Miner Meets Fate, James Burgess-1902

BURGESS, KING

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 8/19/2019 at 22:05:50

Lehigh Valley Argus, Lehigh, Iowa, Friday, January 17, 1902, Page4

Miner Meets Fate James Burgess Dies From Injuries Received Last Friday.
~
Was Hit on The Hip by Piece of Coal.
~
Thrown by The Explosion of The Blast Which He Fired.

Another name is added to the list of those who have met their death in the mines of Lehigh. James Burgess went into the Webster County Company's mine last Friday morning as healthy and strong as ever and was brought out soon after dinner, only to live a few hours.

It is not known exactly how the accident occurred, but it appears that Mr. Burgess and his fellow workman, James King, had placed a shot in the coal just before they went out to dinner. The squib was lighted and the men left the place, and went down the roadway to dinner.

They did not hear the shot explode, and Burgess, who finished dinner first, went to see what was the matter. He found that the squib had gone out, and lighted another. After waiting some length of time, and on investigation he found that the second squib had gone out. He lighted the third squib, and again stepped back out of danger, but after waiting some time decided that the third had gone out and started back toward the shot again.

When about thirty feet from it the the (sic) shot exploded and a piece of solid coal weighing about forty pounds, struck him on the left hip, tearing the flesh and slivering the bone A slight bruise was found on each shoulder but no other injuries were received.

He was carefully placed in a car by the miners who were nearby and heard his cries for help, and taken to the top, and thence to his home on the east side of the river. Dr. Evans was called and upon examination found his wound was fatal. He received his injuries at 12:30 and lived until 4:30 that evening. A coroner's jury was empaneled by Constable L. T. Oleson, consisting of Sid J. Backus, J. C. Retallick and A. M DuBois. Coronor McCreight came down from the county seat Saturday morning and held the inquest. The testimony of ten witnesses was given and the jury gave the following verdict: "We the jury find that James Burgess came to his death accidentally by a shot in the mine of the Webster County Coal and Land Co."

James Burgess was born in Belvadier, Illinois, July 4th 1857 and died at his home in Lehigh, January 10th 1902, aged 44 years 6 months and 6 days. He came to Webster county with his mother 23 years ago and settled at Border Plains. His father died when he was 7 years old. He has lived in Lehigh the greater part of the time since he came from Illinois. He leaves an aged heartbroken mother and two brothers. One brother lived in Busbee, Arizona, when they heard from him last March, the other brother they have not heard from in years, and both the brothers whereabouts are unknown.

Mr. Burgess was a highly respected man and was untireing (sic) in his efforts to please his mother and gave the best part of his life for the care and comfort of her. He was his mother's comfort and stay and now that he has been taken from her she feels forsaken and alone. The sympathy of the community is extended her in her overwhelming sorrow.

The funeral services were held in the Sacred Heart church at Ft. Dodge Sunday, conducted by Father Healan and the Interment took place in the Catholic cemetery there. A large concourse of friends from here followed the remains to its last resting place.