| Notes |
- From Ken Ackles, correspondent, note of February 28th, 2005
Two Men Literally "Blown to Atoms"
Michael O'Neill and John Ackles Dead as Result of Explosion of Powder Saturday morning about one o'clock an explosion occurred at the 550-foot level of No. 11 shaft at the Hollinger, causing the death of two well-known and highly esteemed employees of the mine, Michael O'Neill and John Ackles. Nothing will ever be really known as to the cause of the accident. All that may be known is that the men had secured five and a half boxes (about 220 lbs) of powder, together with caps and fuse, and were on their way back to the workings when the accident occurred. It is possible that one of their lamps may have come in contact with a fuse, or that a cap was accidentally dropped or hit. The explosion completely demolished the truck, literally blew the men to pieces, wrecked the air line and light cables. The six-inch pipe conveying compressed air was split a hundred feet each way from the scene of the accident. Two men in a crosscut some hundreds of feet away were stunned for a few moments by the terrible force of the explosion. Part of the watch worn by one of the men and the identification tag of the other were picked up after the accident, but of the men themselves there has not been enough recovered for identification.
An inquest was held on Tuesday morning and after a careful consideration of all the facts available, the jury returned a verdict of death by accident.
The late Michael O'Neill was 47 years of age. He had been an employee of the Hollinger for some time past and was well liked by all who knew him. His home was at Perth, Ontario, where he has a wife and family of young children. The remains were taken to Perth for interment by the noon train today. The late Mr. O'Neill, familiarly known as "Red Michael" had been handling powder for 15 years. He was a valued member of the Knights of Columbus.
he late John Ackles had been in the Camp for some time, having previously been in Cobalt, and was well-known and highly regarded by all. He was 51 years of age, and leaves a widow and grown up family. His home was Nova Scotia. He was a miner of long experience. Interment was made in Timmins cemetery this morning. The late John Ackles was a member in high standing in the higher lodges of the Orange Order.
Very sincere will be the sympathy extended to the bereaved families and friends in the sad death of Messrs. Ackles and O'Neill.
30 May 1923 edition of the Porcupine Advance [2]
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1869 - 1923 (54 years)
[1, 2] 
