Spindle City

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On June 23, 1911, Fall River, Massachusetts, basks in the success of the Cotton Centennial, a grand celebration that unites the town as it welcomes President Taft. Joseph Bartlett, a mill owner caught between the elite and the union bosses, observes the festivities from the grandstand while nursing a toothache. He worries about the future of his town, fearing it cannot compete with the union-free South. The specter of strikes and factory fires looms large in his mind, especially after the tragic fire at the Cleveland Mill changed his life forever, granting him a privilege he never desired. As one of the town's most influential figures, he stands among politicians and society ladies, yet his personal life is unraveling—his wife is dying, and his sons are at a crossroads. The stark divide between the wealthy and the impoverished is palpable, highlighting the tensions within the community. This narrative explores the intricate lives of mill owners, anarchists, and immigrants, capturing the essence of a mill town on the brink of transformation and the last days of its glory, revealing the struggles and aspirations of its inhabitants.