1901

1901

February 23rd 1901 – Edward Davis

A man named Edward Davis was seriously injured at Denaby Main Colliery on Tuesday February 23rd 1901. Davis was following his occupation as a miner when a fall of coal took place, and he was partially buried. Help was at hand, and the unfortunate man was extricated as quickly as possible, and conveyed to the Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital, and his injuries, which consisted of a fractured leg and other minor injuries, were attended to by Dr. Twigg.

March 17th 1901 – Williby

An accident of a serious nature occurred at the Denaby Main Colliery on Thursday March 17th 1901, to a boy named Williby, resident with his parents in Doncaster Road, Denaby Main. He was engaged as a pony-driver, and was following his employment, when he was knocked down by some loaded tubs which trailed him for a considerable distance. He was extricated as quickly as possible and first aid rendered by Mr. John Soar, undermanager.
He was afterwards conveyed to Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital by the colliery ambulance, and attended to by Doctors Craik and McClure, upon examination the unfortunate boy was found to have sustained a compound fracture of the right leg, and the left leg was fractured in two places, one being at the thigh and the other just above the ankle joint.
At the time of writing this report, he is said to be making satisfactory progress, and his injuries are not likely to prove fatal.

May 16th 1901 – William Wright

Aged 50 Collier Fall of Roof
A fatal accident occurred at Denaby Main Colliery on Thursday May 16th 1901, about 8-00 a.m.
A miner named William Wright, of Sparrow Barracks, Mexborough, went as usual to his work between five and six o´clock in the morning, and about two hours afterwards whilst engaged in getting coal a quantity fell upon him, which caused such injuries that when he was extricated he was found to be dead.
Deceased was a very steady, hard working man, having been for some years an active member of the United Methodists Free Church at Mexborough, and had been appointed to carry the Sunday School´s banner on Whit-Monday.
The body of the deceased was conveyed to his home as speedily as possible where it awaits a coroners inquest. He leaves a widow and family, the youngest of which is a boy of twelve years old.

May 24th 1901 -William Wright – Inquest

Denaby Mining Fatality -The Inquest.

An inquiry over the body of William Wright, a miner of Doncaster Road, Mexborough, who was killed in the Denaby mine on Thursday morning week, was held on Saturday last at the Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital, before Mr. Dossey Wightman, district coroner, Mr. H.S. Witty undermanager represented the Colliery Company.

The deceased´s widow gave evidence of identification, and stated that deceased was fifty years of age, and a miner. He had been employed at Denaby Main pit over twenty years. He was a healthy man with eyesight and hearing both good. Her husband was brought home dead at ten o´clock on Thursday morning.

Arthur Sheriff, a miner said he worked with the deceased, they went down the pit together on the previous Thursday morning at 5-25 a.m. He ( witness ) went straight to the working place to get coal. That was the 44th stall and was down the East Plane. He thought the deputy went through between 12 and 1-00 a.m., his mark was on a prop, and showed the place was all right. When the deceased got there he went to fetch some wood, and then he set some. They went on all right until about 7-45 a.m., when witness heard a `bump´ – he was sure it was a `bump´ – witness was holing at the time. When he heard the `bump´ he did not know anything about the accident. When he heard the `bump´ he also heard a shout for help. He ( witness ) ran to the spot. He had been working twenty or thirty yards away from where deceased was holing. He saw that it was coal that had fallen, and had come from the coal-face. As near as he could say about 30 hundredweights had fallen. It was across the deceased´s neck. Witness, together with some fillers, got the deceased out in about five minutes. He was dead when they got him out. He had one leg under him ; he was in a stooping position. Deceased was holing at the time the accident happened. Witness had not seen the place since the accident. He did not know of any slips in the roof. He knew now that there were slips, and that the fall that had killed Wright was caused through slips. He did not work under that particular spot. He had worked there for three years.

In answer to Mr. Witty, witness stated that two props were set against where the fall took place, and were three feet six inches apart.

Wilfred Newbould, a night-deputy at the pit, said he visited the place about 12-30 a.m. on Thursday morning. That was about the ordinary time, he always got there about that time. He examined the place. He looked at the sprags and they were set properly. He found everything safe as far as he could see. He gave no particular instructions to anybody. He had seen the face since the accident. He did not sound the place. The sprags then standing were the same that were standing before the accident.

Mr. Witty said the Inspector had been and seen the place since the accident.

