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. =============================================================================== Twenty-Second Annual Report Coal Mines in the State of West Virginia, U.S.A. for the year ending June 30th, 1904 James W. Paul, Chief Mine Inspector, Charleston Charleston, The Tribune Printing Co., 1905. FATAL ACCIDENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30th, 1904. Barbour County, Pages 153-155 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Vowles, Thos. J. July 18, 1903. Thos. J. Vowles, Philippi Mine, was with other laborers from tipple helping to put motor on the track and they were using a 30 lb. steel rail as a lever. In lowering same Vowles failed to get off rail as soon as other men, when it threw him under the rail, which in falling struck him on the head. Additional information from Chart on Page 138: NATIONALITY: American LENGTH OF EXPERIENCE: 6 wks AGE: 40 OCCUPATION: Laborer MARRIED OR SINGLE: M WIDOW: yes CHILDREN: 7 TOTAL NO. OF DEPENDENTS: 8 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bernosky, Robert Brown, John Painter, John Nov. 24, 1903. Robert Bernosky, John Brown and John Painter, Century Shaft, were killed by an explosion of powder and dust. A thorough investigation was made by mine inspector Westlake, and from the evidence found it seemed conclusive that a full keg of powder had been exploded in a cross-cut between rooms 22 and 23 on the B. Southwest heading, which caused the coal dust to become inflamed, producing an explosion which burned each of the above named persons and rendering the air unfit for the support of life, thus suffocating or poisoning the victims through the inhalation of the vitiated air or after gases. The following is the finding of the Jury, which made an investigation as to the cause of the death of the three victims of the disaster: State of West Virginia, County of Barbour, To-Wit: An inquisition taken at Century, in the County of Barbour, on the 25th day of November, before J. F. Chenowith, J. P., upon the view of the bodies of John Painter, Robert Bernosky and John Brown, there lying dead, the Jurors sworn to inquire when, where and by what means the said John Painter, Robert Bernosky and John Brown came to their death, upon their oaths do say that John Painter, Robert Bernosky and John Brown came to their death, November 24th, 1903, by an explosion in the Century Coal Company's mine, caused by the explosion of a keg of powder ignited by Robert Bernosky, or some one else and that the Century Coal Company is in no way responsible for the explosion or death of the said John Painter, Robert Bernosky and John Brown. Guinn Neely, Jurors W. H. Carter, W. S. Wilson. Edw. G. Brydon, E. J. Taylor, Witnesses: U. S. G. Lewis. A. B. McMurdo, Edward Williams, Thos. Thomas, Geo. Strombrowkos, Lee Starkey, Dr. J. L. Hankins, J. Westlake. J. C. Ward, Thos. Robinson, Fred. Blackford, Geo. Zueas, W. E. Smith, A. J. Zirkle, In testimony the said J. F. Chenowith, Justice, and Jurors hereto set their seals. (Signed) J. F. Chenowith, J. P. Nov. 25th, 1903. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Robert Bernosky - - Additional information from Chart on Page 138: NATIONALITY: Lithuanian LENGTH OF EXPERIENCE: 2 yrs AGE: 45 OCCUPATION: Miner MARRIED OR SINGLE: M WIDOW: yes CHILDREN: 6 TOTAL NO. OF DEPENDENTS: 7 INSURANCE AND AMOUNT: yes INQUEST: yes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Brown - - Additional information from Chart on Page 138: NATIONALITY: Scotch LENGTH OF EXPERIENCE: 4 mos AGE: 50 OCCUPATION: Miner MARRIED OR SINGLE: M WIDOW: yes CHILDREN: 3 TOTAL NO. OF DEPENDENTS: 4 INQUEST: yes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Painter - - Additional information from Chart on Page 138: NATIONALITY: Lithuanian LENGTH OF EXPERIENCE: 1 yr AGE: 40 OCCUPATION: Miner MARRIED OR SINGLE: S INQUEST: yes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Louch, Joe Dec. 30, 1903. Joe Louch, Berryburg West Mine, bored his hole too high and caused the top slate to break loose, a large piece falling on him after he started to load his car. Additional information from Chart on Page 138: NATIONALITY: Slavish LENGTH OF EXPERIENCE: 5 yrs AGE: 28 OCCUPATION: Miner MARRIED OR SINGLE: S =============================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other files for Barbour County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/barbour/ ===============================================================================