Gilpin observer., 1904-08-04
TWO MEN
MEET DEATH
In the Cook Shaft Last
Friday Afternoon.
ROBERT M. VAUGHN AND M
A. SWANSON HORRIBLY
MANGLED.

Robert M. Vaughn, graduate OF the
Golden School OF Mines, Glass OF 1904,
who was captain and pitcher of the ball
team representing the school this year,
and Martin A. Swanson, well known
miner, were killed in the Cook shaft on
Bobtail hill, at 4:4O Friday afternoon, as
result OF a mysterious accident.
Swanson was a machine man, and
Vaughn was his helper. They were com
ing off the day shit, and were the last
two men to come up on the cage, being
the only men left in the nine at the
time.
Engineer Tom Beattle was hosting
the cage. Just below the 800-foot sta.
ton he felt jar, which indicated that
the cage had struck something, and he
stopped it as quickly as possible.
An examination Of the cage showed
by its battered sides that something had
happened, and upon further investiga
tion the two men we're found in the sump
at the bottom of the shaft, about 800
feet below where the cage had been
stopped.
The cause OF the accident may never
be disclosed, as the two unfortunate men
were the only ones on the cage. One
supposition is that in some manner Swan
sons left foot caught between the cage
and the wall, dragging him between the
timbers, and that Vaughn either at
tempted to catch him or was caught by
Swanson. Both We're crushed between
the cage and side Of the shaft, their
bodies falling to the bottom of the shaft
This theory is supported by the fact that
Swanson's left boot was crushed in such
manner as u indicate that it had
caught between the timbers and the
cage, as the heel was torn off the boot
1t also developed that on the cage with
the men were some machine drills, which
were afterwards found in different parts
OF the shaft, and these might possibly
have gotten away from the men, become
crossed in the shaft and have caused the
accid ,nt. Both bodies were horribly
manglsd, the tops of the heads OF the
two men being torn Off Brains were
found sticking to the sides OF the shaft,
and death must have been instantaneous.
The bodies were removed to undertak.
ing establishments in this city.
Coroner Asquith impaneled jury on
Saturday, composed OF the following
gentlemen: William Woods, Oscar Will
iams, James Hambly. John Richard. Ho.
ratio Hazard and Joseph Jones, who
brought in the following verdict: THAT
the Cook mine is exhonerated from all
blame and that the death OF the men
was due from an unaccountable acci-
dent"
Martin A. Swanson was 30 years OF
age, was born in Sweden, and had been
a resident OF this country for 10 years
He was man OF good habits and popu.
lar in this section. He was member OF
Gilpin Lodge No. 5. Knights OF Pythias,
Scandia Lodge No. 60, l. o. o. F. of
Black Hawk; also Calanthe Temple No.
"a, Rathbone Sisters, and was filing the
position OF financial secretary Of Central
City Union No So, w. +. NJ. for The
third year. The deceased had no known
relatives residing in this country, his
father and other relatives who survive
him, being in Sweden, The funeral oc-
Cured Sunday afternoon from Knights
Of Pythias hall under the auspices OF
the above orders. Interment was in the
X. OF p. cemetery.
Robert M. Vaughn was 90 years OF age.
and his parents reside in Clearlield,
Iowa. He graduated from the School OF
Mines this summer and was one OF the
most popular young men OF that institu.
ton. He had been 10 the county for
about six weeks, coming here to do some
surveying work and to get practical
knowledge OF mining during :he sum
mer months. His parents in Iowa we're
notified and the body was shipped to
the family home for interment Monday
afternoon.
The Cook property is being operated
by the Gregory and Bobtnil Mining com.
pany, with o. d. Thompson as manager.
and every precaution was taken to in
sure the safety OF miners employed.
FURNITURE. STOVES AND CARPETS
ba r. A,lc.co. E,....ss..~ ~.