Alexander Frank Sluzinski (1886 - 1917)

Born 26 Feb 1886 in Bilwinowa, Polska

Descendants

Died 7 Jan 1917 at age 30 in Ashley, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Alexander Frank Sluzinski^[1] was born on 26 February 1886,^[1] in Bilwinowa, Poland (controlled by Russia),^[1]. (His death certificate claims he was born on 26 May 1887,^[2] but the immigration application is a better source since he provided the date himself.^[1])

He immigrated to the United States on the Rudolph Wilhelm, which arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, on 27 May 1903.^[1]

Their children include:

Helen Sluzinski^[3]

son Casmir Sluzinski (1911-)^[1]

son Anthony Sluzinski (ca 1914-)^[4]

daughter Regina Sluzinski (ca 1915-)^[4]

On 4 October 1909, he declared his intention to become a US Citizen, at the Circuit Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, in Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.^[1]

In 1910, Aleck and Stella Swarz were living with their daughter Helen and two boarders at 16 Coal Street, Ashley, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. They were using the family name 'Swarz', perhaps to avoid prejudice against Polish people. Aleck was a miner in a coal mine. ^[5]

On 8 December 1911, he applied for naturalization.^{[1] [1]}

On 6 January 1917, an explosion occurred in Maxwell No. 20 colliery, of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company. Although miners initially speculated that the explosion resulted from inadequate ventilation, an inquest determined that Frank Waitonis, who was killed in the blast, had taken powder into the mine, and that the chamber had been declared free of gas, and concluded that the explosion resulted from the explosion of the powder, from an unknown cause. Waltonis was in the chamber where the explosion occurred and died immediately; one newspaper report claims he was 'blown to shreds'.^[6] Tofil Martinka was also killed, probably by being crushed by debris.^[7] (The newspaper report of the inquest does not mention the evidence that Martinka had been instructed to set brattice because of inadequate ventilation, which was initially thought to support the theory that the explosion had been caused by a buildup of gas.) ^{[8] [9]}

On 7 January 1917, he died, in Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, of burns of the head, face, thorax, abdomen, and buttocks, from the mine explosion. On 10 January, he was buried in Sugar Notch, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8} Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, U.S., naturalization record, Alexander Frank Sluzinski, no. 1270 (8 Dec 1911); image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1193/images/M1626_23-0082 : accessed 20 July 2022); citing Pennsylvania, District Court.

   Declaration of Intention: Alexander Frank Sluzinski, occupation miner, dark complexion, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 155 pounds, light hair, brown eyes, index finger of left hand scarred; born 26 February 1886, Bilwinowa, Russia Poland, residence 16 Orchard Street, Ashley, Pennsylvania, emigrated from Bremen on Rudolph Wikelman [sic]; last foreign residence Bilwinowa, Russia Poland; now subject of Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia; arrived in Baltimore Maryland on 27 May 1903; sworn 4 October 1909

   Alexander Frank Sluzinski

   residence 89 S. Main St, Ashley, Pennsylvania; occupation miner

   born 26 February 1886, Bilwinowa, Russia Poland

   immigration from Bremen on 13 May 1903, arrived Baltimore Maryland on 27 May 1903 on Rudolph Wilhelm

   declared intention to become citizen on 4 October 1909 at Scranton, US Circuit Court of Middle District of Pennsylvania

   wife Stella, born Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, residence 89 S. Main St, Ashley

   two children: Helen (born 13 May 1908, Ashley, residence Ashley), Casimer (born 9 Apr 1911, Ashley, residence Ashley)

   resided continuously in US since 27 May 1903

   filed 8 December 1911

   witnesses: Peter Sawitski and Duffy Mishkiel (both miners, residence Ashley Pennsylvania)

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Bureau of Vital Statistics, Pennsylvania, no. 5122 (7 January 1917), Alexander Sluzinski; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5164/images/41381_647661_0578-01249 : accessed 20 July 2022).

   Alexander Sluzinski

   male, white, married, occupation: miner

   born 26 May 1887, Russia Poland

   father: Anthony Sluzinksi (born Russia Poland), mother unknown

   informant: Frank Walukiewicz, Ashley

   died 7 January 1917, Mercy Hospital, Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County

   cause of death: 'Mine Explosion Gas Burns of the Head face thorax absomen + buttocks'

   buried 10 January, Sugar Notch

3. ↑ Bureau of Vital Statistics, Pennsylvania, birth certificate, no. 76917 (13 May 1908), Helen Swortz [sic]; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1457017:60484 : accessed 20 July 2022).

