Loftis, William C.

Picher Oklahoma, Jul. 1.-- James T. Loftis, 46 years old, and his son, William C. Loftis, 21 years old, were instantly killed and two other lead and zinc hard rock miners were badly injured at the St. Louis Mine No. 11, near Zincville Oklahoma, yesterday afternoon about 3 as the result of a premature explosion. The elder Loftis was employed as a machine man and his son was his helper, while the two injured, Bryan Douglas and Michael Howell, both about 30 years old, were employed as shovelers.

The elder Loftis was engaged in tamping powder in a loaded drill hole on a high stope. The son was sitting a short distance below the hole. The father's body was blown to bits, while an arm, a leg and the head were blown from the son's body. Douglas and Howell were struck by flying rock and were knocked down by the force of the terrific explosion, being rendered unconscious for a time, and their lives imperiled by the dense smoke and strong gas forming following the explosion. Both men were finally rescued by a party headed by Grover Todd, a Picher undertaker.

Douglas and Howell were rushed to the Picher hospital at Picher in the Todd ambulances. Howell's condition is reported to be somewhat serious. Douglas was able to leave the hospital after being given medical treatment, but he is said to still be suffering from a severe nervous shock.

The bodies of the elder Loftis and his son will be taken to Mansfield Missouri, tonight for burial. The father resided with the son, near the mine. The son is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Loftis and his mother, Mrs. Dora Mosier of Douthat Oklahoma.

Picher Oklahoma, July 2.-- The bodies of James T. Loftis, 46 years old, and his son, William C. Loftis, 21 years old, who were instantly killed at the St. Louis Mine No. 11, Monday afternoon as the result of a premature explosion, were taken to Mansfield Missouri, last night for burial. The two men resided at Zincville Oklahoma, the father making his home with the son.

A suit asking $3,175 damages was filed Monday in district court against the St. Louis Smelting and Refining Company by T. H. Grisham, administrator of the estate of J. T. Loftis. Loftis, who was employed by the corporation as a shoveler, was killed June 30, 1924, in an explosion at St. Louis Mine No. 11, near Zincville Oklahoma, according to the petition. Loftis left five minor children but no widow.