Legh Colliery

1879 Legh Haydock Richard Evans and Co.
Certificated manager Isaac Billange was also manager of Queen pit.
01-01-1873 to 31-12- 1878 there had been 4 deaths at the colliery and there was one in 1879 Total 5.
1882 Billange still manager of the two pits. 6 deaths 1872 to 1881.1 in 1882 total 7. 1894 Legh Joseph Watkinson manager cert. no 1937 John Millington undermanager cert. no 1751 1st class.
218 under 29 surface Colliery reported having been opened in 1855

1st. March 1856.
Caution to Colliers.
At St. Helens Petty Sessions Mr. A. Lowe, a drawer at Legh Colliery was charged under the 15th. Law of the Colliery Rules of removing a cloth that hung in the air in the workings whereby a large quantity of gas built up endangering workmen and the property of the masters. Mr. Marsh, the fireman had told him to put it back and he offered no defence and was fined 40/- with costs or 1 month in jail. This was the highest penalty that could be passed. (Wigan Observer)

1859.
A fire was reported in the Ravenhead seam in 1859 at 200 feet down when Queen and Legh shafts were closed to try to cut off the air supply. The temperature increased over four days from 100 degrees F to 216F and it was thought that the would have to flood the pit. The 400 miners affected were offered other jobs at Evans Pits.

18th. March 1863.
On Friday 10th April two men James Miller and James Newton were engaged at the bottom of the pit erecting brattice in a road. The cloth was fastened to a piece of wood in the roof and a stone 15 feet long fell. Newton got out with difficulty but was in a dreadful state and Miller was dead. The deceased was an elderly man who left a family who were unable to support themselves. The inquest was at the Rams Head, verdict ‘Accidental Death’. (St. Helens Newspaper and Advertiser)

13th. January 1865.
Fatal Accident at Legh Pit.
A portion of the roof fell on James Whittle, drawer aged 22 years and injured Robert Carr, collier. (Wigan Examiner)

2nd. February 1866.
Attempted Murder in Pit.
William Wedgewood was before the bench accused of an attempt to wound Abraham Simm, collier of Hyde. Inspector Peters said the prisoner was a drawer for a collier named Marsh and there was a despite over a box. The prisoner left the place and went 200 yards and returned with a hammer and hi Simm on the head severely injuring his skull. The man Simm was found by George Travis and Dr. Twyford was called. Wedgewood was bound over on intent to kill with no bail. It was reported in ‘The Wigan Observer’ of the 16th. February 1866, that Simm died and Wedgewood was bound over to appear at Kirkdale Sessions on a charge of murder. ‘The St. Helens Standard’ reported on the 3rd. February 1866 that at Newton Court Wedgewood appeared before Mr. McCorqudale it was reported the Simms brain was protruding in a shocking manner. A portion of the skull was removed and exhibited in court in evidence. 4th. December 1891. Benjamin Davidson, collier at Legh Pit fell on his head and was dangerously injured and taken to St. Helens Hospital. (St Helens Lantern)

29th. January 1891.
M.P. Visits Legh Pit.
T.W. Legh M.P. went down the pit while it was working. (St Helens Lantern)

17th. June 1892.
Joseph Manchester injured his head and was removed to his home where he was reported to be progressing favourably. (St Helens Lantern)

17th. June 1892.
William Nuslan was in the haulage road when empty boxes passed over him. He was not seriously injured and went home. (St Helens Lantern)

10th. December 1869.
Breaches of the Rules at Legh Pit.
At Wigan Court, a collier, John Hancock who was employed in the Main Delf Mine at the colliery fired a shot without a fireman. He pleaded guilty and said he had asked the fireman to fire the shot and he had refused saying that the hole was too shallow but the colliery went on and fired it anyway. He was sent to jail for two moths with no option of a fine. (Colliery Guardian)

10th. September 1869.
Smoking in a Fiery Mine.
At the Police Court in Wigan two colliers, Edward Kelly and Thomas Burns appeared before Mr. Lamb charged with smoking in the Five Feet workings. One had taken the top off his lamp and this just after there had been an explosion in the mine. One of the witnesses had left the area but sent a letter to the underlooker Mr. Billange “I am sorry that I dare not give evidence against Kelly and Thomas. I hope what has passed will be a lesson to other men against pulling the tops off their lamps. If you will pay Mrs Merrick the balance due to me she can have it. Yours R. Andrews.” The witness had gone to France and the accused were bound over to appear in three months time. (Colliery Guardian)

