Joe Magarac

Joe Magarac - Born out of Braddock, Pennsylvania - Truth here is elusive, some beleive that there was actually a person by the name of Joe Magarac working at the Braddock steel works. He typicated the personality of a donkey, obstinate and very hard working. At the same time, the donkey was the beast of burden in the mountain regions of Croatia. The legend probably has merit. Altho the characterizations of this symbol varies slightly, it is easily recongnized as the symbol of steel and was to steel workers what Paul Bunyan was to woodsman. I have several childrens books featuring this character in the early 1900's. He does amazing feats and the stories impart hardwork and honesty as a lesson to small children.

POETRY WAS USED TO DESCRIBE THIS SYMBOL: This one as a steelworker

Joe Magarac - Made to make steel

Part of him, legend....part of him, real.

Born out of Braddock, earth, rock and hill

King of the ingots, Pride of the Mill.

Joe Magarac, over seven feet tall

Nothing about him was timid or small

He gathered the scrap iron, the limestone, the ore,

He fanned the white heat to an angry-red roar.

He poured liquid fire in each ingo mold

And, taking a handful before it got cold.

He squeezed through his fingers and watched it congeal.

From taffy-like ribbons to railings of steel.

They talked of improving the steel that they made

And Joe overheard them and went to their aid

By throwing himself in the steely souffle

And smiling, Joe Magarac melted away.

Part Pennsylvanian, Legend or real?

JOE MAGARAC is a symbol of STEEL

The City of Pittsburgh educated him, dressed him up and used the character as a city symbol with a changed lst name.

Jon Magarac - Inherits the size!

A legent that's living. His eyes on the skies

His strength can't be measured by muscles or height.

His vision, his training. His tools are his might.

He gathered together the ore of the past.

He mixed in the "newest", the "finest", the "last".

He adds education, the best he can get.

And squeezes out ATOMS, and powers the Jet.

With slide rules, computers and technical skill.

There's steel in his courage and iron in his will.

They talked of improving the world that they made

And Jon overheard them and went to their aid.

By throwing himself into Science and Math.

He burned with ambition and blazed out a path.

Prepared for tomorrow, and lighting the way

JON MAGARAC is Pittsburgh, today!

The history of the mines, labor strikes in the steelmills by Croatians - Are you interested in bios of these people?

They were treated about the same as the Chinese in early California days.

JOHN R. MARK