Suicide at a shale pit, 1892
type: Safety - misconduct, injury or death at work
SUICIDE AT A PIT
Early on Saturday morning when the oversman descended No. 8 Pit, the property of Messrs Young’s Oil Company, Addiewell, he came upon the body of a man at the pit bottom. The head was smashed in so fearful a manner that identification was almost impossible. On his person were found two tickets from a draper in Jamaica Street, Glasgow, and purse with 6d. It is supposed the deceased mast have climbed over the fence surrounding the pithead, and flung himself down the shaft. The body was removed to the mortuary at West Calder, and was identified as that of a man named Anthony M'Ateer. It seems that recently came from Ireland to work in the district.
The Linlithgowshire Gazette, 20th February 1892