09-06-1866
Fatal Explosion at Legh Pit.
There was an inquest held by Driffield at the Waggon and Horses on the body of Henry Pearson a drawer of Clipsley Lane who died from injuries received in an explosion at the colliery and another man named Brow was seriously injured with slight hopes that he will recover. Ann Harrison said she was the wife of Samuel Harrison of Cipsley Lane and identified Person who lodged with them. At 2 p.m. he walked home severely burnt. Dr Twyford attended him but he died the following Saturday. James Heddleston was a collier near Brown’s place and said that Brown asked him to lend him a shot. Brown went to the top of the brow and brought back the can and cartridge. Heddleston was angry about that and said that he should not borrow cartridges. Heddleston left saying that he would be back in half an hour and left him one which he put in his cap. Heddleston heard nothing until the report of the shot at about 1 a/.m. and did not take any notice until a drawer called him to the top of the brow. The deceased was stripped and badly burnt. Isaac Billange gave evidence and the verdict that Pearson was killed by an explosion of powder. (St. Helens Standard)

10-12-1869.
Breaches of the Rules.
At Wigan Court, John Hancock was employed in the Main Delph fired a shot without the fireman being present he was sent to jail for two months with o option of a fine. This was one of the Haydock Collieries and was close to King, Queen and Princess pits. (Colliery Guardian)

17th December 1881.
Fatal Accident at Haydock.
At the inquest at the Rams Head on the body of Luke Hughes aged 37 years, who was killed at Legh pit. Bridgett Hughes was his widow and gave the evidence of identification and said they lived at Boston Cottages, Haydock. He had worked in the pit for several years and had never made any complaint. Richard Whittle, collier, said he was working close by when the accident happened. The deceased was setting a prop when the foot fell and a large stone caught his head and shoulders killing him instantly. Peter Arthur also gave evidence and helped to recover the body. Joseph Sutton the fireman said he went around the place in the morning and tried the roof and the support where the accident had taken place and found it dangerous and told the deceased to set a prop. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. (St. Helens Newspaper)

8th. July 1888.
Killed in a Mining Tunnel in Haydock.
At the inquest held at the Town Hall in St. Helens on the body of John Henry Jarvis who was killed in Legh pit on Wednesday, Mrs. Jarvis identified the body and gave his age as 30 years. William Millington said he worked with him when a fall took place about 5 pm as they were driving a tunnel through a fault and solid rock. Patrick Knockton of Haydock said the tunnel was about 20 yards long and they were taking the tunnel under a stone that fell without warning. The Coroner said the timber had been set properly. The jury returned a verdict of ‘Accidental Death’ and stated that it was the job of the manager and the officials to see that the timer was properly set. (Prescot Reporter)

28th. October 1898.
Miners’ Compensation Act.
A case took place on Tuesday before his Honour, Judge Shand. This was the first arbitration case brought under the Workmen’s Compensation Act in which Matthew McCarthy daywageman of Old Fold Cottages, Haydock asked for compensation from Evans and Co. The plaintiff claimed compensation in respect of an accident on 2nd July 1898 in Leigh pit Haydock. Mr Mc Carthy was assisting in the building of an air crossing when he was struck in the eye by a quantity of mortar. He had previously had an eye operation for a cataract and as a result of the accident, he was and still is incapacitated. The plaintiff was able to earn 20/- a week and claimed 13/- a week for 13 weeks a total of £9-12-6d. At the time of the accident, the plaintiff was under notice to leave his employment. The Company denied liability on the grounds that McCarthy’s employment did not come under the Act and he had a previous injury that did not arise out of the accident. It appeared that there was a doubt as to whether the inability to work was due solely to the accident and to what extent it was due to the previous state of the eye. It was agreed that a payment of £5 and they agreed to pay the costs which the Judge thought was a just settlement. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)

30th. May 1889.
Colliery Accident at Haydock.
On Friday Charles Greenall aged 26 years was severely injured. He and a young fellow, Joseph Davies and were about to go up in the cage when some empty tubs came down the brow. The jigger had got mixed up and Greenall was caught and thrown several yards. It was found his arms were broken and his thigh dislocated. He was taken to the Cottage Hospital where he was attended by Dr. Heywood.

