Name Of Mine On Which Last Employed
Star GM Golden Zone Lease, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia

Place Of Burial
Kalgoorlie Cemetery, Western Australia

Submitted by
Eric Chamberlain - Volunteer

Cause of Death
Mine Accidents

Other Information
Kalgoorlie Miner, Monday 15 November 1915, page 4
FATAL MINING ACCIDENT — DEATH OF JAMES OPIE
The death occurred in the Kalgoorlie Government Hospital at half-past 2 o'clock yesterday morning of James Opie, who was injured by a fall of earth in the Star mine on the Golden Zone leases on Wednesday last. The deceased, who was 47 years of age, and single, was a native of Tavistock, Devonshire, England, and had no relatives in the State. Opie was employed by George Hughes as caretaker of the Star mine, where he resided in a camp and had worked on the leases for the past seven years. On Wednesday last he was doing a little prospecting alone in the Star shaft at a depth of about 20 ft. He was cutting a piece of ground under the hanging wall about half-past 2 o'clock, when about two tons of ground came away. Observing the movement, he tried to get out of the way, but a large portion struck him on the back, causing serious internal injuries. Opie stated that had he not noticed the ground breaking, the whole lot would have fallen on and completely covered him. The nature of the injuries prevented his moving, and he had to lie in one position for three hours until the arrival of the night watchman, Frederick Evans, who came on duty at 6 o'clock. He was then rescued by Martin Hartigan, of the Lone Hand mine, John Mackey, and John Crowe, of the Golden Zone, and Mr. Downey, of Mullingar, and conveyed to the Government Hospital in the ambulance. Opie was extremely unfortunate, as it was his intention to finish prospecting there that night. He had been working in the same place since the previous Monday, and in a statement said he believed that the ground was quite safe.

The Coroner (Mr. W. A. G. Walter) will formally open an inquest at half-past 9 o'clock this morning with a jury comprising Charles Henry Crispe, Henry Waller, and Ernest Dowie. The body is to be identified by Martin Joseph Hartigan. after which the inquest will probably be adjourned. Dr. Mathews has been instructed to make a post mortem examination.

Opie was one of the oldest prospectors cm the fields. When Coolgardie was discovered, he left Bendigo, and for a couple of years working at Coolgardie, subsequently going to Kurnalpi, Kanowna, and other fields. He had been in Kalgoorlie for many years.

Kalgoorlie Miner, Monday 15 November 1915, page 4
FUNERAL NOTICES.
OPIE.— The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Veal are respectfully informed that the remains of their late friend, James Opie, will be removed from their residence, 142 Varden-street, this day, at 4 o'clock.
OPIE.—The friends of the late James Opie are respectfully informed that his remains will be removed from the residence of Mr. R. Veal. 142 Varden-street, at 4 o'clock, today (Monday), for interment in the Methodist portion of the Kalgoorlie Cemetery. — McIver and Walker, Under-takers, Kalgoorlie. 'Phone 231
OPIE.— Kalgoorlie and Boulder Federated Miners' Union. — The members of the above society are respectfully invited to follow the remains of their late comrade, James Opie, to the Methodist portion of the Kalgoorlie Cemetery. Funeral to leave Mr. Veal's residence, 142 Varden-street, at 4 o'clock, today (Monday). — Jas. Cunningham, Sec. Miners' Union.

KALGOORLIE STAR FATALITY - JAMES OPIE'S DEATH. INQUEST PROCEEDINGS.
An inquest was held at the Kalgoorlie Courthouse yesterday after-noon by the coroner (Mr. W. A. G. Walter) and a jury comprising Charles Henry Crispe, Henry Waller, and Ernest Downie, touching the circumstances of the death of James Opie (47), single, at the Government Hospital on Sunday from injuries received in a shaft on the Kalgoorlie Star lease on the previous Wednesday. Opie was a native of Tavistock, Devonshire, England, and had no relatives in the State. Sergeant Sunter appeared for the police, and Mr. Gourley, inspector of mines, for the Mines' Department. Dr. Mathews. D.M.O., Kalgoorlie, deposed that on Wednesday, Nov. 10, about 6 p.m., Opie was brought to the hospital, and told witness that he had been buried by a fall of earth. The deceased had serious internal injuries, .and gradually developed symptoms of peritonitis, for which he opened and drained the abdomen. Opie died about 12 hours afterward on November 14, about 2.40. a.m. Martin James Hartigan, miner, deposed that on November 15 he visited the morgue and identified the body there as that of James Opie, who he had known about nine years. On November 10 John Crow told him, about 5.40 p.m., that James Opie had been injured by a fall of ground on the Kalgoorlie Star lease, and asked witness for assistance. He went there immediately and found deceased at the bottom of a 20 ft. shaft, clear of all earth. Opie said that he was taking out some ore off the level by underhand, stoping and that he noticed the ground was unsafe. He said that he was in the act of moving his tools when' the earth came down. There were about two tons. Witness got a boatswain's chair and .brought him to. the surface. The injured- man was then conveyed to the hospital in the ambulance Dr. Donnelly was in attendance. To Mr. Gpurley: Under ordinary conditions, he thought it was a reasonable place to work in alone. He knew the spot. Frederick Evans, watchman, employed by George Hughes on the Star lease, gave evidence that on November 10, at 5.30 -p.m., he went to the shaft -because' he saw deceased's dog at the top of the dump. He knew something was wrong as Opie had not returned to his camp. The deceased commenced knocking and witness went down to him. The deceased told him that the edge of the ground struck him in the small of the back. It was lode material. Deceased was working by himself and had arranged with the witness to pull the earth up the next morning. Witness did not know that the deceased was employed by Hughes. He thought that Opie was prospecting on his own account. The coroner thought it curious that the watchman did not know if Opie was an employee, of Hughes', and also that he proposed to help him get up ore next day. Corporal Lean said that on November 12 'he went to the Government Hospital and there saw Opie, who made a statement that he was employed by Hughes -to look after the Star mine. He added that he was prospecting alone at 20 ft. when about' two tons came away, and as he was getting away, a portion of it struck him on the back. Deceased said he thought it was safe ground, and added that Hughes knew he was prospecting there This closed the evidence. Sergeant Sunter presented a will made by the deceased, in which he had left everything to George Hughes. The jury returned a verdict that Opie met his death on November 14 by an accidental fall of earth in the Kalgoorlie Star mine, which fall occurred on November 10,

Evening Star, Friday 22 June 1900, page 3
TRAGEDY On the Boulder Line Third This Week.
Another railway fatality—the third this week occurred last night between Boulder and Kamballie, the victim being Archelans Opie, a miner employed at the Boulder Main Reef. He was discovered lying unconscious a few feet from the rails by John Roe and Phillip Ham, and was conveyed to the former's camp Dr Bridgford was immediately summoned, and at once saw that the injuries of the unfortunate man were of such a nature as to leave no hope of his recovery. He died shortly before midnight, and the body was taken to the Kalgoorlie morgue. An inquest will probably be held tomorrow.