Matija Bahor

Accident No. 6. December 1st. - Matt Baghar, an Austrian, was killed in the 20th level, south of No. 2 shaft, Tamarack mine, by a fall of vein rock. Baghar was working with the timber gang.

Matt Schneller, boss of the timber gang, testified as follows: “We were working at the 20th level south of No. 2 shaft putting up timber to keep the hanging wall rock in place. We took our tools up into the stope and I looked over the stope very carefully to see that there was no loose ground above us. Matt Veder and Baghar each took a crowbar and pinched down the loose ground for two hours. We cleaned all that was loose but one piece of vein rock and that we could not get down. The deceased said the ground was all right and would not fall, but we tried again to get it down We could not see any crack in it. We then started to pull up the timber and put one timber in place. Baghar was standing at the foot of the timber, when the rock fell, killing him.”

Three other witnesses corroborated the above statement.

An inquest was held before Justice Fisher.

The jury returning the following verdict: “Matt Baghar came to his death on the 1st day of December, 1896, by an accidental fall of vein rock in the 20th level, south of No. 2 shaft, Tamarack mine."

The Calumet News, Dec. 3, 1896 -
The funeral of Mat Baghor, who was accidentally killed at the Tamarack mine Monday afternoon, was held this morning. The services were held at St. Joseph's church and the remains were interred at the Hecla cemetery. The Austrian society, of which the deceased was a member, escorted the remains to their last resting place.

Contributor: Mizzizzippy (48842038)