Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 03 September 1921

Pit Pilfering

Boy Who Lost His Life through It

Curious Barnburgh Case

A Deadly “Hiding Place”

An inquest wan held at Goldthorpe on Friday, by Mr Frank Allen, on Joseph Holmes (16), haulage hand, 93, Frederick Street, Goldthorpe, who was fatally gassed in the Barnburgh mine on August 24.

Mr Scott and Chong, H.M. Inspector of mines, were present; also Mr T.I. Soar, the Colliery manager, Mr O Hartley, the under manager, and Mr T Williams, Y.M.A.

Albert Helmet, deputy at the Barnburgh Colliery, and father of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. He last saw his son alive early on Wednesday morning, before the boy went to work. Joseph had worked at the colliery ever since he had left school. Witness heard of the accident bout 12.30 p.m., and he went down the pit to see the boy. He helped with the artificial respiration. Witness worked in the same district but on the opposite shift. He knew of a cavity in the district, but he had never found gas there. It was “packed up” eight or nine month ago. It was impossible to see into the cavity because it was “packed” right up to the bars, but it was easy to climb into it.

Mr Furniss (for the Indemnity Co.): You examine the level for gas?—Yes, the night he fore. It was then free from gas. Witness said he had seen lads in the pit hide tools etc., in the district, and he had spoken to them about it, but he had never seen them hide things in this bole. A boy, however , would certainly think this cavity a good hiding place.

Victor Holmes (21), brother of deceased, haulage hand in the game district, said he and is brother were working together on Wednesday. About 10.40 a.m., his brother said “Somebody has stolen my oil bottle, and I am going to it.” Joseph left witness and went down the crossgate. About noon, when another brother, John, came and told him of the accident, he rushed to the scene of the accident, and there so Joseph lying unconscious on the floor against the “pack.” He saw the cavity where he had been taken from. Witness knew of the place before, and he considered it a, likely place for hiding anything. “There is a good ideal of trouble caused by tools being stolen. They would pinch your snap if you did not put it in a safe place.” he added.

Witness said he had never used this for hiding anything. In answer to the question why he had not felt alarmed about his brother’s absence, witness said Joseph had not been particularly required at his engine during that time and the boys were not tied to one particular job; they helped at anything. There was an engine near to the cavity and his brother, he thought, might have been there.

Witness considered the cavity was a smart hiding place, and if he had had anything stolen it would be of the places he would look to find it.

John Holmes, another haulage hand, and another brother said he was travelling with John Holden with “empties” about 11.55 a.m. and nearing the cavity he saw a lighted lamp lying on its side on the floor. He saw it was a lamp similar to those used by haulage hands and he thought at once of his brothers. He looked into the cavity and saw his brother lying there. He shook him and threw water on him, but could not rouse him. Witness ran for the corporal, because he and Holden could not get deceased out. They returned in about a minute and, with the help of an ambulance man and the corporal, deceased was got out and artificial registration was commenced.

John Holden (junior) corroborated.

John Holden (senior) a deputy at the Barnburgh Colliery, said he was working in the same district when the accident happened. He had made one round that morning. Passing through “56 Gate” about 8-30. Gas was not frequently found in that district. He had never seen or heard of the cavity before the accident, and it was only visible on close examination. He had tested for gas about twenty yards from the cavity, and he found none. He was fetched to the scene of the as about 12.10, and he saw deceased. He was unconscious and lying on the floor. Witness then saw the hole for the first time.

“There was a great amount of dirt on the floor. I examined the cavity, getting in about a yard, and also tested for gas. In the cavity I found five per cent. of gas.”

Mr Charlon: If you had known of the cavity would you have tested for gas in your rounds?—Yes.

Coroner: How far into a cavity do you test for gas?, – As far as you can get in.

Witness added that although deputies were in the habit of talking and conferring upon their work, no one had ever told him of the cavity.

In answer to Mr Williams, Holden said he would not have let the boy go into the cavity even to hunt for tools, had he known. He also said that he saw a prop behind the leg in front of the “park,” but he could not say how long it had been there. It might have been used for climbing into the’ cavity.

Mr. Oscar Hartley, the under-manager of the Colliery, said he got measurements of the cavity after the accident. The cavity was 11ft.11 in long on the face and extended 5.ft. 1-in, above the bars. He had never noticed the cavity before and it was not reasonable to expect a deputy to discover the cavity whilst carrying out his ordinary work. The roof near this piece was in good condition, and standing closely and examining very carefully only a small hole could be seen. Had he known the cavity there every effort would have been made to have it ‘packed up.” Mr. Holmes had never reported the presence of the cavity to him.

The Coroner: Would you aspect a deputy to for such a cavity under Section 65 of the act? – Yes.

Witness said it looked to him as if the prop had been recently placed against cavity, and it bore marks caused by a clog.

Mr. Charlton: A thorough inspection should have disclose the cavity –Yes.

Coroner: Is not such a cavity at the side of the road a possible source of danger —Yes.

Should – not a deputy have reported it to you? — Yes.

Dr. S. O. Hatherley, of Swinton, said he was called on Wednesday, arriving at the colliery about two o’clock. He went down the mine, and he saw the boy, who was dead. He found that death was due to poisoning either by carbon monoxide or a mixture of carbon monoxide and marsh gas. In all probability the boy was dead when he was found. The gas would tender him unconscious as soon ae it was inhaled.

The Coroner said he could not understand why Mr. Holmes had not reported the cavity to the management, and why in the conference of the deputies it was not brought to each one’s notice. The boy was apparently doing his duty. He must have been a good worker. It was evident that oil was ‘for the engines, and this boy had had his oil eaten. He had gone to look for it, and had met his death. He wish to call to notice the unscrupulous methods of some of the workmen and buys. There were many prosecution, weekly for theft of tools etc. in the pit. He had known of some men having to lose a shift because their picks had gone. This death was due to that system.

The jury considered their verdict in private for about fifteen minutes, and ultimately returned a verdict of “Accidental death”, exonerating the officials of wilful neglect. They expressed sympathy with the bereaved family, as also did Mr. Soar on behalf of the management and Mr. T. Williams on behalf of the workmen.