Sad Death of a Denaby Miner

January 1894

Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 12 January 1894

Sad Death of a Denaby Miner

An inquest was held at the Arms, Denaby Main, on Wednesday, upon the body of Josiah Parton, aged 21, at Denaby Main Colliery, who injured himself in the pit on Thursday, the 4th Inst., by lifting a tub that had got off the road, and who died from such injuries on the 6th inst.

Mr. D. Wightman conducted the enquiry which was attended by Mr witty, manager of the Denaby Main Colliery Company; Mr James Mellors, of Wakefield, assistant inspector of mines; Mr Blackburn, on behalf of of the mines Permanent Relief Fund.

The jury was composed as follows:

Messes a not see that Meggitt (foreman), William Perseglove, J Rothery, J Hammond, S Spencer, G Watts, B Chambers, J Searle, J Unstone, A Darwent, J Peters and T Weston.

The first witness called was William Parton, father of the deceased, living at Denaby, said that on 30, the fourth instant, a son came home to dinner at about 3 o’clock. When he entered the house he had his hands pressed against his body, and he said to witness his wife, “Mother, I do feel bad.” Witness asked, “What’s wi thee lad? And the deceased replied, “I have hurt my side.”

At that time witness did not ask him how he had hurt himself, but on Friday night deceased told witness that he had tried to lift a tub of the road and had hurt himself in the attempt. Witness sent for a doctor on Friday night, but he did not attend, and shortly before he came on Saturday morning, the deceased expired.

The lad continually complain of the bed and got gradually worse until he died. As far as witness knew he had never injured himself beforehand, and always been a strong, healthy lad. The deceased blamed nobody for the injury he had received but himself.

In reply to H.M.Inspector of Mines, witness said that he himself arrived home before deceased. Witness worked in the same district as the son, but he saw nothing of him as he was leaving the pit. The accident had not been reported to the manager of the colliery because they did not think it was so serious.

Samuel John Oliver, a pony driver, in the colliery said that the deceased was his carpal. On Thursday, between 11 and 12 o’clock, witness was bringing a “run” down. He had two tubs got off the road. Deceased came to his assistance, and the first tub was got on, but when they were written trying to lift the second tub the deceased hurt himself. He said, “Oh! I have hurt my side,” and put his hands to his side.

He then went away, leaving witness with the tub off the road, and he was obliged to get the filler to help him on with it. When he started again he came on the deceased about 50 yards further up the road at the top of 36’s gate. Witness spoke to him and asked him if he was bad and he said he thought it would drop if he rested. Witness saw deceased again about giving over time as he was leaving the pit. They were trying to lift the tub in the ordinary way

In reply to the Inspector the witness said that the tub would contain about 11 cwt of coal, and itself weighed about 4 cwt. The deceased was lying down two hours, and during that time witness did not see a deputy visit that district.

Thomas Lamb, head Corporal, said he had occasion to go up five’s gate to remove some dirt about 12 o’clock, and when he came down he saw the deceased in a kneeling position at the bottom of four’s gate. Witness said, ” What’s to do wi’ ye?” and he replied, “I have hurt myself badly.” He then asked him to about ten or twelve yards with witness to light him, as he had lent his lamp to a lad. Deceased did not comply, at once, but presently he got up and tried move. He only went a few yards, when he reeled against the side of the road sad said, “I can’t go any further.” Witness said, “Sit down, and see if you get better, and put my shirt round you.” Deceased sat down, but did not take witness’s shirt as offered. Witness was obliged to leave him, but returned in a few minutes, when, however, the deceased had gone away.

By Mr. Mellors: Did you think it your duty to report the case? Witnees : No

Not when a man was in such great pain? – No.

And do you mean to say that after you left him you didn’t make it your business to see how he was getting on? – I didn’t

And do you think it was right to leave your fellow workman there, although you knew he was Suffering?-I went back to look for him, but be had gone, consequently I thought he had got better, and had been able to go about his work.

A Juryman : Its seems a strange thing, Mr. Coroner, that this man should have been left  all that time, about two hours, with nothing done for him.

The Coroner: You have the explanation of that is that the deceased evidently thought it would wear off after a bit, and so made no complaint about it to the officials.

In summing up, the Coroner said there appeared no doubt the death of deceased was due to rupture, caused by accident. It was unfortunate that he had not received any medical attendance prior to his death, but that was probably because neither deceased, not any of his friends deemed the injury so serious as it proved.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death               .”