T. C. PURDOM KILLED

PREMATURE BLAST AT CITY ROCK QUARRY CAUSED DEATH

 Mr. Purdom Relieved the Fuse Had! Gone Out and Was Stooping Over to Relight It In Falling Body "Spitted" on Iron Drill.

 Thomas Cotton Purdom, born 60 years ago, right here in Johnson county and living here almost every day of his life, was accidentally killed Thursday morning about 9 o''clock, by a premature blast In the city rock quarry at the end of N. Kansas Ave.

His body was blown from one of the lower tiers of the quarry up into the air and to the outer edge of the quarry 25 or 30 feet away, and in falling it was "spitted" on an iron drill, resembling a crow bar, which was standing upright.

Mr. Purdom, our street commissioner, commissioner, who had filled this position at other times and also the position of superintendent at the City Water works, was at the quarry with workmen, one of whom, Jim Talbert, colored, had lighted the fuse which was in a hole or crevice four feet deep.

It failed to go and Mr. Purdom started forward with his knife to cut the fuse and relight, when Bob Miller, colored workman, called to him to stay away, that it was "alive".

Mr. Purdom thought not, advanced, advanced, stooped over to cut the fuse when the explosion took place, causing instantaneous death. Mr. Talbert was injured about the head and face. It was thought very severely at first and the report was that he had lost an eye. Dr. C. W. Jones was called from the home of W. G. Tainter, near, and he drove with all speed to the quarry, saw the condition of affairs, and had Coroner Woodard called. Mr. Talbert was taken care of and his injuries are not so bad as was at first reported.

The body was taken in charge by Undertaker Julien and taken to his undertaking parlors, where it lay in state Friday afternoon.

Mr. Purdom was born here April 12, ''61, his father''s name being Thomas Purdom and his mother''s maiden name, Mary A. Lowe.

On April 19, 18S5, he was united in marriage to Miss Emily Anna La Feyth. To this union were born 3 children, all of whom are living -  Mrs. Pearl Amanda Cleaver, Iola; Ray William Purdom, and Mrs. Gladys Ruth Harper, both living in Kansas City. His wife survives, as do 2 brothers, Benjamin Franklin, Bellegrade, Montana, and Charles B., Olathe.

 When Tom was only 5 years old his father died and his mother later was married to Mr. Frank Owens. To this union were born 2 girls and 2 boys. The girls are Mrs. May Rogers and Mrs. Agnes Kelso, Joplin. Mo. The sons are Frank and Edward Owens.

There are few in Olathe city and vicinity who did not know Tom Purdom  and know him well. For many years he has been very closely connected with the public work of Olathe City and never in that length of time has he been anything but zealous for the interests of the city and for those that he was working for. He was kindness itself, good-hearted to a fault, you might say, generous, accommodating and courteous, so it is small wonder that everyone liked and admired "Tom" Purdom. It was typical of his thought for the welfare of his men, that he, himself, approached the spot and attempted to cut the fuse when the explosion occurred. Tom will be remembered a long while by a very large circle of friends. T

he funeral service was held Saturday morning, Methodist church, conducted by Rev. William V. Burns. The weather was very bad and stormy, with snow flying, yet the big church was well filled with those wishing to pay their last respects. There were many beautiful flowers. The pall bearers were those with whom he was connected in the city work. Mayor Duffy and city commissioners Hartley and Brown, J. S. Scott, Winnie Fulton, A. C. Doctor and L. R. Sykes.

Olathe Mirror
December 22, 1921
Page 9, Col 6
1^st Addition, Block 169, Lot 1, W4