Kirk, James

An explosion in the Corning Mill of the Hercules Powder Company, four miles north of Columbus Kansas on Monday noon cost two lives and badly injured a third. Sam Wyble, of Columbus was killed outright and Ed "Art" Bilhartz also of Columbus, died after being removed to a hospital at Baxter Springs. James Kirk was seriously burned but is not believed dangerously injured. The cause of the explosion is unknown. The men were at work in the Corning Mill when without warning the explosion occurred. Wyble and Bilhartz were buried beneath the wreckage while Kirk who was at a great distance, escaped with bad burns about the face, neck, arms and hands. Billhartz was rescued from the wreckage within a few minutes by fellow workmen and given emergency treatment. He was later taken to Columbus where he succumbed to his injuries. Wyble's body was not recovered for several hours, being far beneath the pile of wreckage that resulted from the explosion. Wyble was one of the oldest employees of the company, having worked at the plant for the past 12 years. He is survived by a wife and six children. Bilhartz had a wife and two daughters. Burial in the Columbus City Cemetery, Columbus Kansas. Later - James Kirk mentioned above as seriously burned, died. Note: There are two spellings of Billhartz and Bilhartz.