The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1906-03-17
NOSE PETERSEN KILLED
Old Resident of Eureka Has Life
Crushed Out in the Eureka
Con. Shaft.


sen Of Spring street Eureka was killed
at the 200 level of the Eureka Con.
shaft on Ruby Hill. Whether he was
struck by a projecting water pipe he
had left hanging in the shaft. OF
whether the cage gave a lurch when
Petersen pulled the bell rope to stop the
cage to get the pipe will neve be
known. but in ONE manner he was
jammed between the shaft and the
Gag and his life was squeezed out. As
soon as the accident occurred a mes
senger was sent to Eureka for DIR. w.
+. Burnett and to notify Mrs. Petersen.
When the doctor reached Ruby Hill
the unfortunate man was dead. The
doctor made an examination Of the
body and found a wound on the back
Of the head that may have been caused
by coming in contact with the pipe.
The back and right wrist were broken
and the ribs crushed in.
Was Working in the Shaft.
The cribbing OF the Eureka Con.
shaft was completed last week aud new
guides were being put in. For this
purpose a hurricane deck boards across
the top of the cage-was Pot In to give
the shaft men the shaft in the clear for
the work being done, and Petersen and
Dohner were on the hurricane deck
when the accident occurred.
They composed the II TO z O'Clock
shift in the shaft. Part of the water
pipe in the shaft conveying good water
to the different levels was found to be
in a faulty condition aud was to be
replaced with new pipe. The two men
removed u piece of pipe and found
that the joint above would also have to
ONE out. Petersen was in charge and
and it appears he decided to leave it
until they made another trip. The
men took the u piece of pipe on top
and then went below to between the
seventh and eighth levels where they
were putting in guides. Later when
coming up again they were to get the
pipe that had been left hanging in the
shaft aud it was then that Petersen
met his death.
Coroner's Inquest.
Coroner James Williams impaneled a
jury and held an inquest over the re-
mains on Ruby Hill and the body was
afterwards brought to Eureka. A mum.
Der of witnesses were examined but the
principal testimony was given by w.
r. Dohner who was with Mr.. Petersen
at the time of the accident. After be-
ing duly sworn and testifying to the
time and place of the accident. be said /:
"We were putting in guides in the
shaft between the seventh and eighth
levels. and after finishing that set we
came back to the seventh level and
stopped there to unload u tools. Be-
fore getting on the cage again Nose
said to me, Roy, on the way. going up
stop and we will take that piece of pipe
with us. He handed me his candle.
stick, and l had my own aud the Ian
tern. Then he saidf1 was to watch
close for the pipe, and of course that
meant looking up. He was going to
attend to the bell rope and give the
signal to stop when we got there.
When we reached the chair set below
the 200 level 1 observed the pipe, and
Nose himself saw the pipe just about
the same time. Then he took hold Of
the bell rope, aud the next l saw of
Nose was when he was wedged in be-
tween the platform and the station
plate. His head and body were facing
the west side of the. shaft and tightly
wedged in there. The cage stopped at
that moment. All this time he had the
bell rope in his hand, He had a death
grip ON it. 1 tried to give the signals,
but l could not do tt on account Of tina
tension on the rope. bat the cage
slightly moved so as to dislodge him by
.elevating one end Of the platform. and
l moved the body to the lower perma-
nent platform Of the cage"
Verdict of the Jury.
1--WE. the jury impanelei to inquire
into the cause Of the death of the de-
ceased, Nose Petersen, find that he
came to his death not through the neg
lect of any parties concerned, and ex,
onerate all parties from blame" ct ..sa
The jury was composed of John Ven,
ton. foreman John G.. Kitchen. Charles
Bremenkampf. w. j.. Eathorne, e.
Phillipie. Thomas Kitchen.