Mine Shaft Tragedy

DOKELSTEIN, ELWANGER, HEEB

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/26/2013 at 08:00:46

Dubuque Herald, July 9, 1859

Wednesday, about noon, a boy names Philip Dokelstein, fell into a shaft owned by Mr. Elwanger, somewhere in the northern part of the city. In the fall both of his arms were broken and as the shaft was sixty feet deep, it was a wonder he was not killed instantly. He lay there 24 hours in a condition alternating between excessive pain and insensibility. At the expiration of this time he was discovered by some miners and carried to his home near Heeb's Brewery. He lingered until Thursday, in great agony, when about noon he died. He was aged about 14 years and the affliction is peculiarly a sad one to his friends.

It is to be hoped that something will be done to prevent the recurrence of such accidents. It is nothing less than criminal negligence to leave a shaft unprotected by barriers and the severest punishment should be meted out to anyone, who, through carelessness is instrumental in producing any such casualty as that just given.

Dubuque Herald, July 10, 1859

The boy who was killed by falling into Elwanger's shaft was buried at 5 p.m. Friday.