FARMINGTON TIMES, Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri, Thursday, November 8, 1900 FATAL MINE ACCIDENT __________ Thomas Rudy Killed and Lewis Level Seriously Injured __________ >From The Lead Belt News. An unusually sad accident occurred at shaft No. 4 of the Doe Run Lead Co. last Tuesday night, in which Thos. Rudy was instantly killed and Lewis Level seriously hurt. The cause of the accident was drilling into a missed hole. The boys went on the night shift at 7 o'clock, the explosion taking place about 8:30. There were eight or ten other miners at work at various distances from the two, and when the explosion occurred they rushed to the aid of their unfortunate companions. The lights were extinguished by the concussion and this caused some little delay. Will Gardner was the first to reach his mangled companions; Rudy was still breathing but was unconsious, and Level, though prostrate, had sufficiently recovered from the shock to converse in an incoherent manner. Preparation was immediately made to take the injured men to the surface, but Rudy died before they could get him out. Subsequently both were brought to the surface, and Level was taken to his home where he lies under treatment, the extent of his injuries being unknown. The supposition of those familiar with the situation is that young Rudy was perhaps sitting down pouring water in the drill hole when the concealed charge exploded under him; this theory seems plausible from the fact that his lower limbs were mangled as well as his face being severely punctured and bruised. It is a singular coincidence that young Rudy had at 5 o'clock on the evening of his death taken the examination preparatory to entering the A.O.U.W. Lodge -- but little more than three hours prior to his death. He was a young man of good habits and was very popular with his associates. Edward Thomas Linn Rudy was 20 years, 3 months and 24 days old at the time of his death. He leaves a widowed mother, two brothers and five sisters to mourn his untimely end.