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: Alexander, William George, Kelly Revely, George Banner, James Ghent, Mullen Robinson, Rugus Barger, W. Golbon, George Robinson, Tom Bernick, August Green, Henry Rogers, E. M. Bibbie, John Hereford, Blair Romeo, Antonio Boshos, John Hunley, Thomas P. Salvatori, Sam Bratton, John Importuna, Antonio Scandala, George Brown, Louis Jackson, Neil Startling, Robert Brown, Reece Lee, Will Stout, John Cacalebre, James Mayo, Antonio Suki, Mike Cadmis, Demetrius McGhee, Howard Vosar, John Carter, June Menet, Elec. Ward, George Cebo, John Minniti, John Wilcox, Daniel Devin, Harden Money, Joseph C. Williamson, Alex Dill, John H. Morris, Henry Williamson, Ned Dillard, Jack Murray, Thomas Young, J. A. Eperjesi, Steve Namerschmidt, Joe =============================================================================== Fatal Accidents, for the year ending June 30th, 1906. McDowell County, pages 221-224. =============================================================================== Importuna, Antonio (Italian; age 32; Married) Scandala, George (Italian; 5 months exper; age 19; Single) Romeo, Antonio (Italian; 8 months exper; age 30; Married) Cacalebre, James (Italian, seeking employment) Mayo, Antonio (Italian, seeking employment) July 5, 1905. Antonio Importuna, George Scandala, Antonio Romeo, James Cacalebre (died July 8, 1905,) and Antonio Mayo (died July 9, 1905), Tidewater Mine, were killed by an explosion of powder and gas. The last named two men were not in the employ of the company, but were in the mine at the time of the explosion, seeking employment. A detailed description of this accident will be found elsewhere in this report (on Pages 187-190). (Pages 187-190) EXPLOSION AT THE TIDEWATER MINE, Vivian, McDowell County, July 5, 1905. Keystone, W. Va., July 7, 1905. In pursuance with the regulations I hereby respectfully submit to you my report of an explosion which occurred July 5th, at fifteen minutes to eight a. m., at the Tidewater Mine, belonging to the Tidewater Coal and Coke Company, at Vivian, in which nine Italians were burned by an explosion of gas and powder. Three of them have since died at the Miners' hospital at Welch. In order to enable myself to explain to you and have you understand the condition and the time and place, I forward to you a blue print of the workings, in which I have marked the course of air current and location of explosion of that part of mine. These men were working on pillars, 27, 28 and 29 Jarrett entry. As soon as I received word, I went to the mine and found that the men were all out and were sent to the hospital on the 9:30 train. Upon examination for the cause of explosion I found at the face of the break-through of pillar 27, which was being driven through to 28, there were two holes drilled and charged with too much powder. These two shots blew into 28. One of the man ran back to see the result of shot and lit the smoke. This fire ignited a can of powder and set off the gas, which had acumulated twenty-five feet from the face of break- through. These pillars were not examined the morning of the 5th by the fire boss, and the foreman (Mr. Campbell) said that there had been no gas found in these places since last December. I am of the opinion that there was gas there that morning, for on my examination I found that there had been a large fall of slate and the air current, not being strong, gas had accumulated at that point. I also examined this place on the morning of the 6th, but found no gas, nor found any gas in any part of Jarrett entry. There is one thing certain, that there was not enough powder or dust without gas to cause this explosion, as I had found a keg of powder and; a box of squibs about 150 feet from the haulway on 28 pillar that had not exploded, also about two gallons of powder on 29 pillar that had not exploded. But Mr. Campbell found a two-gallon powder can that had exploded at the break-through of No. 27 pillar. Having observed the conditions of those places with the assistance of Mr. Campbell, we believe that these nine men were together near the break-through at No. 27 pillar. This was not a very severe explosion, as it has done but very little damage in the mine. Eight of those men that were caught in the explosion were able to walk out of the mine. This mine is ventilated by two fans, one 18 feet and one 6 feet. Trusting you may be able to understand what I have tried to explain, I am very truly yours, S. S. COOPER, Mine Inspector 7tth District. To J. W. Paul, Chief Mine Inspector; Charleston, W. Va. