John Carpenter Rapson

FIRE UNDER GROUND.

Hecla Copper mine on Fire Disastrous Prospects.

Five Men Overcome in Attempts to Reach the Flames - A Miners Heroic Devotion - Great Fear and Excitement.

Hancock, Mich., Oct 8. - Saturday night fire was discovered in an idle portion of the Hecla branch of the Calumet and Hecla mine, in the eleventh level between number 3 and 4 shafts, where for several years wooden wedges from timber were made. The accumulation of chips and shavings, partly saturated, with oil, through some unknown cause, became ignited. Several men sent down, Saturday night, to use the hose, were driven back by the smoke. Thomas Gribble was suffocated and could not be rescued. Sunday morning John Rapson, with three other volunteers, descended to examine the pumps and attempt to rescue Gribble's body. After going a short distance, they were driven back. Rapson was overcome. He was seen to fall back, but his comrades could not return to him. Other volunteers, among them R. Berryman, descended to attempt to recover Rapson's body. Three men were overcome. Berryman made strenuous efforts to save his comrades. He ran to the draft for air, and returning threw the three men into the car. Then he ran out again for more air, and returned and rang the bell. The car raised the three unconscious men. Berryman was almost exhausted. The recovery of the three is doubtful. There is danger of the fire reaching the large tramway, which is saturated with oil, and may conduct the fire to the other levels. The extent or progress of the fire is unknown. The mine is filled with smoke. The shafts are being closed to prevent a draft. Great fear and excitement prevail. This is the first underground fire in the Lake Superior copper mines, and the first suspension of work in this great copper-producer since the strike of 1872. The mine is heavily timbered throughout with pine, which is very inflammable. A large gang descended to fight the fire.

Marquette, Mich., Oct. 8. - At 3 o'clock Monday afternoon the fire at the Calumet and Hecla mine was still burning, although somewhat under control, as the men on the surface had succeeded in battening the shafts and winzes in which the flames are raging. At this hour also fifteen men were taken out alive through the main shaft, but all efforts to reach the remaining fifty men had so far been of no avail. There are no dangerous gases in this mine and no fire could be fed by them according to the statement of copper mines. There are a number of men in the lower levels, but as plenty of air can be got to them but little apprehension is felt as to their ultimate escape. Work is suspended at the mine, all the shafts being closed, and the most strenuous efforts are being put forth to subdue the flames.

Claire, Eau, and Page 4. "Clipping From Leader-Telegram - Newspapers.Com". Newspapers.Com, 2021, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78589594/leader-telegram/#. Accessed 1 Nov 2021.

"Michigan Marriages, 1822-1995", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCV4-9TT : 18 February 2021), John Rapson, 1860.

"United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHHL-SB1 : 29 May 2021), John Rapson, 1870.

"Michigan Births, 1867-1902," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQCS-FTB : 20 February 2021), John Rapson in entry for Samuel Rapson, 03 Feb 1870; citing item 2 p 267 rn 1249, Ossipu, Houghton, Michigan, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,297,926

"Michigan Births and Christenings, 1775-1995", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4L2-LZ2 : 16 January 2020), John Rapson in entry for Selena Rapson, 1875. (Cecilia Rapson)

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWSC-46V : 19 February 2021), John Rapson, Calumet, Houghton, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district ED 10, sheet 500C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,254,581.

"Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3V3-R68 : 18 February 2021), John Rapson, 04 Oct 1884; citing p 300 rn 122, Calumet, Houghton, Michigan, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,363,673.

"Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHBN-V9C : 23 February 2021), John Rapson, 1884.

"Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQ3K-XXN : 18 February 2021), John Rapson in entry for Charles Messner and Cecilia Rapson, 28 Apr 1897; citing Marriage, Raymboultown, Houghton, Michigan, , Citing Secretary of State, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 4207940.

"Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQ3K-846 : 18 February 2021), John Rapson in entry for John Rapson and Susanna Erickson Moulqries, 11 Dec 1897; citing Marriage, Calumet, Houghton, Michigan, , Citing Secretary of State, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 4207940.

"Wisconsin Marriages, 1836-1930", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRLH-BVF : 30 January 2020), John C Rapsden in entry for Alexander Remillard, 1900.

"Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFQT-ZZZ : 13 March 2018), John C Rapson in entry for Thomas H Rapson, 13 Aug 1929; citing Pontiac, Oakland, Michigan, United States, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing; FHL microfilm 1,973,055.

"Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CLZW-QT3Z : 1 June 2020), John Carpenter Rapson in entry for Samuel Carpenter Rapson, 16 Aug 1931; citing Death, Minnesota State Department of Health, St. Paul.

"Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KF4K-2LK : 13 March 2018), John Rapson in entry for Catherine Boase, 22 Jan 1937; citing Highland Park, Wayne, Michigan, United States, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing; FHL microfilm 1,973,162.

"Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFSJ-RHF : 13 March 2018), John Rapson in entry for John C Rapson, 02 Oct 1941; citing Flint, Genesee, Michigan, United States, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing; FHL microfilm 1,972,707.

"Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CY6L-7GMM : 1 June 2020), John C. Rapson in entry for Lavinia R, Smith, 24 Apr 1955; citing Death, Minnesota State Department of Health, St. Paul.

"Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZRQ-XP1D : 10 September 2021), John Carpenter Rapson, ; Burial, Calumet, Houghton, Michigan, United States of America, Schoolcraft Cemetery; citing record ID 227143271, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.