Colliery Juries and Inquests
INQUESTS upon pitmen killed in the mines in these districts were unknown previous to the order given by Mr Sergeant Marshall (1) at Durham, August 6th, 1514. As this is of great importance in the present inquiry, I give it at full length. After the proclamation for the suppression of vice and immorality was read, his Lordship addressed the grand jury, and observed, that from their rank and consideration in the county, it would be unnecessary for him to point out the duty they had to perform. I have learnt from authority (said his Lordship) which I cannot doubt, that many lives have been lost in the coal mines, and no inquests taken on the bodies: this is contrary to law. The coroners of this county (Durham) are chosen by the Bishop of the diocese, and not appointed, like the coroners of other counties; by the freeholders. In the county there were appointed four coroners, each of whom had his particular district. It was, however, a common practice with the coroners of this county, which he had learnt from indisputable authority, for one coroner to desire another in a different ward to do his duty. This, his Lordship observed, he was willing to attribute to ignorance on the part of the coroners, whose duty could not be performed by deputy. He stated, for their information, as well as for the information of the magistrates and the officers under them, that it was their duty, when any accident occurred, to give notice to the coroners, who must attend and summons a jury of twelve men, to consider how the King had lost a subject. He gave them this notice, that each might do his duty; and unless this was attended to, some steps would be taken to enforce the law.
This came as a thunderstorm upon the ears of the conductors (2) of coal mines. To hold inquests upon pitmen would be an inquiry into their conduct; and to be responsible to. the laws for the lives of workmen committed to their charge, was what they never could nor would submit to.
On the 12th of August, 1814, Hebburn (3) Colliery fired, and eleven, men were killed. On the 13th, the bodies were recovered, and interred on the 14th, mostly at Jarrow.
NO INQUEST WAS HELD
It was now discovered that to resist the authorities of the kingdom might be attended with serious consequences. A scheme was devised, and carried into practice, that entirely defeated the intention and strict orders of this humane judge.
GOOD INTENTIONS MAY BE QUICKLY MARRED.
Inquests were submitted to, and the jurymen (or the greatest part of them) were taken from the persons employed on the collieries-the mechanics and others employed at the surface formed the jury; those employed in the mine were carefully excluded. I present to the public the names, and occupations at the collieries, of two of these juries: the first may be considered as the Alpha of colliery juries in Northumberland- I trust the second may prove the Omega.
At Heaton Colliery, in Northumberland, on the third of May, 1,915, a rush of water (that had been long dreaded) from an old working took place, when seventy-five men and boys were shut up in the mine, fifty-five of whom reached an elevated part. The mental and bodily sufferings of these unfortunate beings, cut off at once from the world, in full health and vigour, may be better felt than described. Whether they perished from hunger, from bad air, bad water, cold, or from a combination of these or other causes, or what time might elapse before the friendly hand of death released them from their sufferings, is unknown. (4)
(1) Sir George Wood and Mr Justice Bayley were the judges for the northern circuit in 1s14. Sir George- Wood was taken ill at York, and Mr Sergeant Marshall sat as judge at Durham.
(2) Conductors of collieries in these districts are distinguished by the name of viewers.
(3) Hebburn is in the county of Durham, and about 14 miles from the city.
(4) The black hole of Calcutta has ever been considered as one of the most distressing scenes recorded in history, but the black hole of Heaton surpasses it. A view of the interiors of these black holes is a subject for the pencil of the artist.
WHICH PRESENTS MOST TERRORS FOR THE GRAVE?
The first of the bodies was recovered on the eighth of January, 1816. A coroner's jury was summoned (5) and an inquest held. The following are the names of the jurymen, with their occupation: those marked with the asterisks were employed upon the colliery. The public will best judge how, far they were competent (6) to inquire into the loss of seventy-five of his Majesty's subjects.
William Ridley, constable and summonsing officer.
*John Hogget, foreman, cashier, and, principal clerk of the colliery,
John Falcus, sen., farmer.
John Falcus, jun., farmer.
Thomas Barker, blacksmith.
Thomas Jackson, joiner.
Robert Copperthwait, mole-catcher.
*Joseph Smith, engine-wright.
*William Turnbull, heap keeper and kecker.
*Samuel Holmes, preparer of corn for horses.
*William Carrick, colliery bricklayer.
William Ridley, constable and summonsing officer.
*William Huntley, horse-keeper.
*Richard Scott, corver.
*Peter Gallon, farrier.
(A true copy.)
August 21st, 1828.-At Benwell, in the county of Northumberland, as two of the workmen were ascending the shaft of the Delaval Pit, the rope being in a state of decay, broke, and they were precipitated to the bottom (about fifty fathoms) and instantly killed. On the 22nd an inquest was held. The following are the names of the jurymen, together with their occupations on the colliery :-
*Henry Fothergill, colliery mason, foreman.
*Ralph Jackson, engine-wright.
*George Stoker, offputter.
*John Silton, sawyer.
*Thomas Forster, joiner.
*William Heads, joiner.
*Robert Johnson, sawyer
*Robert Mills, keel carpenter.
*George Soppit, shifter.
*Thomas Soppit, shifter.
*Robert Inness, store-keeper.
*John Johnson, overman.
(A true copy.)
Thus, whatever may occur, the collieries are prepared with juries: they are kept in constant employment, and are always ready.
(5) The mode of summonsing a coroner's jury in these districts is as follows:-When lives are lost, and the bodies recovered, notice is sent to the coroner, who then sends an order to the constable of the parish or township where the bodies lie, to summons a jury, which is done accordingly. This officer is frequently employed on the colliery.
(6) The whole of the evidence given at the above inquests will be published in a future paper.
N.B.-Ever since inquests were held upon pitmen, coroner's juries have uniformly returned a verdict of accidental death.
Improper lamps and other lights next.
A LOOKER ON,
No. 3.
W., E. & H. Mitchell, Printers, NEWCASTLE