St.
Clair County Obits
JAMES HARVEY MOORE
The Pittsburg Daily Headlight December 2, 1899
MINER KILLED
James Moore, an Employee of Beck's Coal Mine, Killed By a Fall of Rock.
James H. Moore, a miner employed at C. A. Beck's mine, was caught by a
fall of slate this afternoon and killed. He was at work in his room at
the time and was down on his knees digging and while in a stooping
position the large rock which would weigh about two tons fell and landed
on his back and forced his head and shoulders down between his feet. The
rock rested partly on a pile of rubbish which prevented him from instant
death. W. A. Cooper, another miner who worked in the adjoining room,
heard the fall and Moore's smothered cries for help. He rushed to his
assistance and when he got to him he was unable to speak but he was
breathing heavily and was in a conscious condition. Cooper summoned help
as quick as possible but nothing could be done for the unfortunate man
until jack screws could be procured and a trip into the city had to be
made before they could be had. Moore gradually stopped breathing and
within fifteen or twenty minutes life was extinct. The accident happened
about two o'clock and it was ten minutes past three before the body was
got out from under the awful weight. No bones were broken nor were there
any bruises to speak of. His face, however, was black showing that life
had been crushed out of him by degrees. The body was taken to the home
of W. A. Cooper, 311 West Forest avenue, where he boarded. He was a
brother of Dan Moore, employed in the Durkee Coal company at Weir City
and also a wife and three children living in Doty, Missouri. They were
notified by telegram of the accident immediately after the body was
taken out.
The rock is what is known among miners as pot rock, and there is no
guessing its thickness, as the sound is very deceiving when struck with
a pick or hammer. Moore had thirteen cars of coal out for his days work
ready to go up to the top and would have knocked off work for the day
within twenty or thirty minutes longer. Justice Campbell was summoned as
acting coroner and visited the scene and viewed the body and after an
investigation into the fact decided that no inquest was necessary. He
found the mine in splendid condition and safe in every particular.
