John Penberthy

ACCIDENT NO. 48— June 14th, 1905. — John Penberthy, a miner employed in No. 8 shaft, South Hecla Branch, 41st level of the Calumet and Hecla Mine, was fatally injured by a rock falling down the shaft striking him on the head causing his death about thirty hours later.

An inquest held before Coroner Fisher.

Valentine Klobucharich testified as follows: "I am employed by the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company. Was working at the 47th level of No. 8 shaft, South Hecla. I knew John Penberthy, we have been partners for eight or nine years. I was working with him when he was injured. We got through drilling yesterday morning, and he left me to go to the south side of the shaft for powder. I stayed inside and took the machine down, I waited for him to come back, and when I thought he was too long I went to look for him. When I got close to the shaft, I saw him lying on the south side of the shaft right in the middle of the tram-car track three or four feet from the shaft. We went over and picked him up. There was very little life in him. He never spoke. I do not know how he got hurt. I think that just as he crossed the shaft, they must have dumped a car farther up and a rock came down and struck him. The ground above him was perfectly safe. In dumping cars lots of rock fall down the shaft."

August Hahto testified: "I work at the 47th level, No. 8 shaft, south Hecla, Calumet and Hecla Mine. Have known John Penberthy for ten years. Know of his getting hurt yesterday. I did not see him get hurt. I went with the previous witness to pick him up. I think a rock must have come down the shaft and struck him."

Dr. George M. Rees testified: "I made an examination of the deceased and found the skull badly fractured; the bone being splintered in very small pieces."

Verdict: "We, the jury, upon our oaths do say, that the said John Penberthy, came to his death on the 14th day of June, 1905, at the 47th level of No. 8 shaft, South Hecla Branch of Calumet and Hecla Mine and from the evidence, by being struck with a rock coming down the shaft while crossing from the north to the south side of the shaft."

Mine Inspector's report for Houghton County, 1905. "Mine Inspector's Report for Houghton County, Michigan. 1905.". Hathitrust. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ptid=mdp.39015074974141&view=1up&s....