Peter Modrzejewski

Accident No. 17. May 26th, Peter Madrak, employed with the timbermen at No. 4 shaft, Hecla Branch of the Calumet and Hecla mine, was killed while riding to surface in the skip with others from the 9th level. He was sitting on the back of the skip, and when near the second level was told by John McKenzie to look out for the timber and get into the skip. However, he was not quick enough and was caught between the skip and timber. He was knocked off the skip and would have fallen down the shaft had not McKenzie caught him. As it was he was crushed so badly that he died soon after being taken to surface.

An inquest was held be fore Coroner Sowden.

The jury returned the following verdict: “We, the jury, find that Peter Madrak came to his death, according to the evidence given, at the 2nd level, No. 4 shaft, Hecla mine, while riding on the skip and by being caught accidentally between the skip and the timber in back of the shaft, on the 26th day of May, 1897."

Mine Inspector's report for Houghton County, 1897. 2021. "Mine Inspector's Report For Houghton County, Michigan. 1897.". Hathitrust. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015074974828&view=1up&....

The Calumet News
May 25, 1897 Tuesday, page 4

Killed in an Accident

Peter Roethe the victim of an unfortunate mishap.

at No. 4 shaft of the Hecla.

While riding in the skip his head struck the timber above- was the support of his mother.

A fatal accident occured at the Hecla branch of the Calumet and Hecla mine this morning, by which a young man in the prime of his life lost his life. Peter Roethe, or Modjesky, was employed with the timberman at No. 4 shaft. He with 3 others were riding from the 9th level to the surface in the skip. When it past the 2nd level his head came in contact with the timbers in the shaft and he was knocked over and would have fallen down the shaft had not one of his comrades seen the accident and caught him.
The young man lived until they reached the surface and breathed his last in the shaft house. Mine Inspector Hall was notified and examined the shaft where the accident occurred. Coroner Sowden summoned a jury composed of Messrs P.J. McClelland, Mathew Williams, Edward Richards, John Berander, Christ Christianson, and John Eddy. They examined the remains and heard the testimony of three witnesses. John McKenzie, Jacob Turk and August Jacobson, who were in the skip told the story of the unfortunate occurrence materially as given above.
The jury returned the following verdict: "We, the jury, find that said Peter Modjesky came to his death accoding to the evidence given, at the 2nd level, No. 4 Hecla shaft, while riding on the skip and being caught accidentally between said skip and the timber above."
The deceased was but 22 years of age and the main support of his mother and five smaller children. His father was killed in a mine accident about 2 years ago. He was a member of the Red Jacket baseball team. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

News, The, The News, Page 4, and Mathew 1897. 2021. "Mathew Williams On Jury For Mining Accident 1897 - Newspapers.Com". Newspapers.Com. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66118140/mathew-williams-on-jury-fo....

The Calumet News, May 28, 1897 Friday, page 4

The funeral of the late Peter Roethe, who was killed in an accident at the Hecla mine last Tuesday, was held yesterday afternoon. Services took place at St. Anthony's church and the remains interred at the Hecla cemetery. The Red Jacket baseball club of which the deceased was a member attended in a body.

News, The, The News, Page 4, and Obituary Roethe. 2021. "Obituary For Teter Roethe - Newspapers.Com". Newspapers.Com. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66034869/obituary-for-teter-roethe/.