The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-04-16
JERRY COFFEY'S DASH"

Thirtv-fve years ago Jerry Coffey,
miner employed in McClintock q Co.'S
mine ut Beaver Meadow, Carbon coun
tv, sustained n fatal accident and ir
connection with this occurrence there
happened an event which shows the re-
markable sagacity and intelligence dis
played at times by dogs, says the
Philadelphia Times.
Cotfey. who had earned living fol
many years by toiling in the mines, had
dog of the spaniel and foxhOund
breed which followed him every morn.
ing to the mouth of tie mine, and, after
he had entered, the dog gave parting
salutation in the form of several bark:
and returned home. About 1 O'Clock
each afternoon the dog waited for his
master to come from the mine and
they both usually iourneyed homeward
the animal wild with delight. This
practice between man and dog con
tinued for years until the Beaver
Meadow community became familiar
with Jerry Cuffey and his dog Dash.
One day, however, the dog called as
usual at the mine, but was not in the
cheerful mood which so noticeably
characterized him when on former
visits The surface wOrkmeu noticed
that he was crying loudly, and had
made several efforts to enter the mine
but WAS driven off by the moving pull
icys and chains. 1t was remarked that
Jerry Coifey's dog had changed his
tune. and the wOrkmcn looked upon
the dogs crying and paving the ground
as an omen OF evil. Presently four
danger raps sounded from the bottom
of the shaft. and in Il few minutes Jerry
Coilcy was hoisted to the surface, Il
bruised aud blackened miner, the result
OF fall of coal.
Coifev was taken to his home in a
dying condition. the eyer-faithful dog
following the ambulance. There were
hopes entertained that the life of the
injured man could be saved, and the
next day lie WAS placed on train and
taken to the Pennsylvania hospital in
Philadelphia. The dog went to the
depot and was left behind, although he
made an effort TO get in a passenger
coach. 1t was remarked that after
COifev had been taken from his home
the dog could not be found. No one i'll
the neighborhood could answer for the
sudden disappearance, aud none knew
of his whereabouts
Three DAYS after Jerry Coffey had
been received in the Pennsylvania
hospital Is patient he died and about
one hour preceding his death his dog
Dash entered the ward door and kissed
his diving master Tnc dog, it is sup
posed. walked from the scene of the ac-
cident to the hospital. 1t is certain, any
way, that no person brought him to the
hospital, and how he reached it is a
mystery When Cuifey'S remains were
shipped to his late home 1T Beaver
Meadow the dog followed them as far
as the Spruce street entrance of the in
stitution, and was never seen alive
allerWard.
\ few moments after Coifey's death
the mine he had worked in was per-
mitted to become noodcd because of he
bankruptcy of the company. and i'll
this condition. it remained with yalu-
able pumping machinery. Thirty-five
years passed and The storr~ot Jerry
Cntfey and his dog was forgotten. Cox
Bros. 4 Co. the extensive coal miners
at Dgiflon, finally leased the tract, com
pr,Sinu many thousands OF acres OF
valuable coal lands The water in the
mine was pumped out, Il rrtimbering
process was gone through, and when
the chamber was reached a few days
since where the fatal accident of thirty
five years ago lld occurred bones were
found. aud the old miners say they
were the skeleton of Jerry CoHey's
doc.