Joseph Nigra

Houghton County Mine Inspectors Report

FATAL ACCIDENT NO. 52 – September 14, 1908 – Joseph Nigra, Calumet & Hecla Mine. An accident at the 52nd level of No. 6 shaft Calumet & Hecla resulted in the death of Joseph Nigra. At the inquest held over his body, the following testimonies were taken:

Charles Dextrom: “I work for the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company. I was working yesterday at the 52nd level, No. 6 shaft Calumet. I knew the deceased, Joseph Nigra, I was working with him at the time of the accident which caused his death. He was a timber-boss and I worked in his gang. At about half past three yesterday P.M. we were hoisting a leg on top of the battery. We had the tongs on the piece we were hoisting and we let it rest on top of the battery so as to put the tongs farther back. Nigra took the ladder and went up and moved the tongs a little farther back, then he came down and stood on the foot and called “hoist up," and as soon as they started to hoist the piece came down and struck him on the back. The tongs slipped off the leg as soon as they started to hoist. We have a chain to put around the logs to hoist them in place but we used the tongs on this piece.”

Charles Demaria, who was working with the same gang corroborated the above testimony.

Verdict: "That the said Joseph Nigra came to his death on the 14th day of September, 1908, from injuries received by being struck with a piece of timber, which was being hoisted in place at the 52nd level of No. 6 shaft, Calumet & Hecla Mining Company."