Source, Rutland Vt.Herald--Fri.July 6, 1917. DYNAMITE CAPS BLOW BOY'S HAND TO PIECES. Howard McCarthy is Seriously Hurt at Home of J. C. Thomas in Orwell. Orwell, Vt., July 5--Howard McCarthy, about 10 years old, who came from the orphans' home at Burlington a short time ago to spend the summer at the home of J. C. Thomas, was seriously and perhaps fatally injured this afternoon by what is supposed to have been one or more dynamite caps. Three fingers and the thumb of the left hand were later amputated and the boy's body was peppered from head to foot by pieces of copper, presumably pieces of the caps. Mr. Thomas had some dynamite caps in the house and it is supposed the boy found them. Many party burned matches were found near the scene of the accident. Mr. Thomas heard the explosion in the rear of one of his barns and rushed to the spot, finding the boy covered with blood. A hurry call was sent for Dr. G.H. Coffey, who was on the scene within a few minutes. After stopping the flow of blood from the arteries the doctor hurried the boy and Mr. Thomas to this village where D. L. Wells was waiting in his Overland touring car. All members of the party were take to the hospital at Ticonderoga, N. Y., as quickly as possible and the boy was operated upon at once. It was found necessary to amputate three fingers and the thumb of the left hand,the flesh being badly torn from the hand. The front of the body and especially the abdomen were pierced by bits of copper, a large number of pieces being removed by the surgeons. Dr. Coffey stated tonight that the boy had about an even chance for recovery.