The Funeral Procession for the two victims of the Queensland GM Disaster in Menzies – Patrick Stokes and Frank Keating.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Tuesday 20 October 1903, page 5
THE QUEENSLAND MENZIES EXPLOSION.
THE CHARGE AGAINST LANGE AND McCANN.
LANGE COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
Menzies, October 19. In the Menzies Police Court this morning, James McCann and Diedrich Lange were charged with the manslaughter of Patrick Stokes and Frank Keating, who were recently killed by an explosion in the Queensland GM, Menzie. The statements that were made by the two accused at the inquest on the deceased were produced, and read. According to these, Lange admitted in evidence that he did not give the firing signal, and he added that he did not know that it was necessary for him to do so. McCann had stated in evidence that he did not know the signal for air, and that, as he had arrived in the State only a fortnight previously, he had not made himself acquainted with the Mines Regulations Act.
At the time of the accident, Lange was acting as platman, and McCann was shift boss. Matthew Ferguson, manager of the Queensland Menzies mine, said that if the firing signal had been rung to the surface the accident could not have happened. Witness had instructed Lange regarding signalling. As manager of the mine, he had no fault to find with McCann in connection with the accident. Several other witnesses gave evidence, and at the conclusion the Resident Magistrate said that he was satisfied that there was no case against McCann. He, therefore, acquitted him. Lange, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial, bail being allowed.
The Sun 23 August 1903, page 1
Westralian Worker (Perth, WA : 1900 – 1951), Friday 11 September 1903, page 2
WARNING TO WORKMEN.
Diedrich Lange was fined £10 at the Menzies police court on September 4th for having neglected to make himself acquainted with the signals used on the Queensland Menzies mine, at which he was working. James McCann was fined £1 for a similar neglect. These cases arose out of the accident whereby Stokes and Keating were killed.
Menzies Cemetery, Western Australia. Memorial to Stokes and Keating
Frank Keating was aged 25years and a single man. His father was Patrick Keating. He was born in Bendigo Victoria and had been in Western Australia for five years.
Patrick Stokes was aged 31yrs and also single. He was also from Bendigo Victoria and had been in Western Australia for 5 years