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SEVEN LIVES LOST. TIDEWATER COAL & COKE COMPANY Mine Explosion, November 4, 1906, 3 A.M. Tidewater Mine operates the No. 3, or Pocahontas Coal at Vivian, Mc- Dowell County, the main heading of the mine being advanced 7520 feet from the drift mouth, and going slightly to the dip. On the night of November 3rd, a crew of six miners, a driver and a pumpman were in the advance workings of the mine, constituting a night shift. The pumpman was in charge of the electric pump, in a cross cut between the main entry and return air course opposite the sixth cross entry. Two men were at work driving a cross cut near the face of the main entry, two in an air course which was being driven toward the King Mine at a point two hundred feet from the face of the main air course. The driver was in the main entry, having in charge two mules for the purpose of hauling the coal from the miners. The six miners and the driver, as well as the two mules, were killed by an explosion which occurred at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 4th of November. The pumpman was uninjured, but was a witness to the strong current and volume of dust generated by the force of the explosion rushing past him. In the Switchback entry, leading toward the King Mine, at a distance of about 7000 feet from the seat of the explosion, a night force of men felt the force of the explosion. The mine was ventilated by means of a force fan stationed on the outside of the mine, and on the sixth cross air course was located an auxiliary Thayer fan, which was used as a booster, operated by electricity, the air through the mine being one continuous current. After the explosion this booster fan was found to have been badly broken by reason of some boards having been blown into it. In the ninth and tenth cross entries and at the face of the main entry some explosive gas had been known to be regularly given off. Since no persons were working in the ninth or tenth cross entries on the night of the third, it is quite probable that the door on the main entry, located between the tenth cross entry and the tenth cross air course was left open, thus allowing the ventilation on the tenth cross entries to be cut off and making conditions favorable for the accumulation of explosive gas in these entries. The doors of the main entry used to divert the air current up the eighth and ninth cross entries also appears to have been open at the time of the explosion. The condition of a mine with respect to the dryness of the dust is not materially changed by reason of an explosion visiting any part of the mine. An explosive force passing over a portion of a mine where the dust is moist does not render the dust dry by reason of the heat of the explosion. Observation of a large number of such conditions warrants this statement by the writer. Upon examining this mine after the explosion it was found that the main entry was dry and dusty for the last 800 feet, the dust being fine coal, resulting from the mining, shooting and handling of the coal. In the return airway, water had accumulated to within 150 feet of the face of the main air course. Six loaded cars were wrecked in the main entry, between the ninth cross and the ninth, cross air course, and at the mouth of the ninth cross air course a loaded car on the main entry was badly wrecked. The stoppings in the cross cuts between the main entry and the air course were blown out away from the main entry as far back as the eighth cross entries. On the tenth cross the stoppings were blown toward the tenth cross entry. The force of the explosion was against the air current at all points where evidence of force existed. At the face of the main air course it was found that three shots had been fired, — one to the right of the center, which had broken the coal down; a second in the upper left corner, which had blown out, and a third in a "gob hole" immediately to the left, which had broken down some coal, but part of this hole remained in the solid coal. This second hole had been drilled partially into the solid coal near the roof. In the direct line with the second hole and about fifteen feet distant was found an exploded keg. Within this place was a mine car, undisturbed. A cross cut connected the main heading with the air course, about ten feet back from the face of the air course, and the props in this cross cut were charred with coal dust on the sides facing the air course, showing that the blown-out shot had exploded the keg of powder and inflamed the fine dry coal dust, which was the medium by which the flame was propa- gated and carried up the tenth cross air course, and the evidence at hand indicated that a body of gas had been ignited in this tenth cross air course, which exploded and reacted, adding additional force. At the mouth of this tenth cross air course was a pile of iron pipe, part of which had been blown away from the mouth of the air course and across the main heading, one pipe having been blown through a cross cut into the main return air course. The factors contributing to the explosion were: First, A blown-out shot. Second, Explosion of powder in kegs. Third, Inflaming of coal dust. Fourth, Ignition of gas. That there was not sufficient