Franz Laurencic

ACCIDENT NO. 19 — March 11, 1904. — Frank Laurenchich was fatally injured at the 32nd level, No. 5 shaft, Calumet Branch of the Calumet & Hecla Mine, by being struck by either the skip or the pry, while trying to put the skip on the track, crushing the bones of the pelvis and causing a rupture of the bladder. He was taken to the Mine Hospital, where he died on the 14th.

An inquest was held before Coroner Fisher.

Captain Patrick Kerns testified as follows: “I know of the accident that happened on the 11th of March to Frank Laurenchich. The skip was off the track at the 32nd level of No. 5 shaft. I was at the 50th level when word came down that the skip was off the track. We went up as quick as we could. Our men and four or five others were trying to put the skip on the track. I got on top of the skip. The other men had a pry under the nose of the skip to try and raise it on the rails. I could see that it was pretty tight. The nose of the skip was against the roller, and as they released it with the pry it made a jump and went up the shaft. The deceased was right in front of the skip. The skip was full of rock on its way up when it got off the track. When the skip was freed the tautness of the rope took it up the shaft. I do not think it was the skip that struck him; think it was the pry that struck him. The pry they were using was made of hardwood and was made for the purpose of putting skips on the track.”

Dennis McCarthy testified as follows: “I am shaft-man at No. 5 shaft, Calumet Mine. I was present at the time of the accident. When we got the signal that the skip was off the track we went down, we came from the 11th level. The skip got off the track at the 42nd level and came up to the 32nd before it stopped. When we got there we tried to lower the skip and get slack rope. It would not lower, so we tightened the rope again and put the pry under the nose of the skip. When we pushed on the pry, the skip made a jump up the shaft, I should judge about four feet. Whether it was the pry or the bale of the skip that struck the deceased I did not see. I think it was the pry. The accident happened on the 11th of the present month.”

John Misica testified as follows: “I work for the Calumet & Hecla Company at No. 5 shaft; was there last Friday morning when the accident happened. I have heard what other witnesses have said and can add nothing further. The skip was off the track, and when we lifted it with the pry it made a jump, and Laurenchich was struck. He tried to lower the skip first.”

Verdict of the Jury: “We find that the said Frank Laurenchich came to his death on the 14th day of March, 1904, resulting from an accident at the 32nd level, No. 5 shaft, Calumet Branch of the Calumet & Hecla Mine while in the act of placing the skip on the track, either being struck by the skip or the pry, on the 11th day of March, 1904."

Mine Inspector's report for Houghton County, 1. (2021) Mine Inspector's report for Houghton County, Michigan. 1904., HathiTrust. Available at: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015074974158&view=1up&...