Mathew John Williams

Mine Inspector's report for Houghton County, 1908.

FATAL ACCIDENT NO. 14 - January 15, 1908 – Matthew Williams, Hecla Mine, C&H. Matthew Williams died in the C.&H. hospital on this date, from injuries received Dec. 18, 1907, while in discharge of his duties as a miner. An inquest was held over his body and the following testimonies were taken:

Alfred Richards: “I work for the C.&H. Mining Co., at No. 3 shaft, Hecla Branch. I knew the deceased; he was my partner. I was at his side at the time of the accident, Dec. 18, 1907 about 1:30 o'clock. We were working at the 25th level, No. 3 shaft. We had been working and the hole we were drilling was fitchered. We blasted it and Williams was stooping over to put the drill in the hole again, when the rock fell and struck him on the back of the head and knocked his head down on the drill, and the drill was thereby driven into his throat. The rock came from about 4 ft. above his head in the back and weighed probably 200 lbs . I had been working under it, all the forenoon and had sounded it twice during that time and was well satisfied it was alright. I think possibly when we blasted the fitchered hole it loosened the rock. I, then got him to the hospital as soon as I could.”

Dr. Davis: “I am a practicing physician for the C.&H. Mining Co., and was called to attend deceased, when he was brought to hospital on 18th of Dec. 1907. The main injury was a wound underneath the jaw, measuring as far back as you could feel with your finger. The next morning, we sewed it up, but the effort to swallow was such as to tear the wound apart, and we did not sew it up again. He got on very nicely until about two weeks ago when in the wound, erysipelas developed, which poisoned his whole system, and being weakened by the accident, the poisoning was such that he did not recover from it."

Verdict: "The said Matthew Williams came to his death on the 15th day of January, 1908, by injuries received on the 18th day of December, 1907, at the 25th level, No. 3 shaft, Hecla Branch of the Calumet & Hecla Mine, by an accidental fall of rock."

Mine Inspector's Report For Houghton County, Michigan. 1908. Hathitrust
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015074974117&view=1up&....