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. =============================================================================== Nineteenth Annual Report Coal Mines in the state of West Virginia, U.S.A. For the year ending June 30, 1901. James W. Paul, Chief Mine Inspector, Charleston The Tribune Co., Print, Charleston - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - INDEX OF FATAL ACCIDENT NAMES IN THIS FILE: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Adkins, Price Irvington, James Pierce, Morgan Alexander, Geo. Judson, Clyde Richardson, Joseph Anderson, Caleb Kelley, Henry Rule, William Anderson, Charles Knuckles, Charles Saddler, David Arrington, O. H. McCormick, John Smith, Wylie Baker, James Meadows, J. Sidney Strader, Ed. Blair, Henry Milan, O. T. Thaxton, Robert Coleman, Andrew Morris, E. W. Warren, David W. Cooper, Samuel Nelson, James Washington, Collins Cox, Caleb Nicastro, Sam Williams, Geo. Crumm, James Osborn, John Willis, J. W. Harris, Horace Paine, Emory Wood, Clarence Horaker, John - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FATAL ACCIDENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1901 FAYETTE COUNTY, (Pages 73-77) McCormick, John (American; 5 yrs exp; age 22; Married, 2-children) July 5, 1900. John McCormick, W. P. Rend's No. 1 Mine, was burned by powder, from the effects of which he died. He had carried powder in the mine in a cloth sack and while making a cartridge, dropped a spark in the powder. He was taken to the Sheltering Arms Hospital on July 6th and was sent home and died July 22nd. This accident was investigated and verified by Mine Inspector Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Crumm, James (Scotch; age 35; Single) July 23, 1900. James Crumm, Brown's South Nuttall Mine, was killed by a fall of slate. Above the coal seam in this man's room there is about 9 inches of draw slate. This Mr. Crumm had posted previous to firing a shot. When the shot was fired it knocked the posts out and he failed to set them in again before commencing to load coal produced by the blast. The result was that a piece of slate fell striking him on the head and killing him instantly. There were posts in the room before the slate fell which he could have used. This report was made by Edward Pinkney* Mine Inspector. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Alexander, Geo. (American; age 25; Single) Aug. 7, 1900; died Aug. 11, 1900. Geo. Alexander, W. P. Rend's No. 2 Mine, was killed by a mine car. Deceased was letting a car in his room, the floor of which dips about d per cent. He was riding on the front end of the car to regulate its speed. Going in the room it gained considerable speed and for some reason he failed to apply the brakes, and lost control of the car. It ran into the face of the coal and he being on the front was caught between the car and face of coal and crushed. Report verified by Mine Inspector Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saddler, David (American; 15 yrs exp; age 40; Married; 7-children) Aug. 16, 1900. David Saddler, Collins Mine No. 1, was killed by a fall of slate. Slate in Saddler's room was quite bad, being very brittle and full of slips. He had been repeatedly cautioned by the Mine Boss to take it down, he was trying to hold it up, had props set on each side of the track. Slate fell between props striking him and knocking him down and smothering him. There were plenty of timbers and cap pieces in the room. Verified by Mine Inspector Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wood, Clarence (American; 2 days exp; age 18; Driver; Single) Aug. 21, 1900. Clarence Wood, Echo No. 1 Mine, was killed by being thrown from a car. He was bringing a car out of an entry that dips about 3 and 1-2 per cent, and in the middle of which is a very sharp curve. In bringing cars out of this entry, drivers had been accustomed to use three sprags in checking the speed of the car, but it is supposed Wood only used one and that the car got from under his control, and when the car struck the curve he was thrown from it against the slate roof. Acci- dent investigated and verified by Edward Pinkney, Mine Inspector. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Paine, Emory (American; 1 yr exp; age 14; Trapper; Single) Aug. 24, 1900. Emory Paine, No. 2 Gauley Mountain, was run over by mine cars and killed almost instantly. At the noon hour he left his door and came out to the shop and while jumping on and off a train of slowly moving empties, with no locomotive attached, he fell under the cars, two of which passed over him. His action in jumping on the cars was purely for amusement and positively prohibited by the Company. The accident occurred outside the mine. