The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-04-01 00:00:00

FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT AT
ROWLEY.

A serious accident, by which two men were instantly
killed and another badly injured, took place on Saturday
last at Messrs. Swindell and Collis'. colliery. Gooty Hill.
In a part of the workings of one of the pits, Thomas
, Pally 42, and James RolLoson 44, were emp'.-„yed in set-
ting timber, when a " bump " suddenly or, urred, and
, they were immediately hurled beneath a huge heap of
, fallen coal. Prompt steps to rescue thern were taken,
' but when the coal wh.ch covered them was removed, they
were found to be lifeless and sadly mangled. Their
bodies, we are told, were crushed to pieces, and their
bowels protruded. Close to the spot where the melau•
choly accident took place David Fully was engaged at
work. elle escaped with injuries which are not expected
to terminate fatally.
An inquest was held on the bodiee at the Rose and
Crown, Waterfall Lane, before Mr. Hooper. on Wednesi
day.
Mr. Baker, Governmeni Inspector was in attendance,
and also Mr. Collis. jun.
Thomas Pally said that his father and Rollinson were
setting" trees," when a fall of coal took place, and they
were instantly killed. He was loading in the' straight'
road, and he saw one of the doggies at six o'clock that
morning coming back with a lamp, as if they had been
examining the pit. He had beard his father tell his
mother that he never worked at a pit where more timber
wait used. He never heard anyone in the pit any there
was not sufficient tinibea in the pit. tMr. Collis here
said that £3.200. was paid Get ye.or by the firm for lim-
ber.;
David Rilley, a bondsman, stated that at the time of ,
the accident he was at work with the deceased. They
were preparing to set a tree, when a large quantity of
coal fell from the roof on to Pally and Monition, and
caught him and kuceked him against a tub,- sett:ad)
injuring him. Rollinson 11418 ordered so set the tree in
order to make the "opening.' safe.—Puliy said, however.
there was not much fear of the coal coming, for it
knocked very hard... '1 titer did Lot appear to he tiny
indication that the coal was going to fall.
RebeTca itollicson said that her deceased husband
never cemplained of the want of timber at the colliery,
and she had no reason to !dame anyone for his death.
Benjamin tiolding, one of the deputies of the pit, said
that the accident happened in cubsequence of a "slip
relining oil a.rib."... . .

By Ali% Baker : He had examined the 'dice at shout
half•past eight o'clock that moinine, and idlit [lame the
accident he told l'udy to "knock" again, and it was
said to_be sound.

Mr. Baker: In future you wi/1 act inure wisely if on
do differently, and satisfy yoursed as to the state of the
pit, instead of taking another'a or for it. It MA4 our
duty to xaniine and ascertain for yourself wheintr the
place was safe or not..

By n queht of Mr. Collis. the Coroner put questions to
witness which elicited the following answers :—The de-
ceshed were paid a huperior class of wages for doing
nothing else but look after the safety of the men. They
received 6s. a day. Me did not consider it safe to net
timbers on the loose slack.

.-„
Mr. Collis then requested the coroner to put the ques•
tion, '• Is a foundation required for • tree of loose
slack?"

Mr. Hooper declined to put it, on the ground that it
was too ridiculous to ask a collier.

Mr. Collis: Then kindly emit-let:ate me from all blame.
I will give up all management.
Mr. Hooper; I cannot allow my cotduct to be com-
mented upon. I certainly could nt put that question,
bat will put any other, if I approve of it, which you may
suggest.
To questions which were then named, witness replied
that it was not possible for the company to do more to
ensure the safety of the men. Everything possible was
done in the way of providing timber and arranging for
the overlooking of the misers whilst employed.
This conmuded the evidence, and the Coroner, in sum.
ming up, said that it appeared eviry precaution had been
taken to prevent accidents.
The jury at once returned a verdict of '• Acisideutal
death."

Pully's remains were interred on Thursday, at St.
Luke's Church, and &number of children from Old Hill
Wesleyan Sunday School, at which he was auperintend•
eat, followed in the cortege. Deceased was exceedingly
well liked and his lose will be deeply deplored.