In June of 1932, after several months of painstaking work and compelling speeches, Mike was finally able to convince the textile workers of Chicago’s metropolitan area to unionize. Over 7,000 workers showed up to enter their names into the log and pay their annual dues of $5. (shown above)
Joined by 150 peace officers, the newly unionized workers waited for Mike (by then dubbed the Messiah of Mohair) to deliver a rousing speech. After more than an hour, it was discovered that Mike had left town in a yellow cab, taking the annual dues with him. The crowd erupted into chaos (shown below)
To All Who Come To This Happy Place...Aaaarrrrggh!