Masters, Bennie

Picher Oklahoma, Mar 21--Bennie Masters, 25 years old, of Baxter Springs Kansas, died at the American hospital at Picher shortly after 9 o'clock last night as the result of injuries received about two hours previously at the Velie Leopard Mine, northeast of Picher, where he was employed as powder man. The accident was attributed to a premature explosion. It is understood that Masters had finished loading a hole with 45 sticks of powder when the explosion occurred.

Masters is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mildred Masters, 135 West First street, Baxter Springs; a four-year-old son, George Franklin Masters; his mother, Mrs. Dollie Merrick of Treece Kansas; one sister, Mrs. Elsie Turner of Picher and his grandfather, John Black of Treece Kansas. Funeral services will be conducted at the First Methodist church in Treece at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon with the Rev. Billie Bain, pastor of the First Baptist church of Picher Oklahoma, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery at Galena Kansas under direction of the Todd undertaking company, of Picher Oklahoma.

Picher Oklahoma, Mar 21--Bennie Masters, 25 years old, of Baxter Springs Kansas, died about 9:00 last night in the American hospital at Picher, two hours after forty-five sticks of dynamite which he had loaded for a blast exploded prematurely at the Velie Leopard Mine, a hard rock lead and zinc mine, southwest of Baxter Springs, where he was a powder man. Masters, who had been employed at the Velie Leopard Mine for some time, was alone in a drift and it was believed that he had just completed tamping forty-five sticks of powder preparatory to blasting when the mishap occurred. Just as he stepped away from the load, it exploded, miners believe.

His body was badly mutilated and both hands were torn off. He was brought to the hospital in Picher in a Todd ambulance from Picher and partially regained consciousness before his death. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Mildred Masters; a son, George Franklin Masters, at home; his mother, Mrs. Dollie Merrick of Treece Kansas; a sister, Mrs. Elsie Turner of Picher Oklahoma, and his grandfather, John Black of Treece Kansas. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon at the First Methodist church in Treece Kansas. The Rev. Billy Bain of the first Baptist church of Picher will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery at Galena Kansas.