Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Connie Burkett for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =============================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Archivist, Connie Burkett All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =============================================================================== West Virgiia, U.S.A. Annual Report of the Department of Mines for the year ending June 30, 1907 James W. Paul, Chief of the Department of Mines, Charleston Charleston: The Tribune Printing Co., 1908. INDEX OF FATAL ACCIDENT NAMES IN THIS FILE: Adams, Allen Frozel, Rodel Mills, George Adams, Gilbert Fulton, Floyd Mitchel, George Ambrosa, Sant Gallamore, John Mitchell, Wallace H. Anthony, Charles Galloway, Mays Monn, Joe Atkins, W. Garland, Frank Mullins, Ad. Bailey, John D. Gilliam, Macon Nutall, John T. Banka, Andrew Goot, John O'Neil, Robert Bauer, Karl Hall, Hillory Pelter, John C. Boardlie, Alexander Harbor, Percy Phillips, Mack Boon, Robert L. Harris, Palmer Pledger, Miles Brown, Robert Hatcher, H. A. Quadrone, Lawrence Brown, William Hopkins, Zack Rhodes, Parthena Brown, William Howard, E. D. Rinco, George Carr, Vernett Jennings, Jeff L. Robinson, Claude Carter, Boone Johnson, James Roeser, Paul Carter, Robert Johnson, Martha A. Ross, Jim Cesco, Pietro Jones, William Scherbonowski, Eugene Cloud, Harvey Kaint, Dominique Short, Edward Cloud, Luther Lackay, Walter Simpson, Walter Cobbs, Squire Lacosta, Angelo Sloten, Simon Conerige; George Lane, Glascow Sprakup, Adam Corbet, Boss Lester, Harre W. Steel, Joseph Crew, William Lopata, Nicholas Stulfitch, Paul Crippa, Cesare Lovell, Jerry Tobald, George Cundiff, William Lynch, Garfield Toler, Henry Dalton, A. B. Mahan, William Tyrus, Alex Duncan, William McDonald, Dominic Warden, L. E. Fallow, John McGinnis, John Witcher, James Ferry, John Meadows, A. H. Yenushefsky, John Finey, Alex Meadows, James Zara, Tony =============================================================================== FATAL ACCIDENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1907 McDOWELL COUNTY, (Pages 249-255) =============================================================================== Meadows, A. H. (American; 18 yrs exper; age 40; Married; 4 Children; $50 Ins.) Hall, Hillory (American; age 23; Single) Howard, E. D. (Negro; age 30; Married) Mahan, William (Negro, age 30; Single) July 2, 1906. A. H. Meadows, Hillory Hall. E. D. Howard and Wm. Mahan, Keystone Mine, were caught in an explosion of gas. All with the exception of Hall were killed instantly and he died four days later. This accident is described in detail in the appendix to this report. [see APPENDIX at the bottom of this file] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cloud, Harvey (negro; 20 yrs exper; age 40; Sing;e) July 10, 1906. Harvey Cloud, Tidewater Mine, was at work in the mine when there came a fall of coal and slate from face of pillar on which he was working, catching him and causing death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Simpson, Walter (Negro; age 35; Married) July 16, 1906. Walter Simpson, Elk Ridge Mine, being an employee of the slate gang was standing on No. 2 cross entry. A fall of slate struck him on the head knocking him down, resulting in death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Carr, Vernett (Negro; 2 yrs exper; age 18; Married; $50.00 Insurance) July 18, 1906. Vernett Carr, Empire Mine, was killed by a fall of slate. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mitchell, Wallace H. (American; 4 yrs exper; age 32; Married; 3 Children) Crew, William (Negro; age 26; Single) Gallamore, John (Negro; 3 yrs exper; age 30; Single) Harris, Palmer (Negro; age 26; Single) July 19, 1906. Wallace H. Mitchell, Wm. Crew, John Gallamore and Palmer Harris, Dixon-Pocahontas Shaft Mine, were descending the shaft in a bucket with Loudon Whiteside. When down about 40 feet the torch that they carried ignited gas in the shaft which exploded. Four of the men either jumped off or were thrown out and were killed by the over- turning of the bucket, supposed to have been caused by a 3 by 3 scantling they had in the bucket catching in the timbers of the shaft as they started back up the shaft. Whiteside remained in the bucket and was saved but very badly burned. The other four men fell about 75 feet to the bottom of the shaft and were killed instantly. [see APPENDIX at the bottom of this file] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Anthony, Charles (Negro; 2 yrs exper; age 28; Married; $50.00 Insurance) July 23, 1906. Chas. Anthony, Pulaski Mine, was digging down coal in a split on pillar when a "kettle bottom" dropped on him crushing body so as to cause immediate death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Pledger, Miles (Negro; 4 yrs exper; age 42; Single) August 1, 1906. Miles Pledger, Pulaski Mine, was working under loose slate and before he had worked out enough coal to set prop the slate broke and fell on him. He was found dead by the driver. