OBIT: Walter DIXON, 1914, of interest in Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Keith Petenbrink.

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Dixon, Walter

  TWO ARE KILLED BY FALL DOWN MINE SHAFT - Plunging down a shaft at the new 
Biesecker shaft or [at?] the Consolidation Coal Company near Jenners shortly 
after 6 o'clock Monday evening, a distance of about 200 feet. John Stevenson and 
Walter Dixon, electrician and motorman at the mine were instantly killed. Both 
men were married and leave families. Two weeks ago they entered upon their 
employment there Stevenson being transferred from Acosta and Dixon from 
Somerset. The bodies of both men were badly mangled. The contractors who sank 
the shaft used a large bucket in their work and this was continued in service 
pending the installation of a cage. It was the practice of the men to stand on 
the edge of this bucket and protect themselves from falling by clutching the 
rope used in lowering the conveyance. It would appear that both men stood on the 
same side of the bucket while being sent down into the mine and caused the 
bucket to tip to one side. In the descent the edge of the bucket struck a shaft 
timber known as a guide, the shock being so great and coming so unexpectedly 
that both men were jolted from their position and losing their grasps on the 
rope, fell to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of not less than 200 feet. The 
bucket had descended about 100 feet when the accident occurred. Not a sign of 
life was visible when fellow workmen went to their aid, using the bucket route 
in reaching the bottom of the shaft. Stevenson was about 35 years of age and has 
been employed by the Consolidation Company for some years. He is survived by his 
widow and several children. Dixon was aged 32 and was also an experienced miner. 
His widow and two children survive.

Meyersdale Commercial, Sept. 24, 1914