the Disaster or lose her job. She received no medical attention, and became quite ill from the dirty river water. Augusta never went on the water again, and develop a nervous tick in her neck.