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-Fourth Annual Report Coal Mines in the state of West Virginia, U.S.A. for the year ending June 30, 1906 James W. Paul, Chief Mine Inspector, Charleston Charleston: The Tribune Printing Company, 1907. INDEX OF FATAL ACCIDENT NAMES IN THIS FILE: Akers, John Howinski, John Novka, John Blake, L. A. Hudkins, William J. Nutter, Carl Boyd, Joseph Hunter, James Olussis, Robert Boyd, Joseph James, Kemper Phillips, James R. Briggs, Edward Johnson, Charles Pratt, John Brown, John Jones, George Pratt, Miles Bryan, Oliver Jones, Oscar Roberts, John Byrd, William Kincaid, Henry Rogers, Stanley Calloway, George Kress, George Scorider, Hans Carlson, Carl Leach, Herschell Shiflett, William Carmen, Joe Leftwich, Ben Silveria, Cupina Conginotto, Dominico Levati, Louis Spears, Isaac Cook, John Lonzer, John Spencer, Frank Dow, Sam Lumley, Joseph Staton, L. H. Ervin, J. K. Madison, William Stewart, Joseph Estvan, Paul Marsh, Alonzo Swann, James Flanigan, Robert H. Martens, Alfred Taylor, Arthur Hajda, Jan Martin, Lolak Taylor, Josh Hall, William Massey, W. V. Tompkins, Robert Ham, Carey McFarland, William Waddet, Harry Hawkins, Tom Mills, John A. Warman, John Hedrick, Elbert Morris, Henry Watts, Davis Hines, C. T. Morris, Oliver Wells, Dave Hiser, Vandon Mullins, Harvey White, Joseph Howchick, Martin Neal, Rufus Wilson, Joseph A. =============================================================================== Fatal Accidents, for the year ending June 30th, 1906. Fayette County, pages 215-218. =============================================================================== Taylor, Arthur (Negro; 6 yrs exper; age 19; Single) July 7, 1905; died July 8, 1905. Arthur Taylor, Eureka No. 5 Mine, was driving too fast, and in dropping car in track and jerking mule back on him, mashing him through the breast and stomach. On the following day he was ordered by the doctor not to drink ice water, but he did and died a few minutes later. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Roberts, John (American; age 30; Married; 3 children; $50 Insurance) July 10, 1905. John Roberts, Oakwood Mine, was mining with a punch- ing machine and had about completed a large cut when a large piece of slate fell on him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Leftwich, Ben (age 35; Married) July 10, 1905. Ben Leftwich, No. 3 Mine (Carver Bros. Co.), was mining in room when he was caught by a fall of draw slate. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hines, C. T. (American; 3 yrs exper; age 50; Single; $50 Insurance) July 11, 1905. C. T. Hines, Stuart Mine, was working in main haulway, a short distance from the shaft, taking down slate which had been posted temporarily. The method adopted was to knock out a given number of posts and let the slate fall. This had been done and the slate had only partly fallen. Two posts had been set under the slate which did not fall and the men proceeded to clean up the fallen slate when suddenly and without any warning a large slab gave way, knocking out the posts and catching Hines. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kress, George (German; 2 yrs exper; age 28; Single; $50 Insurance) Howinski, John (Hungarian; 2 yrs exper; age 33; Married; 3 children; $50 Ins.) July 16, 1905. George Kress and John Howinski, Carlisle Mine, were killed by an explosion of gas in the heading where they were working. They had gone into the mine to work on Sunday evening without author- ity or permission from any of the mine officials. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spencer, Frank (American; 4-1/2 yrs exper; age 25; Married; 1 child) July 19, 1905. Frank Spencer, Fire Creek Mine, had lighted a shot in his working place and had started out. It is supposed he must have run against and knocked down a post, causing a piece of slate to fall and catch him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Shiflett, William (American; 6 yrs exper; age 26; Married; 1 child) August 25, 1905; died September 3, 1905. William Shiflett, Newlyn Mine, had place nearly full of coal on the evening of the 24th, and before leaving fired four shots. On the morning of the 25th he went in with his laborer and found his posts blown out. His laborer suggested resetting the posts at once, but Shiflett said they would clean up a little first. Had only been in a few minutes when slate fell and caught him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Martin, Lolak (Polish; 4 yrs exper; age 38; Married; 3 children; $50 Ins.) August 25, 1905. Lolak Martin, Wingrove Mine, was caught underneath a fall of slate near the face of the coal. Slate weighed about two tons. