OBIT: James MURPHY, 1903, Portage, Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ Cambria Freeman Ebensburg, Pa. Friday, September 4, 1903 FATAL ACCIDENT AT A PORTAGE MINE A fatal mine accident occurred near Portage yesterday morning in which one man was killed, five others injured, three seriously by a fall of roof in a heading of the Hopfer mine of the Derry Hill Coal Mining Company. The accident is peculiar in its origin and happened as the men were going into work. The dead: James Murphy, Portage, aged 59 years and married. The injured: John Murphy, aged 21, son of James, hurt about the head and legs - may die. Gus Johnson, aged 45, married and living in Portage, injured about the head, condition very serious. William McCandlas, aged 25, living at Portage, back hurt, condition serious. John Denny, aged 22, living at Portage, both legs injured, body bruised and head cut, severe but not serious. Claude Conrad, aged 18, residing at Portage, foot injured slightly. The six men started into the mine about 7 o'clock, riding in one of the small mine cars used to convey coal to the tipple. When inside some distance a car jumped the track either accidentally or because a mule pulled it off the rails, and then the trouble began. The car struck a roof prop, which was weak at that point and knocked it out. The support given by the post being removed, a large portion of the roof tumbled down on the car and its occupants, killing James Murphy and causing the injuries of the five other men.