Booneville, MS National Guard Armory Explosion, Dec 1950

Posted January 2nd, 2009 by Stu Beitler

EXPLOSION KILLS 6 NATIONAL GUARDSMEN.

SIX OTHERS SUFFER INJURIES IN BLAST IN ARMORY AT BOONEVILLE, MISS.

Booneville, Miss., Dec. 23. -- (AP) -- Six national guardsmen were killed and six others injured by an explosion in the national guard armory here last night.
Captain FRED HOUSTON, commander of the 198th medium tank battalion reported Sergeant CHARLES O. FUGITT, 21, and Corporal WILLIAM H. DUNCAN, about 31, died in the blast.
Northeast Mississippi hospital said four others died of injuries during the night. The hospital identified them as:
HUGH T. WEATHERBEE, 18.
BILLY W. MOONEY, 17.
LAWRENCE BURKS, 27.
TOMMY ROBINSON, 19.
The hospital said FREDDY FULGHAM, 17, is in critical condition.
WILLIAM R. SPENCER, 21.
HARMON BARRON, 29.
NOMER FORD, 22 are all in serious condition.
Sergeant HARDY PRENTISS, 28.
JOE SKELTON, 23, both were hospitalized for shock.
HOUSTON said the guardsmen were cleaning weapons when the blast occurred. He said the building was heated by butane gas, but he could give no reason for the explosion.
Fire Chief RAYFORD SOUSE reported he detected gas and gasoline fumes shortly after the explosion.

Joplin Globe Missouri 1950-12-24
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!

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