Mitchell, Sam

Doc Kemper, ground boss at the Prairie Mine, Hattenville Oklahoma, and Sam Mitchell, a machine helper, in the same mine, were the victims of the most serious mine accident that ever occurred in the Miami district Wednesday morning, about 8:15 o'clock. These two men were working near the head of the run when a huge slab weighting approximately 20 tons without warning, fell from the roof of the run, a portion of which struck them, almost burying them alive. Another miner was standing near when the accident occurred, and gave the alarm. The whole ground crew rushed to the rescue, and soon had the unfortunate men rescued from their perilous situation and came to the shaft for elevation to the surface.

Kemper was badly hurt about the face, head and shoulders. Mitchell was knocked senseless, and remained unconscious until brought to the shaft. Upon examination it was found that his back was broken or at least there was a dislocation of the vertebrae.

Dr. McWilliams was summoned, and under his direction the men were brought to Miami, where they both reside, Mitchell on Olive street and Kemper on West 3rd. Both are men of family. Mitchell was thought to be dying Wednesday afternoon. It was thought that Kemper would recover.

The Prairie Mine Company, as is the custom among mining companies, carries a blanket life and accident insurance on their men, and therefore, these men or their families will get an accident, or death allowance, an amount to be determined by the settlement with the insurance company.

The mine shut down after the accident for the rest of the day. Both men, it is said, are Modern Woodmen, carrying life insurance in that order. LATER: Sam Mitchell, age 36 years, died between 7 and 8 o'clock Wednesday night from the effect of his injuries. A wife and one child survive. The remains were shipped to Seneca Oklahoma Thursday morning on the 7 o'clock Frisco, where the family formerly lived, and where funeral services and burial occurred in the afternoon.

Kemper is reported slightly improved, but is in a sort of coma, sleeping all the time. His skull was caved in and it is thought an operation will have to be made. He sleeps all the time, too much, it is said, and some alarm is expressed because of this. He is in a semi-conscious condition at this time. He was completely buried by the falling dirt, but was soon rescued by the ground crew.

Bob Thomson of the Prairie Mine, informs this newspaper office that the mine is all cleared up and running again, better than ever. The mine had been shut down since the morning on which the Kemper-Mitchell accident occurred until Monday morning of this week. the cave-in has been cleared away and full operations have been in progress all week producing more and better ore than usual. The output for Thursday was 22,000 pounds of zinc and 9,000 pounds of lead. a rigid inspection is maintained and so far as foresight and prevention can devise, accidents in the future will be averted.