The Coroner said if the jury were not satisfied with the evidence, he would adjourn the inquiry for the attendance of the Inspector. If he thought it necessary he should adjourn without asking them, but he did not. If the Inspector had thought anything was wrong he would have attended the inquest. No doubt he thought it was not necessary.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally Killed.”

Mr. W.C. Biggs was foreman of the jury.

The funeral of the deceased took place at Mexborough cemetery on Sunday afternoon last, Mr. Hancock of Mexborough officiating at the graveside.

May 24th 1901 – A.Deakin

A boy named A. Deakin met with an accident at the Denaby Main Colliery on Friday May 24th 1901, which resulted in a fracture of the left leg, a little above the ankle joint.

First Aid was rendered by J. Soar, undermanager, and the boy was removed in the colliery ambulance to Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital, and his injuries attended to by Dr. Huey. Deakin has been unfortunate, as this is only his second day´s work, after having recovered from a previous accident.

July 6th 1901 – Thomas Fawcett

A man named Thomas Fawcett, residing in Hirst Gate, Mexborough, met with an accident at Denaby Main Colliery on Saturday morning July 6th 1901.

Fawcett was following his usual occupation as a `trammer´ when a fall of coal took place and he was knocked against a corve. Assistance was at hand, and Fawcett was at once extricated from his awkward position. Upon being examined he was found to have sustained a fracture of the left leg below the knee, and other minor injuries.

After first aid had been rendered by Mr. W. Haigh, the injured man was taken to the surface and conveyed with all possible speed to Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital, and his injuries attended to by Dr. Huey of Mexborough.

July 24th 1901 – Joseph Cappit

Aged 22 Shunter Run over by Wagons
A young man named Joseph Cappit of Pitt Street, Mexborough, and engaged at Denaby Main Colliery as a shunter, was knocked down and run over by some loaded wagons on Wednesday afternoon July 24th 1901, whilst following his occupation. When picked up he was found to be frightfully injured and died in a few moments.

August 2nd 1901 – Joseph Cappitt

Shunting Fatality At Denaby.

A sad fatality occurred in the Denaby Colliery yard last Wednesday week evening, whilst shunting operations were in progress, a Mexborough young man named Joseph Cappit, a shunter in the employ of the colliery company being the victim. Death must have been instantaneous, the wheels on one side of three wagons passing over him.

The deceased was highly respected in the neighbourhood. He formerly had been a porter at the Mexborough, Great Central Railway station, where he was very much respected.

The inquest was held at the Mexborough Montagu Hospital, before Mr. Dossey Wightman, district coroner, on Monday. Mr. J.R.R. Wilson one of Her Majesty´s Inspector of Mines and Mr. H.S. Witty, undermanager at the colliery, were also present.

The deceased´s father gave evidence of identification.

William Parker Wells, a colliery weigh-man, stated that he knew the deceased, who was a shunter.

In answer to the Coroner, the deceased´s father said that deceased had been a shunter before.

Witness, continuing, said about 5-15 p.m. on the 24th of July, Wednesday, he was going to his work along the sidings – which was the nearest way for him to get to work – witness would be about fifty yards away from the deceased. There was an engine attached to six wagons stationary nearby. The wagons were in front of the engine, which was towards Mexborough. He saw the deceased man climb in the first wagon from him. He saw him give the signal to the engine-man to `come on´, that would be towards Cadeby. He stood in the middle of the wagon on top of the slack, with which the wagon was loaded. As soon as the train had gone about eight wagon lengths, he saw the deceased get down hurriedly, as if something was wrong. He got over the side and then let his hands go. He ( himself ) thought he had slipped.

In answer to the Inspector as to what kind of buffers they were, witness replied that they were spring buffers. He dropped across the line, and one side of three wagons ran over him. He could not account for him getting down in such a hurry.

The Coroner : Was there any jerk ?

Witness : No sir, there was no jerk at all.

The Coroner : If there was any jerking of the wagons that might account for his falling off.

The witness replied that the driver did not jerk the wagons at all. He could not account for him falling off. He did not go to him at once. He did not know if he spoke or not, but whilst he was with him he did not say anything at all ; he did not even moan. The deceased was perfectly sober.

Mr. Wilson : Was it raining ? Witness : Yes sir.

Mr. Wilson : Would the buffers be slippery ? Witness : Yes, I dare say they would be.

Mr. Biggs : Do you know what they get on the wagons for ?

The Coroner said he could tell them that, although he had not much to do with it. On the wagons they could see all over the yard, and also could get about quicker.

The witness said that seemed like it.

