Annual Report of the Secretary of Internal Affairs of the Commonwealth of PA
by Pennsylvania Bureau of Industrial Statistics, Pennsylvania Dept. of Internal Affairs - Labor - 1881
pg 343-45:
"Accident No. 4. Aaron Pettigrew, a miner employed in the Bellview mine in East Deer township, Allegheny county, was fatally injured February 12 [1880] by explosion of gas, and died in about fifteen hours after the explosion. Aaron Pettigrew, with his brother Oliver, and George Nicholas and William Humphreys were working in two parallel entries, the Nicholas and Humphreys one being the entry and the intake air-way. The one in which the two brothers Aaron and Oliver Pettigrew worked was the air-course and returned air-way,the distance between the entries from road to road being 38 feet, which was measured in the last break-through; the distance from break-through to face of entry 37 feet, and to face of air-course 15 feet. I was informed by the entry men that it was always the custom for the men not to commence working in the air-course until the gas was cleared out of the entry first and then out of the air-course. But on the morning of the fatal explosion it appears that Aaron was in a hurry to get some coal down that had been left hanging from the day before, and that he had gone in before his fellow miners, and had gone much earlier than usual; even his brother, who worked with him, had no knowledge of his intention of going to work at that early hour.
The boss of this mine is a practical miner, and a gentlemen that I feel confident would do everything in his power to secure the health and safety of the men employed under him, and would not allow anyone to risk his life without duly cautioning him to use all means to detect and prevent danger; and I have do [sic] doubt that Pettigrew was considered competent to examine the work, but it appears from the way he acted that morning that he in a thoughtless manner had neglected his own safety and gone without the Davy lamp which was there for him. He took his naked light into the break-through and laid it there while he was brushing the gas back; then went to his lamp without thinking of his danger and lifted it up, igniting the gas. His object then being, according to his own statement, was to go back then for the Davy lamp to see if the face was cleared of gas. It may be that, owing that this mine was troubled with gas only in this part of the workings, and here only sometimes in comparatively small quantities, that the deceased this morning was thrown off his guard. On my arrival at the place, after being notified of the accident, I found that an inquest had been held. Below will be found a copy of the verdict of the jury as obtained by me from the coroner."
INQUESTS.
"An inquisition indented, taken at East Deer township, in the county of Allegheny, on the 13th day of February, A. D. 1880, before me, William W. Hope, Coroner of the county aforesaid, upon the view of the body of Aaron Pettigrew, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths and solemn affirmation of Charles 0. Amberson, Samuel Klingensmith, Charles Uhlin ger, George Hensel, William Nicholas, John M. Watt, good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, who being sworn and affirmed, and charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, and how, and after what manner the said Aaron Pettigrew came to his death, do say, upon their oaths or affirmations aforesaid, that the said Aaron Pettigrew came to his death from being burnt by gas explosion in Bellview mines, at Hite station, on West Pennsylvania railroad, on the morning of February 12, 1880, and that from the evidence taken, the deceased did not take the proper precaution, in this, that he had not taken the safety-lamp, but entered with the open lamp, and we are of the opinion that the deceased came to his death from his own negligence. We are also of the opinion that all the known appliances are used in this pit to prevent explosion, if properly heeded by the miners. And so the jurors aforesaid, upon their oaths or affirmations, as aforesaid, say that the aforesaid Aaron Pettigrew, for the cause aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid came to his death, and not otherwise.
In witness whereof, as well of the aforesaid coroner, we, the jurors, have hereunto put our hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place above mentioned."
William n. Hope. [seal.]
Charles O. Amberson. [seal.]
Samuel Klingensmith. [seal.]
Charles Uhlinger. [seal.]
William Nicholas. [seal.]
George Hensel. [seal.]
John M. Watt. [seal.]
by Pennsylvania Bureau of Industrial Statistics, Pennsylvania Dept. of Internal Affairs - Labor - 1881
pg 343-45:
"Accident No. 4. Aaron Pettigrew, a miner employed in the Bellview mine in East Deer township, Allegheny county, was fatally injured February 12 [1880] by explosion of gas, and died in about fifteen hours after the explosion. Aaron Pettigrew, with his brother Oliver, and George Nicholas and William Humphreys were working in two parallel entries, the Nicholas and Humphreys one being the entry and the intake air-way. The one in which the two brothers Aaron and Oliver Pettigrew worked was the air-course and returned air-way,the distance between the entries from road to road being 38 feet, which was measured in the last break-through; the distance from break-through to face of entry 37 feet, and to face of air-course 15 feet. I was informed by the entry men that it was always the custom for the men not to commence working in the air-course until the gas was cleared out of the entry first and then out of the air-course. But on the morning of the fatal explosion it appears that Aaron was in a hurry to get some coal down that had been left hanging from the day before, and that he had gone in before his fellow miners, and had gone much earlier than usual; even his brother, who worked with him, had no knowledge of his intention of going to work at that early hour.
