John Harkins (1853 - 1881)

Born 1853 in Ireland

Died 20 Jul 1881 at about age 28 in Chalfant Valley, Mono County, California, USA

Biography

1879 & 1880 Mono County Great Register of Voters: John Harkins, 26 yrs, b Ireland, Stableman, Res-Bodie, Naturalized-Oct. 23, 1874, Mass., U.S. District Court, Registered-4/22/1879.

He passed away in 1881.

Obituary

The Daily Free Press, 7/21/1881 (Thursday):

Fire and Loss of Life – A Cabin Catches Fire, and John Harkins Perishes in the Ruins.

Wednesday morning about two o’clock flames were seen issuing from a small cabin a short distance northeast of the Standard mill. The whistles immediately sounded an alarm of fire, and in a short time afterward the Hook and Ladder Company and the Neptunes responded to the call. The cabin being small it was soon devoured by the flames, and no efforts that the firemen could have put forth, would have saved it from destruction. The Hooks were on hand, however, and after pulling away portions of the burning lumber, they came across the charred remains of the unfortunate inmate, John Harkins, a miner employed in the Standard mine.

The discovery of a human being in the ruins was a surprise to the firemen, as it was not supposed there was anyone in the cabin when the fire originated. The remains presented a frightful sight. When taken out the flesh was burning and steaming and large pieces of flesh dropped from the bones. The lower limbs were burned away to the knees, and the arms below the elbows were also gone. The face was beyond recognition and the trunk of the body was burned to a crisp. It was learned that the remains were those of John Harkins, and as soon as possible they were removed to Ward’s undertaking rooms.

The Inquest. In the afternoon Coroner Deal held an inquest, and after an examination of several witnesses a verdict of accidental death was rendered. During the evening and until 11 o’clock, Harkns was down town, and took several drinks of beer. Hugh Gorman accompanied him to his cabin at 11:30 o’clock, and he left him at that hour in bed, with a candle burning near his head. Harkins commenced to read when Gorman was about to leave him, and the latter advised him to go to sleep, as he might not be able to wake up in time to go to work on the morning shift. Harkins replied that he had not missed a shift in three years. The candle was burned to within an inch of the bottom when Gorman left. As the fire was not discovered until two o’clock, it is evident that the candle dropped through the candlestick onto some rags, and smouldered for a long time. The unfortunate man upon being awakened made a rush for the door, but he was either too much exhausted or excited to open it, and he perished in the struggle. The deceased was about 28 years of age and a native of Ireland. He had been in Bodie about three years. His brother Edward at one time owned the City Livery Stables and John was employed there. His father and a brother reside in the old country. He has worked in the Standard mine for some months. Not being a member in good standing, he will not be buried by the Miners’ Union.

Sources

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152201479/john-harkins : accessed 01 January 2022), memorial page for John Harkins (1853–20 Jul 1881), Find a Grave Memorial ID 152201479, citing Bodie Cemetery, Bodie, Mono County, California, USA ; Maintained by Sue (contributor 47371789)