Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 August 1909 — GILMORE DREDGE BLOWN UP WITH DYNAMITE. [ARTICLE]

GILMORE DREDGE BLOWN UP WITH DYNAMITE.

Mike Craig, the Watebman, Wa* Sleeping On the Bank ahd Therefore Escaped Death. A dastardly attempt Was made to blow up the Gilmore dredge and Mike Craig, the watchman, Sunday morning about three o’clock. The dredge which was used by Mr. Gilmore In diggings the Howe ditclr until he forfeited the contract, has been out of commission and anchored in the ditch southeast of Rensselaer. Mike Craig was employed as watchman and was in the habit of sleeping on the dredge in a room at one end. Sunday night being so hot he made his bed on the bank of the ditch a short distance from the dredge. He was aroused about three o’clock by a terrific explosion and found the end of the dredge in which he was in the habit of sleeping blown up with dynamite. Mr. Craig did not know he had an enemy in the world and is unable to account for the attempt upon his life —if attempt it was. The dredge is the property of Ephriam Gilmore, who formerly held the contract for the construction of the ditch and cost about SB,OOO. The dredge is badly damaged and will cost several hundred dollars to repair.