Allen, Edward

Struck with a flange from a centrifugal pump and knocked from his position to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of about 50 feet landing in a pool of water 15 feet deep, Edward Allen, 37 years old, was killed in the Maidalaid Mine pump shaft in West Hollow, at 5:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Whether the blow from the piece of iron, which struck him caused his death, or whether he was drowned in the sump is not known. The man was dead when reached by other workmen in the mine, and the exact cause of his death will be determined at a coroner's inquest this morning.

At the time of the accident which terminated in his death, Allen was at work in the Maidalaid Mine repairing the pump. He is said to have been about 80 feet from the top of the shaft. With the flange coming loose from the pump and falling he was struck squarely on top of his head, and, it is presumed by employees of the mine, being stunned by the blow, lost his balance and dropped into the water, 50 feet below. Immediately after Allen was struck by the missile and fell into the sump, his fellow workmen entered the shaft and removed the body from the water. He was then dead. He was taken to the surface of the earth and an examination disclosed a wound in his head four inches long and several inches deep, and it was the belief of some that the skull was fractured as a result of his being struck by the flange. Others professed the belief that, while the blow from the piece of iron was indirectly responsible for his death, he may have drowned in the water of the mine.

Shortly after the body of Allen was removed from the mine it was taken to the Joplin undertaking company's rooms to be prepared for burial. Coroner E. H. Baird of Webb City was notified of the accident and announced that an inquest would be held at 10:30 o'clock this morning when an endeavor will be made to determine the exact cause of the miner's death. Allen resided near Twenty-first and Connecticut streets, and leaves a wife, 20 years old. His father, it is said, also resides in Joplin. It is probable the funeral will be held Sunday afternoon.