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Banka, Andrew (Hungarian; age 21; Single) August 11, 1906. Andrew Banka, United States No. 2 Mine, was killed by a fall of slate. Louis Nemitt, his partner, was standing by the car and said, "Lookout, Andy, the slate is going to fall." Andy jumped from under that portion of slate into a break-through, but the slate fell there also and caught him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cloud, Luther (Negro; age 20; Single) August 13, 1906. Luther Cloud, Shawnee Mine, was running some coke cars. The car he was on stopped on a curve and he got between the cars to couple it to some more cars following, being on the inside of the curve the cars came so close together that they crushed him. When separated he fell on the track and was run over. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ambrosa, Sant (Italian; 4 yrs exper; age 35; Married; 2 Children) August 13, 1906, died August 17, 1906. Sant Ambrosa, Elkhorn Mine, was riding on the front end of a dirt truck on larry track coming down grade and ran by the place of stopping. He jumped off in front to stop the truck which knocked him down and rolled him. He was taken to the Welch Hospital where he died. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fulton, Floyd (American; 18 months exper; age 21; Single; $50 Insurance) August 20, 1906. Floyd Fulton, Bottom Creek Mine, was working as a back hand for Grover Stringer, robbing a pillar in No. 12 room. No. 8 entry. Stringer had stepped out for some oil. During his absence slate fell on Fulton, killing him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lopata, Nicholas (Slavish; age 25; Married) August 22, 1906. Nicholas Lopata, Jed Mine, was taking down some roof with two other men when a piece of slate, weighing about 61 pounds, fell, striking him on the head. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Yenushefsky, John (Polish; 4 weeks exper; age 45; Married) August 28, 1906. John Yenushefsky, Bottom Creek Mine, with four or five others were taking down slate on No. 11 entry, under the charge of a slate man. Were working at some slate close to the face. While preparing to shoot some fallen slate three of them moved back on the entry, heard some slate working and becoming frightened made a rush down the entry. Yenushefsky either fell or was knocked down by one of tne others in the excitement and thrown on the gob side just as the slate fell. A large piece slid down on him before he could regain his feet - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Duncan, William (American; 11 months exper; age 16; Single) September 6, 1906. Wm. Duncan, Peerless Mine, was delivering an empty car to a miner. The mule turning to the side pulled down a prop, causing slate to fall on Duncan, killing him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Short, Edward (American; 5 yrs exper; age 23; Single) September 7, 1906, died September 8. 1906. Edward Short. Big Sandy Mine, was a motorman and was running his motor at high speed when it jumped the track at 3rd right and main entry, crossed the main entry running under the slate crushing him between the motor and slate. Was taken to the Hospital at Keystone where he died the next day. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Roeser, Paul (German; 1 month exper; age 30; Single; $50 Insurance) September 22, 1906. Paul Roeser, Bottom Creek Mine, was working on slate force under a competent slate man and had been engaged in taking down and breaking up the fallen slate in a room. While he and the head slate man were preparing to set a prop the slate fell, without warning, on Roeser, breaking his neck. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Stulfitch, Paul (Slavish; 3 weeks exper; age 24; Married; 1 Child) September 27, 1906. Paul Stulfitch, Crozer No. 1 Mine, was working in a room where the draw slate was about one inch thick, and there was a "kettle bottom" hidden by this slate, which fell out without warning, mashing his head and killing him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Adams, Allen (American; 10 yrs exper; age 39; Married; 3 Children) Adams, Gilbert (American; 5 yrs exper; age 32; Single) October 20, 1906. Allen Adams & Gilbert Adams, Cambridge Mine, were taking track from a pillar when slate fell on them, causing instant death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Brown, William (American; 4 months exper; age 25; Married; 1 Child) October 30, 1906. Wm. Brown, Pulaski Mine, was preparing a shot in a large piece of slate that had fallen and was standing under a brow of slate which was partly loose, but which he felt sure would