gas present in the face of the main entry or main air course to form an explosion is evident, since the miners had been at work in their places for several hours, and all were using open lamps. In the opinion of the writer, the disaster was the result of dry coal dust in the presence of a small percentage of explosive gas being ex- ploded by a blown-out shot, augmented by the powder keg exploding. Those killed in the explosion appear to have died from the effects of the gases, and not from violence or burns; although one body showed evi- dence of heat and had some deep burns. On November 6, 1905, at Vivian, in the presence of Mr. J. R. Green- wait, a Justice of the Peace for Browns Creek District, McDowell County, S. S. Cooper, Inspector of the Seventh District, and J. W. Paul, Chief Mine Inspector, some evidence was taken for the purpose of ascertaining any and all information that would aid in determining the conditions under which the explosion occurred, and wherein any violation of the mining laws had contributed to the loss of the seven lives, a copy of which evi- dence is on file in the office of the Department of Mines. No Coroner's Jury was empaneled and consequently no verdict rendered. All witnesses of any infraction of the law within the mine, if any, were killed by the explosion; and, while there appeared to have been some doors left open, no positive proof could be had, other than con- jecture on the part of those who visited the scene of the disaster after the explosion. Respectfully, JAMES W. PAUL, Chief Mine Inspector. December 14, 1906. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Barger, W. (Polish; age 25; Single) July 13, 1905. W. Barger, Crozer No. 2 Mine, was eating his dinner, about 50 feet from the face of his room, when a "kettle bottom," hidden by an inch of slate, fell on him, killing him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hereford, Blair (American; many years exper; age 35; Married; 2 children) July 13, 1905. Blair Hereford, Hensley No. 1 Mine, was drawing a pil- lar when a large piece of slate known as a "kettle bottom" fell on him and killed him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Williamson, Alex (Negro; 6 months exper; age 22; Single) July 20, 1905. Alex Williamson, Pulaski Mine, cut off mule from car and as the chain dropped the mule started to kick. He evidently jumped to avoid being kicked and in doing so he got off on the wrong side of car and was squeezed between car and rib. There was at least six feet clear space on other side of car. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Robinson, Tom (Negro; 2 years exper; age 14; Single) July 24, 1905; died July 26, 1905. Tom Robinson, Algoma Mine, sat down on a bottle of oil, which he had in his pocket, and broke it, and in getting the broken glass out of his pocket his lamp caught his clothes on fire, burning him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jackson, Neil (Negro; 8 days exper; age 20; Single) August 19, 1905. Neil Jackson, Elk Ridge Mine, in attempting to get out of the way he stumbled and fell across track directly in front of mine locomotive and was killed instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Eperjesi, Steve (Hungarian; 7 years exper; Married) August 26, 1905. Steve Eperjesi, Algoma Mine, was killed by a fall of slate roof. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Robinson, Rugus (American; several years exper; Single) September 11, 1905. Rugus Robinson, Shawnee Mine, went into room after miners had left to pull a loaded car when a piece of slate fell on him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Stout, John (American; 10 months exper; age 32; Married; 3 children) September 13, 1905. John Stout, U. S. No. 4 Mine, was employed as slate man on the night of the 13th. He fired a shot in slate and some of the slate hung. He and three others started to pull it down. The three men came out, and tried to get him to come, but he refused and the slate fell on him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Namerschmidt, Joe (Hungarian; 8 years exper; age 35; Married; $1,000 Ins.) September 22, 1905. Joe Namerschmidt, Crozer No. 1 Mine, was work- ing in No. 5 room on No. 7 entry. He left his place of work and went down to room No. 1 on same entry, where some miners were cutting a haulway through the chain pillar from eighth entry side. He aimed to sound through to the men cutting the haulway when a shot was fired, blowing off a piece of coal, killing him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Revely, George (Negro; age 22; Single; $50 Insurance) October 17, 1905. George Revely, Bottom Creek Mine, was drawing a loaded car out of room when a piece of draw slate fell and knocked him off car. The slate man reports he had several days before attempted to pull the piece of slate down and failed and that he had considered it safe. