Douglas, Bryan

James T. Loftis, and his son, William C. Loftis, died Aug 31, 1924, age 46 and age 21. They were instantly killed and two other 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 hard rock lead and zinc 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 local undertaker. Douglas and Howell were rushed to the Picher Oklahoma hospital 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.