The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1886-03-24
A BROKEN LADDER.
A Miner Meets Instant Death In the
LiquidatOr Shaft.

Baptiste Buffo, an Italian, was killed last
evening while coming of shift at Clarks
Colusa mine, at Meaderville. From the
testimony Of all the witnesses that could
be found last night by MINER representa-
tive, it is presumed that the mans death
was purely accidental. Yesterday he
wprked his first shift in the mine and
missed the cage which carries the men up
the shaft. Then, following the customs Of
the miners employed in the Clark's Colusa
who are left below through hardness on
their own part, he went to the shaft OF the
LiGuidator mine, a property adjoin-
ing the Colusa. and started up
the ladder. He started from the 300
foot leyel, end when about hall way up the
ladder broke, and he fell about 100 feet.
When found, his head was jammed bet Veen
the ladder and the timbers of the shaft, and
life was extinct. The neck was broken, and
the body frightfully bruised.
THE INQUEST.
As soon as the accident was discovered
messenger was dispatched Tor Coroner
Whitford, who Immediately summoned
iury and started for Meaderville, where an
inquest was held.
The first witness SWORD was Charles
Stewart. who testified: Am foreman at the
Liouidator mine; do not know deceased;
the timbers OF the shaft, from the surface
to 100 feet below, arc i'll bad conditioR
they are "settling" and out OF shape;
the ladder, when | examined it, was
in good condition; l examine the
ladder every other day; have worked in
the mine for three years; the ladder IL
made OF 2xA timbeFs, aud spiked to the
all.plates.
Lew F. Daniels testified: Work for
CIark's Colusa Company; have seen de-
ceased; was coming mp the Liquidator
shaft and saw shoes sticking ont and knew
a man was killed; have been up and down
the ladder several times; three weeks ago
made remark that ladder was good
one; at that time there were seven men on
ladder at once.
James Mooney said he was working IN
mine when accident occurred; Travelled up
and down ladder for a month. and saw no
broken rungs; Clarks Colusa men usually
took ladder from 3OO.foot level; thought
the sinking OF the timbers broke the lad
der.
James (iiroux testified that he has been
foreman of Clark's Colusa for two years
knew deceased by name; last saw him IN
2OO.foot level OF the Colusa; the ground IN
the mine is continually settling; Travelled
the ladder frequently, and thought it was
aa good a ladder as could be found In any
mine.
Pierre Denis testified: Saw deceased yes.
terday; knew him for two years; considered
him q careful and good miner; ladder was q
good one. -,
Thomas Bulger helped to remove the
body from the shaft; found body on ladder
John Nadeau helped to remove the body
from the shaft, and saw the timbers were
in bad condition. >.
Robert Evans, an employe at the Liqui-
dator, testified that at the place where the
| ladder broke the ground was settling; had
heard the timbers cracking at that point
| IT, fought the ladder was as good one al
could be desired in any mine; Superln'
tendent had done everything to make the
mine safe one.
This concluded the testimony, and after
| a brief deliberation the jury returned the
| following
"An inuuisition held at the Liquidatol
mine, Meaderville, in the County OF Silver
Bow, Montana Territory, on March Fl
1886, before Charles 8. Whitford, coroner o
said county, upon the body OF Baptists
| Buffo, there lying dead, the jurors upon
| their oaths do say that said Baptiste Buffe
| came to his death by the breaking
loose of a ladder while climbing uE
the shaft of the Liquidator mine, and thai
said breaking loose was caused by the set
Ting of the ground and throug h no fault o
the management of said mine. In testi
mony whereof, the said jurors have se'
their hands, the day and year aforesaid,
"JoHN A. RowAND, Foreman"
THE DECEASED
was a native of Turin, Italy, and Al
| the time of his death was about
| 28 years OF age. He came to Butte about
two years ago, and worked at various
mines and smelters. He started to work
| in Clark's Colusa at 8 p. m. yesterday anC
never returned alive from his first visit tt
the mine He was member OF the Mead
| erville Band, also Of the Christopo Colomb.
Society, and both associations will
| attend his funeral tomorrow. He wal
| unmarried and leaves no known relatives
in this country.