Miner Blasts His Head Off
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MUD FORK. July 16 — Discouraged by ill health and no job prospects, a 55-year-old unemployed miner and father of six wrapped dynamite on his head and set off the charge with flashlight batteries, Logan State Police said today. Henry Hammonds, 'out of work for a long while, was found in the woods near this Logan County community. The Mud Fork resident who found him said Hammonds was nearly decapitated Troopers said Hammonds left .a note indicating the decision to take his own life. They said he tried unsuccessfully to find work in Illinois and returned here three months ago. He set off .from his home early {Friday and was found about 9:30 a.m. today Neighbors said they heard a sound like a shotgun blast about 10 a. m. Friday but paid no attention to it. POLICE FOUND one dynamite cap and the remains of the two flashlight batteries. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Bertie Conley Hammonds: three sons, John, Jessie and Willie, all at home; three daughters, Bonnie Sue, Rose and Eliza, all at home; his mother, Mrs. Mary Lunsford Hammonds Deerfield; five halfsisters; and six half-brothers. Service for the World War I veteran will be conducted at 11 a. m. tomorrow from the home of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Conley, of S m o k e . h o u s e Fork near Harts Creek. Rev. Stonewall Hensley will officiate. Burial will be in Jessie Conley Cemetery near Smokehouse Fork. The body will be moved from Harris mortuary at Logan to the Conley home this afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Henry was the adopted son of John D. Hammonds. John D Hammonds married, the widow of Garland Fly Conley, Lula Workman Hammonds.
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