hold until he got the shot -in, but before placing the shot the brow of slate fall crushing him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rinco, George (Slavish; 10 yrs exper; age 26; Married) November 6, 1906, died December 17, 1906. George Rinco, Crozer No. 2 Mine, along with his partner went into their room to fire a shot. After- wards noticed that the slate was loose. The partner wanted to take the slate down, but Rinco wanted to prop it, got mad at his partner for his suggestions and commenced picking at the coal to load it when the slate fell on him, mashing him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - McGinnis, John (American; 4 yrs exper; age 18; Single) November 15, 1906. John McGinnis, Pulaski Mine, was riding in front car of trip going in the mine. He jumped on left side of track and at- tempted to cross track ahead of trip in order to get on right side as the entry was wider on that side. He stumbled and fell on the track and several cars passed over him before they could be stopped. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - O'Neil, Robert (Irish; 3 yrs exper; age 21; Single) November 17, 1906. Robert O'Neil, Twin Branch Mine, had come out of his working place and stepped into mouth of an entry not being worked in order to let a car pass. A piece of slate weighing about three or four thousand pounds fell on him, crushing his body and breaking his left leg in three places, causing instant death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cesco, Pietro (Italian; age 23; Single) November 26, 1906. Pietro Cesco, McClaren Mine, while making a cut of coal a piece of slate at the face fell on him suddenly, breaking his neck. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tyrus, Alex (Hungarian; 2 months exper; age 28; Married) December 1, 1906. Alex Tyrus, Turkey Gap Mine, was working on No. i2 pillar when about a half of a car of coal fell and crushed him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sloten, Simon (German; age 29; Single) December 10, 1906. Simon Sloten, United States Mine No. 2, while in room No. 1-1/2 on 7 butt entry, a fall of roof slate came which caught him, killing him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jones, William (Negro; 1 yr exper; age 32; Married) December 13, 1906. William Jones, County Seat Mine, was working in his room and struck what is called a roll or horse-back when a large piece of slate fell on him, breaking his neck. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Steel, Joseph (Italian; 2 yrs exper; age 19; Single) Witcher, James (Negro, 4 yrs exper; age 34; Married; 3 Children) Mullins, Ad. (Negro, 5 yrs exper; age 22; Single) Finey, Alex (Negro; 4 yrs exper; age 36; Married) Rhodes, Parthena (Negro; Non-employee; Married; 2 Children) Johnson, Martha A. (Negro; Non-employee; Married; 1 Child) December 14, 1906. Joseph Steel, James Witcher (died Dec. 26, 1900), Ad. Mullins, Alex Finney, Parthena Rhodes (died Dec. 19, 1906), and Martha A. Johnson (died Dec. 25, 1900), Pulaski Mine, were killed by an explosion of 400 kegs of powder on the outside of the mine. The powder had just been unloaded from a railroad car and was being hauled in the mine cars to powder magazine. The last two in the above list are women who were in a house that was wrecked by the explosion, A detailed de- scription of this accident will be found in the appendix to this report. [see APPENDIX at the bottom of this file] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hatcher, H. A. (American; 3 yrs exper; age 26; Single) December 15, 1906. H. A. Hatcher, Elk Ridge Mine, was running a lo- comotive, light, at a high rate of speed when it jumped the track throw- ing him under the engine, crushing him from the effects of which he died. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nutall, John T. (English; 15 yrs exper; age 226; Single; $50 Insurance) December 18, 1906. John T. Nutall, Empire Mine, and his partner were butting off a pillar between Co and 65 on No. 12 entry. Had broken through into No. 65 and were in the act of robbing the stump back to No. 03 and while driving &. wedge to bring down the top coal it sud- denly fell, catching him breaking his back and killing him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Boardlie, Alexander (Hungarian; 3 months exper; age 14; Single) December 20, 1906. Alexander Boardlie, United States No. Mine. This boy was working with his father and while shoveling slack back from where his father was working, the slate fell without warning, frac- turing his skull and causing death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Scherbonowski, Eugene (American; 5 yrs exper; age 34; Married; 1 Child) December 20, 1906. Engene Scherbonowski, Indian Ridge Mine, after shooting his coal from the solid was loading his car when a piece of slate fell on