The dangers of working in underground coal mining were reported in the Lykens Standard, August 28, 1925, when a Williamstown miner was buried under a rock fall following a pre-mature dynamite blast.
WILLIAMSTOWN MINER CAUGHT UNDER RUSH OF ROCK: SUFFERS BROKEN BACK
Michael Shoncokowitch, 30 years old, of Williamstown, a miner at Summit Branch of the Susquehanna Collieries, suffered a broken back when a huge rock fell on him at the mine Tuesday afternoon. He was taken to Harisburg Hospital Tuesday night, where he is in very critical condition. The place Shoncokowitch was working was narrow and he wanted to widen the moutn. A premature blast sent rock and stone down on him from the roof and sides, covering his body, and a half ton rock which fell pinned him to the floor of the drift.
Fellow employees worked more that a half hour to extricate the injured man. He was given teatment by Dr. C. C. Bobb, company physician and surgeon, and later removed to Harrisburg Hospital in the Coal Company’s ambulance.
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And, from the Lykens Standard, September 4, 1925:
WILLIAMSTOWN MINER UNDER EXAMINATION
Michael Shoncokowitch, who sustained a broken back at Summit Branch Colliery, Williamstown, last Tuesday, and was admitted to the Harrisburg Hospital that evening, underwent an examination at the institution Tuesday afternoon when it was discovered he suffered two crushed vertebrae. It was not learned if the spinal cord was broken, but the report stated it iw was intact an operation would be made to brace the crushed vertebrae which would finally restore Shoncokowitch to health. At this writing he is paralyzed from the waist to his feet.
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From the Lykens Standard, January 22, 1926:
SUFFERING BROKEN BACK; TAKEN TO JEFFERSON HOSPITAL
Williamstown, January 18 [1926] — Michael Shoncokowitch, better known as Tschupp, who sustained a broken back in a rush of coal at the colliery at this place during the week of August 28th last year, was taken to the Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia, for treatment. He was for a time a patient at the Miners’ Hospital, Ashland, and was brough from that place several months ago without any improvement in his condition. It is thought he will be aided at the Jefferson institution.
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News articles from Newspapers.com.
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