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Smith, Wylie (American; age 17; Miner & driver; Single) Sept. 18, 1900. Wylie Smith, Fire Creek, was killed by a fall of draw slate. He was working with and under the direction of his father when the draw slate fell breaking his leg below knee. He and his family would not allow him to be sent to the hospital, and on the 22nd the doc- tor found blood-poisoning had set in and took him to the hospital. They amputated his leg but there was so much poisoning in his system that he died on the 23rd. Had he gone to the hospital in the first place both his life and his legs could very probably have been saved. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Richardson, Joseph (English; 20 yrs exp; age 35; Driver; Single) Oct. 6, 1900. Joseph Richardson, Sugar Creek Mine, was suffocated by mule falling on him. He was knocked from rear end of car by a small piece of slate and lay in the middle of the track in a semi-conscious condition. The following driver with two mules ran on to him. A second piece of slate fell on one of the mules, and apparently one of the mules fell across the chest of the man and squeezed the breath out of him. Verified by Mine Inspector Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cooper, Samuel (American; 8 yrs exp; age 22; Miner; Single) Oct. 11, 1900; died Oct. 20, 1900. Samuel Cooper, Dimmock Mine, was killed by a fall of slate. He was drawing a pillar when a piece of slate fell from "horse back." In Mr. Pinkney's report on the accident he says, "* * *. The place was timbered as well as could be desired and four unused posts, together with cap pieces, which could have been used, had he considered it necessary. It is my opinion, after having made the examination, that no negligence could be attached to either the man himself or the management." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nelson, James (American; 3 yrs exp; age 29; Driver; Single) Oct. 17. 1900. James Nelson. Diamond Mine, was killed by a piece of draw slate falling on him. It is thought that the car which he was driving got off the track and struck post, jarring a piece of slate loose, which struck Nelson on the head. Investigated and verified by Mine Inspector Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Baker, James (English; 40 yrs exp; age 60; Married) Oct. 24, 1900. James Baker, Blume Mine No. 2. was killed by a fall of slate in the shape of a horse back. The slate was considered solid. No detailed report was made of this accident. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Judson, Clyde (American; age 15; Laborer; Single) Oct. 27, 1900. Clyde Judson. W. P. Rend's No. 2 Mine, was killed by a fall of slate. He had been bailing water and just finished filling his box and sat down on the entry to wait for the driver to haul it away. While waiting, a piece of slate fell in the room he had bailed and as he was helping clean up the slate, another piece fell striking him. The roof had been examined and was considered safe. Investigated and verified by Mine Inspector Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Thaxton, Robert (Afro-Am.; age 20; Single) Nov. 12, 1900. Robert Thaxton, Rush Run Mine, was killed by a fall of coal. He was making an undercut under a triangular piece of coal, which had been shot on both sides when a piece of coal weighing about 500 lbs. fell on his head, crushing his skull and killing him instantly. Mine Inspector Pinkney says, "'Inquiry made revealed the fact, beyond dispute, that the accident was caused by the man's own carelessness or lack of judgment." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Horaker, John (American; 15 yrs exp; age 37; Married; 7-children; $50.00 Ins.) Nov. 30, 1900. John Horaker, Collins Mine No. 2, was killed by a fall of slate. Horaker and his partner were pushing car out of place down to entry and as they turned to go on entry rear of car struck a prop knocking it down and letting slate fall, which struck Horaker. Investi- gated and verified by Mr. Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Pierce, Morgan (American; 10 yrs exp; age 28; Married) Dec. 4, 1900. Morgan Pierce, Crescent Mine, No. 5, was killed by a fall of draw slate, near the face of his working place. The draw slate at this place is unusually thick and of a soft nature, for this reason top coal about 14 inches thick"" was left up and propped. On the night previous to the accident the lop real and slate fell on the right side of the room, extending half way across the roadway. When Mr. Pierce returned to his room on the morning of the accident he found this top fallen and the attention of Mr. John Thompson was called to the situation. He assisted Mr. Pierce in setting a prop under that part of the top coal and slate