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Waddet, Harry (Negro; Single) September 5, 1905. Harry Waddet, Eureka No. 5 Mine, had been warned by the mine boss five minutes before the accident to take the slate down, which it was his duty to do, but said he wanted to load his coal out before doing so. The mine boss then told him to set a prop under it and he said he would, but he did not do it. Had also been warned by five other men of the danger of the slate. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ervin, J. K. (American; several yrs exper; age 37; Married; 3 children) September 7, 1905. J. K. Ervin, Minden No. 5 Mine, was slabbing entry for double track and had undermined a portion. He knew the slate was loose, but intended loading a. car before timbering, and while he was loading the car the slate fell on him, crushing him against the car. There was a car of timber at hand. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Warman, John (Scotch; 1 yr exper; age 30; Single; $50 Insurance) September 7, 1905. John Warman, Wingrove Mine, was killed by a fall of slate (kettle bottom) weighing about three tons, close to face of coal. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Briggs, Edward (Negro; age 22; Single) September 19, 1905; died November 13, 1905. Edward Briggs, Victoria North Mine, was killed by a fall of draw slate. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Byrd, William (Negro; several years exper; age 45; Married; 5 children) October 2, 1905. William Byrd, No. 1 Mine (Columbus Iron & Steel Co.), was killed in second face entry by a fall of draw slate. Was struck by a piece of slate measuring 8 feet long, 3 feet 8 inches wide and 7 inches thick. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mullins, Harvey (American; 2 yrs exper; age 22; Single) October 2, 1905. Harvey Mullins, Fayette Mine, was working a room when slate weighing six or seven tons fell on him, causing instant death. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kincaid, Henry (American; 5 yrs exper; age 23; Single) October 10, 1905. Henry Kincaid, Wingrove Mine, undertook to jump out at mule landing while cage was in motion, caught head between cage and tipple, killing him instantly. It was his first day in a shaft mine. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Conginotto, Dominico (Italian; 18 months exper; age 23; Married; 1 child; $50 Ins.) October 11, 1905; died October 14, 1905. Dominico Conginotto, Kilsyth Mine, was making a cartridge. His lighted lamp, which he had taken from his cap, was sitting on the floor. In some unaccountable manner, either from pouring powder on the lamp or the cartridge catching fire from the flame, the powder exploded, burning his hands, face and body. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ham, Carey (Negro; 5 yrs exper; age 25; Single; $50 Insurance) October 18, 1905; died February 2, 1906. Carey Ham, Macdonald Mine, had just broken room through to an air course in which the slate had fallen. He was loading his last coal out when slate in air course again fell and slabbed back between two posts, following a slip, catching him across the hips, with the above result. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hall, William (English; several years exper; age 26; Single) October 24, 1905. William Hall, Stuart Mine, was taking down slate for stable and was under a piece of roof 25 feet long, 8 feet wide and 3 feet thick, which they were going to take down, when it fell on him. They had shot too far in advance and should have used post to support outer edge of rock. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - McFarland, William (Negro; several years exper; age 30; Single) October 30, 1905; died December 11, 1905. William McFarland, Stuart Mine, was running a machine when slate fell on him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Olussis, Robert (Litvitch; several years exper; age 40; Single) November 4, 1905. Robert Olussis, Parral Mine, went into room to load coal, and slate fell on him. Place posted up to the face. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lonzer, John (Austrian; sev. yrs exper; age 43; Married; 3 children; $100 Ins.) November 9, 1905, John Lonzer, Minden No. 2 Mine, was mining under hanging top coal and draw slate, not properly timbered, and it fell on him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mills, John A. (American; 35 yrs exper; age 58; Married; 3 children; $50 Ins.) November 9, 1905; died November 11, 1905. John A. Mills, Macdonald Mine, had split a pillar to top end and pulled both sides back about 20 feet. This slate was yet standing, but on the move, when a piece weighing about 800 pounds fell, catching him across the back. