Robert M. Meek, 42, miner, died attempting to save Edwin A. Sutton, 34, assistant superintendent, from suffocation, Cokedale, Colorado, February 10, 1911. Seventeen men were working in a mine 40 feet below the surface when a terrific explosion occurred, disarranging the ventilation system and causing after-damp to fill parts of the mine. Sutton and Meek, and other men, searched through various entries, finding several bodies. Sutton and a companion, wearing oxygen helmets, walked into an entry in which it was known the air was bad, and, after going 425 feet, Sutton fell and became unconscious when his helmet failed to work properly. His companion removed Sutton’s helmet and went back to Meek, who, upon hearing of Sutton’s condition, without a helmet, went into the entry to his assistance. A companion followed about 150 feet, then turned back because of gas. After going 325 feet, Meek was overcome. He and Sutton were taken out within 15 minutes, but they could not be revived. 6250-616
6250 – 616
6250-616