Pit Accident - Emmanuel JAMES 1868 (General)

by ChrisW , Thursday, April 17, 2008, 14:01 (6071 days ago)

Kindly submitted by Terry James

This is taken from the Gloucester Journal 29th Feb 1868

(They state the surname as Jones but it should be James
as I have the death cert.)

FOREST OF DEAN DISTRICT

Fatal Mining Accident

We last week stated the particulars of an accident to a miner at West Dean named Emmanuel James. He was engaged in blasting rock, and was killed by an unexpected explosion of the gunpowder. An inquest was held by J Lovegrove Esq on Saturday. Mr J Nash the manager of the China Bottom mine described the work entrusted to the deceased, and said it was usual to leave the quantity of powder to be used,and the time of firing it to the mens discretion.The deceased's companion at the time of the explosion was too unwell to attend the inquest. A verdict to the effect that the occurence was accidental was returned by the jury.