14th. September 1901.
Thomas Norcross aged 30 years, dataller was engaged with a fireman changing a bar in the level. When preparing a hole for the bar leg a stone fell on him from the roof. There was a space of four feet between the other two bars. (Mines Inspectors Report)

20th. September 1901.
Sad Fatality At Haydock.
Thomas Norcross was the second son of Councillor Norcross who was present at the meeting of the band of Hope at the Wesleyan chapel and left soon after 9 to go to work at Legh pit where within a very short time he received a fatal blow from a stone falling from the roof. He was removed to the hospital where he died in a few hours without regaining consciousness. F. A. Jones the deputy Coroner held the inquest at the Wagon and Horses on Tuesday afternoon. Councillor Harold Griffin was the foreman of the jury. Henry Norcross said that the deceased was his brother and lived at 103 Clipsley Lane Haydock and he was employed as a day wage man in the pit. Olive Russell a nurse at the Cottage Hospital said that he was admitted to the hospital on the 15th. with injuries to the head and he had remained unconscious to his death at 7 a.m. the same day. James Hazelden a fireman at the pit was working with the deceased at the time of the accident in Talbot’s Level in putting up bars. The deceased was making a hole for a bar before this was done the witness sounded the roof and though it was safe. Suddenly a stone fell from the roof and struck the deceased on the head. Mr. Matthews, the Inspector, said that he had inspected the place and found that the two bars were four feet apart they seemed to have disturbed the roof and slips could be seen no doubt that the hammering had disturbed it. Verdict ‘Accidental Death.’ (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)

24th. May 1901.
Presentation To Haydock Colliery Manager.
On Thursday last a deputation of workmen employed at Legh pit waited upon John Millington at his residence at Dove Villas Haydock to make a suitable presentation on his relinquishing his position as underground manager of the pit a post which he has filled for 38 of his 56 years. Messrs Joseph and Charles Greenall and Norcross were the chief speakers and each referred in the highest terms about his service. The men had subscribed to a testimonial fund and passed on their best wishes and he was presented with a handsome black marble timepiece inscribed: ‘Presentation to John Millington in a token of the esteem of his fellow-workmen 1901’ and a pair of noble bronze figures on base pedestals and an engraved walking stick. Mr. Millington returned his thanks. He has not severed his connection with Legh Pit as he is retained for consultation purposes during the new management for the extensive scheme for the reorganisation of the Haydock Collieries. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)

22nd. November 1901.
Compensation For Damage For A Burning Coal Stack.
The case was heard at St. Helens Court when John Picton a cart proprietor of Haydock sued Evans and Co for £12-10s. for damages done to his field of oats from the heat and smoke from a burning stack of coal at the colliery. The coal stack was burning neat to his field for a fortnight he got 70 to 80 bags last year and only got 40 bags this year. William Cawley a farmer of Haydock said he was burly man who was a man elected by a meeting of ratepayers to adjudicate when ether was a question of farm damage and he was called in on this case and it was his opinion that the damage was £12-10s. The defence said that the damage was not nearly so much. His honour gave judgement for the plaintiff for the amount claimed. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)

5th. April 1907
James Rotherham aged 52 years, dataller was travelling to work downbrow when a fall of the side occurred which knocked out three sprags and fatally injured him. (Mines Inspectors Report)

31st. January 1908.
Edward Gange aged 60 years, dataller was driving an airway through an old road a stone fell from a break in the roof and fell on him, causing his death. (Mines Inspectors Report)

7th. February 1908.
Haydock Collier’s Death.
At the inquest into the death of Edward Gange at the Wagon and Horses before Mr. Brighouse aged 65 years and was killed by a stone which fell from the roof. Gilbert Gange stated 373, Clipsely Lane, said the deceased was his father and damage man who had worked in the pits for 28 years at Leigh pit Patrick Murray, a daywageman of Chapel Street, said about 8 p.m. he went down and joined the deceased in the nine Feet Mine. At 3 p.m. David Levesley fireman gave an instruction to go and make an air hole between two places. He was 8 feet from the witness and they worked alternately and when he saw him he was pinned by a large stone that had fallen from the side and he was dead. Mr. Matthews thought the place was well propped. David Levesley the fireman of Clipsley Lane said the place was safe when he left after his inspection. They had got six inches in when he was killed, the stone must have broken at the back Matthews said the stone was of a kind of fireclay that could break. Verdict ‘Accidental Death’. The coroner gave the courts condolences to the relatives of the deceased. (Newton & Earlestown Guardian)

17th. January 1905.
John Briscoe aged 44 years, contractor was working in a tunnel that was barred and covered but the tunnel was just reaching up to old workings in the Four Feet seam. The roof came down bodily, the timber not being set closely enough and fatally injured him. (Mines Inspectors Report)

Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.