Inquest at Denaby – John William Wood

An inquest was held yesterday at the Reresby Arms Inn, Denaby Main, before Mr. Disney Wightman, coroner, on the body of John William Wood, who died on the previous day from the result of an accident which befell him in the colliery on Tuesday. Mr. Chambers represented the company, and Mr. Gerrard, her Majesty’s Inspector of Mines, was also present.

Aaron Wood, a miner residing at Tickhill-street, Denaby, said he was the father of the deceased, who was 17 years old. His son was employed as a “rope runner,” and lived with him (witness). Deceased was injured on Tuesday and brought home. His son told him that the rope gave a jerk, and he was run over by a corve. He died at one o’clock the following morning. He said he was riding on the rope and was jerked off; he was dragged for some distance in front of the tub. Witness did not know whether the deceased had a right to ride on the rope or not.

George Freeman, a lad employed at the colliery, said he knew the deceased. The accident happened a “snap” time at ten o’clock. He heard Wood shout, “Oh dear!” when he was a few yards away from him. Witness did not go to deceased immediately. He went to the spot then, and saw deceased dragged from under the tub. The second corve was on him, but he did not know whether the first one had passed over him or not. The first tub was off the rails. The injured lad was sensible, but did not say how he had got underneath the corve. He had frequently seen the deceased riding on the chain. Deceased was always riding on the chain, and he had seen him riding on the rope that morning.—By Mr. Gerrard: The deceased had passed a good many times that morning, perhaps 18 times, but he only saw him riding once. He had both his feet on the ropes, and sat on the front corve. He always sat in that position when he rode.—In answer to a further question, however, witness said he had sometimes seen the deceased riding with his feet on the rope and grasping the front of the corve. Deceased was more often to be seen riding on a full tub or on an empty one. He had told the deputy many times of the occurrence; the last time he had seen him was about two or three weeks back. The deputy he told was named Silas Schofield. He did not tell the deputy himself, but the lamp carrier did. He did not know what the deputy said.

Robert Ogden, a “corporal” at the pit, said he knew the lad well. He saw deceased riding before the accident occurred. Deceased came down with a “run” of corves. He had seen him riding both with full corves and empty ones. When he was riding on the full corves he would jump on the top. The lads had been warned many a time not to ride. The last time he saw the deceased ride was on Tuesday, the day he was killed. Witness told him that he must not ride, and informed the deputy many a time about his riding. The latter told the lad not to ride. They caught the deceased riding on the Monday; he said he would not ride when he was told about it.

Silas Schofield, a deputy employed at the colliery, said he last saw the deceased ride on the corves on Monday morning. He had not seen him riding many times. On Monday he was on the tubs, and witness told him he was not to ride, but to pull at them when they were passing a corve. He saw the deceased ride only once before in a place where he should not ride. He had not been told that the deceased was in the habit of riding. Freeman had not told him about the lad’s riding. He never made an entry at all of the matter.—By Mr. Gerrard: He did not report the matter to the manager; it was two or three months ago when he first saw the lad ride. Ogden had never mentioned the matter to him until Wednesday, when he said he had seen the lad get on the corve, and had cautioned him about it. That was after the accident had happened. He knew the lamp-carrier in that district; his name was Daniel McGrath. The latter never made use of the words, “Silas, Wood is riding again,” as stated by the witness Freeman.

Ogden was recalled, and, in answer to the Coroner, said he did not tell the deputy that the lad had been riding, but the road runner. The deputy caught him on Monday, and he promised that he would not do it again.—By Mr. Gerrard: He told the boy of the matter.

The witness Schofield said he did not know why Ogden should have made this statement unless he was mistaken.

The Coroner: It gives rise to the probability that you may have been mistaken.

Mr. Gerrard said Schofield had no power to deal with a breach of a rule. It was the deputy’s duty, clearly and unmistakably, to report to the manager, who was responsible for the carrying out of the rules and regulations. If the manager did not know what went on in a colliery he would be liable to be led into error.

The witness Freeman was recalled, and stated that Schofield was the deputy to whom he heard the lamp carrier complain concerning the conduct of the deceased in riding on the chain. He was about 20 yards away from him at the time. Schofield was close to the lamp carrier and said he would complain of the deceased if he rode on the chain again. The lamp carrier’s name was McGrath.

Mr. Gerrard, addressing the deputy, said he had unmistakably failed in his duty.

Schofield said the engine was not going on Monday when he saw the deceased on the corve.

By the Coroner: If he (witness) had not been present the deceased would probably have ridden all the way up. He only went three or four yards.