Joseph Sauer

ACCIDENT No. 2 – October 12, 1912 – Joseph Sauer, Hecla mine. Joseph Sauer, a German timberman, died in the C.& H. hospital on this date from injuries he received on September 12, 1912.

An inquest over his body was held and the following witnesses examined:

Ben Campagnola: “I am a timberman, was working with deceased at time of accident. We were riding up in the car from the 7th level, No. 4 Hecla, and when nearly up to the 1st level in turning around he must have raised his head too high and was struck by the wall plate. There is a distance of about 7 or 8 inches between the top of the car and the timber. I was lying down in the car. I never get up in the car like that.”

Wilbur Larson: “I was in the car when it stopped suddenly near the 1st level. I saw him (deceased) bending over and knew he got caught between the car and the wall plate.”

Verdict: "We, the jury find that the said Joseph Sauer was injured in a timber car in No. 4 Shaft, Hecla Mine, Calumet & Hecla Mining company, on September 12, 1912. His accident resulted in a fractured spine from which he died October 12, 1912."

The Calumet News-

Mine Accident Fatal.

Joseph Sauer dies as result of broken back- Lived a month.

Joseph Sauer, aged 26 years, died at the C.&H. hospital Saturday, as a result of injuries recieved in the No. 4 shaft of the Hecla branch of the C.&H. mine one month ago. The decedent sustained a broken back.

Sauer was riding on an ascending timber var and in endeavoring to turn around, accidently raised his head too high and struck it against the "wall plate" of the shaft.

Coroner William Fisher impanelled a jury consisting of Robert M. Wetzel, C.L.C. Fichtel, A.E. Hooper, Joseph Limbach, John Nicholas, and Peter Harrington and the inquest was held Saturday evening. After hearing the testimony, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that: " Joseph Sauer was injured in a timber car in the No. 4 shaft of the Hecla mine, C.&H. mine, on Sept 12, his accident resulting in a fractured spine, from which he died on Oct. 12."

The decedent was a single man and is survived by a number of brothers and sisters. He was well known in Calumet.