John E. Payne, aged 31, employed in running a machine drill at Doe Run Lead Co.'s shaft, No. 9, was crushed to death when a rock about three feet long, eighteen inches wide and eight inches thick, fell on him from the roof of the mine about 11:30 Friday morning.
An inquest was conducted by Coroner English Saturday afternoon. The company was represented by Attorney E. A. Rozier, and the deceased's relatives by Attorney W. E. Coffer.
Sam Smart and Frank Politte, employed as miners, their duties being to keep the roof of the mine in a safe condition, testified that just before going to dinner Friday morning they had made the roof of the mine secure at point where Payne had indicated to them he desired to set up his drill. The accident happened about twenty feet from this point. They did not know why Payne did not drill at that point. Mr. Smart stated that before going to dinner he had discovered loose rock at the place the accident happened, and intended working there after he returned from dinner. He did not notify anyone of the dangerous ground discovered.
Other miners employed at this shaft testified that the south end of the mine, where the accident happened, was considered dangerous, owing to a fissure on "slip" in the roof of the mine. They said that only two roof men were employed on day shift and none on night shift. They did not think that two men could keep the mine in a safe condition.
Payne lived about three hours after the rock fell on him. His skull was injured and he was crushed about the back and abdomen. In speaking of the accident he said that he had thought the roof was safe at the point he set up his drill.
The coroner's jury returned the following verdict:
"Deceased came to his death by rock falling on him while engaged in his occupation as driller in No. 9 shaft of the Doe Run Lead Co. We further find roof of said mine was in a dangerous condition, owing to the fact that an insufficient number of miners were employed to keep the roof in a safe condition. We further find that the miners employed neglected to warn deceased of the dangerous ground they had detected at the place where he met his death."
Deceased was a son-in-law of J. P. Kerns. He resided at Leadington, and is survived by his wife and four children, Andrew, aged 7; Bertha, 5; Fred, 4; and Lena, 2. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Wilson of Esther. Interment was made at Russell Chapel.
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