The Once and Future Witches

by Alix E. Harrow

Later that evening Agnes walks past the black remains of the Square Shirtwaist Factory on St. Lamentation. She read in the papers that forty-six women died in the fire, and another thirteen leapt from the high windows. “It’s company policy to lock the doors,” the owner argued in court. “So the girls don’t get shiftless.” He and his partner had paid a fine of seventy-five dollars.

the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire didn't happen until years later, but that's honestly what the owners said in court, and the actual fine they had to pay.