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Banner, James (American; 12 years exper; age 50; Married; 4 children; $100 Ins.) October 27, 1905. James Banner, U. S. No. 3 Mine, was in act of putting squib in bottom shot when a piece of slate fell, striking him back of the head. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Carter, June (Negro; age 22; Single; $50 Insurance) Brown, Louis (Negro; age 23; Single; $50 Insurance) Hunley, Thomas P. (Negro; age 19; Single; $50 Insurance) Startling, Robert (Negro; age 19; Single; $50 Insurance) McGhee, Howard (Negro; Single; $50 Insurance) Bratton, John (Negro; Married; $50 Insurance) Devin, Harden (Negro; age 34; Single; $50 Insurance) November 4, 1905. June Carter, Louis Brown, Thomas P. Hunley, Robert Starling, Howard McGhee, John Bratton and Harden Devin, Tide- water Mine, were killed by an explosion of powder and gas. A detailed description of this accident will be found elsewhere in this report. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ghent, Mullen (American; 5 years exper; age 17; Single; $50 Insurance) November 4, 1905. Mullen Ghent, Keystone Mine, was waiting for a car to be loaded and standing in the face of a roomn when a "kettle bottom" fell on him, killing him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Boshos, John (Hungarian; 2 years exper; age 30; Single) November 7, 1905. John Boshos, Pulaski Mine, was caught by a fall of slate as he was starting a pocket in a pillar. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Money, Joseph C. (American; 5 years exper; age 20; Single) November 9, 1905. Joseph C. Money, U. S. No. 1 Mine, had just fired a shot and before making an examination as to the condition of top went carelessly in and commenced to load an empty that was in the place when the slate gave away suddenly, catching him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dill, John H. (American; 5 monhs exper; age 23; Married; 3 children) November 13, 1905. John H. Dill. U. S. No. 8 Mine, in company with two other miners, were working in room No. 8 on main air course. This being a new room, had been examined by mine foreman and thought to be perfectly safe. While they were working the slate fell on Dill. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Menet, Elec. (Hungarian; 9 years exper; age 40; Single) November 18, 1905. Elec. Menet, U. S. No. 7 Mine, resumed work too soon after firing a shot and without making necessary examination of his place. The slate fell on him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Minniti, John Italian; 20 months exper; age 43; Married with children; $50 Ins.) November 24, 1905. John Minniti, Tidewater Mine, had fired a shot on the 23rd, which he failed and neglected to dress off. Had he examined the face he would have found that the coal had been sprung from the shot and could easily be taken down. He was in the act of cutting under when a piece of coal about 150 pounds in weight fell on his head. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cebo, John (American; 20 years exper; age 60; Married with children) January 27, 1906. John Cebo, Pulaski Mine, was picking down coal when a piece of slate fell on him. He had been ordered to set props, but failed to do so. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rogers, E. M. (American; 20 years exper; age 60 Married with children) January 29, 1906. E. M. Rogers, Algoma Mine, was killed by a fall of slate. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Golbon, George (Hungarian; 3 years exper; age 39; Married with children) February 1, 1906. George Golbon, Page Mine, was killed by a fall of slate between car and face. Slate fell within 6 feet of the face. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - George, Kelly American; 3 years exper; age 36; Married; 2 children) February 7, 1906. Kelly George, U. S. No. 5 Mine, was loading coal in his room and, while shoveling, the slate fell and caught him, breaking his neck. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Williamson, Ned (Negro; 15 years exper; age 42; Single) February 10, 1906; died March 8, 1906. Ned Williamson, Upland Mine, failed to take down draw slate, which was loose, and while tamping, his shot was directly under slate which fell on him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Young, J. A. (American; several years exper; age 57; Married) February 12, 1906. J. A. Young, Blackstone Mine, was setting prop and piece of slate fell, catching his head. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Murray, Thomas (American; 3 years exper; age 36; Married; 5 children) February 20, 1906. Thomas Murray, U. S. No. 5, Mine, was employed as a slate man. On the afternoon of the 20th he went into blacksmith- shop to heat some water to thaw out dynamite and commenced to blow the bellows when some dynamite caps he had in his pocket exploded. