Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-11-24
DEATH TO TWO MEN.
Terrible Accident in a La Fayette,
County Mine, Which Occurred
Nov. 18th.

1916. at the Kendall town mines,
near Truman, small hamlet about
eight miles from Belmont, occurred
an accident fatal IN its results to
two miners, Winfield Davis and
Daniel McDermott. The men named
were in the shaft preparing for q
blast. Four men were in the build
ing above, to whom Mr.. Davis
called to warm the dynamite pre-
paratory to its use. The deadly ex~
plOsive was placed IN close proximi-
ty to the fire. There was a sudden
squirt Of flaming sparks, and instant
ly the whole interior of the build
ing-a structure ten by forty feet,
and lined with tarred paper was in
flames. The men above fortunate
~ escaped, burned, but none with
serious injuries. Davis recognizing
the awful situation, grasped a rope
attached above, and started to
/ climb. He advanced but few feet
when the burning rope parted. Nc
Dermott, with nerve born OF the
desperate thought of a helpless
family, reached the mouth of the
shaft, and through the seething
mase of fire, escaped to open air.
only to live nine hours in terrible.
torture. The body Of Davis was
brought to the surface within an
hour after the accident occurred,
John KnotWell Of Beetown being Of
the rescuing party. Life was not
quite extinct, but departed within
a minute, death being due to suf-
location from the terrible gases.
McDermOtt had been removed to
building but few yards distant.
He was alert and conscious through
all his awful agony, and when the
lifeless body of his comrade was
brought IN; he gazed sadly upon it,
and remarked, "Oh, pard, if l was
only as you now, beyond this ter
rible suffering. But I'll soon be
with you" When the shrivelle0
rubber miners suit was removed,
masses of flesh came with it. Hair
and beard dropped away, leaving
bare the scalp and jaw-bone The
body of Mr.. Davis was unmarried.
The cOuntenance calm and peaceful,
showed no sign Of the awful expert
ence that sent him SO suddenly into.
that dreamless sleep.
McDermott leaves a young wife
and four little children, dependent
and desOlate. Mr.. Davis had five
children-two sons and three daugh-
tiers, all married except one. A
son, the eldest of the family, was
killed in a mine at Mineral Point
seventeen years ago, the children
living with Mrs. John Leivens of
Lancaster. This youngest and favor
tie sister, and brother went i'm
med1ately upon notification to the
scene of the disaster.
The remains were taken to
Mineral Point and, amid a large
concourse of sorrowing friends,
laid to rest beside his IN )ther's
grave. Mr.. Davis visited at Mrs.
Leiven's home four weeks ago. He
was we'll known here and at Bee
town, having boarded six years In
the home of Rivers Knotwell near
the latter place. His life had not
been a happy one. But he had a
kindly, genial disposition that gave
the impression Of "a cheerful buoy
ant existence. He never was known
to withhold the helping hand, and
had been known many times to
walk many miles to give lift to
the needy friend. He was a great
lover of children, and called himself
Daddy" to them all, and to my
mind, that one trait can cover a
multitude Of failures III any nature.
The untimely demise of the IN
fortunate men, is undoubtedly due
to inexperience. And it Is a matter
of frequent comment that more
lives are not lost IN these new
mines by the employment Of mon
unacquainted with the methods OF
mining and the handling of the
deadly explosives now in common
use.
Winfield Dav. was born near
Mif1in, Iowa county IN June, 1849.
His life had been spent ia Wis
consin. For the past twelve
years he counted his home Tith his,
sister, Mrs. Laivens. With the
children, three survive to mourn
his loss. The sister mentioned with
the brother William at Mineral
Point, Mrs Ben Bass of Lancaster,
Mrs. GOelz Of Beloit, and two other
sister in California.
| oh Wonderful region where all men 20.
| Yet whose JOYS in their fullness. we never
can know,