Williams news., 1904-12-24
ACCIDENT AT ANITA
Missed Shot Hole Blows James
 Zener Into Eternity

By drilling into missed shot hole" at the Anita mine, some forty five miles north of Williams, last Monday afternoon, James Zener, miner, discharged charge of pow der which exploded with such force as to kill him instantly and injure Areli Stuart sufficiently to cause his removal to the hospital.
 News of the accident was wired here that evening and Dr. R. o. Raymond immediately left for the scene in buggy, being driven by Will Lockridge, as there was no other means of reaching the mine before the regular train the next day. The doctor arrived at the scene about7 o'clock the next morn ing and dressed the wounds of the injured man.
 Stuart was brought to town Tues day on the train, as was the body of Zener. That afternoon at But toms undertaking parlors the in quest was held by Coroner Ranney. From the testimony of Supt. John M. Cameron and Miners C. E. Webster and John Meyer, the two last named having been in the shaft at the time of the explosion, and escaping without a scratch, it ap- pears that the explosion occurred about 3:3O Monday afternoon.
 Webster and Meyer both stated that they were at the other side of the shaft when the charge went off, and that it was in hole some three feet above the bottom of the shaft on the side wall They knew of no unexploded- charges there, and thought the accident could not have been avoided.
 MT. Cameron stated that Zener had only recently arrived at the camp, having been sent from Pres colt by Ed. Blocks employment agency. He had worked three shifts and was on his fourth when the accident occurred. He was an ex- perienced miner, and knew the dan- ger of missed holes, as it is always customary for them to wait at the mouth of the shaft and count all reports of blasts.
 This is the first accident that has happened since sinking began and occurred at depth of about 600 feet. Among Zener's effects were silver watch and $44.55 in cash. Also letters to a Miss M. A. Proud ley at Kingman, who was wired and answered that Zener was a partner in some mining claims near Prescott with Wm. Nellis of Mayer and Bartholdi of Prescott. Neither of these gentlemen could be reached by wire, but later instructions were received from other parties to bury the remains here, which was done Wednesday. Nothing is yet known as to where Zener belongs, but it is said he is a member of the Prescott miners union.
 Stuart, the man who was injured, had been working at the mine about two months, and was for time en- ployed here by J. c. Phelan as butcher. His injuries are said to not be at all dangerous, his arm and head being bruised up by fly ing rock.
 The coroner's jury, composed of F. R. Nellis, J. B. Jones, George Rounseville, w. J. Tetzlaff, B. F. Sweetwood and w. R. Buoy, rem dered the following verdict:
 We, the jury, empaneled in the above matter. and upon the inquest, find that the deceased's name was Jim Zener. That his family is un- known; that he came to his death on the 18th day of December, 'O4, at the Anita Copper Co.'s mine, whilst working near missed shot" hole that was unknown; and that his death was purely accidental, and we cannot lay blame to anyone.