The boss of this mine is a practical miner, and a gentlemen that I feel confident would do everything in his power to secure the health and safety of the men employed under him, and would not allow anyone to risk his life without duly cautioning him to use all means to detect and prevent danger; and I have do [sic] doubt that Pettigrew was considered competent to examine the work, but it appears from the way he acted that morning that he in a thoughtless manner had neglected his own safety and gone without the Davy lamp which was there for him. He took his naked light into the break-through and laid it there while he was brushing the gas back; then went to his lamp without thinking of his danger and lifted it up, igniting the gas. His object then being, according to his own statement, was to go back then for the Davy lamp to see if the face was cleared of gas. It may be that, owing that this mine was troubled with gas only in this part of the workings, and here only sometimes in comparatively small quantities, that the deceased this morning was thrown off his guard. On my arrival at the place, after being notified of the accident, I found that an inquest had been held. Below will be found a copy of the verdict of the jury as obtained by me from the coroner."
INQUESTS.
"An inquisition indented, taken at East Deer township, in the county of Allegheny, on the 13th day of February, A. D. 1880, before me, William W. Hope, Coroner of the county aforesaid, upon the view of the body of Aaron Pettigrew, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths and solemn affirmation of Charles 0. Amberson, Samuel Klingensmith, Charles Uhlin ger, George Hensel, William Nicholas, John M. Watt, good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, who being sworn and affirmed, and charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, and how, and after what manner the said Aaron Pettigrew came to his death, do say, upon their oaths or affirmations aforesaid, that the said Aaron Pettigrew came to his death from being burnt by gas explosion in Bellview mines, at Hite station, on West Pennsylvania railroad, on the morning of February 12, 1880, and that from the evidence taken, the deceased did not take the proper precaution, in this, that he had not taken the safety-lamp, but entered with the open lamp, and we are of the opinion that the deceased came to his death from his own negligence. We are also of the opinion that all the known appliances are used in this pit to prevent explosion, if properly heeded by the miners. And so the jurors aforesaid, upon their oaths or affirmations, as aforesaid, say that the aforesaid Aaron Pettigrew, for the cause aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid came to his death, and not otherwise.
In witness whereof, as well of the aforesaid coroner, we, the jurors, have hereunto put our hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place above mentioned."
William n. Hope. [seal.]
Charles O. Amberson. [seal.]
Samuel Klingensmith. [seal.]
Charles Uhlinger. [seal.]
William Nicholas. [seal.]
George Hensel. [seal.]
John M. Watt. [seal.]
Annual Report of the Secretary of Internal Affairs of the Commonwealth of PA
by Pennsylvania Bureau of Industrial Statistics, Pennsylvania Dept. of Internal Affairs - Labor - 1881
pg 343-45:
"Accident No. 4. Aaron Pettigrew, a miner employed in the Bellview mine in East Deer township, Allegheny county, was fatally injured February 12 [1880] by explosion of gas, and died in about fifteen hours after the explosion. Aaron Pettigrew, with his brother Oliver, and George Nicholas and William Humphreys were working in two parallel entries, the Nicholas and Humphreys one being the entry and the intake air-way. The one in which the two brothers Aaron and Oliver Pettigrew worked was the air-course and returned air-way,the distance between the entries from road to road being 38 feet, which was measured in the last break-through; the distance from break-through to face of entry 37 feet, and to face of air-course 15 feet. I was informed by the entry men that it was always the custom for the men not to commence working in the air-course until the gas was cleared out of the entry first and then out of the air-course. But on the morning of the fatal explosion it appears that Aaron was in a hurry to get some coal down that had been left hanging from the day before, and that he had gone in before his fellow miners, and had gone much earlier than usual; even his brother, who worked with him, had no knowledge of his intention of going to work at that early hour.
The boss of this mine is a practical miner, and a gentlemen that I feel confident would do everything in his power to secure the health and safety of the men employed under him, and would not allow anyone to risk his life without duly cautioning him to use all means to detect and prevent danger; and I have do [sic] doubt that Pettigrew was considered competent to examine the work, but it appears from the way he acted that morning that he in a thoughtless manner had neglected his own safety and gone without the Davy lamp which was there for him. He took his naked light into the break-through and laid it there while he was brushing the gas back; then went to his lamp without thinking of his danger and lifted it up, igniting the gas. His object then being, according to his own statement, was to go back then for the Davy lamp to see if the face was cleared of gas. It may be that, owing that this mine was troubled with gas only in this part of the workings, and here only sometimes in comparatively small quantities, that the deceased this morning was thrown off his guard. On my arrival at the place, after being notified of the accident, I found that an inquest had been held. Below will be found a copy of the verdict of the jury as obtained by me from the coroner."
INQUESTS.
