Mexborough and Swinton Times January 2, 1909

Cut Finger Causes Death.

Swinton Miner Succumbs To Blood Poisoning.

A Life Lost Through Neglect.

The Deputy Coroner for the district, Mr. Kenyon Parker, held an inquest at the Primitive Methodist Institute at Mexboro’, on Monday morning, into the circumstances attending the death of Walter Hawkins.

Mr. J. Raley, Barnsley, appeared for the relatives of the deceased, and Mr. W. M. Gichard of Rotherham, for the Manvers Mains Colliery ‘Co., whilst Mr. Mellors, H.M. Inspector of Mines, was also in attendance.

The Widow’s Evidence.

Emily Hawkins said deceased was her husband. He was 29 years of age, a coal miner by occupation, and resided at Swinton. His death occurred on Saturday morning last at the Mexboro’ Hospital. Deceased was last at work on Friday, December 18th, when he left home at the usual time—ten-past one—to go on with the afternoon shift. he was a healthy man, and seemed quite well when he left home.

She had never known him to have a doctor in the course of the eight years that she had known him. When he arrived home at 9.1.5 he showed her his left shoulder, which was very much swollen. He also showed her his first finger on the left hand, which was scratched. Neither his shoulder or finger were attended to that night. On Saturday he had hot flannels on his shoulder, and washed his finger with warm water, he seemed to be worse, and on Sunday morning, witness sent for a doctor. Dr. Hatherley saw her husband on Sunday, and attended him until his death. The doctor ordered deceased to bed on the Sunday, and sent him to the Montagu Hospital at Mexboro’ on Wednesday.

By Mr Raley: Her husband was a healthy man. On December 4, when he came home, he had cut on the same finger that she had pension, but he had not reported it at the pit. The finger was bound up, and deceased went to work next day. The cut on the finger gave him no further trouble as far as he knew

By Mr Gichard: Dec. 4th was a Saturday.

Correcting herself, witness said the 4th was Friday. When her huband came home on the fourth, he removed the bandage and showed her his finger. The cut was across the end knuckle. It was a bad cut and was leading. She bound it up with a fresh rag. The finger healed up about the fourth day afterwards. Deceased said nothing to her about the finger between the 4th and the 11h. On the first day, December 4th, he said he had done it with a piece of coal. He made no further complaint until the 18th, when he said he had hurt his shoulder. He could not take his coat off. He also told her that he had knocked his finger again and made it bleed.

By a Juror: Her husband said he had hurt his shoulder whilst working at some coal.

By Mr. Mellor: Her husband went to work on each working day between the 4th and 18th. No attention was paid to the injured finger between those dates.

The Cause of Death.

Dr. Hatherley, of Swinton, said he first attended deceased on Sunday, December 20th. The man complained of pain in his shoulder and chest and of feeling ill generally. His temperature was very high. On examination witness found a small septic wound on the inside of the first finger on the left hand. The wound was certainly some days old, Witness formed the opinion that deceased was suffering from blood poisoning. The man got worse and on the following Wednesday witness ordered him to the hospital where he died on Saturday morning.

Witness had no doubt that deceased died from septic poisoning, but thought he also had a touch of pneumonia. The post-mortem examination confirmed the opinion that deceased died from septic poisoning. The upper part of the left side of the chest was swollen. The various internal organs were healthy, but the general condition was consistent with blood poisoning..

By Mr. Gichard He would in some cases expect to find an enlarged Elmore when blood poisoning had arisen from an injury to the finger, but in most cases this would not the case, and in this instance there were no signs of that kind. The same remark applied to the condition of the left arm pit

Statements by Fellow Workmen

Arthur Winstanley, of Roman Terrace, said he worked at Manvers Main Colliery. He knew deceased, and was working with him on Dec. 4th, in District 15. On that day a piece of coal dropped on Hawkins’ hand, and cut his finger. It was the first finger on the left hand, and the cut was on the knuckle joint. The cut was bleeding, and witness wrapped it up with a piece of rag which he obtained from his jacket pocket. The rag was “supposed to be white.” but it had been in witness’s pocket for a few days. He did not think Hawkins reported the matter to anyone but witness. On the Monday following, witness was again working with deceased, who then made no complaint about the finger.

By Mr. Mellors: The coal which caused the cut fell at about 11 in the morning. The deputy did not come through between then and the time they left work. Deceased went on with his work after wrapping up his finger.

Samuel Rodwell, of Swirton, said he was working with Hawkins on December 18th, in District 15. The two of them were barring a piece of coal up when the bar slipped, the coal being too strong to shift. Deceased said, “By ‘gum,’ I’ve hurt under my arm,”indicating his left arm-pit. Hawkins worked I his shift out, and made no further complaint. Deceased did not report the accident when leaving the pit. On his way home he said he could hardly raise his arm up. Deceased said nothing about hurting his finger. Witness had worked with deceased the whole of the week up to the 18th, and deceased did not complain of anything during that time.

The Coroner’s Comments

The Coroner said that the man, as most colliers would do, treated the injury to his finger as a trivial matter. The finger was wrapped up in a dirty piece of rag, although by walking a short distance deceased could have obtained proper bandages and other requirements.

The Jury found that deceased died from blood poisoning as a result of an accident at the colliery.

The Coroner asked if some means could not be found of impressing upon miners the great importance of not neglecting a small injury which they might receive.

Mr. Gichard said he supposed colliers were very much like other people. If he cut his own finger he should probably treat it as a matter of little importance. It was to be hoped that the publicity given to this matter would help to bring about the desired end.

Whilst the enquiry was in progress the Deputy Coroner had twice to rebuke a man, present in court for prompting the first witness. On the second occasion the interfering individual was ordered to give his name. He said his name was Baker. Asked as to what his business was in court, he said he represented the Miners’ Union. Mr. Kenyon. Parker told him that if he repeated his interference he would be removed from the court.