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Bull Domingo Gold Mine Explosives Detonation and Fire

Silver Cliff, Colorado
November 13, 1885
No. Killed - 10

Related News Articles and Correspondence  (493 Kb) PDF Format
Narrative:  The explosion of a box of powder in the boiler room of the mine set fire to the building, and in a few minutes, the entire shaft house and hoisting works were burned to the ground.  Ten men working in the lower levels were killed.
In the News
News icon The Courier-Journal, Nov. 16, 1885
News icon The Omaha Evening Bee, Nov. 16, 1885
News icon Bismarck Weekly Tribune, Nov. 20, 1885
News icon Brooklyn Eagle, Nov. 21, 1885
News icon Greenleaf Journal, Nov. 27, 1885
News icon The Age, Dec. 29, 1885


The Silver Cliff Disaster
Biddeford Daily Journal, Maine
November 23, 1885

Silver Cliff, Col., Nov. 21. -- The coroner's investigation into the cause of the Bull Domingo mine explosion reported.  The search for the direct cause was thorough, though strenuous efforts were made to excuse the company and superintendent.

The jury found "that the deceased came to their deaths by reason of the criminal negligence of H. W. Foss, superintendent of the mine, in failing to find means for the prevention of said fire, and criminal negligence of said Foss in failing to provide means of exit from the mine."  Foss was arrested and held in $2,000 bail.

Names of the Fatalities:
  • H. Westfall
  • William Strong, married, family
  • Elmer Heister
  • William Patten, married, family
  • Napoleon Degrosslier, married, family
  • John Lobby
  • George Smith, married, family
  • Simon Baptista
  • B. Baptista, married, family
  • Conn Nourse
Possible Errors
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