Strouther, Dick

Hockerville Oklahoma, June 16. Charles Clark, 50, of Tulsa Oklahoma, and Dick Strouther, 35, of Baxter Springs Kansas, were drowned in the Euterpre Mine one mile north of Hockerville at noon Sunday, when they became overcome with gas and fell from the can into the water below. Clark, who was the superintendent of the mine, and Strouther, went down to the water level to make an inspection of the progress being made in the fight against the water which had been going on for more than a week.

It is supposed the men suspected the presence of gas, since they gave the signal to be hauled out soon after going down. The steam hoister became stopped on "dead center" and before the operators could get it running the men had been overcome and fell into the water. It was impossible to get them out before both men were drowned.

Both men have families living in Baxter Springs, having moved there but recently, Mr. Clark coming from Tulsa Oklahoma and Mr. Strouther from Douthat Oklahoma. The mine, which is located near the Queen Mine and the Miami Volunteer Mine, has been running for some time. . .but the mine is today shut down.