Blackburn, Jas.

BLACKBURN

Posted By: Renee L Rimmert (email)
Date: 2/3/2019 at 19:48:20

Appanoose Times
Thursday, February 24, 1881

Death in a Mine

Last Monday Mr. Jas. Blackburn, a highly respected citizen of Numa, and well known in this county, met his death by a fearful fall into the coal shaft near that town, known as the Huston mine. He was temporarily engaged in hoisting some coal and was lowering a cage when it lodged in the guides some way allowing the rope to slack; observing this, he took hold of the rope when the cage, probably of its own weight, fell and the slackened rope jerked him in. He fell head downward and was killed instantly.
Our informant, Mr. John Winn, Jr., states that he was terribly bruised and crushed. Deceased was about 40 years old and leaves four children. We understand he had some life insurance which will probably be enough to prove of some benefit to his children. His sudden taking off has greatly shocked the entire community, as he was generally and favorably known.