Republic Cemetery Project

Posted by: Jeffrey S Williams.

The St. Paul Daily Globe, St. Paul Minnesota. July 22 1891

DEATH OF A HERO

James Dower Loses His Life for a Friend.

MARQUETTE, Michigan, July 21, – Peter Pascoe Jr. son of Peter Pascoe, of the Republic Iron Mine, and James Dower, were suffocated by smoke in the mine at noon. Young Pascoe had descended into the mine by No. 7 shaft with three others to ascertain the extent of the fire in Nos. 5 and 6 shafts. The whole party was overcome by smoke. Pascoe's companions reached the slope, and were drawn up unconscious, but he fell by the way. James Dower descended twice into the smoking shaft to rescue Pascoe. The first time he was accompanied by four men and the whole party was drawn up unconscious. The second time Dower went alone, and never returned alive. The bodies of Dower and Pascoe were taken out three hours later. Pascoe was twenty-five years old and leaves a young wife. Dower was twenty-three old and unmarried. The fire in the Republic has been raging since 1 o'clock Monday morning, starting from a fire of the furnace at Shalt 5. The damage already if fully $100,000, and the duration of the fire is impossible to foretell.

Posted by: Jeffrey S Williams.

Lost hold on ladder and fell 245ft. down a mine shaft and died.

Daily Mining Journal; Wednesday Morning March 1, 1894

Fell Into the Shaft

John Dunn, a miner employed at the Republic Mine, lost his hold on the ladder while descending the shaft and fell to the bottom and was instantly killed at 8 o'clock yesterday morning. A wife and family survive him. Mine Inspector James Rough went to Republic yesterday to enquire into the accident.

Daily Mining Journal; Friday Morning March 9, 1894

Fell 245 Feet

The coroner's jury in the case of John Dunn, who met his death at the Republic mine by falling into a shaft Tuesday morning last, conducted by Coroner Samuel Rodgers of this city, returned a verdict of accidental death. Five witnesses were examined. The unfortunate miner fell 245 feet to the bottom of the shaft.

Dunn was a young man and is survived by a wife and five small children. he was a brother to Dan and Dick Dunn, who resided in Ishpeming for a number of years.

Posted by: Jeffrey S Williams.

Until now, I wasn't aware that Bishop Frederick Baraga (who has a Catholic shrine on the bluff overlooking the highway between L'Anse and Baraga) actually had an appointment that involved Republic. Father Martin A. Fox was the minister at St. Augustine's for a year before his passing.

Fr. Martin A. Fox

Born in Koenigsberg (now Kaliningrad) about 1825. Studied for the Priesthood in Paris, France where he was recruited by Father Baraga in 1854. Baraga sent him to Dublin to learn English. Ordained by Bishop Fredrick Baraga September 23, 1855, at Sault Sainte Marie, Ont. Canada. Sailed to Ontonagan Michigan the next day to begin his ministry. Went to the National Mine, Rockland, Michigan, in 1856. First Pastor of the Irish Hollow Church in 1858. In 1858 built a two story school in Rockland. Assigned to the Cathedral In Marquette, Michigan, in 1868. Later went to Iowa, then to Menominee, Escanaba, Champion, and other Michigan parishes. Came to St. Augustine's in Republic in August 1880 and remained there until his death. Funeral Mass by Bishop Vertin.

Gravesite Details

No headstone found September 1, 2015. Interred next to Father Alberico Vitali.