FROTZ, Benjamin H. 1885 - 1924

FROTZ, REAMS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/14/2022 at 21:30:43

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Thursday, April 24, 1924
Front Page, Column 2

LIKE FLAMING TORCH, BLOWN FROM A SHACK
Ben FROTZ Probably Will Die As Result Of Explosion Of Powder Keg At A Cedar Mine

Blown from a mining shack, like a flaming torch, Ben FROTZ, a mine operator on Cedar Creek, today lies in the Jefferson county hospital at the point of death, his back and shoulders burned and his hair gone except where protected by a cap.

He was in agony all last night and today the indications are that he hardly can recover from his terrible burns.

The accident occurred just before noon yesterday when FROTZ and Raymond Brown, 22 years old, a helper, were together in the shack at the mouth of the little mine that FROTZ operates five miles south of Fairfield. Brown is said to have set his pit lamp down as he came into the shack and a few grains of loose powder were ignited, leading the sparks to a box of powder which flashed and communicated the flame to a keg of powder nearby. A flash ensued that blew FROTZ out the door and thirty feet off the dump. His clothes were all ablaze and he screamed for help. Brown, who had tried in vain to put out the fire with his bare hands, was badly burned, but rushed to FROTZ's assistance, using his other hand, and in removing his own coat and throwing it about FROTZ to smother out the flames. The effort was futile, however, as the coat only took fire and added to the difficulties. The flames were finally extinguished, but the burns were so severe that FROTZ was almost crazed with the pain and started out to race across the fields a mile and a half to his home.

Just at that point Omar Hoskins, rural mail carrier, drove up and FROTZ hailed him and asked to be taken hom. Hoskins took him into his car and rushed him to his home and neighbors from there hurried with him to the hospital.

The explosion caused the shack to burst into flames and it burned to the ground with all its contents.

FROTZ formerly was a barber in the little shop in the north side of the square here, now occupied by Merrick's shoe shop and his wife assisted him. He moved from here to Birmingham about five or six years ago and about three years ago leased the George Bonnett forty acres on Cedar Creek and began mining there. He lives on the Ralph Stever farm.

A daughter, Stella, 16 years old, had just brought the men their dinner when the explosion occurred. She jumped back on her pony and ran home for help. Truman Teeter, who was plowing just across the road left his team and rushed to the assistance of the injured men.

FROTZ is about 35 years old, and besides the daughter, he and his wife have three children adopted from an orphan's home.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, May 5, 1924
Page Eight, Column 2

JUST AMONG OURSELVES

... --Ben FROTZ was removed from the hospital yesterday morning to his home in West End addition. His condition is very serious. ...

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, May 6, 1924
Page Eight, Column 4

BEN FROTZ DIED AT 3 OCLOCK THIS MORNING

Ben FROTZ died at 3 o'clock this morning at his home 3½ miles west of town. Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock from the home and interment will be made in Evergreen cemetery. Rev. Polly will have charge of the services.

Mr. FROTZ was burned in a mine explosion four weeks ago (sic) and has been in very serious condition since.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 2nd.152. His wife was Mahala Jane REAMS, who subsequently remarried to Martin KURTZ and then Robert Lee BLICKENSDERFER, died in 1943, and was buried with Ben.