him, killing him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Zara, Tony (Italian; 2 yrs exper; age 19; Single) Quadrone, Lawrence (nationality not given) December 21, 1906. Tony Zarra & Lawrence Quadrone, Peerless Mine, were shooting for parting and dug coal from a piece of loose slate which fell and mashed them, causing death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lynch, Garfield (Negro; 2 yrs exprer; age 26; Married; 1 Child) December 29, 1906. Garfield Lynch. McDowell Mine, while employed as a miner in the mine draw slate fell on him. crushing his skull, causing death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Frozel, Rodel (Italian; 2 yrs exper; age 28; Married) January 9, 1907. Rodel Frozel, Keystone Mine, was undercutting his coal when it fell on him, crushing him so as to cause his death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ferry, John (Italian; 2 yrs exper; age 36; Married) January 12, 1907. John Ferry (Giovianni Fararelli), Indian Ridge Mine, was engaged in robbing a pillar, which was a long narrow stump, and in- stead of pulling it back from end as instructed he cut a breakthrough in middle leaving a very small square stump. The slate broke around this stump and fell catching him, mashing his head to a pulp. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Carter, Boone (American; 3 yrs exper; age 25) January 15, 1907. Boone Carter, Empire Mine, was killed by a fall of slate. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jennings, Jeff L. (American; 8 months exper; age 46; Married; 8 Children) January 24, 1907. Jeff L. Jennings, Ashland Mine was on the tipple when the rope broke on the incline leading into the tipple letting the car run away on to the tipple and either the car or some flying debris struck him, causing death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Pelter, John C. (American; age 25; Single) January 25, 1907, died January 26, 1907, John C. Pelter, Bottom Creek Mine, was assisting in the erection, of a fan which was being put in place by means of a gin pole. A guy line to the pole broke allowing it to fall. The pole struck Pelter, fracturing his skull. He was sent to the Hospital at Welch where he died. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Warden, L. E. (American; age 24; Single) January 31, 1907. L. E. Warden, Shamokin Mine, was in his room with H. Y. Neal. He started to work on stump, picked up a pick and commenced striking the coal. Neal told him not to do it as it was too dangerous as there might come a squeeze at any minute, but he kept on and in about a minute afterwards there did come a squeeze and about a ton of coal fell over on Warden, causing instant death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Johnson, James (Negro; 10 yrs exper; age 29; Married; 4 Children) February 1, 1907. James Johnson, Turkey Gap Mine, was working on No. 1 pillar, No. 24 cross entry, when a large piece of slate fell, crushing him so badly that he died. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Toler, Henry (Negro; 10 yrs exper; age 37; Married; 6 Children) February 4, 1907. Henry Toler, Empire Mine, was robbing a stump and was told by a fellow miner, who visited his place, that he had bet- ter set more props and leave the stump as soon as he had loaded his car. But Toler kept on digging coal out from under the slate until it fell on him, causing instant death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Harbor, Percy (Negro; 4 yrs exper; age 22; Single) Tobald, George (Hungarian; 3 yrs exper; age 25; Single) February 8, 1907. Percy Harbor & George Tobald, New. River & Poca- hontas or Berwind No. 1 Mine, were running a puncher machine and had completed a cut in room No. 9 on 1st right entry. A heavy piece of sand- rock which had broken off close up to face of room fell and caught them. The bodies were found lying by the machine board on the cuttings from the machine and under the sandrock. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bauer, Karl (German; 3 months exper; age 22; Single) February 14, 1907, died February 16, 1907. Karl Bauer, Bottom Creek Mine, tried to open a keg of powder in his house with a pick. The keg exploded as did also another keg in the same room. The house was badly damaged but the roof did not fall. Two other men, Frank Fisher and John Poditski were non-fatally burned by this same explosion. