The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-06

|
| Informed the Standard that Capt. Will
lam e. Hall. While coming up the shaft
of the lie Roi mine and in stepping from
the skip, fell 600 feet and was instantly
killed. Later in the evening a press
dispatch said that Captain Hall was
killed Wednesday morning, that he fell
from the surface to the 600-foot level,
and that his body was crushed beyond
recognition. The dispatch added that
Captain Hall had been making his daily
round of inspection of the mine and
that, coming to the surface. he stepped
from the skip to narrow beam divid-
ing the double compartment shaft. He
lost his footing and plunged down to
death.
The only witness of the tragedy was
the engineer. He saw Mr.. Hall stumble
and fall. catch desperately at the tim
bers and vanish into the pit. A man
working on the 300-foot level near the
shaft heard a cry and saw a fieetng
glimpse of the falling form. The alarm
was given and men descended imme-
ately to the 600-foot level. The body
had fallen across skip and was man
gled beyond recognition. officers of the
lie Roi company in Spokane bore the
sad news to the family last evening.
The daughters. Pearl and Rose, aged II
and 10. who We're the fathers pets, We're
necessary.
Captain Hall was 81 years old. lie
was born in the north of Ireland, but
he was reared in the Cornwall mining
district. AT the age of u years he came
to America. During eight years he
worked in the mines in the Lake Super
ior district. He had his share in varied
experiences. Years ago. in company
with his wife and children. he was a
passenger on the Penabic. a lake boat
which. in bright. moonlight night,
came in collision with another boat and
went down before the rescue of many of
the passengers was possible. Captain
Hall happened to escape. His wife and
children perished. All his earthly pos
sessions Were on board and everything
was lost.
In later year Captain Hall conclud-
ed to come West and he entered the
service of Walker Brothers of Salt
Lake representing them at some of
their properties before coming to Butte.
or rather to Walkerville. where he took
charge of the Alice properties in 1878.
Captain Hall had been married mean
while to Miss Ella Dross. All told he
was with the Walker Brothers 20 years.
He was in charge of the Alice mine dur
ing that propertys most busy years,
having a large responsibility in connec-
tion with the mine and the operation
of its mills.
Captain Hall gave TO the property the
most faithful attention and he attested
his ability as a mining superintendent
by the splendid results which. during
many years, We're the product of his
With the decline in sill
Yer, operations a the Alice mine were
gradually reduced, 1t being found profit
less to work the property under the
heavy fall in the metals price. Cap
tain Hall. however remained in charge
until 1894 Thereafter. for about IS
months. he was in charge of the Poulin
mine. He resigned and then decided to
make his home in Spokane. He bought
a residence in that city and also ac-
quired valuable ranch property.
1t was the hope of Captain Halls
family that he would feel contented to
give up the risks incident to work in
mines and enjoy himself i'm a manner
of life involving less exposure to aeci-
dent and death. and Captain Hall him
self seemed to be persuaded that he had
seen enough of the peris of mining-he
had been familiar with them from his
boyhood. However in one way or an
other he was drawn into operations in
British Columbia, first i'm the capacity
pf exporting or inspecting properties
that were discovered in that compare
tiVelN new mining field. About a year
ago he became superintendent Of the |
lie Roi mine at Rossland. In the own
ership of that property, residents of |
Spokane are interested. Ii has been re- |
ported that under Captain Halls man |
3gement the property was developing /
inely, and talk has been heard of its /
sale to a foreign syndicate
During the years of his residence in /
Silver Bow county Captain Hall at /
ached To himself many hundreds Of the t
titizens in the county. He became one /
II the best-known men in Butte and lis i
suburban towns. He was popular with +
he miners under his charge. he dealt I
With them in kindly spirit he was the +
helpful friend for those of them who T
suffered from sickness. accident or other i
and his work Of assisting +
hose in trouble or distress was always +
generously shared by his estimable wife I
Who. like him, is pleasantly remembered t
n Walkerville. He had large RESPONSE
1ilities during many years and these
le discharged with marked fidelity.
Captain Hall took an active interest
n political affairs. He was a republi-
an presidential elect1r for Montana in
s92 He was a moving spirit in The
Incorporation of Walkerxille and he
erved as that city's first mayor He
is4fI Il ~. D