Morbid Fact Du Jour for July 21, 2014

Today’s Negligent Yet Truly Morbid Fact!

Excerpt from the Report of the Mine Inspector of Houghton County, Michigan, For the Year Ending September 30, 1898.  (Josiah Hall, Mine Inspector.)

Accident No. 13 occurred in No. 4 rock-house, Atlantic mine, April 1st, which resulted in the death of Stephen Smith, aged 17 years, who was employed at the dump in clearing out the screen.  About 9 o’clock in the evening the young man was found missing from his work, and after some time, a search resulted in finding his body on the second floor of the rock-house.  His skull was terribly fractured and he had several wounds about the body.  He had in some way become entangled in the belts that run the rock-breakers, and death must have been almost instantaneous.  An inquest was held before Justice Brand.  The jury rendered a verdict “that Stephen Smith came to his death through negligence, in leaving the place of work assigned him, and placing himself in danger, where his duties did not require his presence, in No. 4 rock-house, Atlantic mine, on the 1st day of April, 1898.”

Culled from: Some fatal accidents in the Atlantic, Baltic, Champion, Trimountain, and Winona copper mines (A local history series)

Remember: Never place yourself in danger where your duties do not require your presence!