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Levati, Louis (Italian; 2 yrs exper; age 20; Single) November 9, 1905. Louis Levati, Ansted Mine, was killed by a fall of slate (horse back). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dow, Sam (several years exper; age 28; Single; $50 Insurance) December 2, 1905. Sam Dow, Laurel Creek Mine, was killed by a fall of slate while turning a room. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Phillips, James R. (American; 20 yrs exper; age 41; Married; 6 children; $400 Ins.) December 13, 1905. James R. Phillips, Boomer No. 3 Mine, was riding out on motor when they came in contact with an empty mine car that had become detached, and the sudden impact threw the motor off the track and threw Mr. Phillips out and the motor ran on top of his legs, crushing them. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Leach, Herschell (American; age 14; Single) December 13, 1905. Herschell Leach, Kanawha Gas Mine, attempted to jump on front of motor as it was approaching mouth of mine coming out, about 200 feet from daylight, and fell under it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Stewart, Joseph (American; 15 yrs exper; age 30; Married; 1 child) Bryan, Oliver (American; age 25; Married; 1 child) January 9, 1906. Joseph Stewart and Oliver Bryan, Central Mine, were standing at face of room, mining over the coal, when a piece of slate from under which they had mined the coal fell, catching them and crushing them. They had been warned of the dangerous condition of the slate, and to either post, take down or stay from under it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Massey, W. V. (5 yrs exper; age 23; Single) January 11, 1906. W. V. Massey, Hickory Camp Mine, had a "hung, shot" over the slate and had posted one side of slate in room and had gone under to cut other side when the fall caught him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Watts, Davis (Negro; several years exper; age 17; Single) January 20, 1906. Davis Watts, Victoria North Mine, was working on coke ovens and must have fallen asleep on larry tracks. Dinky engine pushing larries ran over him. Smoke of ovens and three larries ahead of engine obscured view of engineer. Was not seen before being struck. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - James, Kemper (age 22; Single; $95 Insurance) January 29, 1906. Kemper James, Derryhale Mine, was in the act of loading his car when a sandrock boulder fell from the top at the face of his room, breaking his neck. He had tried to take the boulder down during the day, but had been unable to do so. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nutter, Carl (American; 5 yrs exper; age 17; Single) January 30, 1906. Carl Nutter, Boomer No. 2 North Mine, in following his regular duties, jumped from motor to change switches and instead of jumping to the side, he jumped immediately in front of motor and fell down. Was instantly killed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Calloway, George (Negro; 5 yrs exper; age 26; Single) Tompkins, Robert (Negro; 4 yrs exper; age 23; Single) Madison, William (Negro; 10 yrs exper; age 32; Single) Taylor, Josh (Negro; 2 yrs exper; age 22; Single) Wells, Dave (Negro; 12 yrs exper; age 30; Married) Jones, George (Negro; 3 yrs exper; age 23; Single) Jones, Oscar (Negro; age 20; Single) White, Joseph (White; Negro; 8 yrs exper; age 25; Single) Carlson, Carl (Danish; 2 yrs exper; age 32; Single) Silveria, Cupina (Italian; 3 yrs exper; age 22; Single) Pratt, Miles (English; 25 yrs exper; age 46; Married; 2 children) Pratt, John (English; 4 yrs exper; age 21; Single) Martens, Alfred (Danish; 4 yrs exper; age 33; Single) Cook, John (Danish; 5 yrs exper; age 32; Single) Johnson, Charles (Swede; age 29; Single) Brown, John (English; 10 yrs exper; age 28; Single) Spears, Isaac (Negro; 4 yrs exper; age 22; Married) Swann, James (Negro; age 30; Married) Morris, Oliver (Negro; age 26; Single) Hunter, James (English; age 28) Lumley, Joseph (English; 10 yrs exper; age 30) Scorider, Hans (Danish; 6 yrs exper; age 32; Single) Howchick, Martin (4 yrs exper; age 32; Single) February 8, 1906. George Calloway, Robert Tompkins, William Madison, Josh Taylor, Dave Wells, George Jones, Oscar Jones, Joseph White, Carl Carlson, Cupina Silveria, Miles Pratt, John