Giuseppe Giusti

ACCIDENT No. 27. - - July 18, 1903. Joseph Guista, a trammer employed at the 25th level of No. 5 Shaft Franklin Mine lost his life by riding on the side of the skip. Guista and his partner were going to surface. Paul Tinmann and Samuel Monticello got on the skip and Guista rang the bell to hoist, and got on the side of the skip. When up about 15 feet his head was caught by the hanging rock of the shaft. An inquest was held before Coroner Fisher.

Paul Tinmann testified as follows: “I saw Joseph Guista when the accident happened. The skip came down to the 25th level, and Joseph Guista stopped it. Then he rang to hoist and jumped on the side of the skip. When it was hoisted up about 15 feet his head was caught under the hanging rock in the shaft."

Samuel Monticello testified: "I was riding in the skip with the deceased. He was my partner. After Joe rang to hoist the skip, I saw him get on the side of the skip. I saw he was in danger and told him to look out for the hanging. I saw he was too far out and warned him. Just as I spoke his head struck the hanging. I warned him in the Italian language.”

Verdict — "We the jury upon our oaths do say that the said Joseph Guista came to his death on the 18th day of July, A.D., 1903, while riding in the skip near the 25th level No. 5 Shaft Franklin Mine, by being struck by the hanging rock in the shaft, after being warned of his danger.”