1955 is “Golden Year” for Happy Conisbrough Couple – Report of Accident in 1904

February 1955

South Yorkshire Times February 12, 1955

1955 is “Golden Year” for Happy Conisbrough Couple

Although her husband was killed in a colliery accident when she was only 23, a Conisbrough woman had the courage to marry another man and on Thursday her faith was rewarded when she celebrated her golden wedding.

Mrs Hetty Goodwin of 11 Bentley Street was first married to Mr George Jowitt at Mexborough Parish Church but in 1904 he was killed at Denaby pit leaving a widow and four children.
Sometime after she met Mr George Goodwin and they were married at Doncaster. Mr Goodwin is a native of Derbyshire and Mrs Goodman was born in Suffolk, but they were both quite young when they came to the district.

Asked by our reporter if he had any qualms about marrying another miner after the tragedy which had befallen her, Mrs Goodwin, a handsome old lady of 75, said that she was never afraid and Mr Goodwin observed that in 50 years working at Denaby and Cadeby colliery’s he had not had a serious accident, though he did admit to being buried “two or three times.” He will be 75 next July.
Mr Goodwin retired at the age of 65. Walking is his favourite hobby although he is “getting licked at it now a bit.” For many years he played with the Castle Club’s Panel Games side and still travels with them on away fixtures.

This Mr Goodwin have lived at the present home for nearly 40 years and have five sons and six daughters. Their golden wedding was marked by a quiet family party.

Report of the Original Accident:
Denaby Miner Buried Alive – A Terrible Death.

April 25th 1904 – G. Jowett
Age: 27 Coalminer Fall of Roof
Denaby Miner Buried Alive – A Terrible Death.

An Inquest was held on Thursday, at the Reresby Arms, touching the death of George Jowett, twenty seven, a miner employed at the Denaby Main Colliery, who was killed at the pit on Monday night. Mr. D. Wightman, the district coroner presided, and there were present, Mr. G.W. Wilson, Assistant Inspector of Mines, Mr. C. Bury, manager of the colliery, and Mr. A.H. Barnard, agent to the colliery company.

Kitty Jowett, wife of the deceased, said he was twenty seven years of age, and was employed as a coalminer. He was a healthy man, and his eyesight and hearing were good. He was killed at his work on Monday last.

Wm. Bradley, filler of the deceased, said he went to work at two o’clock on Monday afternoon. They had been working about five hours when the accident happened. Witness was filling a tub, a deceased was setting a prop. The deputy had been to examine the place about four thirty, and he found it perfectly safe. He did not know whether he (Deputy ) ordered him to set the prop. He made no complaint. Witness was about four yards from the deceased when he heard a fall of roof. He went to him. Deceased was covered by a big fall. They got him out six hours later, dead. Witness did not know of any fault or slip existing.

In answer to the Inspector, witness said the place was well timbered, and there was plenty of loose timber about.

Enoch Sheldon, one of the deputies, said he examined the place in question about four thirty that day. The deceased man Jowett, and the previous witness were working at the time. He could find no fault, but the was a broken prop, and witness asked deceased to set another. He did not think that he was doing this when the accident occurred. He heard of the accident at 7-00 p.m., when he had just finished his round. He went to the place, and found there had been a large fall of roof. The deceased was under it. They endeavoured to get him out, and they were able to speak to him up to ten o’clock, at which time witness thought he died. There was seven or eight feet of dirt on him. In his opinion deceased had suffocated. There was a large lump of coal on his face, and witness took a pick and broke it off, but the small stuff came down on top of deceased.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally Killed.”