Joseph D. Salotti

Accident No. 7. On December 2nd. Jacob Link and Joseph Salatto, who were employed to look after the rollers in No. 9 and 10 shafts, South Hecla Branch of the Calumet and Hecla mine, met with an accident fatal to Salatto. Link was changing the rollers about fifteen feet above the 8th level and Salatto went down about five feet below the 8th level to look at the rollers there. He found the roller's all right and went up to the 8th level and stepped on the platform on the south side of No. 9 shaft. In getting upon the platform he lost his balance and fell back into the shaft. He fell from the 8th to the 25th level, a distance of 1700 feet, and was dead when found. The body was taken immediately to the surface, and an inquest held before Justice Fisher. The jury finding that, "Joseph Salatto came to his death by falling backward into No. 9 shaft at the 8th level, South Hecla mine, and we consider it purely accidental.”