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lester, Harre W. (American; 3 yrs exper; age 30; Married; 2 Children) February 18, 1907. Harre W. Lester. Page Mine, was riding on front end of a trip of mine cars. The cars wrecked and in his attempt to leap from the cars fell in front of car, sustaining injuries that ended in death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bailey, John D. (American; 6 yrs exper; age 19; Single) February 19, 1907. John D. Bailey. Lynchburg Mine, was employed as tippleman and in dumping coal failed to lift the latch that releases the endgate of the car. The car in striking the horns of the tipple caused the rear end to strike Bailey, causing instant death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mills, George (Negro; 6 yrs exper; age 25; Single) February 19, 1907, died February 20, 1907. Geo. Mills, Norfolk Mine, in company with Robt. Mills, his partner, was working in No. 14 room, 2nd cross, new drift. Robert noticed that the slate was bad and said he would not work under it, but George got a pick and started to work. Robert told him not to work under it until they got the slateman to fix it, but he said he wasn't afraid and started to bore a hole. When he got to the sulphur band asked Robert to assist him which he would not do and in about a minute afterwards the slate fell on George, injuring him so severely that he died the next day. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lovell, Jerry (American; age 20; Single) February 20, 1907. Jerry Lovell, Peerless Mine, was digging cut and coal fell on him mashing his head. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sprakup, Adam (Polish; age 24) February 22, 1907. Adam Sprakup, Peerless Mine, was fixing track with his foreman when a piece of loose rock fell on him, killing him in- stantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lacosta, Angelo (Italian; age 25; Single) February 25, 1907. Angelo Lacosta, Angle Mine, was employed as trackman and in attempting to get on a mine car got hold of the car while in motion but fell off and was caught between the car and rib and was rolled. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Carter, Robert (Negro; 15 months exper; age 15; Single) March 14, 1907. Robert Carter, Page Mine, while getting off of mine car stumbled and fell in front of same, and before car could be stopped was caught and crushed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Boon, Robert L. (Negro; 10 months exper; age 30; Single) March 15, 1907, died March 16, 1907. Robert L. Boon, King Mine, had a standing shot and in trying to work it down the coal fell on him caus- ing death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Meadows, James (Negro; age 35; Married; 1 Child) March 18, 1907, died March 30, 1907. James Meadows, Marytown Mine, in transferring some powder from a keg into a smaller vessel a spark from, his lamp came in contact with the powder, causing it to explode. He was taken to the Hospital at Welch where he died. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Brown, William (Negro; age 19; Single) March 18, 1907. William Brown, Angle Mine, was employed as a car dropper and was letting some cars down under the tipple and attempted to jump off on one side and then went to the other side and either jumped off or fell off, getting under the cars in some manner and about eight or ten cars passed over his leg. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hopkins, Zack (Negro; 3 yrs exper; age 25; Single) March 26, 1907, died April 1, 1907. Zack Hopkins, Indian Ridge Mine, was working under a piece of draw slate which was loose at one end. His partner tried to get him to set a prop under this loose slate at the same time telling him it was very dangerous, but Hopkins would not do it. While they were loading the car the slate fell mashing Hopkins. Was taken to the Welch Hospital where he died. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lackay, Walter (American; 6 yrs exper; age 37; Married) March 29, 1907. Walter Lackay. Turkey Gap Mine, while pursuing his duties as trackman a piece of slate fell on him, killing him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kaint, Dominique (Italian; 2 yrs exper; age 35; Single) April 5, 1907. Dominique Kaint, Elk Ridge Mine, while under the in- structions of J. C. Cox who had charge of a few men cleaning up some slate. Cox noticed a piece of slate was loose and cautioned these men to stay from under it but contrary to instructions Kaint and Hairston went under the slate and it fell, killing Kaint and injuring Hairston. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Brown, Robert (American; 4 yrs exper; age 32; Single) April 6, 1907. Robert Brown, United States No. 2 Mine, was taking down slate in No. 2 new slope and was bossing the job. He went down to start a pump and when coining back the slate fell on him. This was the slate that he had been working on. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gilliam, Macon (Negro; age 35; Married; 6 Children) April 6, 1907. Died April 8, 1907. Macon Gilliam, Page Mine, was work- ing at face of heading when a piece of slate fell on him, injuring him so seriously that he died later. