Further to the recent postings concerning the St.John Street Hanley death. Below is a message forwarded to this list with the permission of the Author, Dr. Barry Job of Stafford. It first appeared on the Mining List(not a Rootsweb list)last week. Dave 8-)) Listowner STS Pots and BC etc., <<<<>>>> The question; did the shaft remain open until the funeral, is answered by the report of Mines Inspector W. N. Atkinson. He records that "One side of the shaft was against the foundations of the houses on the east side of the street. When the shaft was examined it appeared as if it had been "tumped over" by a dome of brickwork... When plumbed it was found to be 40 yards deep, and nearly full of blackdamp. The sides of the shaft so far as could be seen were in a dangerous state, part of the brick lining having fallen away. Efforts were made to recover the body... The sides of the shaft , however, continued to give way to such an extent that the fallen stuff filled the bottom of the shaft for 71/2 yards and on the following day (Sunday) apprehensions were felt for the safety of the adjoining houses, and it became evident that it was impracticable to use the shaft to recover the body. The Mayor of Hanley, therefore, obtained the consent of Mr. Holland's relatives to the filling up of the shaft, and this was preceeded with a after a religious service had been held at the top of the shaft." So the answer is yes, the shaft did remain open, although the funeral appears to have been held the next day, and the shaft was filled to prevent damage to adjacent houses. Dr. Barry Job.