from the Wisconsin State Journal, Sunday July 1, 2001, E3 by Bob Gutsche, Jr. for the State Journal Here are some snipets from the article. A memorial park designed to remember the lives of eight miners who died in a 1943 cave-in is expected to be dedicated during the city's July 4 celebration. Mining had originally stopped around the early 1900s here but had been revived for a short time during World War II to supply the military with lead. Another city park already helps people remember the history of mining, with an open lead mine that guides people about 200 feet underground. For more information call Shullsburg City Hall (608)-965-4424.

The following articles appeared in the "Benton Advocate" concerning the accident. Mike Birkett - charcs@mwci.net Benton Advocate, 2/12/1943 EIGHT MINERS MET DEATH AT MULCAHY Cave-Ins Cause Worst Tragedy in Years The dead: John Stephens 58, William Rooney 46, Russell Farrey 23, Walter Mauthe 48, Romo Lasiana 38, Joe Griffin 61, Maynard Howell 34, Nelson Jones 37, The injured: Cecil Ingram, Benton, LaVerne Kittoe, Shullsburg. The lives of eight miners were snuffed out Tuesday afternoon at the Mulcahy mine located on No. 11 one mile west of Shullsburg as the result of two cave-ins. The first cave in at about noon caught Jack Stephens of Benton and Willie Rooney of Shullsburg. This was a roof cave-in. The second cave-in from the side caught the six rescuers and happened at about 3 o'clock. The first two worked at the Mulcahy mine which is operated by Cherry, Farrey and Hatfield. The rescuing squad came from the James operated by Murray & Gill. A second squad of rescuers came from the Champion. Earl Farrey and Harold Reinke were in the rescue squad and had a very narrow escape as did Tom Morrissey and Daniel Schmidt. Verne Farrey was the hoisterman. Sheriff Homer Curry and the Coroner were at the scene early and a hearing was held before a jury of six men. The verdict held that the deaths were caused by unavoidable accident. KDTH were on the air with first news of the tragedy at 4 p.m. and at 6:15 they made a broadcast from the mine. Chub Bennett and Shanter Hillary appeared before th microphone. News of the tragedy has appeared on the first page of the leading daily papers of the midwest. Benton Advocate, 2/26/1943 To the Bereaved families of William Rooney, John Stephens, Maynard Howell, Joseph Griffin, Romano Luciana, Russell Farrey, Walter Mauthe, and Nelson Jones: There is nothing we can say or do which will make their going away from you and easier to hear, but we want you to know we are thinking of you and your honored dead. These men died in the line of duty; they gave their lives as truly as those killed in action on the fighting front. Their work, with all the daily risks and hardships, was vital to the war effort. When peace comes, and LaFayetee County plans her war memorial, their names must stand high on the roll of honor, for having made the supreme sacrifice. In the words of our Blessed Savior, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man may lay down his life for his friends." Benton Advocate, 2/26/1943 George Russell Farrey, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Farrey, was born at Leadmine, Wis., Dec. 14, 1918 and passed away Feb. 9, 1943 at Shullsburg, Wis., at the age of 24 years, 1 month and 26 days. He spent the early part of his life on the farm, attending grade school and later Shullsburg high school graduating with class 1937. After graduating from high school, he attended CCC Camp at Camp Argye, Wis. Upon his return home in July, 1939, he took up the occupation of mining, which he followed until the time of his death. On June 1, 1940 he was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Flora Dustin of Shullsburg, Wis., by the Rev. Father Schmitz. To this union two children, James Russell and Bernard Frederick, were born. He was a kind and loving son, husband and father, dearly loved by al who knew him, always willing to help others and do whatever he could in time of need. He was a great lover of the outdoors, often protecting wild life against destruction. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He leaves to mourn his loss, a beloved wife, two small sons, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Farrey, four brothers; Francis of Benton, Wis.; Raymond, Ralph and Robert at home; six sisters; Mary of Chicago, Ill.; Beulah, Margery, Ruth, Patricia, and Doris at home; also three nephews, Merlyn, Ronald and Lawrence Farrey of Benton, Wis., besides several uncles, aunts, cousins and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, Beatrice who died at the age of 1 year and 6 months. Funeral services were held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hofer at 1:30 and at the Methodist church at 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon. The Rev. R. M. Stephenson of Dodgeville, Wis., and the Rev. Weed of Shullsburg, officiating and burial was in the Leadmine cemetery. The following girls carried the many beautiful floral bouquets: Marion Bennett, Arlene Beckwith, Dorthy O'Neil, Mildred Gallagher, Marjorie Andrews, Maxine Jackson, Beulah White, and Anita Foley. Pall bearers were: Walter Pahnke, William Harty, Joseph Troy, Morris Monahan, Leland Kanerood, and Everett Frazier. ----- Original Message ----- From: "The Bethke's" <bethX3@mwt.net> To: <WILAFAYE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2001 11:06 PM Subject: [WILAFAYE] Shullsburg to honor victims of '43 cave-in > from the Wisconsin State Journal, Sunday July 1, 2001, E3 > by Bob Gutsche, Jr. > for the State Journal > > Here are some snipets from the article. > > A memorial park designed to remember the lives of eight miners who died > in a 1943 cave-in is expected to be dedicated during the city's July 4 > celebration. > > Mining had originally stopped around the early 1900s here but had been > revived for a short time during World War II to supply the military with > lead. > > Another city park already helps people remember the history of mining, > with an open lead mine that guides people about 200 feet underground. > > For more information call Shullsburg City Hall (608)-965-4424. > > > ==== WILAFAYE Mailing List ==== > Checkout the other lists being watched over by your List Mom; > http://mailing_lists.homestead.com/lists.html > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > > ============================== > Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: > Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. > http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com >