Fatal Mining Accident. (August 7, 1876)
Letter 40
FATAL MINING ACCIDENT.
A Man Struck by a Bucket and Precipitated 250 Feet In the Leopard Shaft.
Cornucopia, August 4.
Editor Silver State:—Yesterday morning AN AWFUL ACCIDENT occurred here in the Leopard mine (the first total accident that has occurred in this place), and as the State wants the latest news from this place I give you by the first express the substantial facts in relation to the matter.
Yesterday morning, about 7 o’clock, W. A. Scott, a mechanic who attended to the timbering of the shaft, which is a little over 500 feet deep, was lowered in the bucket with two other men to WITHIN ABOUT 260 FEET of the bottom of shaft No. 1 to a platform in the shaft (it appears they timber up from the bottom) and got on to the platform; Scott in the center and the two other men on the ends. The signal was then given by a bell to raise the bucket out of the way. It was raised about 15 or 20 feet, and then signaled to stop. It remained in that position about five minutes. The brakeman, a Mr. Bishop, some way or another disadjusted the clutches without securing the brake, when down went the bucket, which weighs about 500 pounds, STRIKING SCOTT ON THE HEAD and driving him through the platform, which was constructed of inch boards, and he went down to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of 200 feet. Undoubtedly he was instantly killed. The other two men saved themselves by clinging to the sides of the shaft, and it is a great wonder how they done it.
The above are THE MAIN FACTS as elicited from witnesses sworn by D. Bassett, Esq., acting as coroner. The verdict of the jury is that deceased’s name was W. A. Scott; aged about 28 years; that he came from Chicago; and that he came by his death by the brakeman carelessly letting the bucket fall on his head. Bishop has been discharged from his place; but that does not restore the life of poor Scott. By the foregoing we can see the result of the carelessness of incompetent men. Scott was known here by most all persons, and highly esteemed as an honest and faithful man. The funeral takes place to-day at 3 o’clock p. m. It is about express time and I will close. Yours truly, S. M. H.
Originally published in the Silver State on August 7, 1876. (link)