which was still hanging over the roadway. Mr. Thompson in a sworn statement to Mine Inspector Pinkney, states that he told Mr. Pierce that in his judgment it would be unsafe to work under the hanging slate and suggested that it be either taken down or more securely propped, to this Mr. Pierce agreed, but stated that he would keep a close watch on it and proceeded to clean up the slate, preparatory to getting a car into his room. After working for about one-half hour a large piece of the draw slate fell on Pierce, killing him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Coleman, Andrew (Afro-Am.; 30 yrs exp; age 50; Married; 1-child) Knuckles, Charles (Afro-Am.; 3 mos exp; age 17; Laborer; Single) Dec. 19, 1900. Andrew Coleman and Charles Knuckles, Gt. Kanawha Colliery Co., Ltd., No. 1 Gas Mine, were riding up incline in second car on third trip after starting up work in the morning. Coupling pin came out allowing car t run back down incline to tipple where they were thrown from car and instantly killed. Mr. Pinkney says that the men are in the habit of riding up the incline, and as every thing in connec- tion with the mechanical arrangements of the incline is always kept in such good condition, no danger was anticipated. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Milan, O. T. (White; 10 yrs exp; age 27; Driver; Single) Dec. 21, 1900. O. T. Milan, Ballinger Mine No. 1, was caught be- tween roof and top of car and killed. No detailed report was made of this accident. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Anderson, Charles (Afro-Am.; age 22; Laborer; Single; $50.00 Insurance) Jan. 7, 1901. Charles Anderson, Harvey Mine, was killed by car he was driving, jumping the track and striking and knocking down a post, thereby causing slate to fall upon Anderson. Accident was due to his reckless driving. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Warren, David W. (American; 5 yrs exp; age 30; Married; $50.00 Insurance) Jan. 10, 1901. David W. Warren, White Oak Shaft No. 2, lost his bal- lance while dumping a bucket of slate at top of shaft and fell into shaft, a distance of 57 feet. Lived a couple of hours. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Williams, Geo. (Colored; 2 yrs exp; age 23; Driver; Single; $50.00 Insurance) Jan. 18, 1901. Geo. Williams, Macdonald Mine, was walking by side of cars to set brake at top of heavy grade and was caught and rolled be- tween car and rib. There is a distance of 75 feet wide enough for this purpose. His clothes caught on car and carried him further down to tight place. He died the next day. Verified by Mine Inspector Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Anderson, Caleb (Colored; 1 yr exp; age 35; Married; 2-children; $50.00 Ins.) Jan. 23, 1901. Caleb Anderson, Macdonald Mine, was loading the top of his car on the right hand side when a "Kettle bottom" fell catching him with his head overt the car edge and killing him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nicastro, Sam (Italian; 7 yrs exp; age 28; Single) Feb. 5, 1901. Sam Nicastro, Collins Mine No. 2, was struck by a trip of loaded cars and killed. It is double tracked at the place of accident, plenty of room, and his being struck cannot be accounted for. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Osborn, John (Negro; age 35; Married; 2-widows) March 2, 1901. John Osborn, Brown Mine, was killed by a fall of slate, caused by his failing to post room in proper manner. He was sitting on a powder keg mining when the slate, which should have been pulled down, fell and struck him. Verified by Inspector Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Irvington, James (Negro; 4 yrs exp; age 24; Single; $50.00 Insurance) March 12, 1901. James Irvington, Collins Mine No. 1 was killed by a fall of slate, "kettle bottom." Mr. Pinkney says, "* * *. There is no doubt the slate fell suddenly and without warning and in all probability gave no sign of being dangerous until entirely undermined." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kelley, Henry (American; 15 yrs exp; age 38; Married; 2-children) March 16, 1901. Henry Kelly, Gauley Mountain No. 1, was killed by a fall of slate. He was sitting on the bottom bench mining the top coal just under a surface crack. He cut the rib and a small piece of slate came down on his head and mashed it into the bottom coal. A man who was working in the same place with him when the accident happened, says it was purely accidental, there being no signs of the slate being in a condition to fall. He also states there was plenty of timber in the place. