Amador ledger., 1903-09-25
FATAL ACCIDENT
AT ZEILA MINE
Joseph Gregor Falls 700 Feet in the
Zeila Shaft. = Gloom Cast Over the
Whole Community at Tragic End.

An accident which sent a thrill of
horror through the community hap
pened at the Zeila mine on Thursday
evening, causing the instantaneous
death of one OF the oldest and most
efficient employees. About clock the
skip was ascending the shaft, full of
employees who were through with their
days work. Among them was JOS
GregOr, shift boss and timbermap
Gregor with two others was standing
on the edge of the skip, holding on to
the cable, while the skip was filled with
employees. This is the usual way of
lowering down or hosting men from
the mine. About half way up, on this
particular trip, il was noticed that
something was amiss with the bell wire.
This wire is small cable, about a
quarter of an inch in diameter, and
composed of a number of strands of
small wires. 1t is the only means of
communication between those in the
shaft and the engineer. Even while in
the act of ascending the shaft it is pos
sible in case of emergency to signal to
the engineer by means of the bell wire.
Above the 700 level it was realized from
the amount of slack that the wire had
parted some distance above. 1t became
at once source Of danger to those rid
ing on the skip. While there is a
pliancy about the cable, there is also
sufficient stiffness about it to cause it
to remain in the shaft and coil up as
the skip continued to ascend There
was the bell wire in the other compart-
ment, but this was beyond reach.
There is no doubt the unfortunate VIC
tim realized the situation, and tried to
avert the disaster which followed.
The precise way he lost his balance
and fell is not known. He was riding
on that side of the shaft where the
broken wire would cause the most dan
ger. Whether in trying to push the
slack wire away, or whether he en-
deavored to escape by the centre brace,
we cannot say. He was noticed to fall
backward, and disappearin in the shaft.
The shaft is an incline, over 1900 feet
deep. Death, or at least unconscious
ness, probably ensued before the victim
had fallen many feet. The body went
into the sump, which contained con-
siderable water. The skip was lowered
as soon as possible. Some articles of
clothing belonging to deceased were
found at the 900 level. The work of
unwatering the sump was prosecuted
with all possible speed, and about nine
O'Clock the body was recovered. The
news OF the sad event spread over the
town in few minutes, and at the time
the body was brought to the surface,
crowd of people, estimated at several
hundred, gathered at the mouth of the
shaft, mournfully watching the pro-
ceedings. The remains were mutilated
sadly, especially about the head. They
were taken to the deceaseds residence
on Stump street, near Marre's hotel.
Deceased was 80 years of age, native
of England. He leaves wife and two
children, the Oldest girl of ten years,
the other boy five years old. Mrs.
Gregor was distracted with grief when
the terrible news was broken to her.
For some time she was hysterical
Deceased had been working at the
leila for over sixteen years. He was
an expert workman, and one of the
trusted employees of the company. He
was moreover universally esteemed by
his fellow workmen. His untimely and
tragic end has cast a gloom over the
community such as has not been ex-
perienced for years.
Coroner Huberty is holding an in
guest this afternoon as we go to press.
The jurors were out this morning to
view the body, and also at the mine.
Some of them went down the shaft and
examined the bell wire. To all out
ward appearance the wire was sound,
and its defective character could not
be detected until revealed by break.
The funeral is announced to take
place tomorrow afternoon. Deceased
was member OF the X. of P. and A
o. U. w. organizations. He was also
a member of jackson Miners Union,
w. F. of NJ, of which organization he
was elected a trustee at the election
held last month.