Durham Mining Museum - Newspaper Articles (original) (raw)

7th September 1882

A Reckless Miner

Severe Penalty

James Fitzpatrick, stableman, was charged by William Harker, certificated manager of William Pit, with having contravened one of the special rules of the colliery by taking a tobacco pipe and matches beyond the inbye side of a dangerous part of the mine. Mr. Lumb prosecuted. Mr. Harker said the defendant was a stableman. He had been a good many years in the pit, and the rules and regulations in force were known to him. Witness knew the place where the matches, nails, and pipe were found upon Fitzpatrick. It was in the "Delaval" district, and a notice had been up there since 1872. Richard Nicholson, Bransty, pumper, said that on Tuesday night, the 15th inst., he went down the pit. He went into the lamp station, and saw Fitzpatrick there getting his lamp locked. He saw him again afterwards smoking. Witness saw the pipe in his hand, and took it from him. He had been smoking on the outbye side of the lamp station. When charged with smoking, defendant denied it. After witness took the pipe from him he put his hand into defendant's pocket and took out some matches and nails. The matches had not been struck. Defendant was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.

Newspaper transcript kindly provided by
West Cumbria Mines Research.