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Goot, John (Slavish; age 25; Single; $50.00 Insurance) April 8, 1907. John Goot, Delta Mine, was killed by a fall of coal. Frank Vachinsky was loading coal and did not have enough down to fill the car when Goot came up to his place and said, "I will get you all the coal you want", and took a pick and commenced to pick the coal when over a car of coal fell on him. Goot was not in his own room, but was in a room about 500 feet from where he worked. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cundiff, William (Negro; 5 months exper; age 21; Single) April 11, 1907. William Cundiff, United States No. 1 Mine, was em- ployed as a driver taking out a two car trip. He had been in the habit of cutting his team off at No. 6 room and let them turn into No. 3 room and getting behind to his brake to let the trip into the sidetrack. This trip was running faster than usual and in getting off he slipped and fell under the car and was killed instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - McDonald, Dominic (Italian; 3 months exper; age 23; Single; $50 Insurance) Monn, Joe (Italian; 3 months exper; age 29; Single; $50 Insurance) Ross, Jim (Italian; 3 months exper; age 30; Married; 4 Children; $50 Ins.) Garland, Frank (Italian; 3 months exper; age 26; Single; $50 Insurance) Conerige; George (Italian; 3 months exper; age 21; Married; $50 Insurance) April 15, 1907. Dominic McDonald, Joe Monn, Jim Ross, Frank Gar- land and Geo. Conerige, Gilliam Mine, were in a tenement house and two of the party got into a scuffle over a keg of powder, causing an explosion and the burning of the house, and all the occupants. Three died almost instantly while McDonald lingered until April 17, 1907, and Joe Monn died April 20, 1907. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Robinson, Claude (Negro; 3 yrs exper; age 17; Single $50 Insurance April 17, 1907. Claude Robinson, Algoma Mine, while engaged as a driver making a delivery of a car on 7th cross entry, a fall of slate came striking him, causing death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Crippa, Cesare (Italian; 1 month exper; age 20; Single) April 19, 1907. Cesare Crippa, United States No. 3 Mine, was riding on front end of an electric motor outside of the mine and stepped off in front before the motor had stopped and it caught his foot throwing him on the track and the motor ran up on him, fracturing his skull. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dalton, A. B. (American; 5 yrs exper; age 29; Married; 3 Children) May 10, 1907. A. B. Dalton, Pulaski Mine, was riding on the front end of a mine car when the rib caught and pulled him between the car and the rib, causing death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mitchel, George (Negro; 6 yrs exper; age 34; Married; 2 Children) May 11, 1907. George Mitchel, Ashland Mine, was robbing No. 11 pil- lar off No. 9 entry and had cut off a stump and then split it through, and had just broken a small hole through to the fall when the top gave way and fell on him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Corbet, Boss (Negro; 3 years exper; age 24; Single) May 20, 1907. Boss Corbet, Bottom Creek Mine, had been at work on pillars No. 7 entry, but moved the morning of the accident to No. 8 entry No. 56 room on pillar work. The man overseeing the work took him to this place and suggested that he had better shoot out the corner of a pocket un- der which he was standing rather than dig it out. He did not do this but evidently began digging as he had a car about half loaded with coal and about a car load of coal fell out with the slate and caught him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fallow, John (American; age 26; Single) May 24, 1907, died May 25, 1907. John Fallow, New River & Pocahontas or Berwind No. 1 Mine, was employed as brakeman on a motor and was riding on the front end of a trip which was being pushed into the mines and up to the 1st right entry. Someone threw the switch at No. 3 room which ran the trip into the room making a wreck, catching Fallow be- tween the front car and the coal. He was taken to the Hospital at Welch where he died. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cobbs, Squire (Negro; 4 years exper; age 19; Single) May 31, 1907. Squire Cobbs, Pulaski Mine, stooped to pick up a prop that had been knocked down by a mule balking and was caught by a fall of slate. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Galloway, Mays (Negro; 10 years exper; age 30; Married) June 1, 1907. Mays Galloway, Shawnee Mine, was employed on the 31st of May and told to meet mine boss at the shop and he would show him his working place, but did not do so and started in with his tools on shoulder through the main haulway and not having any light in getting out of the way of a trip of cars the augur he had on his shoulder ran agaist the electric wire which knocked him down about the time the trip came to him. The motor struck him rolling him along ahead of it, crushing him and killing him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lane, Glascow (Negro; 3 months exper; age 18; Single) June 11, 1907. Glasgow Lane, Houston No. 1 Mine, was killed by slate falling on him and breaking his neck. