Davidson, Howard C.

Picher Oklahoma. May 8, 1943. Two Picher hard rock lead and zinc miners lost their lives in accidents which were almost identical in different mines within an hour this afternoon. Each was killed by a premature explosion of powder while loading holes for shooting in the ground. The accidents were the first of this type in the Picher field in more than a year. Howard Davidson, 36 years old, was killed about 2:30 o'clock at the Anna Beaver No. 1 Mine, located one mile west of Picher and operated by the Lula Belle Mining Company.

Arthur Paul Weaver, 28 years old, 530 South River street, Picher, was killed at 3a:15 o'clock in the 8-B shaft of the Evans-Wallower Mining Company. The shaft is located near the Central school in the southwest part of Picher. Each of the victims was employed as a machine man in the ground. They were loading the holes near the end of the shift. No one was near either man at the time and no one else was injured.

Davidson's left leg was severed and both of Weaver's legs were severed. Both men's faces and chests were crushed and their bodies mutilated. Davidson lived alone at a Picher rooming house. He had been married, but was not living with his wife. He is survived by his father, Clayton Davidson of Leach Oklahoma; a brother, Thomas A. Davidson of Hockerville Oklahoma; and four sisters, Mrs. Crystal Haughton of Iowa; Mrs. Gladys Ellis of Pittsburg Kansas. Mrs. Ruth Hausenfluck of des Moines Iowa, and Mrs. Hazel Marshal of Indianola Iowa.

Weaver is survived by his widow, Mrs. Helen Louise Weaver, and a 2 year old daughter, Mary Louise Weaver of the home; a brother, William Weaver of Picher and a sister, Mrs. Mary Denton of Picher. The bodies were taken to the Durnil funeral home in Picher.

Funeral services for Howard C. Davidson, killed in a mine accident Saturday night, will be held at the Durnil chapel at Picher Oklahoma, at 2:o'clock Wednesday afternoon, the Rev. J. W. Humphries of Cardin Oklahoma officiating. Burial be made in the G.A.R. cemetery at Miami.

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Funeral services for Howard C. Davidson, 36 year old machine man who was killed in a premature explosion of dynamite at the Anna Beaver Mine No. 1, one mile west of Picher Oklahoma will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon in the Durnil funeral chapel at Picher. The J. W. Humphries will officiate and burial will be in the Miami cemetery.