JON GAISKI
1944
  
Gaiski Dies In Van Lear Coal Mines
  
Three Others Barely Escape Large Slate Fall
    
In a tragic accident at Van Lear last Friday, Jon Gaiski,
62 and one of the oldest employees of the Consolidation
Coal Company’s Van Lear mine, lost his life.  Three other
men, Canie Conley, Green Burke and Ganes Rice who were
working with Gaiski were uninjured.
  
It is understood that the four men were pulling steel
from a worked-out section of the mine when slate, said to
be fifteen inches thick and sixty-seven feet long fell.
The three who escaped were reported to be at the front
end of the car on which the steel was being loaded and
jumped from under the falling slate.  Gaiski who it is
said was at the back of the car could not get out of the
way in time.  He died shortly after his arrival at the
Paintsville Hospital where he was rushed after the
accident.
  
The dead man had been a resident of Van Lear for thirty-
two years.  It is reported that Mr. Gaiski had intended
to retire from his work within a short time.
   
A son, Walter, was killed in Italy in January of this
year.
  
Surviving are his wife Frances and several children who
were all present for the funeral services conducted
Tuesday morning with the except of a daughter who was
ill.  Rev. R. R. Ross officiated at the services.
  
Burial was made in the cemetery by the side of his home
under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home.
  
Paintsville Herald
7-20-1944
   
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