Samuel White, a locomotive driver, and driver of that particular engine, said the deceased gave witness orders as to what they were going to do. On the date in question he had six wagons attached to his engine, and the deceased got into the first wagon. He then gave the signal to proceed, and after going about eight wagon lengths he perceived the deceased trying to get down, and then he lost sight of him. He then saw Well´s running towards the wagons calling on him to stop. He pulled up at once.

He knew why the deceased tried to get off the wagon ; he tried to get off to get to some points which were set the wrong way to which they wanted to go by. They wanted to go on the main-line, and the points were placed from the sidings. He was perfectly right in doing that. It was the deceased´s duty to see that points were right ; he ought to have seen to them before we got to the points. He ( deceased ) was in charge of the train. Deceased was a very good shunter, was a total abstainer, and he had never heard him use bad language.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally Killed.”

Mr. W. Biggs was the foreman and the following gentlemen composed the jury :-

Messrs. F. Waddington, A. Raynor, E. Wragg, A. Thompson, A. Hayes, T. Law, H. Beresford, W. Taylor, W.H. Raynor, F. King, V. Hague and W. Vaux.

August 17th 1901 – Albert Jackson

A boy named Albert Jackson met with an accident at the Denaby Main pit on Saturday morning August 17th 1901, which resulted in a fracture of the left leg. Jackson was taken to the Mexborough Cottage Hospital for treatment.

September 17th 1901 E. Webster

Age: 18 Driver Run over by Tubs

Fatal Accident At Denaby Main Colliery.

Another colliery fatality has taken place at Denaby Main on Monday, the 17th, a young lad named Enoch Webster was proceeding to his work in the pit, when he was knocked down by a train of corves, and badly injured. He was at once conveyed to the Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital, where he died soon after admission. The lad had only been employed in the pit something like a month.

The Inquest.

The inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon, at the hospital, by Mr. Dossey Wightman, district coroner. There were also present Mr. J. Mellor, one of Her Majesty´s Inspector of Mines, and Mr. C. Bury, on behalf of the Colliery Co.

The following gentlemen comprised the jury :-Messrs. W.C. Biggs ( foreman ), W. Soar, J. Tindall, A. Hayes, G. Marshall, J. Blunt, J. Wales, W. Brooks, J. Dale, J. Venables, J. Shaw, S. Spencer, and C. Dutton.

Alvin Webster, father of the deceased, who lives at Denaby Main, stated that the deceased was eighteen years of age, said was a pony-driver. He had only worked at the pit for about a month ; previously he had worked at the glass-house. He was a healthy lad.

Harry Beech, a hanger-on, aged eighteen years, said he worked near to the

pit-bottom. He did not know the deceased except by sight ; nor did he know what deceased´s duties were. He saw him on the morning of the accident at about eight o´clock, when he (deceased ) was going in the direction of the workings and saw him five or six minutes afterwards, when he had been knocked down by the corves. He saw deceased´s pony coming back. Witness had just knocked the clips off the train, and seeing a train had stopped he shouted to Walter Kaye, asking him if he had seen a lad nearby, and he replied that he had not. Witness then said he must be underneath the corves. The corves had failed to come to the bottom, stopping about twelve yards from their destination. Witness the found deceased underneath the first tub. All the other tubs had humped together. He saw deceased taken away, but could not say whether he was dead when extricated. He did not know where deceased´s cap and lamp were found.

Mr. Biggs asked if there was a man at the bottom, to tell the deceased if it was safe to go up, and the witness replied in the negative.

Joseph Westwood, a corporal at the place in question, said he did not see the deceased knocked down. He was at that place about eight o´clock, which was the time the accident happened. Witness had been taking in a full run when he saw a run of full tubs standing, and all bumped against each other. He found deceased underneath the first tub, and he helped to get him out. He was alive, but witness did not hear him say anything ; he only groaned. He was taken to the hospital in the colliery ambulance. In his opinion the deceased had be knocked down by the tubs. There was plenty of room for the deceased and his pony to pass the moving tubs. The full tubs always came down one side.

The Coroner : You work in the pit, and we don´t. We rely upon you to give us your opinion as to how the accident happened.

Witness : I know no more about it than you do.

The Coroner : That´s the wonderful part about it.

Mr. Mellor : Is there a space of five feet between the tubs and the wall ?

Witness : Yes sir.

The Coroner : Have you ever thought about the accident, and the way in which it was caused ? Haven´t you had a pint of beer in a public-house since the accident happened ?

Witness : No sir, I haven´t.

The Coroner : That´s wonderful. If you had you would have heard all about it.

