1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. FIFTH ANTHRACITE DISTRICT. 181
In the meantime McNovish had walked around to where Baker
was barring without being noticed by him. He did not heed the
warning, but was reaching for his shovel when the coal fell, crushing
him to the ground. His miner did not know that he had passed to
that side of the car.
No. 29. David R. Davis, employed at robbing pillars at No. 4
colliery, Upper Lehigh, was instantly killed on August 22d, by a
fall of top rock. He was engaged in robbing a pillar on the west rib
of the slope. Deceased had been working in this particular mine
for twenty four years, therefore, he was thoroughly familiar with the
work. I made an examination of the place and found that the work
was conducted in a very practical manner. It appeared that on the
morning of the accident, before starting to w r ork, Davis drilled a
hole in the coal on top bench and fired it. He fired the second one,
but neither of these did much work other than to agitate the overhanging
rock. While thus engaged, the men on the east side of the
slope discovered a creeping in the rock, and immediately notified
Davis who, in turn, dropped his tools and ordered his laborers to
withdraw to a place of safety. They ran out and made their escape,
was crushed beneath the
but the miner, whom was unable to run,
falling rock. He was entombed for fourteen hours, when his body
was recovered. John Wargo testified that after he gave the alarm
that there was scarcely three minutes until the rock fell. An examination,
together with the testimony of the witnesses, showed
that there was little or no warning given, which was due to a water
crack in the rock, which ran across the slope and both pillars.
certainly made a great mistake in not taking the warning of his
son and the two laborers, who realized what might happen when
he removed the last support.
No. 30.
John Wandow, a miner, employed at Cranberry No. 4 colliery,
was. on August 29th, fatally injured by a fall of roof, and died
at the Hazleton hospital five days later. He was engaged in robbing
pillars in the Parlor vein, and while thus engaged a portion of the
six-inch bench, which he had neglected to take down, fell, striking
him and knocking him down backwards and rolling upon him. This
accident was caused by the carelessness of the victim himself.
NO. .".1. Anthony Stramitas, a miner, employed at Cranberry No. 4
colliery, was fatally injured on September 7th by a fall of clod, and
died at the hospital. An examination of the place, together with
the testimony of his partner, proved beyond doubt that this was
an unavoidable accident, inasmuch as it was di ntirely to an unforeseen
slip in the clod.
No. 32. Andrew Verry, a miner, employed in a breast at Lansford
No. 4 colliery, was instantly killed on November L6th by a shale
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