Josip Prpic

ACCIDENT NO. 23. February 26, 1909 - Joseph Prpic, Calumet Br. C.&H. This accident occurred at the 49th level south of No. 4 shaft Calumet. A fall of vein rock causing the death of Joseph Prpic.

At the inquest held before Judge Fisher, the following testimony was taken:

Richard Wills: "I am a miner. I knew deceased who was a trammer. I was present at the time of the accident. The deceased was filling a car when this piece of ground, turned out on him, he was up on the foot. We examined this ground the first thing this morning and thought it was alright, it looked safe enough. The ground as it fell struck our air pipe and broke it and the escaping air blew out all our lights. One man in the level had a light and closed the valve. When we got our lights, we found deceased under the rock. There was no blasting done there today. We had just started to stope there. It was vein rock, a piece about 4 feet long by two or three feet wide and about eight inches thick. The stope there is about 12 feet high."

Chas. Messner: “I am a miner. I examined the rock this morning and sounded it but could see no crack.”

Alphonse Blanchette: “I am timberman-boss of the gang. I was present at the time of the accident to deceased, but can tell nothing further than the other witnesses."

Verdict: "That, the said Joseph Prpic came to his death on the 26th day of February, 1909, by being caught by an accidental fall of vein rock at the 49th level south of No. 4 shaft, Calumet Branch of the Calumet and Hecla Mine."