JOHN HICKS KILLED IN FALL TO BOTTOM OF MITCHELL SHAFT
Bonne Terre Register, Friday, April 26, 1907.
John Hicks, an employee of the Doe Run Lead Company, fell to the bottom of Mitchell Shaft near Leadwood at about half past four last Friday morning and his neck was broken. The shaft is 451 feet deep. Mr. Hicks, with other workmen, was lifting a pump from near the opening of the shaft, he standing between the pump and shaft and working with a crow bar. The bar slipped and Mr. Hicks fell back into the shaft. The cage was lowered and the body brought to the surface where it was found that instead of being terribly mangled by the awful plunge that only the neck was broken.
The coroner was notified and an inquest held. The verdict was that of accidental death. The body was removed to the late home, and buried Sunday near Bonne Terre. Mr. Hicks was twenty-eight years old and leaves a wife and three small children. He also has a brother, Joe Hicks, of Flat River. He was a member of Bonne Terre Aerie F.O.E., and had a large number of friends throughout the lead belt. --Lead Belt news.