Davis, James Franklin

Cardin Oklahoma, June 27 A 40 year old Chetopa Kansas hard rock lead and zinc miner died this morning in Picher hospital at Picher Oklahoma, about three hours after being crushed by a 500 pound boulder. The victim was James Franklin Davis, whose survivors include seven sons and three step-children. Davis was working underground at the Rialto Mine No. 2 on American Zinc, Lead and Smelting Company property. The shaft is located one-fourth mile south of Cardin.

Joe Hobson, Cardin, assistant state mine inspector, said a circular slab of rock weighing between 500 and 600 pounds fell on Davis, pinning him to the seat of the Diesel ore loader he operated. The victim, Hobson said, was wedged between the seat and the dashboard of the machine for some 20 minutes before fellow workmen could free him. The accident occurred at 8:45 am. Davis succumbed at 11:30 o'clock to multiple fractures and a head injury.

The boulder fell an estimated 20 feet from the roof of the mine. It landed squarely in Davis' lap after first striking him in the forehead, Hobson said.The mine official revealed that only a week ago he examined the mine, finding no dangerous conditions there at that time.

Davis was taken to the hospital in a Roberson-Hunter funeral home ambulance. Later the body was received by the Miller mortuary of Chetopa Kansas. The victim, who was born at Commerce Oklahoma but had lived at Chetopa for several years, is survived by his wife, Geneva Davis; seven sons, Darrell Davis, of Kansas City Missouri; Donnie Davis and Marvin Davis, both of Welch Oklahoma; Lonnie Davis, Ronnie Davis, Jackie Davis and Sandy Davis, all of the home; a step-son, Junior Faulkenson, of the home; two step-daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Fesaler, Welch Oklahoma, and Shirley Faulkenson, of the home; his mother, Mrs. Ella Ballard, Chetopa, three brothers, Rex Davis, Chetopa, George Davis, Welch, and Ralph Davis, address unknown, and two sisters, Mrs. Nellie Ogleaby, Chetopa, and Mrs. Laura Hayward, Kansas City Missouri. Funeral arrangements were incomplete Saturday night. Note: See Albert M. Brown for more information.