The Blount County News-Dispatch, 18 Oct 1900 News reached here last night that Master Robert Russell, formerly of Oneonta, was killed near Morris on the 15th inst. by an explosion of dynamite. He was shooting fish with the dynamite and held it too long in his hand after lighting it. The Southern Democrat, 25 Oct 1900 Robert Russell, formerly of Oneonta, was killed near Morris a few days ago by the explosion of dynamite. The dynamite exploded in his hand while in the act of throwing it into the river to kill fish. The Southern Democrat, 25 Jun 1903 The many friends of Mr. William D. Hyatt will regret to learn of his tragic death which occurred near Hanceville last week. While preparing to throw a dynamite into the Mulberry river it exploded, blowing both hands off and both eyes out and otherwise lacerating his body. The accident occurred Friday afternoon about 2 o'clock and he died early Saturday morning. Mr. Hyatt was about 30 years old and was well known in Blount and Cullman counties. His remains were carried to Liberty for interment. [William D. Hyatt, 20 Mar 1875 - 20 Jun 1903; buried Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery] [Apparently this practice was more widespread back in the day than I suspected]