Henry Dower

23. Henry Dower, a miner employed in the stope at the 36th level south of No. 6 shaft, Hecla Branch of Calumet & Hecla Mine, was killed by a large piece of vein rock falling upon him. An inquest was held before Justice Fisher.

Richard C. Parson, a partner of the deceased, who was the only one in the stope with Dower at the time the accident occurred, testified as follows: My partner and I worked under the rock that fell upon him from about 7:30 o'clock in the evening until 12 o'clock, and we had no thought of it not being safe. Our partners worked under the rock that fell, the day before. They had drilled two holes and we had drilled one hole and had started another when the rock fell, striking Henry Dower on his back just below the neck, fracturing the spinal column."

The jury rendered the following verdict: "We find, after viewing the remains and hearing the testimony of the witnesses, that the deceased was accidentally killed by a piece of vein rock falling upon him in the south stope of the 36th level at No. 6 shaft, Hecla Branch of the Calumet & Hecla Mine, on the 3rd day of August, 1896."