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Archiver > TNCAMPBE > 2001-06 > 0992007691


From: "Bailey Francis" <>
Subject: [TNCAMPBE-L] Mining Fatalities and Injuries in Kentucky 1899 - The End
Date: Fri, 08 Jun 2001 09:41:31 -0400


Continued from Part 5

UNION COUNTY

There was a gas explosion in one room 4th of October, in the Tradewater
coal mine, in which two persons, "Robert CHANDLER and Joe VAUGHN were
painfully but not dangerously burned. These men, contrary to
instructions, went into room 6 on East entry, which room has recently
developed some gas feeders. Pending arrangements to properly take care of
the new conditions, the men were instructed to work in entry, and air
course, and shoot rooms near head of entry. They, however, went into this
room with the feeders, and as the entry had not been worked for a week
they found more gas there than they were looking for, with above results."
Inquiries were afterwards made as to the condition of the two men, and as
to the presence of gas in the mine, and under date of December 29th, the
company wrote, that they had lost four weeks time each, but had thoroughly
recovered from their injuries, and were again at work in the mine. The
letter further stated: "We do not apprehend nor detect any further gases
in mine and believe we are practically free from same."

On December 26th, in the DeKoven mine, Robert VAUGHN, a driver had his
arm caught between car and roof, which broke the small bone in the arm.
Lost time not stated.

WEBSTER COUNTY

A serious accident occurred on the outside of the mine at Sebree in
January. M. MONTGOMERY, the foreman of the outside crew, fell from a
ladder a distance of twenty feet and was severely injured in back and
right ankle. A further report received on March 18th says: "Probably
permanent injury to nerves and muscles in bottom of right foot."

Also in the above named mine in March, "Charles McCARTY, a miner, shot
went off before he got away and coal struck him on the back. He received
severe bruises on back. Lost about two weeks work."

Also in the above named mine, on August 29th, J. A. McCARTY, a miner was
caught between car loaded with timber, and the roof of the mine. He was
severely bruised in right shoulder, and his car was cut. He lost about
two weeks.

WHITLEY COUNTY

The following accidents were reported from the county of Whitley:

On January 20th, Walter A. JOHNSON, age 19 years, and James LEEOIS, age
15 years, were slightly injured by fall of slate while they were at the
face boring holes in the coal. The above occurred in one of the mines of
the East Tennessee Coal Co.

In Kensee mine, on January 16th, Wm. P. AVEMMER, age 18 years, "fell off
car and foot was mashed, necessitating amputation above ankle joint." The
report of the accident received February 23d, says: "Patient is doing
nicely."

On May 1st, in a mine of the Whitley Coal Co., Ben. W. ROBINSON, general
manager, was injured in back and leg by fall of slate, but not very
seriously. By the same fall, Henry McBRAYER was slightly injured in the
foot.

On August 31st, James A. JAMES, in Mt. Ash mine, suffered a fracture of
bone in leg by fall of drawslate in his room. Lost time about one month.

On September 5th, a very careless accident took place in the mine of
BRYANT Bros., at Pine Knot, resulting in the injury of four persons. The
report says: "By an explosion of a shot in the head of an entry, four men
who were seated 150 feet from the face were more or less injured , as
follows:
1st. Henry YOUNG, right leg broken.
2d. John SPRADLIN, three ribs broken.
3d. Jesse PERKINS, bruised, and Thomas McDONALD, very slightly
scratched. Jesse PERKINS loaded and fired the shot, and came back on
entry to the point where the others were seated, and although the drill
holes pointed straight to the crowd of men, he took his seat with them and
never mentioned the fact that he had set his squib and had a six foot hole
with one-half gallon of powder in it pointed straight at them."

On October 31st, in the Vanderpool mine, operated by the Whitley Coal
Co., Hugh BRUNK had two fingers on left hand mashed under wheel of a mine
car. Lost about one month.

Also in the above mine, on December 9th, Simon SILER, while coupling
railroad cars, had little finger mashed at upper joint; this, however, is
not a mine accident.

This concludes the information on fatalities and injuries.

Bailey Francis


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