Antoni Kowalski

ACCIDENT NO. 34 - June 21, 1911 - Anton Kowalski, No. 6 Hecla Branch C. & H.

Anton Kowalski, a Polish watchman and sprinkler, came to his death on this day by falling into the shaft, No. 6 Hecla.

An inquest over his body was held before Coroner Fisher and the following witnesses examined:

Mike Venturino: “I work at No. 6 Hecla shaft of Calumet and Hecla Mine. I am a roller fixer. I knew the deceased, he was a watchman and sprinkler. I was not with him at the time of the accident. We were down under the 20th level, he was at the 15th. George Wawrzyniak, Joe Gametro and myself were at work there; the timber car came down and as soon as that went by we went to work. Just as soon as we started something struck Joe and knocked him down the shaft, I heard him calling and rang one bell to stop the car, and then went down to get Joe. I found him at the 27th level and I went down to the next level to get help to take him out and there I found Kowalski dead. I suppose that in falling he struck Joe Gametro and knocked him down the shaft. I don't know how Anton fell in the shaft. This happened about 25 minutes to 12. I don't think the timber car could have struck Anton as the timber car was probably six lifts below us when Joe tumbled over and it must have been Toney that struck him.”

George Wawrzyniak: “I was at work at No. 6 Hecla shaft today. I know the man who was killed. I am a sprinkler; I was working with the roller fixers at the time of the accident at the 20th level. I tend the bell when the men are working in the shaft. The timber car had gone by and Joe Gametro had one foot in the shaft and was getting ready to put a spike in when something struck him on the leg and knocked him in the shaft. He yelled and his partner, Mike, rang one bell to stop the car. We went down to look for Joe and found him at the 27th, and later found Antony at the 28th. Antony was dead. We pulled Antony out onto the level and then pulled Joe out. I don't know how Antony came to fall in the shaft."

Verdict: "That the said Antony Kowalski came to his death by falling into the shaft between the 15th and the 28th levels No. 6 Hecla Branch of Calumet & Hecla Mining Co., on the 21st day of June, 1911."