The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1909-12-10
DISASTER INQUIRY
CORONER'S INVESTIGATION OF
CHERRY MINE DISASTER
HAMPERED
GROSS VIOLATION OF LAW
FlFTEEN-YEAR-OC BOYS LACK
OF JUDGMENT CAUSED
HOLOCAUST

Cherry, Ill.,, Dec 4-Testimony was
introduced at the coroner's inquest
into the Cherry mine disaster this
morning tending to show the fire was
started by Mat Francisco, an inexper-
fenced boy of Is, who was working in
the mine in alleged violation Of the
child labor law. Francisco himself
was on the stand and stated that he
had pushed the car of hay that caught
fire to the elevator shaft leading to
the third vein and left it standing
close to a blazing torch, which ignit-
ed It, The lad said 1t was the first
bale Of hay he had ever been requir-
ed to handle, and no one in authority
in the mine gave him instructions as
to what to do with it.
LAW WAS VIOLATED
The authorities consider this testi-
mony of the greatest Importance and
say 1t justifes the opinion that the
child labor law was freely violated in
the Cherry mine, to the great danger
Of the miners
Reluctant admission late today by
Fred H. Buck, clerk In the Office Of
the ST. Paul mine, that he talked with
Alexander ROsenjack, missing wit
ness, who it is believed can clear up
the mystery surrounding the hOlO-
caust, was the climax today in the in
teresting developments in the investi
CATION by the coroner and the state
investigating committee.
Buck told the jury he had seen
Rosenjack here last night and not
withstanding he knew the coroner
wanted him at the inquest, made no
effort to advise the authorities Of
his whereabouts.
PRIVATE BUSINESS"
Bucks father, who has charge Of
the mine office, had refused to answer
questions pertaining to Rosenjack's
whereabouts He told the coroner he
refused to answer because he thought
1t private busienss," and added IF
you people want Rosenjack, you will
have to get him"
What is your best judgment of
his whereabouts?" the coroner asked
I'm the United States" said Buck.
Give us your worst judgment
then" said the coroner
I'm England" answered Buck.
The son was summoned before he
could communicate with his father,
and followed the latter on the witness
stand.
the outskirts Of Cherry Friday night.
will you state what your conver-
sation was"
mo, sir"
"You knew the commission and the
coroner wanted this man, did you
not?'
"Yes, sir"
did you inform Rosenjack OF this"
asked the coroner.
mo, sir; did not" answered Buck.
"He already knew it."
AFRAID TO BE SEEN
What did he state as to his OBJ
Iections to appearing here and giving
his evidence?" asked the coroner.
He did not say anything except
that he is afraid to show his face In
Cherry"
Buck stated that after the meeting
with ROsenjack he went to Ladd In
carriage that brought him to the out
skirts of Cherry, and that he had no
knowledge Of his whereabouts since.
Mrs. Jessie Love, sister Of Robert
Deans, another missing witness, who
it is charged was spirited away after
the fire, testified that Deans told her
the fire started from a blazing torch
hung where an electric light ought to
be, and that he saw Alexander Rosen-
jack trying to extnguish the fire with
his Jacket Mrs. Love testified that
her brother was taken from home In
an automobile after he was sent for
by the mine officials and had confer
red with them.
SHE is SATISFIED
Are YOU satisfied asked mem
Der of the mining commission, "tha
somebody furnished our brother with
money to enable him to stay away 50
lOng?"
You bet am" said Mrs. Love.
"He had no money; had rot even
drawn his last two weeks pay II
somebody had not taken him away,
he never would have lett Cherry
The inquest will be resumed Mon
day.
c. G. w. Ry. Deal Is Recorded.
Chioooo Illinois Record WAS filed