Michael Brogan

Newspaper References

MINER KILLED AT BROXBURN

Yesterday afternoon Michael Brogan, miner, residing in Broxburn, was killed in Stewartfield Mine, belonging to Broxburn Oil Company (Limited), by a fall of shale weighing over ten tons.

The Scotsman, 28 March 1905

MINER's FEARFUL DEATH

On Monday afternoon a miner named Michael Brogan, living in Kirkhall Park, was crushed to death by a fall of loose material from the roof of his working place in No. 2 Stewartfield. Brogan had been holing, and was apparently taken by surprise, having no time to seek safety. The remains, which were terribly mutilated, were borne home on a stretcher by a party of the dead man's workmates. Deceased leaves a widow and five children.

Linlithgowshire Gazette, 31 March 1905

Fatality at Broxburn

MINER BURIED IN A FALL OF SHALE

On Monday afternoon a sad fatality occured at No. 2 Mine, Stewartfiels, Broxburn, belonging to Broxburn Oil Company, a young married man being buried in a fall of between three and four tons of shale at his working-place there. It appears that the man - Michael Brogan by name - who was a mine and resided at Kirkhill Road, Broxburn - had been following his occupation amid no sign of approaching danger when his drawer, a younger brother of his own, left the place with a load few minutes after one o'clock. When the latter retuned with his empty hutch about 2.15, however, he missed his brother, and at the same time noticed a large fall of shale at the face. He became alarmed, and shouted to one of the miners working at the next place as to whether he had seen Michael. Getting an answer in the negative, he asked the man to come along, and they both entered the working place and came to the conclusion that Michael Brogan was buried in the fall. Further assistance was got, and the shale was split up and the lifeless body of the unfortunate man got out. The corpse was carried home on one of the works' stretchers. Deceased was 32 years of age, and leaves a widow and a family of five children. He has been a=for a long time employed in the local mines, and was very well known in the district and respected as a steady, industrious man. The news of his untimely death, which soon spread, created widespread regret. Much sympathy is felt for his sorrowing relatives.

West Lothian Courier, 31 March 1905

Funeral of a Miner

The funeral of Mr Michael Brogan, the victim of a large fall of shale in No. 2 Stewartfield Mine on Monday, took place to Uphall Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, and was largely attended by miners and others. There was also a large turnout in full regalia of the members of Dr Cahill Branch of the Irish National Foresters, of which the deceased was an office-bearer. The Rev. Father Wood, curate in Broxburn R.C. Church, officiated at the grave.

West Lothian Courier, 31 March 1905

FATAL ACCIDENTS INQUIRY (SCOTLAND) ACT, 1895

THE SHERIFF of the LOTHIANS and PEEBLES will hold PUBLIC INQUIRIES on TUESDAY, 25th April, 1905 at Eleven o'clock, Forenoon, in the SHERIFF COURT-HOUSE, Linlithgow, in regard to the cause of the Deaths of (1) MICHAEL BROGAN, Miner, Broxburn, sometime employed by Broxburn Oil Coy., Ltd; and (2) WILLIAM BOYD HARPER, Miner, South Queensferry, sometime employed by Dalmeny Oil Co., Ltd.

WILL. STRACHAN, Sheriff-Clerk, Linlithgow, 13th April, 1905.

Linlithgowshire Gazette, 14 April 1905

FATALITY AT BROXBURN

An inquiry was also held as to the death of Michael Brogan, Kirkhill Road, Broxburn, who was killed in No. 2 mine, Stewartfield, Borxburn, belonging to the Broxburn Oil Company, on 27th March last. The evidence showed that while deceased was engaged in his working place on the afternoon of the date mentioned a large piece of shale weighting about three tons fell upon him, and when extricated he was found to be dead. It was stated that the shale was worked in two sections - the top and bottom - and that it as supposed he has been under the top shale when the fall came away. The jury returned a formal verdict.

West Lothian Courier, 28 April 1905

BROXBURN

The performance which Mr Findlay produced on Monday evening as a benefit for the widow of Michael Brogan, who lost his life in one of the mines some time ago, was one of the best ever seen in the Public Hall, the playing of the orchestra and the Highland dancing by children being very good indeed. The idea of an orchestra formed of local musicians is worth taking up, and the experiment, if well planned and carefully carried out, could scarcely fail to become a popular success. We are pleased to learn that Monday's concert amply fulfilled the object with which it was organised, and that Mrs Brogan will receive a substantial token of the public sympathy.

Linlithgowshire Gazette, 7 September 1906