John Lakner

ACCIDENT NO. 1 - November 13th, A. D. 1905, Calumet Mine, John Lackner. This accident occurred at the 49th level, north of No. 5 shaft, Calumet Branch of the Calumet and Hecla Mine, November 13th, A.D. 1905. At five o'clock in the morning, John Lackner, an Austrian, was fatally injured by the explosion of a hole he had charged himself. He lived about one hour.

An inquest was held before Coroner Fisher.

Joseph Klaric testified as follows: "I know the deceased, John Lackner. I worked with him at the 49th level north of No. 5 shaft, Calumet Mine, was working with him at the time of the accident about five o'clock this morning. We were charging block holes. I charged two and John charged one. When we were ready to blast John went inside and I went outside. Two holes went off and then John started to come back. I called to him that only two had gone, and that there was one more, but I was too late, for just as I called to him, he was in front of the hole he had charged himself and it went off.”

Earnest Ahlstrom testified as follows: " I was working at the 49th level No. 5 Shaft this morning, when the accident occurred. I have heard the testimony of the other two witnesses and can add nothing further. I saw Lackner start back and heard his partner holler to him. He hollered just as the hole went off; I saw Lackner throw up his arm; I was standing outside with Briski.”

Verdict of the Jury: “We, the jury upon our oaths do say, that John Lackner came to his death on the 13th day of November, A.D. 1905, at 5 o'clock A. M., at the 49th level north of No. 5 shaft, Calumet Branch, of the Calumet and Hecla Mine, from miscounting the firing of three blockholes."

Mine Inspector's report for Houghton County, 1906. "Mine Inspector's Report for Houghton County, Michigan. 1906.". Hathitrust. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ptid=mdp.39015074974133&view=1up&s....

C&H records gives this man a birthdate of May 23, 1861, and his death certificate states it as Jun 9 1854.