This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wg.2ADE/1539.1 Message Board Post: "Morris Daily Herald", Morris, IL Sat, March 6, 1926 James Clayton of the coal firm of Clayton, Ferguson & Garrity, was seriously burned at the mine this morning by an explosion of gas and his injuries are serious. Mr. Clayton had gone into the shaft to work about 7:30 o'clock this morning. He was just entering his room off the main entry when there was a terrific explosion. The miners' lamp on his cap ignited a gas formation in his room and the explosion followed. The force of it threw him about 15 or 20 feet and rendered him unconscious. Thomas Garrity and Charles Rossi who were right behind him going to their rooms to work, went at once to his aid. They carried him to the shaft pit where they were taken to the surface. Davis' ambulance took the injured man to the Morris hospital where three physicians took care of his injuries. He is badly burned about the face and chest, back and arms. The gas pocket had formed in the room over night and always ascends to the roof of the rooms. Immediately the flame from Mr. Clayton's mine lamp came in contact with the gas fumes, an explosion was sure to follow. A few stones and pieces of coal were knocked to the floor of the room by the force of the explosion. The mine is located one and a half miles west of Morris along the state road and is operated by the firm of C. F. & G. Coal Co. Mr. Clayton was a victim of a mine accident about a year ago when a large stone fell upon him and he was badly injured. He was recently married a few months ago and lives on the Lisbon road. The condition of Mr. Clayton is reported very serious this afternoon. It appears that he was injured otherwise, beside the gas and has not regained his senses since the accident. "Morris Daily Herald", Mon, March 8, 1926 James Clayton died in the Morris hospital Saturday afternoon at 3:10 from injuries he received in the C. F. & G. coal shaft in the morning from a gas explosion. Mr. Clayton was terribly burned and bruised and died without regaining consciousness. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon by Coroner T. A. Hoganson and the jury composed of A. H. Hilliker, H. H. Harrod, F. A. Ashton, Harry Sparr, William Page and Essie Mackey returned a verdict that death was due to injuries received in a gas explosion Saturday, March 6, in the C. F. & G. coal mine. His body was removed to the home of his brother, Joseph, 1206 N. Division street, until 9 o'clock Tuesday morning, when it will be taken to the Davis chapel for the funeral services Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock conducted by Rev. J. W. McKitrick of the M. E. church. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery. James Clayton was born on the Frank Hall farm in Braceville township February 16, 1889 and was just past his 37th birthday. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Clayton and after the death of his father 23 years ago, the family moved to Morris where he has lived ever since. He was married October 31, 1925 to Miss Anna Guard, daughter of Mrs. Joseph Guard of Wauponsee. He is survived by his widow and his mother, Mrs. Godfrey Bress, also four sisters, Mrs. D. E. Cotton, of Mendota, Ill., Mrs. Herbert Werner, Mrs. Wilber Griffith of Morris, Mrs. Thomas Turner of Joliet. Four brothers, George L., of Mazon, Joseph, William and Herbert E. of Morris. He was one of the owners of the mine where he was killed, being in partnership with Thomas Ferguson and Ed Garrity. They sank the mine three years ago and it was known as C. F. & G. mine just west of Morris along the state highway. He was a hardworking young man and possessed many friends.