   Helen Swortz [sic]

   female

   born 13 May 1908, 12 Coal St, Ashley, Luzerne County

   father Alex Swortz [sic], residence 12 Coal St, Ashley Pa, 22, born Russian Poland, miner

   mother Stella Wallick [sic], 21, born America

   first child of this mother, 1 living

   born 7 AM

   attendant W E Hughes, Ashley, PA

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} 1920 U.S. census, Ashley, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 5, p. 2 B stamped = sheet 2 B penned, family 33; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RX9-98F : accessed 20 July 2022).

   89 S Main Street, rented

   head Stella Sluzinski, female, white, 32, widowed, born Pennsylvania, parents born Poland, no occupation

   daughter Helen -, female, white, 11, single, attended school born Pennsylvania, no occupation

   son Casmir -, male, white, 8, single, attended school, born Pennsylvania

   son Anthony -, male, white, 6, single, did not attend school, born Pennsylvania

   daughter Regina -, female, white, 4-8/12, single, did not attend school, born Pennsylvania

   sister Joseph Wallack, female, white, 16, single, did not attend school, born Pennsylania, spinner, at silk mill

   brother Frank -, male, white, 24, single, did not attend school, born Pennsylvania, laborer, at coal mine

5. ↑ 1910 U.S. census, ward 3, Ashley, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 2, p. 218 A stamped = sheet 24 A penned, family 158; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RKZ-D6K : accessed 20 July 2022); 'Swarz', but the personal names and location make the identity clear

   16 Coal Street, rented house

   head Aleck Swarz [sic] male, white, 23, married once, 2 years, born Russia (Polish), immigrated 1904, papers filed, miner, coal mine, not out of work 15 April, 0 weeks out of work in 1909

   wife Stella -, female, white, 23, married once, 2 years, 1 child 1 living, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

   daughter Helen -, female, white, 1-11/12, single, born Pennsylvania, no occupation

   boarder Antonty Rivinski, male, white, 25, single, born Russia (Polish), immigrated 1907, alien, miner, coal mine, not out of work 15 April, 0 weeks out of work in 1909

   boarder Carl Sosnowksi [?], male, white, 25, single, born Russia (Polish)(, immigrated 1907, alien, miner, coal mine, not out of work 15 April, 0 weeks out of work in 1909

6. ↑ Bureau of Vital Statistics, Pennsylvania, death certificate, no. 358 (6 January 1917), Frank Waitonis; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5164/images/41381_2421406260_0599-02833 : accessed 20 July 2022).

   Frank Waitonis

   male, white, unknown birth date, about 37 years old, miner, born Russia to William Waitonis and Tarisie Bariziory [?]

   [Ancestry's indexer read his mother's name as 'Taresie Borezwiy']

   informant: Mrs Waitonis, Ashley, PA

   died 6 January 1917, Ashly [sic], Luzerne County

   cause of death: mine accident

   buried 8 Jan 1917, 'Geragetown' [?, perhaps 'Georgetown']

7. ↑ Bureau of Vital Statistics, Pennsylvania, death certificate, no. 357 (6 January 1917), Tofil Martinka; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5164/images/41381_2421406260_0599-02831 : accessed 20 July 2022).

   Tofil Martinka

   male, white, married, miner

   born -, Russia Polish, to Karel Martinka (born Russia) and Barta Martin (born Russia)

   informant: Mrs Martinka, 351 S. Meade St.

   died 6 January 1917, in a mine accident (explosion of gas)

   buried 8 January, City Cemetery

8. ↑ 'Explosion Claims Five Victims', Wilkes-Barre Semi-Weekly Record, Tuesday, 9 January 1917, p.8, col.3; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105954393/explosion-claims-five-victims-wilkes/ : accessed 20 July 2022).

   'EXPLOSION CLAIMS FIVE VICTIMS

   'Cause of Accident at No. 20 Colliery at Ashley Still in Doubt

   'THREE MEN DEAD AND TWO INJURED

   'Miners Had Been Warned That Circulation Was Faulty—Company Leans to Powder Theory

   '(Daily Record, Jan. 8.)

   'Three dead and two injured is the toll taken by an explosion in Maxwell No. 20 colliery, Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co., on Saturday morning, the cause of which can only be conjectured. A statement issued by the company after a preliminary investigation points to the supposition that there was an explosion of powder, but other theories are advanced by the miners themselves which tend to the belief that it may have been due to bad circulation which allowed gas to accumulate.

