The Anaconda Standard, 19 September 1914
(Montana)

THREE ARE DEAD IN MINE CAVEIN
PROMINENT BUTTE MINERS MEET TRAGIC FATE IN SHAFT AT MAIDEN ROCK
HARRY RODDA IS ONE
William Bailey, pioneer of the district, another, and James Martin the third—Young boys dig the victims out of the mass which falls upon them—Dog gives warning, but its actions not interpreted at first—All had intended to return to city on the day of the accident.
 
William Bailey, foreman of the Original mine up to four years ago, and in charge of a part of the Clark mining properties in Butte for many years; Henry Rodda, the well-known blind miner, and James Martin, a local miner, who made his home in Meaderville, met a frightful death Thursday at Mr. Rodda’s mining claims near Maiden Rock in the extreme southern part of Silver Bow county on the Big Hole river.
The three were working at the bottom of a shaft about 20 feet below a tunnel level that ran in at the side of the hill where the prospect was located. A cavein from the tunnel into the shaft, or winze, probably caused by the recent rains, started and caught the men at the bottom. Tons of rock and earth fell upon the three men and smothered them to death without the slightest chance for them to escape.
No living person saw the accident. A little black and white dog, "Bernee," belonging to Harry Rodda, and his constant and devoted follower, was with the three men when the accident occurred. With an intelligence that seemed remarkable, the little dog ran back to the tent where the men had been camping. It was nearly a mile and a half from the mine and was next to the tent where a number of Butte boys were in camp.

Dog’s Vague Message

The dog took a position in front of the entrance to the tent and began to howl. He kept this up, and when the boys noticed him he acted in a frantic manner, rushing off in the direction of the mine and then running back when the boys did not follow him.
The boys remarked about the strange actions of the dog at the time and thought there might be something wrong, but the idea of a cavein did not occur to them then.
Messrs. Bailey, Rodda and Martin had left for the mine at 8:30 o’clock in the morning and it was about 11:30 when the dog returned with the warning which the little animal sought to convey.
William Webb, George Rowe, Arthur Treverthan, Bert Haycock, William Uren and E. Perryman, young men from Butte, were in the adjoining camp. Webb was doing the cooking for the crowd. In the afternoon most of the boys went off hunting into the hills. Webb, who had also been cooking for Bailey, Rodda and Martin, started to prepare dinner at 4 o’clock. At 4:30 dinner was ready, but the three miners did not come. The others ate their meal. They talked and wondered why the miners were not back. They recalled again the strange manner in which the dog had been acting.

Dog’s Actions Interpreted

Finally Webb and Uren decided to go to the mine and see, and they arranged with the others that if there was anything wrong, they would fire a shot to call them.
When the two reached the mine, they saw at once what had taken place and fired the gun to call for help. The other boys hurried to the mine and the six started in to dig down to the imprisoned men. They hoped to find them still alive.
Never in their lives did they work as hard as during the hours that followed. Darkness had come on, but they lighted a fire and kept right at it. In describing it Webb said:
"The mine is on the side of a steep hill and we had to go straight into a place where the drift was choked by a former landslide. At that point a shaft had been sunk about 20 feet. There was a windlass at the head of the shaft and we worked with this and a big bucket removing the earth as fast as we could. We took out about six tons of earth and rock and I should judge when we came to the body of William Bailey it was about 11:30 o’clock at night.
"We kept on working down, and about 1 o’clock in the morning found the bodies of both Martin and Rodda. They were together when the fall of rock caught them."
As soon as the last bodies were found two of the boys hurried to a store conducted by Mr. Bennetts, near Maiden Rock, and telephoned to Divide. From there a message was sent to Coroner Drew. It reached him about 3 o’clock yesterday morning. He called up Sherman & Reed and sent the undertaker to take charge of the bodies and bring them to Butte.

Prominent Among Miners

William H. Bailey, aged 62 years, was prominent in Butte among mining men. He was a resident of the city for 30 years and was recalled yesterday by early residents of Walkerville, where he first worked when he came to the big camp. From Walkerville he went to the West Stewart, rising to the position of foreman. He was next connected with the Original, first as shaft boss, and until four years ago was foreman of the property. He was long identified in Butte with the Clark interests. He was shift boss at the Original for 18 years.
He, with Harry Rodda, was interested in the claim at Maiden Rock, which they were working when they met their death. James Martin had gone there for a visit, about two weeks ago, and was also to share in the profits if a lead were discovered. All were to return to Butte last evening for a visit with their families and friends.
Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife, who with an adopted daughter, Miss Helen Bailey, lives at 621 North Main street; two sisters, Mrs. Louis Reeves Jones, and Mrs. Emily Keast of England; two nieces, Miss Mamie Burt, former county superintendent of schools; her sister, Miss Anna Burt, and two nephews, William and Joseph Burt of Butte. Mr. Bailey was a member of the Odd Fellows, Elks and Knights of Pythias lodges of Butte.

Harry Rodda

Harry Rodda, known to all Butte as the blind miner and for years proprietor of a candy and popcorn stand on West Park street, who was killed while working with his partners in the prospect near Maiden Rock, was 57 years of age, a native of Cornwall, England. He came to Montana the first time 36 years ago and located in Marysville when that was one of the big camps of the state. On his return to England, where he spent three years, he married Miss Carrie Bennett, who is among those who survive him.
On his return he came to Montana again and made his home near Maiden Rock, at the lime quarry. It was at this place, Oct. 28, 1890, that he lost his sight as a result of a premature blast in the quarry. Despite this loss of his sight, he continued to work in the quarry until 1906, when the family moved to Butte to make their home. Shortly after his arrival in Butte, Mr. Rodda suffered a shock from the death of his son William, which was greater to him than the loss of his sight.
Before he lost his sight, Mr. Rodda’s ability as a musician was recognized and he was a member of the old Alice band. After losing his sight he gave up the study, but not his delight in music.
He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and was prominent in the doings at the miners’ picnics. He, with another blind man, often participated in drilling contests at these affairs and he took a keen interest in the miners’ outings.
Mr. Rodda is survived by his wife, three daughters, Mrs. Thomas Blythe, 636 Colorado street; Mrs. Owen Bennett of Colorado Springs and Miss Vera Rodda; two grandchildren, Carrie and Harry Blythe, and scores of nephews, nieces and cousins. He also leaves three sisters in England. His two brothers were residents of Butte until their death several years ago.

James Martin

James Martin, who was one of the three men who lost their lives in the cavein at the prospect, was 36 years old and well-known in Butte. He lived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Uren, 85 Main street, Meaderville, and worked on the east side of the hill. He was employed at the Elk shaft until it was shut down a few weeks ago, and from there was taken to Maiden Rock by Mr. Rodda with the promise that he would share in the profits if the prospect turned out well.
Although he leaves no relatives in this country, he will be remembered by many members of the Sons of St. George, Victoria lodge and many residents of Meaderville.
He was born at St. Just, Cornwall, where he leaves his mother, four brothers and three sisters. He came to this country 10 years ago, first going to Nevada, where he worked silver mines, and came to Butte four years ago.

Coroner Drew went to the scene of the accident and investigated it. He will hold an inquest at 2:30 o’clock Monday afternoon.
D. J. McGrath, deputy state mining inspector, interviewed all the witnesses who were on the scene when the bodies were recovered to determine if possible the cause of the accident.
The funeral arrangements have not been completed. They are pending the arrival in Butte of Mrs. Owen Bennet, daughter of Mr. Rodda, who is on a trip to Colorado Springs. It is possible, if she arrives in time, a triple funeral will be held Sunday afternoon.

Contributed by Bob Bolitho