Frostburg mining journal., 1881-02-05

of this place, commenced work in an
old place in Eckhart slope Wednes-
day of last week, continuing until Sat
utday noon, taking out--one report
states lib cars without setting
more than one prop. At about l23
o'clock Saturday afternoon the work.
ers in the mine were startled with the
intelligence" Benjamin Bowen is
killed !" His mangled, liGeless body
was taken from under a huge mass of
coal and slate to his home.
Monday morning an inquest was
held at the instance OF Inspector
Brown, before H. R. Atkinson, Esq,
acting coroner. The jury summoned
were Messrs.--
Il. Q. Paul, Foreman
Alfred Cline, Charles Johns,
Peter Knieriem, Frederick Mitchell,
James Jetfries, Thomas Bond
John Davies, George B. McCulloh,
w. S. Hobitzell, w. H. Carson,
VIM. II. Koch.
The following sy lopsis of the testi-
mony affords additional particulars OF
the sad affair:
DR.. :. W. j. Eaglm-Death was evil
IDENTIFY instantaneous, the body being
crushed urdcr fall of some heavy sub
STAGE or substances.
Samuel B1rcn-Was working with his
brother, the deceased, under overhanrng
piece of roof which was, he thought,
properly secured. Was working on the
third car for that day when Mr.. Krapf
came in aud warned them of DANCE and
said there ought to be prop put in.
None at liand had to carry one $50 or 200
yards. 1t was generally understood that
the boss must keep the mine plentifully
supplied with timber They had loaded
IL cars in this place and put in one p op.
Charles CroOk-Found root coal and slate
all down; all of Bowen's body buried un-
derncath except his head. Did not know
the place was in an unsafe condition.
Ransom T. PoDe2-Observed danger.
Suggested 10 Samuel Bowen to put in n
prop; also to Benjamin; the latter sounded
roof () little loose, (2) IA few feet away,
firm suggested to Bowen, however, that
he couldn't trust to sounds with perfect
aofdu GhntuaI fhapn hnur ba
should be placed.
Ihomds Allen-Found Bowen dead; did
not notice any timber ly ng near; drivers
are told to bring props in; usual place of
deposit is about 800 feet from place of fall.
Daniel RraRf-Sees every morning to
the security of places and sufficiency of
props. Went into Bowens' place. saw and
told them of danger-of threatening fall
from horseback Slip" Bejamin examin-
ed and reported roof loose; was warned
also by Uriah Jones; the Bowens assented
to the suggestion to secure themselves
Nearly an hour later found the accident had
taken place and Bowen dead; there were
iwn props lying within 40 feet, one of
which would have saved life; prop deposit
about 20 feet from place of fall; the two
props spoken of were placed there for use
in Bowens' place; considered the place Sc
cure when he put the men to work tnere.
Oren Pr.ce-Found Bowen dead under
fall OF coal saw the props spoken of by
Mr., Krapl; he put them there--one hick-
ory, the other olk the lcen couldn't help
but see them; the one gotten by Samuel
was about 300 feet from fail,
John NcDonad-Saw the props spoken
of by Messrs Krapt and Price
Urdh JoaG8 = Heard Krapf tell the
Bowens the course they were TO pursue;
observed danger and suggested the intro
ducIion Of another prop, and Ben said he
believed he "would pnt another I'M" !.eard
Krapf urge the matter upon them; id not
sec the props spoken OF by Messrs, K;apf
Price and Mcdonald.
Rob ut IYM&On-Abcut 1910 p. m. saw
the body of Benjamin Bowen dead under
the fall; saw no props; roof was reported
all right by the Bowens on Wednesday.
Geo,ge Gregory-Saw no prop; didn't
lock for amy.
Atred .Ho'yan Saw no props
The Inspector read the law of 1878
touching timber supplies.
The matter was then left with he
jury, who returned the appended YER
dict a few hours later:
That the said BENJAMIN Bowen came tc
his death on the goth day of January, in
the year 1881, at Eckhart mine, in Ale
gany county, by fail of roof coal ant
slate whilst at work in said Eckhart mine
and they eyonerate the Consolidation Goa
company from all blame in the premises
The deceased was 33 years, {
months and l2 days old, married
three children, and a young man O.
exceptional popularity. He was
born and lived here all his life since
his majority, particularly as a member
of the Orders of Odd Fellows anc
Knights Of Pythias, and of the Fire
Department, his constancy and devo
tion to duty enabled him to WELD in
huence over a wide circle. This wai