A premature explosion of dynamite, possibly caused by the accidental use of a tool which produced a spark, injured two Williamstown miners at the Big Lick Colliery. The Lykens Standard of August 21, 1925, told the story as follows:
WILLIAMSTOWN MEN IN MINE EXPLOSION
Charles Fromme, aged 39 years, of Elizabeth & Grant Streets, and Floyd Grubb, both of Williamstown, were injured at Big Lick Colliery, Tuesday morning at 11:30 o’clock, when two sticks of dynamite being placed to fire a shot by Fromme exploded prematurely.
Fromme was placing the dynamite in the hole drilled for that purpose and the shot would not settle according to the story given. Because he could not find the regular wood “tapping” stick, Fromme took an iron bar and used it to tamp the shot into place. While in this act it is thought he struck a stone causing a spark which instantly caused the dynamite to explode. Fromme was only about 18 inches away from the shot when the explosion occurred. His face, hands and chest were badly mutilated. Floyd Grubb who was close when the explosion happened sustained cuts of the face, hands and chest and was deaf for more than a day. He is able to be about again.
Fromme was rushed to the Harrisburg Hospital that afternoon, and his condition was reported as critical. Reports Wednesday evening stated that he was progressing nicely and that it would be possible to save one of his eyes, but the other was aquestion of doubt.
Mrs. Fromme spent yesterday with her husband at the hospital.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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