Roland Adams (Bob Adams) — Modoc Mine Blasting Cap Explosion Victim
Roland Adams, commonly called "Bob" Adams, died in an explosion of giant blasting caps at the Modoc mine in the Organ Mountains [1][2]. E. and Joe Herd had just finished breakfast in their cabin when Adams opened a nearly full box of about 80 giant blasting caps while smoking his pipe [1][2]. A spark from his pipe likely fell into the box, and as he replaced the lid, the entire box exploded with terrific force [1][2]. Adams was horribly injured—both hands blown off, eyes destroyed, bowels laid open, and two caps penetrated his chest, causing fatal wounds [1][3]. He lived about an hour and a half, conscious until death [3]. The Herd brothers escaped with only minor injuries [3]. Lane went out, but Adams was already dead [3]. His remains were brought to Las Cruces and taken charge of by Charles Metcalfe, his partner in working the Modoc mine [3].
Sources
- Las Cruces News: A horrible accident oc-… (1889)Las Cruces News: A horrible accident oc- curred at the Modoc mine, in the Organ Moun- tains, last week, which resulted in the death of Roland Adams, or, as he was more commonly known, “Bob” Adams. At about hal…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1889-05-03 (1889)below the Bremen mill. The boys at the ranch trailed him up, and he was soon under arrest. After again finding himself be- hind the bars, he confessed to Deputy Card, and told him where to find the other…
- his breast, causing wounds which must of them-… (1889)his breast, causing wounds which must of them- selves proved fatal. The poor man lived about an hour and a half, and, strange to say, was conscious up to the time of his death. The es- cape of the two Herd …