1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. FIFTH ANTHRACITE DISTRICT. 177
debris until ventilation was restored. On February 21st, the Mine
Inspector visited the scene of the explosion, accompanied by ex-Inspector
J. M. Lewis, General Mine Foreman Daniel Sachs and Mine
Foreman Houser, who explored the gangway nearly to the face,
but failed to find any trace of the victim. They returned out the
gangway to breast No. 21, where the Inspector suggested that the
debris be removed, when the body of Rudolph was found lying across
the gangway. A careful examination of the place, together with
the testimony of those working in the vicinity of the explosion,
showed that the gas was ignited by the naked lamp used by either
Longenberger or Rudolph, causing the explosion by which both of
them lost their lives. It appeared from the testimony taken that
while there is no doubt that the gas was fired in breast No. 21, yet
this was the first time that gas had been found in breasts 21, 22, 23
and 24 of this section of working. Still those breasts had been
suspended for some time and were not examined daily, which might
not have been known to the victims. Foreman Houser testified that
he had told the men on Tuesday morning that when they had completed
the work of constructing batteries in breasts Nos. 31 and 32,
they could have one or two, or a new one (breast), from the gangway,
and they replied that they would finish breast No. 23, which would
not go up much further than sixty feet. Why they left their place
of work to go alone through those breasts cannot be determined, from
the fact that their actions were in direct violation of the anthracite
mine law, which specifically states that no person shall enter a
breast or chamber in gaseous mines, until the same has been examined
by the mine foreman or his assistant and declared safe.
No. 17. Robert Morris, a driver employed outside at Jeddo No. 4
colliery, was fatally injured on February 23, and died at the Hazleton
hospital. He was engaged as driver between the breaker plane
bridge and timber bank, and in attempting to jump on the car
he slipped and fell under it. After a careful examination, together
with the testimony of those who were on the scene. T was convinced
that this was an unavoidable accident.
No. 18. Joseph Kishko, laborer, employed in a breast at Harwood
No. 5 colliery, was instantly killed on February 28th by a fall of clod.
He was employed in an airway breast. The clod was parted in
three benches, six inches of slate, four inches of coal and four inches
of slate. This clod was down in all the breast except along the
west rib. The chute is run up the center of the breast, with a row
of props on both sides, the regulation distance apart. The clod
that fell, causing this accident, was not in the face of the breast.
but back from the face fully twelve feet, along the west rib of breast.
The gob or loose rock was thrown to that side. Deceased commenced
to gather up loose coal near the end of the gob, when the overhanging
12—11—1900