Report of the Bureau of Mines of the Department of Internal Affairs of ...

360 REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS OF MINES. Off. Doc.
Yoder—This mine has been shut down for an indefinite period.
Its condition is fairly good. It did not employ a sufficient number
of persons to come under the provisions of the law at all times.
There was no mining boss emploj^ed on that account.
Youngstown—This mine is in good condition. The workings have
been extensively developed during the year. The ventilation, drainage
and general conditions are good. The mine is well taken care
of and will not suffer for lack of attention. During the year a bore
hole was put down for the purpose of pumping the mine water
through to the surfacee, the present one having been inadequate.
The new hole will give ample room for discharging all the water
that the pumps are capable of pumping. Mining Boss, James Exton.
Description of Fatal Accidents.
Charles McQuiston and Peter Hawser aged 35 and 23 years respectively
were killed by an explosion of gas in the Hurst mine on January
26.
March 6.—Robert Hixenbaugh, hoisting engineer, at the Mt.
Braddock slope, was instantly killed by the bursting of a
steam separator in the engine room. Coroner P. F. Smith impaneled
a jury and held an inquest; jury rendered the following verdict
:
"That Robert Hixenbaugh came to his death from concussion of
the brain caused by the bursting of the steam separator at the W. J.
Rainey's Coke Works at Mt. Braddock, Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
on the Gth day of March, 1897, while at his place of labor. The jury
believing the separator to have been too weak to stand the required
pressure."
John Gonda killed by having his skull fractured in Washington No.
2 Mine, belonging to thp Washington Coal Coke Co.
The deceased on the morning of April 8th, about five o'clock had
fired a blast in his working place and left said working place and was
entering the working place next to his own. The man who was
working in this next place was also preparing to fire a blast, and
shouted to Gonda to go back as he was going to fire a shot. Gonda,
instead of retreating, as he should have done, stood against the rib,
at the entrance to this room. When the blast went ofiF, a piece of
flying coal from the shot struck him on the head, killing him instantly.
Harrison I). Flickinger was killed by a fall of coal in the Walker
mine, belonging to Ihe Merchant Coal Comi)any, of Baltimore, Md.
Frank Iloadtz, aged 38, died from injuries received while blasting
"horse back." in the Mahoning-Atlas mine, owned and operated by
the (Jamhria Iron Compan}'.