Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-25
HANsoN,s FAILS.
Facts ELECTED by the Coroner's Inquest
Banholzer Qansurad.


Banholzer Censured.
A coroner's inquest was held yesterday morn
ing on the remains of the late Jacob Hanson,
killed on Sunday last by falling into a shaft
hole at Banholzer's brewery, particulars OF
which appeared in yesterdays issue of the
GLOBE. Coroner Davenport proceeded to the
late residence of deceased, corner of Pennsyl
vania avenue and De Bow street, at 10 o'clock
yesterday morning, when he empanneled the
following jury: A. P. Wilkes, F. Ruzicka, F..
Seanly. A. Henchel, J. Buckley and 8. B.
Hutchinson. The jury viewed the remains,
and DR.. Stamm testified to having diagnosed
the injuries, which consisted of combined
fracture of the leg aud internal injuries. The
thigh bone was broken, but the ribs were found
to be intact. Witness thought that death had
been Indirectly hsstened by the terrific shock.
The jury then proceeded to the scene OF the ac-
oident, where several witnesses were sworn.
Joseph Weidnan was first sworn, and testified
to having visited the brewery with deceased,
who had called to see him about work. They
came over to inspect the brewery, and deceased
stepped on the plank covering of the shaft
hole. He stood on the covering about five
minutes, and had been warned that the place
was unsafe. Deceased was conversing when
he stepped back, his heel displacing the third
plank, which slipped edgeway, and he fell
downward. In falling, he caught at witness,
and for moment braced himselfon his elbows,
when the other planks were displaced and he
fell through. Witness regarded the place as
dangerous.
William Banholzer testified to having re-
quested deceased and other persons to not
stand on the covering few minutes before the
accident. Deceased had been warned not to
stand on the planks.
A minute after the warning witness stepped
inside the brewery. when he herd the crash and
ran out Two planks had been displaced, one
of which struck the sides of the shaft in going
down and broke. The planks rested on two
wall abutmeuts. Witness never servedbeer
from the keg in the brewery, but when desired
it was served in the garden. People were in
the habit of looking into the hole out of Gu,
riosity.
By a juror-The planks were of pine and two
inches thick. (The fatal plank was here shown
having brittle appearance and broken into
small pieces
Joseph Doniker testified to having witnessed
the accident. Deceased was standing on the
covering and in stepping back he tripped up ONE
end of the plank and fell through, displacine
the other planks in falling. He had heard
Banholzer warn them to keep off before the
accident. He heard an hour after of the acct.
dent and remarked that both his legs were
broken.
Mr.. Banholzer was recalled and related that
| no one had ever fallen into the shaft before.
William Robinson, the next witness, related
| that he had heard the man warned off and that
he had been informed that the place was dan
gerous himself.
The jury repaired to the scene Of the accident
| and inspected the shaft, which is an ugly look
ing place. forty-two feet deep and unprotected
| save by covering of two wide boards.
After consultation the jury rendered the fol
| lowing verdict:
We the jury find that said Jacob Hanson
came to his death from injuries caused by
falling into a shaft hole on the property OF
VIM. Banholzer. This jury credit Mr.. Ban
holzer with iusing his best endeavors to keeI
people off the covering of the shaft hole, yet
the jury do not consider that sufficient pro
lection ia afforded to place necessary to biz
business, 80 much frequented, and believe thai
Mr.. Banholzer should have two inch oak
planking to cover an immovable railing which
| should always surround the place when not In