Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1909 — Dynamite Cap Explodes In a Boy’s Hand. [ARTICLE]

Dynamite Cap Explodes In a Boy’s Hand.

Vern Walters, 12 years of age, s..r of Mr. and Mfs. William Walters, reV. - - siding 8 miles east of town, was calslderably injured Sunday by the explosion of a dynamite cap with which he was playing and he will go through life somewhat maimed as a result. The cap was found at the house when the Walters family moved thp-e and the boy had kept it among other playthings. Sunday was a disagreeable day and the boy and his brother and sister were playing in the house and Vern touched a match to the cartridge. That was all that was needed and about all that he or his playmates remembered. There was a loud noise and a howl of agony that brought the boy’s parents to the scene. The thumb and fore finger on Vern’s left hand were so badly lacerated that the family physician had to amputate them, and the palm of the left hand was also badly torn, while the little sister received a cut over one eye. The parents found parts of the boy’s hand and fingers clinging to the window curtains about the room. It was a narrow and fortunate escape.