He was known by various combinations of Benjamin Walter “Archie” Roe [or Row] and also known as Benjamin Row Dietrich [or Deitrich]. He died as a result of falling down a chute at Short Mountain Colliery, on August 3, 1903. Another accident the same date at the same colliery seriously injured miner, Anthony Platzer. The grave marker pictured above is from the Citizens’ Cemetery, Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The marker reads: Benj. W. Row, Died August 4, 1903, Aged 22 Years, 10 Months, 20 Days.
The news articles describing the accident follow:
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From the Lykens Standard, August 7, 1903:
MINE ACCIDENTS
Benjamin Walter Roe, 22 years of age, residing at the west end of Coaldale with his grandmother, Mrs. Elias Dietrich, on Monday stepped into a counter chute at Short Mountain Colliery pitching at 65 degrees, and falling a distance of about 100 feet, received injuries from which he died at 4 a. m. Tuesday. The young man was regularly employed as driver in the lower level, but owing to a suspension of work that day, was sent to the White’s vein counter to push buggy, so as to allow him to put in a full day. Together with several employees he was sitting in the gangway a short distance east of the chute partaking of his dinner, at the conclusion of which he arose and started in the direction of the chute. Just before arriving at that point he struck up the song “‘Twas on a Sun” – then it suddenly stopped and the leader boss said, “My God, Archie fell down the chute!” as he could hear the clanking of the unfortunate man’s tweezers striking the sheet iron bottom of the chute as he was hurried to his doom. Assistance was summoned and with the aid of a windlass, Roe was hoisted to the top of the chute in an unconscious condition and brought to the surface , where he was placed in the company’s ambulance and taken to his home. An examination by Dr. J. A. Ulsh revealed the fact that the scull was crushed at several places, and that he was otherwise injured. He remained unconscious up to the time of his death.
Deputy Coroner Dr. G. M. Stiles of Williamstown, held an inquest over the remains Tuesday evening. The jury consisted of J. J. John, William T. Evans, George F. Evitts, Joseph Seiders, Jacob Werner and Wells Pinkerton, and the verdict was accidental death.
Deceased was a popular young man in this community, numbering his friends by scores, and his death is generally regretted. He was a member of Lykens Local, No. 1062, United Mine Workers of America (U. M. W. of A), and Washington Camp No. 238, Patriotic Order of Sons of American (P. O. S. of A.), both of which organizations attended the funeral, which was held at 2 p.m. yesterday. Services were conducted by Rev. Z. A. Weidler in the United Brethren Church, and burial took place at Citizens’ Cemetery. The floral tributes from friends were beautiful, among which was a mammoth “Gates Ajar.”
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, August 5, 1903:
KILLED IN COAL MINE
Employee Falls Down a 200-Foot Slope and Dies From Injuries Received
Benjamin R. Dietrich, aged 22 years, a miner of Lykens, fell down a slope of 200 feet deep at the Short Mountain Colliery yesterday and died shortly after being removed from the mine. Anthony Platzer, also of Lykens, had his right arm and right leg broken yesterday while blasting coal in the same mine.
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From the West Schuylkill Herald, 6 Aug 1903:
ONE MAN KILLED, ANOTHER HURT
Benjamin Row Deitrich, a young miner and resident of Lykens, fell down a slope 200 feet deep at the Short Mountain Colliery at that place, Tuesday, and died shortly after being taken out of the mine. Not long after that accident, Anthony Platzer, also of Lykens, was caught by a fall of slate while blasting coal in the same mine and his right arm and right leg were broken.
Deitrich was only twenty-two years of age and was the sole support of his aged grandmother, who lives in West Lykens. How he came to fall no one knows, but he was found at the bottom of the slope with his skull crushed and several bones broken. He was living, but insensible, and died two hours after being removed.
Deitrich belonged to several organizations and was very popular.
The accident which resulted so seriously to Platzer, occurred as he was working in one of the breasts. He was enlarging a hole and a mass of slate, loosened by a blast which he just fired, fell upon him, breaking and crushing his right leg and crushing his arm.
Platzer is twenty-three years of age. There are hopes for his recovery.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, August 7, 1903:
Anthony Platzer, 23 years of age, had his right arm and right leg broken last Monday, soon after the accident to Deitrich, and in the same mine. The accident which resulted so seriously to Platzer, occurred as he was working in one of the chambers far underground. He was enlarging a hole and a mass of slate, loosened by a blast which he had just fired, fell upon him, breaking and crushing his right leg and breaking his arm. He is 23 years of age. There is hopes for his recovery.
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Also from the Elizabethville Echo, August 7, 1903:
‘Squire Deitrich was called to Lykens by the death of his nephew, Benjamin Deitrich.
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See also a previous post:
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For additional information, see: Find-a-Grave for Benjamin Walter Row. News articles obtained through Newspapers.com. Grave marker photo courtesy of David Hause.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.