The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1901-06-03
GOT MORE THAN HE WANTED.
Tale OF Government Mine Inspector'
Who Exncfed Too Much of the
Manager.

"When / was mining in the Trans
vaal in 1884, said Parker Johnson, Of
Denver. Col. according to the NeY
York Tribune, 'an amusing thing hap
pened. One of the government min
ing inspectors had made himself OBJ
noxious in many ways to the mine
managers. He was one of those char
acters who are jealous of their own
dignity and seek 10 impress their i'm
portance on others by taking full ad-
vantage of any power that they may
have. The inspector had made him
self a general nuisance TO the mine
managers by requiring them to do
large number of unnecessary things
and TO make TO him numerous abso-
lutely frivolous reports. Finally he
sent out an order 10 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 and
the cause thereof he wanted fully
stated.
lone of the mine managers, who
was an American. resolved TO satisfy
his curiosity to the full. and at tho
same time, IL possible. to render the
inspector ridiculous and teach him q
lesson The following are exact
copies Of some of his reports TO the
inspector. The story was too good
10 keep. and so il later found its
way into the columns of the johann
nesburg Star. When the inspector
read them there II was said by one
who was present that he used high
Dutch, low Dutch and jack and game
Dutch in expressing the feeling that
overcame him:
ITO the Mining Inspector-Dear
Sir: I regret TO have TO report two
trifing accidents. First--A boy
named Fife slipped Oft the ladder in
the - ladder way. and, falling a
short distance. slightly sprained leg
and arm. use-Handicapped with
a, new Of shoes. Second-A boy
named Jack, by getting caught be-
tween the mechanical haulage cars,
had his stomach squeezed and face
scratched. Cause--Kaffir stupidity
"In his next report" continued Mr..
johnson. the mine manager waxed
poetical and gave free rein to an ex-
uberant mind. IL was as follows:
"~ro the Mining. Inspector-Dear
Sir. One woe upon another's heels
doth tread, so fast they follow. I
have three accidents TO report for the
day.
"sDfck. native. while toying with
q lathe in the toolshop. lost a finger.
Cause-Curiosity
~'Dan Boza, n native. while cavort-
ing on the veldt. fell and broke his leg.
-Cause-The red. red wine.
'Machatana, a native tramboy,
while buckling mp his belt had the fin
gers Of one hand torn of. Gauss
This accident is wrapped in mystery
and II inexpilcable. Nachafana swears
by all the gods he can conjure up
that somebody shot him. Several
companions testify TO the same ale
cation. The most careful surgical
scrutiny elicits no information of
satisfactory nature. Some of the SUI
persfifions natives declare that II is
a Divine visitation for sins. the Kaffir
being noted for his irreligion- Indeed
I am constrained TO conclude. in the
face Of all the laws Of science. that II
IS = case Of effect without cause
"Afier receiving these and similar
reports and having them published II
entered even into the dun brain of
the inspector that he had bitten of
more than he coula easily naSticate.
and the Objectionable oresr ~@s Re-
called.