Joseph Kocjan

FATAL ACCIDENT NO. 16 - January 17, 1908 – Joseph Kocjan, Hecla Branch, C.&H. Mine.

An inquest was held over the body of Joseph Kocjan, when the following testimony was heard:

William E. Daniell: “I am in charge of the mining department of the Hecla Branch of the C.& H. mine, and know of the accident happening to Joseph Kocjan, at the bottom of No. 6 shaft, just below the 68th level, from the information I received from the shift-boss, they dumped on the 60th level, the skip was on the gate piece at the 60th. They rang to hoist and the skip went part of the way between the 59th and 60th, when the pin must have cut off and the skip pulled to one side and pulled one strap off and then the other, and the skip went to the bottom. The man who was killed was working with 3 others in the bottom of the shaft running the machines. They were on the north side of the shaft. They had a rock pentice over their heads. The skip shot off to the north and knocked out some timbers at the north side of the pentice and the timber and dirt went down on the men, killing Kocjan. The bottom of the shaft is about 58 feet from the level. The pin cut right off at the hub. The pins and straps were all examined 2 or 3 times a shift and oftener if the skip is new."

Verdict: "That, the said Joseph Kocjan came to his death on the 17th day of January, 1908, while pursuing his usual occupation as miner in No. 6 shaft, Hecla Branch of the Calumet & Hecla Mines, by the center pin to which the bail of the skip is attached breaking, thereby allowing the skip to descend to the bottom of the shaft just below the 68th level, where the deceased was working."

Source:
Mine Inspector's report for Houghton County, 1908.
"Mine Inspector's Report For Houghton County, Michigan. 1908."
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