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Phillips, Mack (Rouma'n; 8 months exper; age 25; Single) June 24, 1907. Mack Phillips, New River & Pocahontas or Berwind No. 3 Mine, was killed by a large piece of slate falling on him from the middle of the entry. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Atkins, W. (American; 4 months exper; age 16; Single) June 27, 1907. W. Atkins, J. B. B. No. 3 Mine, was in the employ of contractor, Chas. Starkey, and was killed by a fall of slate. ___________________________________________________________________________ APPENDIX (page 481 - McDowell County) KEYSTONE COAL & COKE COMPANY, Explosion, July 2, 1906. The Keystone mine is located at Keystone, McDowell County, on the line of the Norfolk & Western Railway; and operates in the Pocahontas No. 3 coal bed. On the morning of July 2nd the assistant mine foreman was conduct- ing two men through the mine with the purpose of permitting them to make a selection of a place to work. In conducting the men through the mine he took them into the First Cross entry which had not been in operation for a number of weeks. The entry had a number of heavy falls of the roof and to have resumed mining coal in this entry would have necessitated a week's time in which to re- move the fallen material. The entry was known to liberate explosive gas in small quantities, and to use an open lamp within the entry before making an examination with a safety lamp was well known to be ill ad- vised. In advancing up this entry the open lamp carried by the assistant mine foreman ignited the gas and an explosion followed which killed him and his two companions. The explosive flame confined itself to the entry but the force of the expansion caused many stoppings to be blown down along the main entries, and the force was sutficient to tear off the wooden cover- ing of an electric motor on the main entry and reduce it to many small fragments, one of which flying fragments struck the motor runner and penetrated his skull, causing his death four days later, thus making a total of four killed by the explosion. Respectfully, James W. Paul, Chief of Department of Mines. Charleston, W. Va. ___________________________________________________________________________ APPENDIX - pages 481-482 - McDowell County DIXON-POCAHONTAS FUEL COMPANY, Gas Explosion July 19, 1906. The Dixon-Pocahontas Fuel Company while engaged in sinking a shaft about 3 miles east of Welch, in McDowell County, encountered gas before the coal bed was reached. On July 19, 1906, while the workmen were descending in the bucket the open lamp carried ignited the gas, the flame of which came to the top of the shaft. The hoisting engineer, seeing the flame, immediately raised the bucket to the surface and found one man in it, four others having fallen to the bottom of the shaft and being instantly killed. To prevent a repetition of such a disaster the shaft was equipped with a small ventilating fan. For a list of persons injured and killed, see pages 217 and 229 of this report. Respectfully, James W. Paul, Chief of Department of Mines. Charleston, W. Va. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - APPENDIX - page 482 - McDowell County PULASKI IRON COMPANY, Powder Explosion, December 14, 1906. At the Pulaski mine at Eckman, McDowell County, a car load of about 400 kegs of powder had been unloaded into four mine cars and was be- ing hauled to the magazine by an electric motor attached to the cars. The men who had been engaged in unloading the powder were riding on the mine cars, some on the kegs of powder. Just as the trip of cars was passing a tenement house the powder ex- ploded, due to the electric current forming an arc with some of the pow- der cans. One woman was by a window within the house and another woman was in the yard near the house at the time of the explosion. The house was demolished and the women and the men on the trip of cars so badly burned that the two women and four of the men died, one man dying while en route to the Miners' Hospital at Welch and the others dying at the Hospital. For a list of the persons killed and injured, see pages 217, 218 and 230 of this report. Respectfully, James W. Paul, Chief of Department of Mines. Charleston, W. Va. =============================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other files for McDowell County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/mcdowell/ ===============================================================================