Butte, MT Corra Mine Explosion, May 1905

DYNAMITE EXPLOSION KILLS SEVEN.

Hot Candle Grease Falling From Miner's Cap Supposed to be Cause.

Butte, Mont., (Special). -- By the explosion of 100 pounds of dynamite on the 1,500 foot level of the Corra Mine, one of the Heinze properties, seven men were instantly killed and one badly injured.
WAMPRA, who is a Finlander, was in the magazine on the 1,500 foot level, getting a supply of powder for HILL and GILL, who were above working in a slope. T. A. VARDEN, foreman of the mine, was at the magazine three minutes before the disaster occurred. He saw WAMPRA get the powder for himself and companions for the night. WAMPRA was tying up about 50 pounds. VARDEN left to oversee some work in another part of the mine. Three minutes after, there was a terrific explosion. VARDEN, accompanied by other miners, rushed to the station. He found WAMPRA had been killed instantly.

It is believed that the explosion was caused by hot candle grease falling from WAMPRA'S cap on a powder cap. GILL, O'BRIEN, HANLEY and HOOLIHAN were killed by the concussion caused by the explosion. They were at work in some slopes a long distance from the magazine, but the concussion was strong enough to mutilate several of the men badly and tear the clothes off their bodies.

Chateaugay Record New York 1905-05-19
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!