The Witness : Well I think that he must have been turning his horse round to get out of the road of the tubs, and got knocked down.

Mr. Mellor said there was a refuge hole at the same side. The lad might have tried to get his pony and himself in there.

Mr. Tindall ( a juryman ) said that the ponies came into the stables at 5-30, and were sent out again at 6-30. When the lad went to the bottom of the pit, if there was not a hanger-on there he had to wait to see if the road was safe.

The jury returned a verdict of ” Accidentally Killed.”

October 10th 1901 – H.Hobson

An accident happened to a young man named H. Hobson on Thursday October 10th 1901, at Denaby Main Colliery, in which he received severe internal injuries, which necessitated his removal to Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital, where he is progressing favourably.

November 1st 1901 – Matthew Taylor

Age :32 Collier A sudden `weight´ threw out timber, and the roof fell on him. – Died November 14th 1901.

November 22nd 1901

Fatality At Denaby Main. The Inquest. An inquest was held at the Montagu Cottage Hospital, Mexborough, before Mr. Dossey Smith, district

coroner, on Friday week, over the body of Matthew Taylor, a miner who was injured on November 1st at Denaby Main Colliery.

The Coroner said that Mr. Mellor, the Inspector of Mines, had not been able to be present, as the inquest had been rather hurriedly arranged. In regard to the Inspectorate, which was at present a trifle dislocated by the death of Mr. Wardell, the only thing for him to do was to take the evidence, and let the jury decide if they required the inquest adjourning for the attendance of the Inspector.

Mr. H.S. Witty was present as representing the Colliery Company.

Ada Taylor was the first witness called, and she stated that the deceased was her husband, and lived at Denaby, and was employed as a miner. He was thirty three years of age. He had been one year and nine months in South Africa, and had only been working three weeks. He had worked in a pit before he went to the front. ( Boer War )
In answer to the Coroner, Mr. Witty, manager of the colliery, stated that deceased had been a `getter.´
Witness, continuing, said that deceased was a healthy man. She had been married to him for six years. He was injured on the 1st November, and brought to the hospital a week ago, the previous Friday. He died on Thursday ( 14th November ) at about half past five. He never told her how he got injured, and he never said anyone was to blame in connection with the accident. He was not insured.

Patrick Keeting, said he was the deceased man´s filler. The accident happened on the 1st November about eight o´clock in the evening. They both went to work at two o´clock that afternoon. They were unloading a tram load of timber on the `sheets´ in No. 4 stall, Main Level. There was about twelve props on the tram, and they had got four or five out when a `bump´ came, and the `bags´ fell. Itknocked the `cocker´ out. Deceased was bending down to reach a prop out of the tram when the fall occurred and buried him. About a couple of tons fell. They got him out in about ten minutes. He was taken to the hospital in the colliery ambulance.

Fred Weston, a deputy, said he was in charge of the district on the day the accident happened. He went to work at two o´clock on the date in question. He did not see the place before the accident happened. He should have been there a few minutes past eight o´clock, or within a quarter of an hour of the fall. He was about fifty yards away from the scene of the accident, but he did not hear the fall ; when he reached the place they had got him out. He was sensible and said something about the affair to him. He said a `bump´ came and knocked the `cocker´ sprag out. He knew no more. That was witness´s opinion of how the accident happened. The `bump´ came from the top rock from a `slip´ ; witness did not know of `slip´ before. He had examined the place the day before, but it the sounded all right. Deceased was a very careful man.

The Coroner remarked that in many cases a `slip´ could not be foreseen.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally Killed.”

Mr. J.E. Cliff was foreman of the jury.

November 27th 1901 – Brammer

On Thursday morning November 27th 1901, a pony-driver named Brammer, whilst following his usual employment at Denaby Main Colliery, was kicked by a pony just below the eye, and sustained a nasty injury. He was able to walk home with a little assistance.

December 3rd – W.Watts

Mr. W. Watts, was injured at Denaby Main Colliery on Wednesday December 3rd 1901, when a fall of roof occurred near to where Mr. Watts was working, and a quantity of stone fell on his leg which was badly bruised and crushed. First aid was promptly rendered by officials, and he was conveyed to Montagu Cottage Hospital, where he is recovering satisfactorily.

December 9th 1901 – O.Norbron

Mr. O. Norboron, who is a foreman at the pit-bottom of Cadeby Main Colliery, met with a serious accident on Monday December 9th 1901, through falling from a ladder and sustaining a broken collar-bone, also several internal injuries. After first aid he was conveyed to Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital in the pit ambulance.

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