The Osceola Mine Fire, 1895

The Osceola Tragedy: A Blaze Ignites Despair

September 7th, 1895, a date etched in the annals of Michigan's Copper Country, not for progress or prosperity, but for unspeakable tragedy. In the heart of this rugged landscape lay the Osceola Mine, a beacon of industry, now transformed into a crucible of sorrow.

At the stroke of 11:30 that fateful morning, a spark ignited the inferno that would consume lives and shatter families. Fire, a relentless adversary, took hold at the 27th level of the No. 3 shaft, a harbinger of devastation yet to unfold. In a realm where danger lurked in the shadows, miners, accustomed to adversity, sought to quench the flames with desperate resolve.

But the flames, insatiable, defied their efforts, devouring the wooden braces with merciless fervor. Panic ensued as thick smoke, an ominous shroud, engulfed the shaft, choking off escape and instilling terror in the hearts of those trapped below. Amidst the chaos, valiant attempts to flee were thwarted, dreams of survival dashed by the relentless advance of the inferno.

By 12:30, the truth became undeniable as billows of smoke billowed forth, a grim testament to the unfolding tragedy. At the surface, anguished families, their hopes waning with each passing moment, gathered in grim vigil, their prayers drowned out by the roar of flames below. As the day wore on, despair settled like a heavy pall, casting a shadow over the once bustling mine.

In a desperate bid to contain the blaze, the shafts were sealed, a futile gesture against the relentless fury of the inferno. Yet, amidst the chaos, a poignant reminder of lives lost lingered in the dry house, where 30 suits of unclaimed clothes hung as silent witnesses to the tragedy that had befallen.

Days passed, each one a torment of uncertainty and grief, as smoke thwarted attempts to reach the entombed souls below. It was a harrowing five days before the air cleared, granting passage to brave souls who dared to venture into the abyss in search of the lost.

As the dust settled and the magnitude of the loss became clear, a community united in grief mourned the souls lost to the merciless embrace of fire. In the wake of such devastation, questions lingered, hearts shattered, and the echoes of tragedy reverberated through the rugged landscape, forever altering the course of history.

The Lost

1. *Bickle, Richard Henry
2. *Bryant, William
3. *Cudlip, John
4. *Curtis, Thomas
5. *Dahl, Emil Walter
6. *Daniell, Alexander
7. *Donald, William Henry
8. *Glad, Johan Mattsson also listed as Frans Wilhelm Mattson, aged 17. Possibly from Tervola, Finland.
9. *Grenfell, Richard Thomas
10. *Harrington, James D.
11. *Haara, Isaac
12. *Hellner, Bernard alias Barney
13. *Johns, Robert
14. *Jóźwiak, Antoni
15. *Lander, Francis, Jr.
16. *Malmstrom, Peter Oskar
17. *Mathisen, Mikael alias Michael Mattson Lievonen
18. *Peardon, Frederic Charles
19. *Połcyn, Michał Michael Poldra in death record.
20. *Rasimowicz, Józef alias Joseph Rasec
21. *Rystwik, Stefan
22. *Rosiński, Andrzej Listed as Richard Rosinski in death record. Alias Andrew.
23. *Shutte, Michael
24. *Słota, Józef
25. *Słota, Michał Brother to Jozef.
26. *Strandgaard, Peter Olai
27. *Trembath, Richard
28. *Vrbanac, Venceslav
29. *Vuk, Mike
30. *Williams, James

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The real names of the victims of the Osceola mine disaster. —We have already mentioned countless times about the terrible catastrophe that happened at the beginning of the current year of the month at the Osceola Mine near Calumet, Michigan, and passed on faith, the telegraph. Say the Press Association, the names of the victims, among whom there were also Poles. Of course, as is often the case, the Polish surnames given by the Americans were twisted and therefore uncertain. Currently, Mr. J. Wieczorkiewicz Calumet, Michigan provides corrections and a complete list of the victims of that catastrophe, Poles.

The list is as follows:

1) Antoni, Jóźwiak, a trade unionist, the remaining wife and 6 children.  

2) Andrzej Rosiński, trade unionist, second son and 7 children.
3)Józef Rosimowicz, member of the Union, wife.
4) Stefan Rystwik, wife.
5) Józef Słota, had a wife in an old country and had 2 children.
6) Michał Słota, brother, single.
7) Michał Polcyn, single.
So, Seven Poles died.

SOURCES:

• Various newspaper articles Jeriecki, “Tales of Michigan”
• Annual Report of the Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics, Vol. 21, 1904
• Michigan Mine Disasters
• Mfhn master search
• Hathitrust
• Genealogical death index
• Mfhn
• Michigan Vital Records