Pratt, Alfred Martens, John Cook, Charles Johnson, John Brown, Isaac Spears, James Swann, Oliver Morris, James Hunter, Joseph Lumley, Hans Scorider and Martin How- chick, Parral Mine, killed by explosion of gas and dust. A detailed de- scription of this accident will be found elsewhere in this report. (Detailed description found on pages 203-206) TWENTY - THREE LIVES LOST — PARRAL MINE EXPLOSION. Fayette County, February 8, 1906. The Parral Coal Mine is operated by the Stuart Colliery Company, at Parral, by a shaft 685 feet deep. The mine had, at the time of the explosion, only one opening, which was partitioned and used as a hoisting shaft and an inlet and outlet for the ventilating current of air. At the time of the explosion there were re- ported to be working in the mine 35 persons, of which number 23 were killed, the remaining 12 not being injured. The coal bed operated is the New River, or Sewell, 4 to 5 feet thick, which is soft, friable and has a chemical analysis approximately as fol- lows: Moisture ......................................... .69% Volatile Matter .................................. 23.95 Fixed Carbon ..................................... 72.04 Ash .............................................. 3.32 _______ Total ......................................... 100.00% Sulphur .......................................... .74 The workings of this mine were of small extent, — the development being principally to the east and west of the shaft. The workings to the east were being driven with the purpose of con- necting with the workings of the Stuart shaft, the distance between the workings at the time of the disaster being about 4500 feet. Ventilation was produced by a fan 6 feet in diameter, and prior to the explosion the inspector had reported the current of air within the mine as being 23,000 cubic feet per minute. The mine appears to have been supplied with ample volume of air. The mine produced small quantities of explosive gas, necessitating the use of brattices in headings and rooms. Open lamps were used through- out the mine. The mine was regularly examined by a fire boss with a safety lamp, and the mine boss, while not a citizen of the State or county, was con- sidered a man of rare ability in mine matters. The explosion confined itself to the east side of the mine, killing all persons within the east side. The explosion was the result of a body of gas being ignited, which exploded and inflamed the dust in a part of the mine. The explosive force, upon reaching the shaft, was relieved of its con- finement, and there being considerable water near the shaft the tempera- ture of the gases was reduced below their explosive point, and the ex- plosive force went up the shaft, doing no damage on the west side other than to wreck a door. A careful examination of the mine after the explosion revealed evi- dence, which, with evidence as to the condition of the mine just prior to the explosion, by persons who had been in the mine on the morning of the explosion, enabled a decision to be made as to the cause of the explosion. The seat or origin of the explosion was near the face of the first right heading, which goes to the south 68 degrees east. A heavy fall of roof extending about 100 feet along the first right intake air course, between the last two break-throughs, liberated some pent up gas which was conducted by the current into the main first right heading and ignited by the open lamp of a driver who happened to be shifting cars near the head of the main first right heading. The force of the explosion followed the direction of the return air cur- rent, as is indicated on the map furnished. For several days after the explosion the gas in the first right air course continued to be given off, and for reason of this gas it was with some difficulty that the dead bodies were recovered from that part of the mine. On February 22, 1906, a Coroner's Jury, under the direction of Justices A. M. Kincaid and J. P. Staten, took evidence at Parral relative to causes which may have resulted in the explosion and the loss of life, and after hearing the evidence of all witnesses rendered the following verdict: VERDICT OF CORONER'S JURY. Parral, W. Va., February 22, 1906. We, the jury, empaneled to make inquest of the manner in which Joseph R. Lemley, James Hunter and others came to their death in the mine disaster that occurred at Parral, W. Va., on the 8th day of February. 