Blackwell, William J.

William J. Blackwell was electrocuted at Picher Mine No. 5 on Saturday. The dead man was ground boss at the mine and became entangled in a live wire, 110 volts passing through his body and causing almost instant death. Charles Upson, a mine owner, went to the aid of Mr. Blackwell and knocked the wire off him with a stick, but he was already dead from the shock. All efforts to restore life were unavailable and the body was turned over to a Baxter Springs Kansas undertaker to be prepared for burial. The dead man came to Picher Oklahoma from Carterville Missouri about two months ago. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and the funeral will be conducted by members of that order. He had a sister residing at Tulsa Oklahoma. It is not known whether he had a family.

As soon as the live wire was knocked off, Mr. Blackwell was hurried to the office of Dr. McConnell, where the physician worked over the body for an hour or more, but the shock had extinguished the last spark of life. Just how he became entangled in the live wire is not known. Mr. Blackwell was busy at work when he came in contact with the live wire, which partly wrapped around his body, giving him the full force of the 110 volts of electric current. Arrangements for the funeral had not been announced, as they will be made upon request of relatives of the dead man.

Note: The remains of J. W. Blackwell, who was electrocuted at Mine No. 5 Saturday, were claimed by his sister, who resides at Webb City Missouri, and the body was carried there from Baxter Springs Kansas for interment. Deceased only resided in Picher Oklahoma a short time, but made many friends during his brief residence at Picher.