Rikhard Olsen

ACCIDENT NO. 45. – Sept. 6, 1907. – Richard Olson, Swede, lander and bell ringer, Calumet & Hecla.

This accident occurred in No. 19 shaft-house at the collar of the shaft. The deceased was struck by the descending skip . He stepped across the shaft unnecessarily. An inquest was conducted by Justice Fisher and the following testimonies taken.

Charles Juopperi, a witness produced, sworn and examined, said: “I work at No. 19 shaft for the Calumet & Hecla Mining Co, on the Kearsarge lode. I know the deceased. He was lander and bell ringer at No. 19. I was an eye witness to the accident which happened him. I think it was shortly after two o'clock this afternoon. We (deceased) and I were both outside of the shaft house, the first skip of dirt came up and he went to land it on the north side of the shaft. When the skip was coming down Richard stepped across the shaft and the skip hit him.”

Question by Mine Inspector Dawe: "Was it necessary for him to step across the shaft?"

Answer: "No, he don't need to step across the shaft. I have seen him step across the shaft once in a while before, when landing."

• Q. "Do you know why he stepped across the shaft?"
• A. "No, I do not know."
• Q. "How long has deceased been landing there?"
• A. "A little over a year."
• Q. "Was the deceased at the brace when this happened?"
• A. "Yes."
• Q. "He was supposed to have been on top, was he not?"
• A. "Yes, he should have been."
• Q. "Are there any other ways to cross the shaft besides that?"
• A. "Yes, there are two other ways."
• Q. "Did he ring the bell for the skip to land?"
• A. "Yes, sir."

Verdict: We, the Jury, upon our oaths do say, that the said Richard Olson came to his death accidentally by being hit with a skip in No. 19 shaft, Kearsarge lode of the Calumet & Hecla mine, at 2 o'clock p. m. September 6, 1907.