1906, on our oath find that the said parties came to their death by an explosion of gas in the said mine, said explosion being an unavoidable incident to mining mines generating gas, and we further find that no person is shown to be in any way responsible for the said explosion or the incidental loss of life of the persons referred to herein. (Signed) CHAS. HILL, Foreman. ALEX PORLE, A. T. KNIGHTON, S. B. BROWNLEE, S. D. TAYLOR, THOS. WHORTON, Jurymen. In view of the testimony given in the Coroner's investigation revealing that 23 lives were lost, and at the time of the explosion there were 35 persons working within the mine, which had but one outlet, while the law requires two outlets where as many as twenty persons are em- ployed within a mine, it was apparent to the Chief Mine Inspector that, had the law been complied with, there would have been not more than 20 persons in the mine at any time, and had the law been complied with in this particular the lives of three persons would have been saved, — there being 23 persons killed. With a view of determining wherein the law had been violated, and whether any person or persons were guilty of neglect in connection with this disaster, the Chief Mine Inspector, in the presence of the Prosecuting Attorney of Fayette County, appeared before the Grand Jury of Fayette County on April 11, 1906, and stated in substance the facts and presented an abstract of the evidence taken before the Coroner's Jury. The Chief Mine Inspector made information that some person had vio- lated the law in permitting more than 20 men to be employed within the mine, in the absence of a second opening, and also indicated that the mining statutes provided a penalty constituting a misdemeanor for such violation, and left the matter to the discretion and judgment of the Grand Jury as to who might be guilty. The Grand Jury found two indictments charging the general superin- tendent and superintendent of the Stuart Colliery with voluntary man- slaughter and also an indictment against each for misdemeanor. Nothing developed in the investigation of this disaster that in any man- ner indicated that those charged with voluntary manslaughter had volun- tarily or wilfully contributed to the destruction of life, and on April 20th, upon trial before the Criminal Court, the State was unable to sustain the charge, the State's evidence being set aside by the Court. There still remain on the Court's docket indictment for misdemeanor against the officials noted above. No motive other than a desire to impress the importance of complying with the law prompted the Chief Inspector in making the information before the Grand Jury; and, while he has been the object of some cen- sure and criticism for his action, he entertains no malice and feels justi- fied in the action taken, although his information was injudiciously used to the humiliation of two citizens who now stand exonerated of a serious charge. Respectfully, JAMES W. PAUL, Chief Mine Inspector. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Marsh, Alonzo (American; several years exper; age 30; Single) February 14, 1906. Alonzo Marsh, Minden No. 3 Mine, was going into the mine and came in contact with trip of cars dropping in on siding after motor had cut loose from them. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Carmen, Joe (American; 10 yrs exper; age 21; Single) February 17, 1906; died March 7, 1906. Joe Carmen, Nuttallburg Mine, was running locomotive at a terrific speed when locomotive jumped the track. He jumped off and was caught under it. He had been notified several times not to run so fast, but did not obey instructions. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hudkins, William J. (American; 8 yrs exper; age 53; Married) February 22, 1906. William J. Hudkins, Smokeless Mine, was working at face of room. Suppose he was putting in a top cut or getting out a solid shot that he had fired the evening before. Draw slate fell on him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rogers, Stanley (Polish; 12 yrs exper; age 34; Married; 2 children) Hiser, Vandon (American; 18 months exper; age 15; Single) March 2, 1906. Stanley Rogers and Vandon Hiser, Red Ash Mine, were killed by cars getting away from top of incline and striking them. Rogers was on the tipple and Hiser was working on incline, greasing rollers. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Akers, John (Negro; 3 yrs exper; age 34; Married; 1 child; $50 Insurance) March 26, 1906. John Akers, Macdonald Mine, was caught near face of place by small piece of slate in such a manner that he could not breathe, thereby causing suffocation. