| Notes |
- Os was named for his mother's brother, Oscar K. Shaw
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1912 Tax List - Perry Twp., Fayette Co., PA; Star Junction P.O.;
Laborer; assessed value $100.00
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Gates is located in the SW portion of Fayette County, PA
HISTORICAL COAL MINE ACCIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES 1839-1976
02-02-1922 Gates No 2 Gates, PA - 25 died as a result of the explosion
07-25-1924 Gates No 1 Brownsville, PA - 10 died as a result of the explosion
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Os was killed during the winter of 1925/1926. He lost his life by saving the life of another miner. Os pushed the miner out of the path of a run away mine car, but wasn't able to get himself out of the path. He was crushed against the mine wall by the run away cars. According to family lore he was working for a mining company out of WV and they made a large sum settlement to his mother, Helen Marr Shaw Santmyer. This money supposedly made its way to George and Minnie Santmyer Bowman. At the time of Oscar's death Helen was living with Fanny Ethel Santmyer Rowley (She had gone to live with Ethel's family after the death of James Jacob). Minnie arranged for Os to be laid out at her home in Connellsville, Pa. Minnie then invited her mother to live with her and George. Helen lived with them only a short time and was sent back to live with Fanny Ethel. By that time the settlement money had been spent.
NOTE - January 2006 UPDATE: According the information contained in his obituary published 27 Oct 1925 in the Connellsville Daily Courier Oscar was working for the National Fuel Company in Morgantown, WV. He was killed by a moving mine cars, but the article doesn't mention that it was a run away car or that he pushed anyone out of its path. The article states that Oscar was attempting to cross between an empty car setting on one track and a moving trip on the adjoining track. In the process he was knocked down and run over by one of the cars in the moving trip. His body was severely mangled, but no mention is made if his death was immediate. The article states that funeral director J.E. Sims brought the body to the Bowman home in Connellsville where a brief service was to be held the following day. A second service was to follow later the same day at the Star Junction Baptist Church with Rev. A.A. Blake, pastor of the Flatwoods Baptist Church officiating. The only undertaker identified on Oscar's death certificate is Jenkins Brown of Morgantown. Oscar's obituary also states that he is survived by his mother who makes her home with the Bowman's.
COMMENT: Three sources (family lore, death certificate and obituary) give a mix of information. Which is the most reliable? Other than the cause of death, I believe they are probably equal in reliability as information contained in an obituary is from a family member, as is much of the information in a death certificate. The family lore information was supplied mainly by Oscar's sister Ethel Santmyer Rowley; while the obituary information was most likely supplied by his sister Minnie Santmyer Bowman who resided in Connellsville. I find it rather strange that Oscar's mother's name wasn't mentioned, especially if she was actually living with the Bowman's in Connellsville. Based on a collection of family photos taken in this time frame, I believe that Helen M. Shaw Santmyer was living with Ethel and not Minnie prior to Oscar's death. I find it extremely strange that Oscar was taken to the Bowman residence for a service prior to the service in the church. Harry Santmyer died in 1923 and their father, James J Santmyer, died in 1922. They were not taken to her home. The family lived most of their life in Star Junction; they were well known there and the cemetery was in nearby Perryopolis. I can't help but think that Minnie had some ploy in mind. It was a well established family fact that Minnie and Ethel could not and did not tolerate each other.
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Dies Under Trip
In National Mine
In attempting to cross between an empty car standing on one track and a moving trip on the adjoining track, Oscar T. Santmyer, 47 years old, motor boss for the National Fuel Company at its mines at National, five miles south of Morgantown, W Va, was instantly killed Monday morning. He was knocked down and one car of the moving trip passed completely over his body, badly mangling it. Mr. Santmyer had been employed by the National Fuel Company for the past three years. Prior to that time he was employed by another coal company in the Morgantown district.
Mr Santmyer was born at Moscow, Md., a son of James J. Santmyer, deceased, and Mrs Helen M Shaw Santmyer. He was well known at Star Junction, where he spent the greater part of his life from boyhood days. For about 25 years he was employed by the Washington Coal & Coke Company at Star Junction. From there he went to Morgantown where he secured employment. He was a member of the Star Junction Baptist Church. He spent eight years traveling abroad.
Mr Santmyer is survived by his mother, three sisters, Minnie, wife of G E Bowman of Connellsville; Margaret, wife of R C Beighley of Wilkensburg; Ethel, wife of J G Riley [should be S J Rowley] of Pittsburgh, and one brother, Donald, on USSHF Alexander.
The Weekly Courier, Connellsville, PA, Oct 29, 1925
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Ref: Family records and papers located in the family Bible
Newspaper clippings
Interviews with Fanny Ethel Santmyer Rowley, James R. Rowley and Mary Virginia Beighley Marra
WV State Department of Health Death Certificate #13559, Series #76
Obituary - Connellsville Daily Courier, 27 Oct 1925
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1878 - 1925 (47 years)
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