The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-03-05
FATAL EXPLOSION.
Michael Dolan Killed Near
Bloom Poor Farm. Barton,
Matthias and Carl Shaffer
Have Narrow Escapes.
Report Heard For Miles.

"iNhaNi bOidhJ ioiCuidi fOi
Nc Manus, contractors for the
Susquehanna, Bloomsbury & Ber-
wick Railroad, now in course of
constructing, was killed by an ex-
plosion of dynamite, Sunday after
noon. The accident occurred in a
little building. used for the double
purpose of blacksmith shop and
store house, located only short
distance from the Bloom Poor Dis
trict farm.
AS had been his custom, Mr..
Dolan had gone to the building. TO
make ready the materials and select
the tools for Mondays work. He
observed that the dyncmite was
frozen, and he decided to thaw it
out. Several sticks of it were
placed III tin can, and hung over
the forge. In few minutes there
was terrific explosion. The tin
can was burst into fragments. A
piece Of it struck Mr.. Dolan in the
lower abdomen, on the left side,
tearing away the flesh, and laying
bare his bowels. His whole left
side, together with his leg was also
horribly mangled.
Only a few minutes before the
explosion, Barton, Matthias and
Carl Shaffer, had stopped in the
shop and conversed with Mr.. Dolan.
They had left, but had only reach
ed point not more than twenty
leet distant when the explosion
took place. Barton Shaffer, though
aware that there was considerable
powder, stored in the building, and
that second explosion, would in
all probability follow, took his life
in his own hands and rushed in
and carried the injured man out,
just in time to save him from being
burned to death. He had scarcely
reached a safe distance, when the
second explosion, which shook the
ground, and which could be dis.
tinctly heard for miles took place.
Mr.. Dolan was removed to the
home of Ellsworth Shaffer, the near
est resident, and tenderly cared for
until the arrival of DR.. Reber, who
dressed the wounds. Though
satisfied that the injuries were of a
fatal nature, the doctor did every
thing that medical skill could do,
and friends of the injured man, in
the hope that his life might be
saved, secured the services of a
trained nurse, but to no avail.
Death had marked him, and at
half-past six O'Clock in the even
ing, the end came.
He was conscious to the last. He
requested that word be sent to his
sister at Reading. The scene was
an affecting one, and those present
were moved by gentle sympathy.
Rev. Murphy of St. COLUMBIA s
Catholic Church, arrived in time
to administer the last sad rites.
| Mr.. Dolan was forty-nine years
of age. and is survived by a daugh,
ter and two sons, His wife died
several years ago.
The body was taken In charge
and prepared for burial by under
taker G. G. Baker. S. F. Peacock
!, paymaster for McManus & Com
pany, on Monday took It to Reading
tor interment.
Mr.. Dolan had for years follow
ed this dangerous business, and wa
considered an expert in the use o
dynamite. He saw no danger il
it, and seemed to move along OF
the theory that as nothing hac
happened, nothing would happen
. but as is usually the case with mel
engaged in hazardous work, th'
end came, and just when it wa
least expected.
In rushing into the building afte
the explosion. and carrying on
. the injured man, Barton Shaffe
performed an act of real bravery,
: deed of the noblest kind, and call
ed into being a scene seldom know
here.