The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-06-09
AnDIsAsFRR RECALLED AL.lu
schrcwd AIoTe by a Hungarian to Recover
for Damages.

for Damages.
At 7:3s this morning Daniel Ogden and w
ltt tFbtkinsIbf t9wh;I FHn =, Stihl lail outside
foreman at Packer No. coliery: Albert
Brown, outside foreman at No. 5; George
Observation-Disclosures Brennan, of Lost Creek,
and StenographeT Moore,, of Pottsyille, left
for New G9rkr City to attend as witnesses on
the trial Of a case brought by a Hungarian
named Steve iShelsick to recover damages
amounting to several thousand dollars against
the Lehigh Valley Coal Company. .,
~ The case recalls 2 disaster at one of the
compapY's colieries dating. about two years
ago. On the night of the 2sth of July, 1894,
an explosion occurred in the boiler house at
/ lPcker No.. q teollieryr John Miller of
Giardyille, the fireman, was killed instantly.
John. Laqbach, pumpsmanS Darby Shields,
engineer, and John. Malingo, rashman, died
from their injuries soou after the explosion
The last named three resided in this town
iAEalingo died at the hospital, The other two
sqfcumbcd at their homes. A fifth victim
Steve Shelsick, WHO then resided at Smoky
Hollow, was taken to the hospital badly
scalded on the face, chest and arms. .l!
On the following morning Messrs. Ogden,
Scanlap, Watkins representing the HERALD,
and Albert Brown visited the hospital and
interviewed Shelsick, the only survivor of
the terrible affair, and got a well connected
story of it. Shelsick, who was the assistant
fireman. placed the Whole responsibility upon
Miller the fireman, alleging that the latter
had epeatedlYignored Shelsck' warnings
Ile also claimed TO have called attention to
low water in the gauges, although the blower
was opened all the way Miller is alleged to
have replied that it was none Of Shelsick S
business. Finally Sbesicz said; There must
bc crack some placg,' and at that instant
the explosion occurred
After leaving the hospital Shelsiek was
again given employment in the boiler house.
BUT 1t is alleged, That his reinstatement
seemed to bring upon Iiln g severe attack of
4 Importance. He aspiTed to absolute control
! over the place aud the outside foreman was
obliged to remove him, but gave him a place
| ON the platform in the, breaker. This did not
suit Shelsick, but he smothered his dis
/ pleasure with as much grace as his nature
| would pomit until some time after lie sud
! denly disappeared He was next heard of
! from New York City, when he entered the
suit for damages referred to, alleging that the
] explosion occurred and he sustained his
! injuries not on account Of any neglect, OF
/ ignorance, ON the part Of Miller in connection
with the gauges, bur because the boiler was
detective, That he should go to New York
City, where il is next to impossible to get a
/ jury conyersant with the construction and
/ operation Of boiler houses in the coal fields
and escape the laws Of Pennsylvania, which
differ in some respects from New York law on
the question of mjuries sustained through
the carlessness of co-laborers, is considered a
shrewd move on the Part Of Shelsick The
i WITNESSES who left here this morning are
subpoeuacd by the company to prove the
statements by shelsick as to the cause Of the
accident as made Immediately after it oc
CURED and to controyert the statements Ii,
now makes. ..,,4... .........