Source, Ticonderoga Sentinel--Thur. Aug. 10, 1939. Explosion In Slate Pit Is Fatal To Vt. Quarry Worker. POULTNEY, VT. Aug. 3--Exploding unexpectedly, a blast of dynamite yesterday afternoon killed the man who had prepared it, and seriously injured a fellow workman in a North Poultney slate quarry. James Frasier,27, of North Poultney, was instantly killed and the upper portion of his body badly mangled as the charge of broken slate shot upward and hurled him back against the rock shelf on which he stood. The shower of slate thrown up in the blast struck Roscoe Reed of Fair Haven, who with Foreman George Dockum, was retreating along the ledge in anticipation of the coming detonation. Reed was tossed several feet into the air and suffered multiple bruises on his arms, back and head, but retained consciousness. Dockum was untouched. E. S. Carpenter of Poultney, the quarry owner, said he could not explain the accident. He stated that Frasier, with Reed and Dockum, had been at work a short distance from the bottom of the slate pit, and that they had set off smaller blasts during the day's work. Frasier himself had accomplished the final preparation of the blast for the explosion, but it had not been connected electrically for detonation, the owner said. Dynamite had been placed in a hole dug for that purpose, in the course of enlarging the quarry. The explosive had been covered properly and Frasier was believed to have been arranging wires that would connect with the exploding cap. Without warning, the discharge shot up, striking Frasier the fatal blow in his chest. The injured Reed, visited later at his home at Fair Haven, agreed that the explosion came prematurely. He said he and Dockum were expecting Frasier to finish the preparation for the blast and then to retreat along with them. Reed stated that he was cast 15 or 20 feet from his foothold on the ledge, and said Frasier died instantly. Friends removed Reed from the pit and rushed him to Fair Haven, where he was treated at the office of Dr. A. P.Benedict. His left hand was cut, his back, shoulders and leg hurt, and he suffered considerable shock, the physician said. Frasier's job at the Carpenter quarry was that of a rockman's helper. He and the others were working from the bottom of the pit. The victim's body was removed to the Roberts Funeral Home at Poultney. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Friday in St. Raphael's church, Poultney, and burial will be in St. Raphael's cemetery. Frasier was unmarried. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Frasier of North Poultney, and by the following brothers and sisters ; Jacob, Stephen, John, Peter, Antoine and William Frasier of North Poultney: Stacia and Julia Frasier of North Poultney; Michael Frasier of Waterbury, and Mrs. Harold Starling of Fair Haven. Joan H. Bixby Genealogy not just a hobby, but a labor of love.