A Premature Blast Tore Apart 'Lead' Long's Face Near Metaline
A miner known across the district was badly hurt at the Wake Up Jim prospect when a blast went off early, and details were slow to reach Newport.
J. L. Long, better known throughout this district as "Lead" Long, met with a serious accident while working on the Wake Up Jim mining prospect near Metaline on Wednesday. A premature blast caused the accident. The lower portion of his face was badly torn by flying rocks and his scalp lacerated. Mrs. Hoage dressed the wounds, and the injured man is reported to be resting comfortably. His eyes were not injured. Only meager particulars have been received regarding the accident, and it is not probable that the patient will be brought out for treatment.
“The lower portion of his face was badly torn by the flying rocks and his scalp lacerated.”
Mining was among the most dangerous work in the Northwest, and a premature blast could maim or kill in an instant. The item also shows how isolated care worked: a neighbor dressed the wounds and the injured man was not expected to be brought out for treatment. Modern workplace-safety rules exist because accidents like this were routine.
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