Strather, L. H.

Charles Brown, a well known mining man of Baxter Springs and L. H. Strather, recently from Purcell Missouri, both met sudden deaths Sunday by being overcome by gas while down a mine shaft for the purpose of examining the pumps. The accident occurred at the Euterpia Mine, which is located on the R. O. Thomas land, about two and a half miles southwest of Baxter Springs. At about 9:30 the two men left Baxter and drove to the mine. It was about 10:15 that they got into the bucket and gave the hoisterman orders to lower them. When down about 170 feet at the pump seat, the hoisterman got two bells, the signal to stop. This was where the men evidently stopped to examine the pumps. Shortly afterward the hoisterman got a signal of one bell, which meant to go lower, which he complied with and a little later he got two bells and stopped. He could see the torch at the pump seat but not the men in the bucket. After waiting a reasonable time the hoisterman became alarmed and hoisted the bucket only to find it empty. He at once summoned help, for it was plain that when the men went below the pump seat and torch they encountered bad air, were overcome and must have fallen out of the bucket into the water at the bottom of the shaft. There was about ten feet of water in the shaft. A call was at once sent to Baxter for an ambulance and Porter Clark's rig was taken out by Ted Mason, both Clarks being in Galena Kansas. Also in response to the call a pulmotor was dispatched from Joplin Missouri to the scene. It required about an hour to recover the two men from the bottom of the shaft and when brought to the surface life in both was gone. It being apparent that they had died from the gas and not drowned. The bodies were brought to Baxter where they now lie in the Clark undertaking rooms awaiting arrangements by relatives and friends for the burial. Charles Clark was the manager of the Euterpia Mine and came to Baxter Springs about two years ago. The mine is owned by Tulsa Oklahoma parties. Mr. Clark had been engaged for several months sinking a mine shaft, which was down almost 300 feet and close to the ore, according to the drill logs. He had been troubled for some time with water in the shaft. Mr. Clark's home was at Tulsa where his wife resides and at present is ill, and probably will not be able to come to Baxter. He also had a son who is a soldier in the French army. The officers of his mining company at Tulsa were notified by telegraph Sunday and are here now to take care of the body and the business, which the unfortunate man had in hand. Mr. Clark for a long time made his headquarters at the Empire Hotel. He was widely known and had a warm friend in every acquaintanceship he made, because of his genial personality and upright character. Mr. Brown was at the time of the accident making his home with Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Dodson, North 1425 Twenty-second street. Mrs. Dodson being his sister-in-law. L. H. Strather, who was in Mr. Brown's employ as ground boss, had been here but a short time. He came with his wife from Purcell Missouri, and they were stopping with the Dodsons, where Mrs. Strather now is. They had no children; he was about 30 years old and a man of fine character.