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Flanigan, Robert H. (American; 3 yrs exper; age 38; Single) April 13, 1906. Robert H. Flanigan, Brown Mine, was killed in his room by a fall of slate in the shape of a wedge. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Staton, L. H. (American; 10 yrs exper; age 30; Married; 6 children; $50 Ins.) April 30, 1906; died May 3, 1906. L. H. Staton, Glendale Mine, was necking a room and failed to leave a sprag in his cut. A piece of draw- slate about 4 inches thick, 2 feet wide and 4 feet long fell and mashed him about the head. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Estvan, Paul (Hungarian; 2 yrs exper; age 38; Married; 2 children; $50 Ins.) May 1, 1906. Paul Estvan, Sugar Creek Mine, was struck by a trip of loaded cars on main entry, dragged 50 feet and run over by 24 cars. Had ample passage way. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Morris, Henry (Negro; age 25; Married; 1 child) May 5, 1906. Henry Morris, Hickory Camp Mine, a coupling broke on the incline. He was struck in the head by a piece of a car wheel. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Boyd, Joseph (Negro; age 14; Single) May 12, 1906. Joseph Boyd, Rush Run Mine, was going up on the first trip in the morning and there were about 30 men in the trip. Just as the loaded cars were about to pass the empty cars the loads jumped the track and ran into the empty cars, knocking them off the track and upsetting them. Boyd was killed and one other man was injured. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hedrick, Elbert (American; 1 year exper; age 22; Single) May 28, 1906. Elbert Hedrick, Kay Moor No. 1 Mine, was splitting a thick stump and was shooting a rib shot. He had made a bottom shot and apparently was loading a top hole and did not see the slip in the roof. While engaged in his work this slip broke off at the rib, catching him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Neal, Rufus (American; 3 months exper; age 18; Single) May 29, 1906. Rufus Neal, Nova Scotia Mine, had been riding on trip a short time before and it is supposed that he fell between the cars and was cut and dragged. Happened outside of mines. No one saw the acci- dent. He was found under the wheels. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Blake, L. A. (American; 2 years exper; age 18; Married; 3 children) June 21, 1906. L. A. Blake, Stuart Mine, had been in ill health for some time, and in crossing from one side of shaft to other fell in. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hawkins, Tom (Negro; several years exper; age 40; Married; $50 Insurance) June 23, 1906. Tom Hawkins, Kay Moor No. 2 Mine, was evidently trying to get in one more shot and had not properly timbered his working place before so doing. The man with him warned him that the piece of slate was loose, but it did not avail. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wilson, Joseph A. (American; 4 years exper; age 44; Married with children) June 27, 1906. Joseph A. Wilson, Blume Mine, had been warned by other miners at previous times in regard to timbering. Timbers were blown out by shot that he had fired the previous evening, and he neglected to reset them and continued mining, when slate fell on him. He had plenty of timbers at his place, but failed to set them. _______________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: The following accidents were not tabulated, as they were not caused by any defect in any part of the equipment of the mines: _______________________________________________________________________________ Hajda, Jan (Polish; 6 months exper; age 35; Married with children; $50 Ins.) Fayette County, page 224. February 13, 1906. Jan Hajda, Carlisle Mine, was ordered up shaft to help carpenter make repairs to shaft. He was instructed to stand under a heavy board covering on cage top. He stuck his head out and was struck by ice falling from the shaft. This accident report was received after the accident tables had been compiled, so is not in its right place. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Novka, John Fayette County, page 224. July 7, 1905. John Novka, Crescent No. 5 Mine, was riding down the incline on a little wooden frame fitted to the rail and known as a "horse." He lost control of the same and ran at lightning speed for about 200 feet and then commenced to roll. Angle of incline where it happened was about 41 degrees. =============================================================================== 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/ ===============================================================================