John Peter Schulte

ACCIDENT NO. 13 - Jan. 3, 1907 - John R. Schulte, German. Roller-fixer, Calumet mine.

This accident occurred in No. 2 shaft of the Calumet Mine, at the 55th level.

An inquest was held before Coroner Fisher and the following persons, being duly sworn, testified as follows :

Joseph Petritz: “I work in No. 2 shaft, 55th level, Calumet Mine. I knew John Schulte. We were working in the shaft, repairing the track. I was there at the time of the accident, about half past nine. I was standing in the track with one foot on the roller and the other in the shaft and Schulte was standing by me, we were prying out the old spikes from the rail, when one of the men hollered that a piece was coming down, but the piece was there as soon as he spoke. It went over me, but struck Schulte. It was a piece of eight-inch flat timber. It came down the shaft. Don't know where it came from. It struck him in the shoulder, killing him instantly."

Louis Dell'Angelica: “I knew John Schulte. Was working with him. I was about 50 feet above him. I heard the piece coming and called out, but do not know whether the timber was above or below me when I called. As soon as the timber came down, I went down. They were calling for help. I went down and felt Schulte to see if he was alive, but he was dead. The piece that fell was about 7 or 8 feet long, eight-inch flat timber. I did not know at the time where it came from, but heard later that it came from the timber truck.”

John Beard testified: “I was working at the scene of the accident this morning. I have charge of a timber gang. We had a truck of 8-inch flat timber. We put the tongs on the first piece to pull it out and as the end swung around it lifted another piece which slid down and broke the bottom pin on the truck and the piece went down the shaft. This was about half past nine. I suppose this was the piece that caused the death of John R. Schulte. It had rained the night before and the timber was all covered with ice."

Verdict of the Jury: “We, the jury, upon our oaths do say, that the said John R . Schulte came to his death from the evidence given, by being struck by a piece of flat timber at the 55th level, No. 2 shaft, Calumet Branch of the Calumet & Hecla Mine on Jan. 3, 1907."