Olof Norman

ACCIDENT No. 1 - October 3rd. This accident occurred in the drift at the 48th level, north of No. 7 shaft, Hecla Branch of the Calumet & Hecla Mine. Olof Norman was caught by a rock falling on him from the back of the drift, striking him on his neck and shoulder, injuring his spine. He died in the cage while being taken to surface.

In inquest was held before Coroner Fisher. Charles Johnson, partner of the deceased, testified as follows: “When the rock fell on Olof Norman, I was stooping down to pick up rock to throw back out of the drift and Olof was standing on the side of the drift. We had pinched down some rock before, and I went to get a sledge to break up the rock, and while I was away. He was pinching down some loose rock. I came in and broke up the rock, and just put the sledge away to throw the rock out when the rock fell on Olof. Just before I went for the sledge, I sounded the rock that fell and it seemed perfectly safe. The rock fell from the back of the drift. It was about four feet wide and four and a half feet long and fifteen inches thick. The rock fell about seven feet."

Verdict of the jury: “We, the jury, find that the deceased, Olof Norman, came to his death October 3rd, 1901, by a rock falling accidentally on him while at his work in a drift in the 48th level, north of No. 9 shaft, Hecla Branch, of the Calumet & Hecla mine."