Franciszek Wlazły

ACCIDENT No. 7 – November 7, 1912 – Frank Blitz, Calumet No. 5. Frank Blitz met his death on this date by falling into the shaft.

At the inquest held over his body before Justice Fisher, the following witnesses testified:

Robert J. Thomas: “I work for the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company in No. 6 Calumet Shaft as an electric pump man. I knew Frank Blitz, he was a sprinkler. The last time I saw him alive was about twenty minutes to half past four o'clock yesterday afternoon; we had just completed our shift and were waiting for the cage at the 37th level. When we went back to the shaft to get the cage, he was missing. His coat was hanging up near the shaft. The little door opening from the ladder road was open; this door was between the two shafts to keep the draft from playing up and down. The ropes to keep any one from walking across the shaft were up. Albert Ruttinen went down the shaft to look for him but could not find him. Then we both went down to look and found him just above the 39th level. I don't know how he came to be in the shaft. His station was at the 37th level. He had to pass the ladder road but there was no danger in going through the door. The ladder road was in good condition. We found him in the south shaft.”

Albert Routtinen: “I work at No. 6 Shaft of the the Calumet & Hecla Mine, as a pump man at the 49th level. I knew the deceased. I was at the 37th level yesterday afternoon. We were on the north side waiting for the cage, and I called to Blitz to come over and sit down with us, but he said he was going out to watch for the cage, and he went over between the shafts. We were sitting there at the curve and paid no more attention to him. When it was time to go up we went out to look for the cage and missed him there. We thought maybe he would come, his dinner pail and coat were hanging there. When he did not come we went to look for him. I went down alone first to the 38th level but could see nothing. We found him about 5:30. I don't know how or why he got into shaft."

Verdict: "We find that Frank Blitz came to his death by falling into No. 5 shaft, Calumet Branch, C.&H. Mine, between the 37th and 39th levels about 4:30 P.M., on the 7th day of November, 1912."