Mexborough & Swinton Times, February 17, 1928

Houghton Miner’s Death.
No Connection with Pit Injury.

An inquest was held at Great Houghton on Wednesday by Mr. C. J. Haworth, on James Martin (41), miner, 8, Edward Street, Great Houghton, who died on Monday. The question was raised as to whether there was any association between Martin’s death and a fall he was said to have had at work the previous Thursday.

Elizabeth Martin, the widow, said her husband returned from work on Feb. 16th, and complained of pains in the chest. He mentioned that he had sustained an injury at the pit, and as his condition grew worse Dr. Marr was summoned on Friday. The deceased vomited a great quantity of blood, and died early on Monday morning.

The Coroner: Had he ever had a doctor before ?—Yes, twelve months ago ; he was attended for “miners’ back.”

Had he been losing flesh lately?-Just a little, but he had always been thin.

Had he ever been treated for consumption? —No, never.

Horace Johnson, miner, 9, Edward: Street, Great Houghton, said he had known Martin for a number of years. On the Thursday in question they were working together in the Parkgate seam at Houghton Main. They started work at 2-30 p.m., and an hour later Martin assisted by witness, was twisting a full tub on the flat sheet, when Martin slipped and fell. When he got up he-complained of pains in the chest, but after resting for a while resumed work and finished the shift.

The Coroner : Was this ‘reported to anyone ?—Yes, sir, to the deputy.

John Henry Oxley, deputy, 22, St.Mary’s Road, Darfield, spoke to receiving complaints from the deceased on the Thursday to the effect that Martin had slipped on the flat sheet whilst turning a tub round, and had injured his inside.

Dr. P .L. Sutherland, pathologist to the West Riding County Council, who made the post-mortem examination, said deceased was ill, well developed, but not well nourished. There were signs of sprain in the—back and arms, the brain and heart were normal, and. there was no .definite tuberculosis. The cause of death was pneumonia.

Dr. Marc Great Houghton, said he was called to deceased on Friday afternoon. He examined him, but at that time received no intimation of any injury. This, however, was mentioned on the Monday. He had previously treated the deceased for lumbago, but had not suspected tuberculosis.
The Coroner (to Dr. Suthe4and)i ‘Would you say that what happened. at the pit accelerated his death?—No, I don’t think it even contributed to’ it. The pneumonia simply ran its course.

The jury returned a verdict that death was due to pneumonia,.