The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-11
~ HANpLE NITRooLYcERIN.
E1citements aud Pcriis 81 the Wen shoot
crss Vocation.

E1citements aud Periis 81 the Wen shoot
crs' Vocation.
Probably one Of the most dangerous vo-
cations In which men are employed in this
workaday world Is that of shooting oil
wells with nltroglycerin. The tin shells
or tubes into which the explosive Is poured
at the well are about Q feet long and
inches or more 10 diameter. The lower end
4 pointed. and at the top are two bail
handles. Filling these long tubes requires
a steady hand and firm grasp. A clip or
Jar would precipitate destruction, and
gently, In a steady stream. the oily fluid Is
poured In. Each shell Is lowered 20 the
bottom Of the well as fast as filled, and an.
other put down on top OF il until the de-
sired quantity Is placed. when the go
devil, FIVE pound iron. 10 inches long or
30, Is dropped point down upon the mass,
and the shooter" runs for his life. Down
wand the sharp iron rushes 500 or 1900
feet. and even more quickly Is thrown up
again with mufiied roar and accompanied
by an eruption Of gas, oil, water, gravel
and fragments OF rock. Sometimes this
comes 50 quickly that the shooter j. un-
able TO get beyond reach and Is injured, but
usually he is at a safe distance.
The men who follow this dangerous voca-
tiou have a superstition that the fearless
man Is perfectly safe in it, but that death
follows the individual who manifests any
apprehension for himself Many instances
are told which strongly bear out this opin-
ion Doubtless the secret Of II Is that the
spprehensive man feels nervous and sooner
or later is certain TO make a slip which will
cost him his life. Between four and five
years ago a strange accident happened near
Findlay, o., that illustrates this. George
Struble, an employee Of the High Explosive
company, was hauling the stuff to the mag
azines and wells. lie had said he would
be killed soon and made all the arrange
ments for his burial, II burial were posi-
bic. On his way back from a well 10 Prai-
RE Depot shortly afterward the strange
premonition came true. As with every
such case, no one was left to tell how the
catastrophe happened. II is supposed some
OF the glycerin had been left sticking to the
cans, and a sudden jar had set IL of. but II
Is one OF the incidents Of the business that
when calamity comes no one can more than
guess the manner Of its approach. Struble
was torn in pieces, and all that was left OF
the wagon were scattered slivers.
Hairbreadth escapes are of almost daily
occurrence, and presence Of mind with
abundance Of nerve Is an essential charac.
teristic Of the men who daily walk, ride and
work with a threat more terrible than the
sword Of Damocles continually above their
heads. One Of the most thrilling cases on
record Is that Of a shooter who had begun
10 lower the first tin into the well, when the
rope, instead OF continuing taut as il was
paid out. suddenly slackened. There could +
be but one explanation, and that much 70 be .
dreaded. The well had suddenly begun to I
fow again. IL would be but few minutes
until six quarts Of nitroglycerin would be
hurled out Of the we'll. That meant death 4
and destruction. There was no time 20 es-
cape. Run as he might, there was no time
TO reach place Of safety. He knew there
was but one chance in hundred Of saving
himself aud the property about the well,
and he took il. Planting himself squarely .