Watson, Richard W. "Rich"

Richard W. "Rich" Watson was fatally injured at the north shaft of the hard rock lead and zinc mine, the Emma Gordon Mine on Tuesday morning, Jan 23, 1912, at 7:30 when the hopper collapsed and pulled down the derrick. The two men injured, Mr. Watson and Mr. Bybee, were in the can going down. The sudden collapse caused the can to stop and throw out Watson who fell to the bottom a distance of 30 feet. Added to this was a shower of boulders which pelted the unfortunate men, but Bybee clung to the can. Watson lived about seven hours, his skull being fractured. Bybee was but slightly injured. Roy Gordon, the hoisterman, escaped injury almost miraculously. The man who met his death was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena Kansas, being about 30 years of age and leaves a wife, and four children. Our mining camp has been exceedingly fortunate in having so few accidents of a serious nature.