Anthony Rader

Accident No. 24. - July 24th. This accident occurred at the 15th level, No. 2 shaft, Hecla mine, by which Antony Rader lost his life.

An inquest was held before Justice Fisher.

Peter Peck testified as follows: “I work at No. 2 shaft, Hecla mine, fixing rollers. I knew the deceased, have worked with him since the first of June and was present at the time of the accident, between eight and nine o'clock last night, at the 15th level, He and I were changing two rollers about fifteen feet apart. He took the top rollers and I the bottom one. The skip was coming up at the time. I got out of the way to let it pass, but think Rader must have stopped too long. He knew the skip was coming. I think the bale of the skip must have struck him on the leg. He was carried up about 20 feet and then rolled down about 10 feet. He was resting on the sleepers and was living when I got to him, and told me to get him out. The skip ran about nine levels and then stopped. The watchman was about a level below me and came and helped me to take Rader out.”

The jury returned the following verdict: “We find that Antony Rader came to his death, July 24th, 1899, between the hours of eight and nine o'clock p. m. by being accidentally struck by an ascending skip at No. 2 shaft, Hecla mine, 15th level, while in the performance of his duty.”

"Mine Inspector's Report For Houghton County, Michigan. 1899." Hathitrust, 2021, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015074974802&view=1up&....