The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1901-05-01
GOT MORE THAN HE WANTED.
Tale OF Government Mine Inspector
Who Exnctcd % Much of h


Manager.
"When / was mining in the Trans
vaal in 1884," said Parker Johnson, OF
Denver Col, according to the New
York Tribune, ian amusing thing hap
pened. One OF the government NM
ing inspectors had made himself OBJ
noxious in many ways to the mine
mage He was one of those char
acters who are jealous Of their own
dignity and seek to impress their m
p~ortance on others by taking full adj
vantage of any power that they may
have. The inspector had made HIM
self a general nuisance to the NINE
managers by requiring them to DO a
large number of unnecessary things
and to make to him numerous abso-
lutely frivolous reports. Finally he
sent out an order to the effect that
all accidents that occurred in the
mines, no matter how insignificant
they might be, must be reported TO
him. The result of the injury ana
the cause thereof he wanted lully
stated.
"One of the mine managers, who
was an American, resolved to satlsty
his curiosity to the full, and at the
same time, if possible, to render the
Inspector ridiculous and teacn hin a
lesson. The following are eXaco
copies of some of his reports to the
inspector. The story was too good
| TO keep. and so it later found its
way into the columns of the johann
nesburg Star. When the inspector
read them there it was said by one
who was present that he used high
Dntch. low Dutch and jack and game
Dutch in expressing the feeling tina
overcame him:
s.sTo the Mining Inspector-Dear
Sir: I regret to have to report two
triHine accidents. First-A boy
named Fife slipped off the ladder in
the - ladder way, and, failing a
short distance, slightly sprained a leg
and arm. Cause-Handicapped with
a, new pair of shoes. Second-A boy
named Jack, by getting caught be-
tween the mechanical haulage cars,
had his stomach squeezed and face
scratched. Gause-Kafir stupidity
an his next report" continued Mr..
.Tohuson. the mine manager waXed
poetical and gave free rein to an eX-
uberant mind. IT was as follows
"sTo the Mining Inspector-Dear
Sir: One woe upon a%nother's heels
\ doth tread, so fast they follow !
have three accidents to report for the
day; NM.
a lathe in the toolshop, lost a finger
Cause-Curiosity.
"eDan Boza, a native, while cavort'
ing on the veldt, fell and broke his leg
Cause.-The red, red wine.
"sMachatana, a native tramboy
while buckling up his belt had the lin
gers of one hand torn off. Cause
This accident is wrapped in mystery
and is inexpllcable. Machatana swear'
bv all the gods he a c%onjure W
that somebody shot him. Seyera
companions testify to the same ale
cation. The most careful surglca
scrutiny ellclts no lnlolAiation =
r satisfactory nature. Some OF the su
4 perstitious natives declare that it ]
4 Divine visitation for sins, the Kali
. being noted for his irreligion. Indeed
am constrained to conclude, in tn
7 face Of all the laws of science, that
is n case Of effect without cause
sAfter receiving these and simila
reports and having them published J
entered even into the dull brain o
: the inspector that he had bitten o.
y more than he could easily masticatt
4 and the Objectionable order was rf
called"