William George Allen

24. August 15, while George Allen and Edward James, miners, were working in the rise stope above the 33rd level north of No. 5 shaft, Franklin Mine, Allen was killed by an explosion of a blast.

An inquest was held before Justice Perry of Franklin Township.

Edward James testified as follows: "Allen and myself fired three holes about 4 o'clock this morning. Allen went north and I went south to prevent anyone from passing under the holes that had been fired. Two holes went off and we waited about five minutes expecting the other hole to explode, and then went up into the stope. Allen was about thirty feet ahead of me when the explosion occurred and was instantly killed. The delay of the explosion of the third hole was due to the fact that it had about four feet longer fuse than the other two holes."

The jury rendered the following verdict: "We find that the said George Allen came To his death at the 33rd level north of No. 5 shaft, Franklin Mine, in a rise stope, by accident, caused by returning to the holes he was blasting before giving them the necessary time to explode, this 15th day of August, 1896."