1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. FIFTH ANTHRACITE DISTRICT. 175
not do its work, bo he tools a bar to work it out, while the Laborer
shoveled back the loose coal. While the miner was thus engaged,
the laborer knowing that hie was stronger than the miner, insisted
upon taking the bar, declaring that he would work out the balance
of the bench. Be had been barring bu1 a short lime when a
piece of (he top bench Eel! upon him, the accident finally resulting as
stated. This was an unavoidable accident, due to an invisible slip
in the coal, which could have deceived the most expert miner.
Nos. 1 I and L2. Carman Papa and John Tribes. Italians, miner and
laborer, employed in Jeddo colliery No. 1. were instantly killed on
February 5th by a rush of mud and water in the gangway. The
miner and two laborers were working in the section of the mine
known as "Long Run Road" which had been closed by a rush of
mud and water from the upper workings. Two shifts had been working
about two weeks cleaning tins gangway, which as far as could
be examined was safe, until about 3 o'clock A. M. on February 5th,
when there was a second rush of mud, rock and water which broke
a battery of 15-inch round timber near the gangway, which had
newly been put in place.
Angelo Duries, a laborer, who was working at the face with the
two unfortunate men when the second rush came, testified that he
was shovelling mud into the car when he heard a crack and rumbling
noise. lie immediately dropped the shovel and ran out of the gangway.
It was certainly a race for life, and he made good his escape
by a very close margin. Papa and Tribes were entombed foi live
days before their bodies were recovered. A careful examination of
these workings indicated that every precaution had been taken by
As it
the officials of the colliery to secure this section of the mine.
was being reopened, batteries were constructed across the entrance
of every breast leading to the gangway, of sufficient strength to resist
the pressure for all practical purposes. The first rush of mud came
down from the upper lift and through the old workings, completely
closing this section of the "Long Run" gangway on January 20th.
An inquest was held on Papa, and the jury rendered the following
verdict:
"That Carman Papa came to his death by being caught beneath
a rush of mud and water in the Jeddo No. 4 mine, operated by Gr.
B. Markle & (V)., on February 5th, 1900, and we do fun her say that
from the circumstances of the < ase and the evidence offered. 1h< accident
was unavoidable."
No. 1.".. Anthony I'ash. a miner employed in AN est Gamma counter.
Xo. 1 slope, Ilarwood. Pa., was fatally injured by a fall of coal
at the face of his breast on February 9th, and died about ten minutes
later. An examination of the place showed that the deceased had
fired a shot, which failed to dislodge the coal, but broke it up. and