Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-01-19

the neighboring houses as if, in it's
violent outburst of rage. it would rend
the earth. Death, suffering, fire,
wreck and ruin were left in it's wake.
Now the scene is terrible to contem-
plate.
L. G. Meacham, a Wood county far
mer residing in the western part of
the town of Seneca about eight miles
northeast of Pittsville, in the vicinity
of '"Hhe Bluffs" secured a contract to
open up certain roads. To clear the
stumps he purchased box of dynam-
ite, twenty-five pounds. A portion of
this dynamite he put to use. The
balance, seventeen and One-half
pounds, frOZe and on the evening in
question was set on a chair near the
stove to thaw out. An explosion fol-
lowed. The dead are:
L. C. MEACHAAI, limbs torn to shreds below
the knees. Face and body badly burned.
The injured are:
MARY MEACHAM, Q years of age. Vertebrae
exposed, deep cash made by flying missiles,
blunt instrument probably wood. Muscles of
arm cut to the bone. Right hand badly torn
and mangled. Three scalp wounds exposing
skull. Several burns on different parts of
body. Not expected to survive.
WILLIE MEACHAM, years old. Deep cut
In back of head, three inches long and to the
bone. Skull slightly Clipped. Two other head
injuries on top, scalp cut to bone. Burns and
DO oil Taft ci do Of foo
plete1y scorched. Two wounds in back pene.
trate to ribs. Hopes of his recovery.
ANNA MEACHAM, 5 years old. Lower ex.
tremities, arms and hands badly burned, No
wounds of dangerous character. viii probably
live.
FRANKIE MEACHAM, age years. Two
head injuries, scalp separated from skull. Piece
of iron as large thumb nail found imbedded
under scalp. Serious burns of face, arms and
lower extremities. Condition not promising.
The Meacham house was single
story log structure, facing east on a
road running north and south. K,tch-
en-, dining room and living room were
all in one; no partition or other apart
ment excepting the root cellar at
tached to south end of house. In
this one big room were two stoves,
the heater near the center and cook
stove in southwest corner. About six
feet from the cook stove and near the
west wall of the home was placed the
deadly explosive. Mrs. Meacham was
last to retire on the fatal night in
question and she states that she made
a careful examination of the dynamite
just before going to bed. She found
neither caps nor fuse with the car,
tridges. Mr.. and Mrs. Meacham and
child, Freddie, aged ten months slept
in the northeast corner of the house
their bed happening to be farthest
from the chair which held the dynam.
ite. In the southeast corner foul
children were tucked to sleep, the
cook stove standing between their bee
and the explosive. The exact cause
of the explosion. whether from con
cusSion or fire, will never be known
Those who claim a knowledge OF
dynamite differ as to the probabilities
in this case. The escape of Mrs
Meacham and babe without scratch OF
injury is truly miraculous. The
mother was undoubtedly rendered un
conscious by the shock, for her frs
memory OF what happened is wher
she awakened to find herself under
mass of debris with the little one il
her arms. She crawlcd out through