John Thomas Rundell

Houghton County Mine Inspectors Report 1907

ACCIDENT NO. 25 – March 18, 1907 — John Rundell, English miner, Hecla Branch, C. & H. An accident at No. 2 shaft of the C. & H. mine, on this date, caused the death of John Rundell. An inquest was held on March 19th, when the following testimony was taken:

Dominic Pricco testified: "I work for the C. & H. at No. 2 shaft. I knew John Rundell, was present at the time of the accident, about ten minutes to 12 o'clock last night. I was coming from the 35th level, he was coming up and was just a little below the 36th level. The skip started to come up and I saw Rundell coming up through the shaft and called to him to look out, but the skip caught him right at the 36th level. He tried to grab the rope...He was coming up to get his dinner."

Pascoe Hoskin testified: "I work at Hecla No. 2 shaft. Knew the deceased, he was my partner. We got through just a little before 12 and started to go to eat. I filled my lamp and went into the shaft and went up to the next level. We were working about twenty-five feet below the 36th level. I had just got to the 36th when the first witness said “there is someone in the shaft." I looked and saw my partner just ready to step out of the shaft when the skip came up and caught him. Pricco immediately rang the bell and the skip stopped. I ran up and took Rundell in my arms and took him out to the level. He just made a little move. The skip passed over him."

Verdict: "We, the jury, upon our oaths, do say, that the said John Rundell came to his death on the 18th day of March by being caught by the skip at the 36th level in No. 2 shaft, Hecla Branch of the Calumet & Hecla mine, while coming up the shaft, the skip passing over him."