The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-05-16
THE EISENHART INQUEST HELD.
Different Constructions of Directions by
Fire Bosses.
WORKED UNDER MISUNDERSTANDING
The Verdict of the Coroner Jury Rendered
Accordingly--It Arose over the Division
of Fire Bosses Field--Inspector
Stein Quotes Law.

Deputy Coroner Manley and his jury last
night resumed the inquest in the case of
John G. Eisenhart who died from injuries
received by an explosion of gas in the
Shenandoah City colliery last Monday. The
inquest was begun last Wednesday night, but
the witnesses clashed so much with each
other it decided to meet again last night and
have more evidence as to an alleged agree
ment as to the division of work of fire bosses.
District Superintendent J. j. Bradigan was
the first witness last night. He testified that
about three months ago Inside Foreman Carl,
Fire Bosses Gashner, Brooks and Mitchell
and himself had a conference at his residence
relative to a re-arrangement Of the duties of
the fire bosses named. Mr.. Gashner had
complained that he had more work than he
was able to accomplish and the conference
followed 1t was agreed that a certain part
of the work should be taken from Gashner
and given to Brooks, which was salts
! factory Mr.. Bradigan stated that every
time he visited the colliery he found every
thing working all right. The miners are
! supposed to remain at the station when gas
marks are placed on the tally boards until
the fire boss gives them permission to enter
Inspector Stein: Mr.. Bradigan, the
different sections of the Shenandoah City
colliery assigned to Mr.. Brooks as fire boss
were entirely in his care and he was response
bic for the safety of the men ?"
Mr.. Bradigan: Yes sir"
James Brooks one of the fire bosses, was
recalled and the following question was put
to him: you said there was an understands
ing in the presence of Mr. Bradigan, Mr..
Carl, Mr.. Gashner and yourself that you
were to examine this place in the morning,
put your mark on the board, and Mr.. Gashner
was to take care of the place for the balance
of the day"
Mr.. Brooks; That is what I have beeD
working under, and they know it as well as
know it,"
Superintendent Bndigan denied that any
such agreement was made in his presence and
later in the evening said, II wouldn't toler-
ate any such agreement as they speak of if
had known it. 1t is the worst thing ever
thought of. 1t seems to be misunderstand-
ing all the way through with them"
Inspector Stein then asked Foreman Carl if
Brooks statement of the agreement was
correct and Mr.. Carl said it was not. He
said that he told Mr.. Brooks to examine the
place and see that it was all right and if
Brooks couldn't come down from the upper
! lifts during the day Gashner and Mr. Carl
would look after the place.
William Mitchell, another fire boss. was
called to give his version of the agreement
and said his understanding was that after
Brooks had left the breast and put his marks
on the tally board Gashner would take
charge and see that the men would not go in
there until everything was safe.
Mr.. Gashner said his understanding of the
agreement was that Brooks was to look after
the place in the morning and make things
safe and in case Brooks could not return
during the day Gashner and Carl would at
tend to the place. Gashncr said he told
Eisenhart that there was gas in the place
Mine Inspector Stein stated, THE law
says that it is not enough to tell man there
is gas in his place, but he should stand guard,
or deputze somebody to prevent anybody
from going into the place
Inspector Stein asked Foreman Carl if the
discipline of the colliery had been observed
according to law and the rules of the com
pany enforced so that men would not be al
lowed to go in and start working before tn,
J fire boss came to remove the gas, would thu
accident have happened, and Mr. Car
answered. 1T would not"
Brooks was asked if he had ever discovere,
gas in the breast in which Eisenhart wa
killed before the fatal morning He answere,
that he found considerable gas in the breas
last Friday and after putting two marks ol
the tally board he went ON with his work il
the other lifts. Brooks said he did not re
turn and the place worked all day He di,
not know who brushed out the gas unles
Gashner did it.
Cashier was recalled and said that las
Friday only one mark was ON the tally board
He didn't brush out the gas or know VIII,