The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-14
THEIR SIGHT IS RUINED
Distressing Results of Powder
Explosion at Gold Coin.
A MISSED HOLE GOES OFF
C. A Beaton, the Superintendent, Most
Seriously Injured-ons of His Eyes
Removed-Larson and Erick-
son Also Badly Hurt.

Misfortunes never seem To come sin
ely. No sooner had the startling news
of the explosion just north of Anaconda
been received, when word came that
there had been second explosion at
the Gold Coin mine, about IL or Is miles
west of this city. Sensational rumors
with regard TO the results of the Gold
Coin accident began to spread with the
rapidity of wild fire and community
which had already been shocked by the
disaster at home We're more than will
ing to believe the worst of these reports.
The accident at the Gold Coin is one
that has sad incidents. AS a result OF
the explosion three men are at ST.
AIMS hospital suffering untold agony
from their lacerated eyes. One of the
men is C. A. Beaton, the superintendent
of the Gold Coin, and he Jared far
worse than did either of the other two.
Last night it was found necessary TO
remove one of his eyes and Ii is feared
that the other will be of very little SER
vice TO him. The two other men are
Joe Larson and Charles Erickson. OF
these two Joe Larson will never fully
recover the use of his eyesight, and
Erickson will have a troublesome cat
aract in his left eye, although the right
one is practically uninjured.
The accident occurred at about 1850
o'clock yesterday morning on floor of
the Josie shaft. The shift that had been
at work the previous night had fired a
number of holes, but one Of the charges
had missed. II is said by some that
the men were warned of this fact, but
owing to the terrible suffering the men
were enduring last night, it was not
possible to ascertain whether or not this
was the case. Larson and Erickson
were drilling holes in the rock with a
drilling machine and Beaten was either
supervising the work or was just pass
ing by. The holes that were being put
in We're what are known as back-hoies;
that is, drilled into the face of the wall,
horizontally, and at height from the
floor at about the level of the mems
faces.
The men had been drilling for some
time when their machine came in con-
tact with the unexploded percussion
cap in the charge that missed. In an
instant the giant powder went off and
the three men We're thrown backward
to the floor Rocks and earth were
thrown out from the face of the wall
and particles of the debris fell upon
the Frustrated men.
AS soon as willing human hands could
do it, the men were taken to the open
air, and eonveyanees secured for
bringing them to Anaconda. Beaton
was brought in on one sleigh and the
two other men in another. They We're
taken Immediately to the hospital and
the hospital surgeons began their work
of relief. All of the men being so badly
injured about the eyes, it was thought
best to call in a specialist in this line,
and DR.. Greig of Butte was telegraphed
for. He arrived at 6 o'clock and at once
went to the hospital.
Beaton was found to be the most Sc
riously injured, and after a thorough
examination, il was decided that the
removal of his right eye was an abso-
lutte necessity. When taken out the eye
was found to have been pierced through
and through by particles of rock and
steel and a quantity of this foreign
matter was found lodged as far back as
the qualifications of the optical nerves
Beaton's left eye will have cataract
and it is question difficult of determi-
nation whether or not he Will also
lose the sight of this member. Besides
ugly cut on the cheek just to the left of
the mouth. He ) also somewhat bruised
about other parts of the head
Larson had both his eyes about equal
1y badly hurt, and he will never fully
recover his eyesight. Larson's nose liz
also split and he has various slight
bruises. Erickson escaped with less
serious injuries than either of his COM
panions. While he will be troubled with
his left eye his right one remains almost
unhurt He. more than the others. re-
ceived bodily injuries. One of his arms
is hurt somewhat, but no serious re-
suits are apprehended.
A telegram was sent to L. L. Loomis
manager of the Gold Coin, at ST. Paul.
last evening. and late in the night an
answer was received containing instruc-
tions that the best possible attendance
be obtained for the injured men and
that no expense be spared in taking
care of them. Mr.. Loomis is now on his
way to Montana.
The above brief particulars were OBJ
tanned from the men themselves, but
they were in such pain that 1t was not
deemed advisable to press them for the
more minor details of the distressing
occurrence.