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Adkins, Price (Colored; 3 yrs exp; age 19; Single; $50.00 Insurance) March 20, 1901. Price Adkins, Collins Mine, was killed by a fall of sand-stone. It is supposed he was tamping a shot when the rock fell, covering him up. The place was well timbered, reasonably close to face. He had a post under one edge of this rock. He must have known it was dangerous some time before it fell, from the fact it must have bagged down as the coal on top of the seam was mined away from under it as it approached the open crack which evidently let it loose entirely. Reported by Mr. Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Harris, Horace (Colored; age 21; Single; $25.00 Insurance) March 21, 1901. Horace Harris, Greenwood Mine, was coming out with a load and is supposed to nave fallen off in front of car on considerable grade, his light having gone out. He lived about four hours. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Meadows, J. Sidney (American; 10 yrs exp; age 35; Married; 1-child) March 25, 1901. Sidney J. Meadows, Collins Mine, was killed while in the act of loading car under top coal which undoubtedly ought to have been taken down as both Meadow and partner knew the piece to be dangerous. They were working on a pillar. Reported by Mr. Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Washington, Collins (Afro-Am.; few days exp; age 15; Single) Blair, Henry (Afro-Am.; 8 mos exp; age 24; Single) April 3, 1901. Collins Washington and Henry Blair, Fire Creek Mine, were killed by a fall of slate. They were working for David Morris in a room that had just been turned. It had just been widened from neck and these two men were in the act of making the last cut on broad side to get the full width. The slate that fell was in the nature of a slip and. showed plainly and should have been posted or taken down. David Morris, the contractor states that he instructed them the evening before to post the slip, this they neglected to do. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Morris, E. W. (American; age 45; Married; 1-child; $50.00 Insurance) April 9, 1901. E. W. Morris, Macdonald Mine, was killed by a fall of slate in the face of his place. He was drawing a pillar and had just fired a shot and gone back to see the result. The coal had fallen but the overlying slate was still up and did not fall until just when he went back. The place was properly timbered in every respect and several unused posts were in the room. He should have waited until the powder smoke cleared away before going back. There was another shot already to fire which he intended firing before he left for home. Reported by Mr. Pinkney. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Arrington, O. H. (American; age 35; Married) May 7, 1901. O. H. Arrington, Collins Mine No. 1, was killed by a fall of slate at face of working place. Place was well timbered and slate fell between posts and was caused by a slip. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cox, Caleb (Afro-Am.; 6 yrs exp; age 22; Single; $50.00 Insurance) May 14, 1901. Caleb Cox, Macdonald Mine, was shearing down top coal when a piece of slate, triangular in shape, immediately above the top coal on which he was shearing fell, killing him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Willis, J. W. (American; sev. yrs exp; Single) June 5, 1901. J. W. Willis, Central Mine, was killed by a fall of slate In his room. He knew the slate was loose but persisted in working under it, though warned by others not to do so. Failure to properly post his room was the cause. Posts were near enough for him to protect himself. He made an attempt to pull the loose slate down the day before, but did not succeed and left it hanging. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Strader, Ed. (Afro-Am.; Coal Loader; Married) June 10, 1901. Ed. Strader, W. P. Rend's Mine, was letting a railroad car out from the tipple. The brake broke, precipitating him in front of the moving car, which ran over his legs. He was sent to the Sheltering Arms Hospital, but died en route to the hospital. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rule, William (American; age 53; Carpenter; Married) June 10, 1901. William T. Rule, Kilsyth Mine, was not working but simply watching framing of drift mouth timbers. While hole was being fired on grade, he ran into drift mouth which was then being timbered when a quantity of dirt and slate rolled on him with above result, that is he died three hours afterwards. It would appear the concussion from the blast caused a large quantity of dirt and slate between timbers to fall. =============================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other files for Fayette County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/fayette/ ===============================================================================