Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-25
Is Killed by a Fall of Slate in
the Roseland Mine, West
Of This City.
SAMUEL COOPER VICTIM
Was Warned of Danger by Fellow En-
pIoyes But Did Not Heed and Lost
His Lfe-Head and Shoulders Mu-
tilated.

While working at the mines of the
Roseland Coal Co., few miles west
of this city late yesterday afternoon,
Samuel Cooper, coal miner, whose
home is at SIS South Davis street,
South Ottumwa, was killed instantly
by falling slate. The coroners jury
this morning absolved the company
from blame, finding that the unfor-
tunate man came to his death by acct
dental falling of slate in the roof OF
the room in which he was working,
which should have. been proDped by
himself. The accident is sad one,
and the many friends of the deceased
regret deeply that it occurred, but look
upon it as one of the inevitable accl-
dents that will come about in mines,
in spite of all that is done to prevent.
Was Helping Another.
The room in which Mr.. Cooper was
working was not his own, but had been
worked by his son-in-law, Harry Bla-
mey who resides in Fairview, in this
city. Mr.. Blamey has been i'll for the
past few days, and consequently his
room got behind those of his COM
, rades Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Coop
/ err undertook to load out" the coal in
the sick mans room. and when he stat
\ ed his intention to his fellow workmen
IL hot h, wornnH that the
roof should be propped before work
was done there.
Death Was instantaneous.
However, it is supposed that the I'M
fortunate man decided that the time
required was SO short that no acct
dent could happen while he was taking
out the coal, and he set to work.
Shortly after o'clock the other min
ers in nearby rooms heard a noise of
falling slate and hurrying in the dl-
rectlon of the sound they were horri-
fed to find the mangled remains OF
Mr. Cooper under massive piece or
slate which had been dislodged from
the roof and had fallen upon the min
er. crushing his head and shoulders
almost to jelly.
The remains of the unfortunate man
were removed from the mine by his
fellow workmen, and carried tenderly
to the open air. Life was extinct
when the body was found, and death
undoubtedly came instantaneously. AS
soon as possible the authorities We're
notified an dthe body was removed to
the family home, SIS South Davis
street, South Ottumwa.
Inquest Held.
A coroners inquest was held this
morning at the Cooper home, the jury
being composed Of Louis Edmunds, A.
]. Smith and James King. After hear
ing the evidence of the witnesses the
jury arrived at verdict to the effect
that death was caused by accident due
to the room not being properly secur-
ed, and absolved the company from
blame The mine where the fatality
occurred is the old Lumsdon mine, and
is now owned by the Roseland Coal Co.
the principal member of which is
James c. Devin of this city.
A LamentabIe Affair.
The death of Mr.. Cooper is doubly
sad when the facts in connection with
the fatality are considered. He was ad
yanced in years and was member Of
/ the Grand Army of the Republic He
4 leaves three children and an
aged wife, who is much affected by
the sudden death of the one who has
been her companion for so many years
Two daughters and one son sur
vive the father, their names being as
follows: Mrs. Harry Blamey of Fair
view; Mrs. Mary King, who resides
on South Moore street, South Side, and
Henry w. Cooper, who has made his
home with his parents, at SIS South
Davis street.
Mr.. Cooper was well known through
out the county as an able, practical
miner. He was member of the Thir-
y ty-sixth Iowa regiment in the Civil war
and made his home in Kirkville for
several years after that struggle. lie
I worked in the mines there until about
ten years ago when he removed to this
city For several years he resided in
Fairview, working in the mines west
of the city. but about two years ago
4 he began work in the mines south of
the city and moved to the South Size
When ]. c. Devin established the Rose,
land Coal Co. a few months ago MI
Cooper again changed his place of EN-.
ployment to the mine owned by that
concern but kept his residence in
South Ottumwa.
Funeral Services Tomorrow.
W Funeral services over the remains
of the late Mr.. Cooper will be held at
the family residence, 518 South Davis
street, at $3.50 o'clock tomorrow after
noon. Rev. R. l.. Patterson pastor of
the Willard street M. E. church, will
conduct the services, and the members
of the local posts, @. A. r., and the loo
all miners unions will be in, attend
a1Ece. The remains will be laid to rest
ankthe ottumwa cemetery.