Domenico Tomasi

ACCIDENT NO. 27 — April 4, 1907 – Dominick Tomasi, Italian roller- fixer, Calumet mine.

An inquest was held on this date over the body of Dominick Tomasi. The following witnesses were duly sworn and examined.

Antony Miglio testified as follows: “I am a sprinkler in No. 5 shaft, Calumet, from the 49th to the 42nd levels. I was there at the time of the accident this morning. I was at the 49th level when the cage was coming down. When it got to the 48th I pulled the bell to stop at the 49th. When the cage got to the 49th, it checked up and two or three men jumped in and then the cage started down the shaft. As soon as it started down, I rang four or five times but it did not stop. When it got to the 50th it smashed the bridge and went on down and stopped a little below the 51st level. This was the second cage and the second cage never goes below the 49th level. When I rang for the cage to stop at the 49th, I gave it a good pull and when it did not stop, I gave four or five more good strong pulls.”

William Jenkins testified: “I am a bell-ringer at No. 6 Calumet, on surface. I was working there this morning and know of an accident happening there. I got one straight bell to stop and I gave that to the engine house and then they rang four or five bells and I said to a man who was near me, 'I don't know what they mean.' I got only one straight bell and I gave that to the engine house. After that they rang four or five bells but I did not send those in as I did not understand them. The bell works all right if it is pulled right. I have been working as bell ringer for four years and have watched the bell lots of times when it was supposed to ring and it has hardly raised enough to put a pin under.”

Charles Sundberg: "I was night shift and got in the cage to come up. When it got to the 50th level it struck the bridge that was across the shaft. That bridge was smashed and the cage was smashed. The fellow that got killed was sitting in the cage behind me and I don't know what struck him. I got struck with something, too.”

Verdict: "We find that the said Dominick Tomasi, came to his death on the 4th day of April, 1907. by the man-car coming in contact with a bridge at the 50th level. No. 5 shaft, Calumet Branch, Calumet & Hecla mine."