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Alexander, William (4 years exper; age 39; Single) February 22, 1906. William Alexander, Pulaski Mine, was pulling a car out of a break-through, and in making the turn the front end of the car knocked out a prop and this caused a fall of slate which caught him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wilcox, Daniel (Negro; 13 months exper; age 44; Married) February 26, 1906; died April 20, 1906. Daniel Wilcox, Houston No. 1 Mine, with three other men, was robbing a pillar. They had been out on the heading for some time, waiting for the driver to bring them a car. After they got the car Wilcox went to reach for his shovel and as he did so a piece of slate fell from between the prop and face. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Suki, Mike (Slavish; Many years exper; age 30; Married; 1 child) March 6, 1906. Mike Suki, Jed Mine, was working in air shaft, con- creting shaft from point 45 feet from surface to top when platform on which he was working gave way on account of insufficient bracing, pre- cipitating him to bottom of shaft, about 55 feet below. One other man was non-fatally injured in the same accident. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dillard, Jack (2 years exper; age 17; Single) March 7, 1906. Jack Dillard, Algoma Mine, fell in front of a trip of loaded cars coming from Big Four Mine, and before anything could be done three cars had run over him. He had just been told to keep off the cars. He had no business on them, as his busines was to grease them. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Morris, Henry (Negro; 15 years exper; age 32; Married) March 10, 1906. Henry Morris, Cirrus Mine, was working at the face of his room when a piece of draw slate fell and killed him instantly. The fire boss had been in his place about 10 minutes previous to the accident, and cautioned him against using small wedges over props instead of cap pieces. Had he used cap pieces this slate would have been caught up, as the end nearest the prop was the end which needed support. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Salvatori, Sam (Italian; age 30; Single) March 14, 1906. Sam Salvatori, Bottom Creek Mine, fell between two coke cars while in motion and was run over. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cadmis, Demetrius (Greek; 1 year exper; age 38; Single; $50 Insurance) April 3, 1906. Demetrius Cadmis, Elk Ridge Mine, was digging cut when the coal fell on him, killing him instantly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Vosar, John (Hungarian; 6 years exper; age 26; Single) April 18, 1906. John Vosar, Algoma Mine, was told to come out, as slate was working, and it would fall that night, but he started to chop out a prop under a "kettle bottom" and only hit it twice when the slate fell on him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Green, Henry (Negro; 13 years exper; age 45; Married; 3 children; $50 Ins.) April 25, 1906. Henry Green, Algoma Mine, got on a trip of cars and started to the side track. The trip came uncoupled coming down a hill and he jumped off in the swag and the cars ran back and caught him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Brown, Reece (Negro; 3 years exper; age 23; Single) April 27, 1906. Reece Brown, U. S. No. 7 Mine, was hitching up his team when the slate fell on him. There was no sign of break, just a slip in the roof which had apparently given no warning. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bernick, August (Hungarian; Married; 3 children) May 2, 1906. August Bernick, U. S. No. 3 Mine, was knocking out a prop when told that slate would fall on him; he said he knew what he was doing. When he knocked out third prop the slate fell on him. He lived a few days after the accident. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ward, George (American; 1 month exper; age 18; Single) June 25, 1906; died June 28, 1906. George Ward, McDowell Mine, was killed by a fall of slate. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lee, Will (Negro; age 30; Single) June 30, 1906. Will Lee, Algoma Mine, was fixing holes to shoot slate and one hole had a charge of dynamite in it left by somebody before he went in, and in digging to start a new hold he struck the cap and it ex- ploded. _______________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: The following accident was not tabulated, as it was not caused by any defect in any part of the equipment of the mines: _______________________________________________________________________________ Bibbie, John McDowell County, page 224. November 13, 1905. John Bibbie, Black Stone Mine, died of heart fail- ure in the mine. =============================================================================== 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/ ===============================================================================