   '——

   'The Dead

   'Frank Waitonis, age 38, Liberty street, Hanover Township; body badly crushed by being thrown against wall of chamber; leaves wife and several children.

   'Tofel Martin, age 45, South Meade street, Wilkes-Barre; arms torn from body; leaves wife and several children.

   +'Alex Schwartz, age 27, of 89 South Main street, Ashley; burned about head and shoulders; died in Mercy Hospital yesterday.

   '——

   'The Injured

   'Anthony Sakowski, age 45, of Maxwell street, Ashley; lacerations of head and suffering from shock. In Mercy Hospital.

   'John Ulgultes, known as John Patsey, age 30, Ridge street, Newtown; bruised. Removed to his home.

   '——

   'Warned of Faulty Circulation

   'The explosion occurred about 7:10 Saturday morning shortly after the men had entered the mine, and is said to have taken place in the chamber in which Martin was working. Waltonis, it is said, was helping Martin to stand brattice, the second foreman, Thomas X. Jones, having warned the latter that the air circulation in the chamber was bad, and to put up this protection. According to the miners who repeat this statement, this indicates that the chamber was gaseous, and tends to the belief that it was a gas and not powder explosion.

   'Schwartz was working in an adjoining chamber, and Sakowski and Ulgultes nearby.

   'It is not known whether Martin had dynamite with him in his chamber. The coal company officials say that the usual effects of a gas explosion are not in evidence. If Martin had powder there, it is possible that one of the tools which he was using to set brattice may have dropped in the box and formed sufficient percussion to discharge the explosive.

   'The report of the explosion was heard for considerable distance in the mind, and within a few minutes a rescue force was on the scene to clear away the debris brought down, and to carry the men to the inside hospital, where the wounds of the injured men were dressed. Dr. W. B. Foss of Ashley and Dr. J. W. Geist of this city, physicians for the coal company, and Rev. Father Hussia [?], rector of St. Leo's Church at Ashley, were sent for, and attended the injured men inside.

   'A considerable throng gathered at the gate to the colliery yard, but it was more than four hours before it was known how many men were killed and how many hurt. As usual the first reports of the tragedy were much exaggerated.

   '——

   'Make Investigation

   'E. J. Newbaker, division superintendent, together with Inside Superintendent Samuel Griffiths of the Maxwell, worked with the first aid men, and later directded the investigation which was begun. Hugh Leslie, burgess and deputy coroner of Ashley, also went to the scene. An inquest will be held, but the date has not been set.

   'In a statement to the papers Mr. Newbaker said:

   '"From the examination and investigation that the officers have been able to make up to the present time the cause of the accident has not been positively determined. The supposition is that there was an explosion of powder in one of the working places for the reason that the usual effects of a gas explosion are not in evidence."

   'Anthony Sakowski, one of the injured men who is at the hospital, when asked whether he believed the explosion was that of gas or powder, said he believed it was caused by the ignition of a pocket of gas, although he could not positively say.

   'Schwartz died at Mercy Hospital last evening from the burns sustained in the explosion.'

9. ↑ 'Verdict on Mine Accident', The Times Leader, Friday, 26 January 1917, p.2, col. 6; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105958418/verdict-on-mine-accident-the-times-le/ : accessed 20 July 2022).

   'VERDICT ON MINE ACCIDENT

   'Deputy Coroner Hugh Leslie conducted an inquest last evening in the town hall on the deaths of the three men who were killed in the explosion in Maxwell No. 20 mine of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. on Jan. 6. About a dozen witnesses were called, including mine foremen and miners and laborers, who testified to the explosion. Evidence was Produced [sic] showing that Frank Watonis, the miner who was blown to shreds and instantly killed, had secured giant powder before entering the mines and was carrying same at the time of the explosion, as he was seen just a minute before it occurred. Alexander Schwartz, another miner who was a victim of the explosion, and who lived for several hours after the accident, died as the result of burns, according to the evidence. Toffli Martin, another miner, who was killed in the accident, probably met his death by being struck by and pinned under the debris caused by the explosion. The witnesses were all cross examined. None could say as to the cause of the accident, but the facts showed that the powder could not be found following the accident, and that the particular part of the mines had been properly inspected early that morning, and according to the evidence of the fire boss, that particular chamber was free from gas.

   'The decision and verdict of the jury was that Frank Watonis, Alexander Schwartz and Toffil Martin came to their deaths by an explosion of giant powder in the hands of Frank Watonis from some unknown cause. The jury was composed of Hugh Leslie, J. B. Graham, James Hogan, W. H. Ridicard, D. E. Frederick and M. T. Johnson.'