The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-31
simony mainly corrooorating that OF those given
TIE VERDICT OF TIE JURY.

PIrTsToS, May 3l-3:20 A. N.
We the undersigned jurors OF the Coroner's In
quest upon the bodies or John Burroughs, II. r.
DAVIS. Benjamin Jones' David Edwards aud others,
being duly sworn and obligated az TO our duties.
AZ required by law, respectfully submit thar the
cause OF the death OF the persons above mentioned
was from the effects OF impure air, caused by I'M
proper ventilation In the West PiItston mine.
operated by Blake Co.. ana from the Inhalation
of carbonic gas the result OF the connagraon OF the
breaker the head OF the shaft OF said mine; that
when the breaker took fire there was no means for
supplying the men with fresh dir, ana they were
subjected to breathe foul and poisonous gas The
In the mine continued its natural courses from
ten TO twenty minutes. when neither fresh air came
into the mine nor foul air was expelled, and smoke
and carbonc gas forced clear through the SHAFT
into the gangways and Breasts that the
fire was communicated TO the breaker from friction
one the Journals the fan In the breaker above
the engine room; THAT Blake Co. took charge OF
the West Pittston mine on or about January l, 1871
And furthermore there Is but one air passage for
but one passage for the escape OF gas
and obnoxious air, and that the said down cast and
up cast passage OF fresh air and foul air were
through shaft of $50 feet In DEPTH having its out
let directly under the breaker, and that work WAS
In progress at the time or the fire upon any con-
templated second shaft, tunnel slope or any other
construction. above or below ground. for the
supply OF fresh ar TO the mine. Fourth, that re-
peated attempts TO Improve the quantity aud quality
OF the air We're made by the said Blake Co., and
that each and every one of the successive attempts
CURED by law, ia an act providing for the health
mines section three. article seven APP
proved March 80, 1871. Furthermore. there was
negligence on the part OF the employees OF the COM
pany In not keeping the journals OF the fan properly
oiled. Furthermore, that Blake Co. were work.
ing IN the mine at one SHIFT and at one time moro
than twenty men, and that upon Saturday, May "a,
Blake II Co. did nave in their employ and engaged
In mining ana producing coal upon one shift ana az
one time IN the mine not less than fortythree men In
violation OF the act or the Legislature OF said State
herenbefore referred to, entitled 'An act to provide
for the health and safety OF persons employed In
coal mines.u And furthermore, that Thomas NJ.
Williams, Mining Inspector for and In the dis
trlct on which said shaft Of Blake b Co
saed since ,os the LIST day Of jan
the last time being Wednesday, May "a, 1871, and
that he has gone through the mines and inspected
the operations OF said Blake Co IN producing COAL
improvements In the ventilation of the NINE; ana
furthermore, tnat T. M. Williams was aware
reference to the ventilation OF the mines IN the
anthracite coal fields by said Blake Co.. as speci-
fed by section OF SAID law referred to above, ana
the said Williams has not protested or intf-
mated protest against the said violation.
against the said law; and furthermore, the said T.
M. Williams has failed to perform his duty In exer.
men engaged at one time upon work In the said
mine, and that the said Williams neglected to
exercise his duty, required by law, to order the
reduction OF force employed at work, or
apply to che courts for nunctions to the said oDe
rators, Blake h Co.. from employing more men than
required by law In the production OF coal, az 5es
forth in the said act, section 8.
JAMES WELSH,
M. BOLIN,
J. FITZPATRICK.
j. w. FREEMAN,
=. T. BARRETT,
MORGAN JONES,