This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Thompson, Sullivan Classification: Death Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4V.2ADI/66 Message Board Post: 2 Newspaper articles, sources unknown: Article 1- A Frightful Accident On Wednesday, February 3rd (ed; best guess based on day, date and other family data is 1897), the shift at work in the upper tunnel at the Pioneer mine near Towles, had drilled eleven holes and loaded them, Supertendent D. J. Sullivan started to light them with a torch. One of the men, Edward Thompson, was with him and assisting him; three other men were on the ladder about twenty feet above. Before the last fuse was lighted the first went off, followed by the others in quick succession, until they were all exploded. As soon as possible the air was turned on, men rushed down to the bottom of the shaft. A gastly (sic) scene met their gaze. The first body found was that of Thompson; his head blown off and his bones nearly all broken. The body of Sullivan was found in little pieces, scattered all over the shaft; the largest piece being one leg from his knee to the foot. They were gathered up in candle boxes, put in a casket, and shipped to San Francisco for interment. The remains of Thompson were placed in a casket also and brought to(unclear but believed to be Rocklin because mother is buried there) and buried by the side of his mother. (Additional text but unreadible) Article 2- A fatal explosion on the 3rd inst. at the Pioneer mine, near Damascus, on the Forest Hill Divide California. A blast went off in a shaft prematurely, killing D. J. Sullivan and Edwin Thompson. Mr. Thompson was a nephew of Mrs. W. Brougher of Belmont, Nevada, and was an honest and hard-working young man. His grandmother, two sisters and a brother live in Auburn, Cal. The relatives have the sympathy of the people here in their affliction.