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MINE INJURIES FATAL TO BURDETTE POLK

Burdette Polk, 23-year old Elvins man, was fatally injured on Tuesday morning [May 16, 1950] while at work at the Hayden Creek shaft west of Frankclay, and died that afternoon at the Bonne Terre Hospital without regaining consciousness.

The accident happened at 8:30 o'clock. Burdette was engaged in loading out rock which had previously been blasted, and his partners, Marvin Hahn and Chester Weston, were on the rock pile. When the can was loaded they gave the signal to hoist it to the surface. Herman Starnes, another worker, noticed that the can had cleared the loading mechanism and gave the signal to hoist. About half the way up the can struck one side of the shaft, and evidently jolted a piece of rock from the can. The rock fell about 300 feet and struck young Polk, causing a skull fracture.

The injured man was immediately brought to the surface and rushed to the hospital where death occurred at 1:30 p.m.

Mr. Polk, a veteran of World War II, was a son of Marvin Polk of Elvins, and had been employed by St. Joseph Lead Company for three years. He was married on January 8, 1949, to Miss Mary Lou Simms of Flat River, who is employed as cashier for the F. W. Woolworth Store in Flat River. He also leaves his father and mother and a grandmother, Mrs. A. W. Polk of Elvins, other relatives and many friends.

Burdette was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elvins, where funeral services will be held on Friday, May 19, at 2 p.m., conducted by his pastor, Rev. Roy Lambert. Interment will be in St. Francois Memorial Park with Raymond Caldwell & Son Service. The body is lying in state at the family residence in Elvins.

[The Lead Belt News, Flat River, St. Francois County, Missouri, Friday, May 19, 1950]

Burdette Alexander Polk, only son of Marvin B. Polk, was born in Elvins, Mo., on January 26, 1927, and departed this life on May 16, 1950, aged 23 years 3 months 20 days.

On January 8, 1949, he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Simms of Bismarck, who survives him. He also leaves to mourn his passing his father and mother, his paternal grandmother, Mrs. A. W. Polk of Elvins; four uncles, three aunts, other relatives and a wide circle of friends.

Burdette graduated from Elvins High School with the class of 1945. He served his country in the armed forces during World War II and was stationed in Germany. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1947. The past three years he has been employed by the St. Joseph Lead Co., and met his death in a mine accident while working for the Company.

At an early age he professed faith in Christ and united with the First Baptist Church in Elvins. He was well known throughout the Lead Belt area and was loved by all who knew him.

Funeral services were held on Friday afternoon, May 19, at the Elvins High School Auditorium, conducted by hs pastor, Rev. Roy Lambert. Interment was in St. Francois Memorial Park. Pallbears were former school classmates and his fellow workers were honorary pallbearers.

[The Lead Belt News, Flat River, St. Francois County, Missouri, Friday, May 26, 1950]


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