"An inquisition indented, taken at East Deer township, in the county of Allegheny, on the 13th day of February, A. D. 1880, before me, William W. Hope, Coroner of the county aforesaid, upon the view of the body of Aaron Pettigrew, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths and solemn affirmation of Charles 0. Amberson, Samuel Klingensmith, Charles Uhlin ger, George Hensel, William Nicholas, John M. Watt, good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, who being sworn and affirmed, and charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, and how, and after what manner the said Aaron Pettigrew came to his death, do say, upon their oaths or affirmations aforesaid, that the said Aaron Pettigrew came to his death from being burnt by gas explosion in Bellview mines, at Hite station, on West Pennsylvania railroad, on the morning of February 12, 1880, and that from the evidence taken, the deceased did not take the proper precaution, in this, that he had not taken the safety-lamp, but entered with the open lamp, and we are of the opinion that the deceased came to his death from his own negligence. We are also of the opinion that all the known appliances are used in this pit to prevent explosion, if properly heeded by the miners. And so the jurors aforesaid, upon their oaths or affirmations, as aforesaid, say that the aforesaid Aaron Pettigrew, for the cause aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid came to his death, and not otherwise.
In witness whereof, as well of the aforesaid coroner, we, the jurors, have hereunto put our hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place above mentioned."
William n. Hope. [seal.]
Charles O. Amberson. [seal.]
Samuel Klingensmith. [seal.]
Charles Uhlinger. [seal.]
William Nicholas. [seal.]
George Hensel. [seal.]
John M. Watt. [seal.]
by Pennsylvania Bureau of Industrial Statistics, Pennsylvania Dept. of Internal Affairs - Labor - 1881
pg 343-45:
"Accident No. 4. Aaron Pettigrew, a miner employed in the Bellview mine in East Deer township, Allegheny county, was fatally injured February 12 [1880] by explosion of gas, and died in about fifteen hours after the explosion. Aaron Pettigrew, with his brother Oliver, and George Nicholas and William Humphreys were working in two parallel entries, the Nicholas and Humphreys one being the entry and the intake air-way. The one in which the two brothers Aaron and Oliver Pettigrew worked was the air-course and returned air-way,the distance between the entries from road to road being 38 feet, which was measured in the last break-through; the distance from break-through to face of entry 37 feet, and to face of air-course 15 feet. I was informed by the entry men that it was always the custom for the men not to commence working in the air-course until the gas was cleared out of the entry first and then out of the air-course. But on the morning of the fatal explosion it appears that Aaron was in a hurry to get some coal down that had been left hanging from the day before, and that he had gone in before his fellow miners, and had gone much earlier than usual; even his brother, who worked with him, had no knowledge of his intention of going to work at that early hour.
The boss of this mine is a practical miner, and a gentlemen that I feel confident would do everything in his power to secure the health and safety of the men employed under him, and would not allow anyone to risk his life without duly cautioning him to use all means to detect and prevent danger; and I have do [sic] doubt that Pettigrew was considered competent to examine the work, but it appears from the way he acted that morning that he in a thoughtless manner had neglected his own safety and gone without the Davy lamp which was there for him. He took his naked light into the break-through and laid it there while he was brushing the gas back; then went to his lamp without thinking of his danger and lifted it up, igniting the gas. His object then being, according to his own statement, was to go back then for the Davy lamp to see if the face was cleared of gas. It may be that, owing that this mine was troubled with gas only in this part of the workings, and here only sometimes in comparatively small quantities, that the deceased this morning was thrown off his guard. On my arrival at the place, after being notified of the accident, I found that an inquest had been held. Below will be found a copy of the verdict of the jury as obtained by me from the coroner."
INQUESTS.
"An inquisition indented, taken at East Deer township, in the county of Allegheny, on the 13th day of February, A. D. 1880, before me, William W. Hope, Coroner of the county aforesaid, upon the view of the body of Aaron Pettigrew, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths and solemn affirmation of Charles 0. Amberson, Samuel Klingensmith, Charles Uhlin ger, George Hensel, William Nicholas, John M. Watt, good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, who being sworn and affirmed, and charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, and how, and after what manner the said Aaron Pettigrew came to his death, do say, upon their oaths or affirmations aforesaid, that the said Aaron Pettigrew came to his death from being burnt by gas explosion in Bellview mines, at Hite station, on West Pennsylvania railroad, on the morning of February 12, 1880, and that from the evidence taken, the deceased did not take the proper precaution, in this, that he had not taken the safety-lamp, but entered with the open lamp, and we are of the opinion that the deceased came to his death from his own negligence. We are also of the opinion that all the known appliances are used in this pit to prevent explosion, if properly heeded by the miners. And so the jurors aforesaid, upon their oaths or affirmations, as aforesaid, say that the aforesaid Aaron Pettigrew, for the cause aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid came to his death, and not otherwise.
In witness whereof, as well of the aforesaid coroner, we, the jurors, have hereunto put our hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place above mentioned."
William n. Hope. [seal.]
Charles O. Amberson. [seal.]
Samuel Klingensmith. [seal.]
Charles Uhlinger. [seal.]
William Nicholas. [seal.]
George Hensel. [seal.]
John M. Watt. [seal.]
Inscription
Aaron PETTIGREW; Pvt. Co. G 136 Inf. Pa. Vol. enlisted Aug 22, 1862 discharged May 29, 1863; 1845 - 1880
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