The Charleston Mail, Charleston, W.V. February 24, 1945
QUEEN SHOAL BLAST FATAL
Woman, 55, killed 2 Daughters hurt
A Mysteries explosion at 3 o'clock Saturday morning shattered a two-room frame house near Queen Shoals, five miles up Elk River from Clendenin, Killing a 55 year old woman and injuring her two young daughters, one of them critically.
Killed by the force of the blast was Mrs. Ella Lawhorn , a widow. The youngest daughter Marie Lawhorn 13, was the most critically injured. She was carried from the burning house with both legs fractured and suffering from shock and other serious injuries.
GIRLS IN HOSPITAL
The oldest girl, Rebecca, 15, suffered injuries to her head and left leg but her condition was not regarded as serious, Both girls are patients in Charleston General Hospital.
The Lawhorn home which was a reconverted school building, was situated on the secondary highway running north from the main Elk River Highway.
Fire which followed the explosion was described as "Terrific" by neighbors, the nearest of whom resided nearly 100 yards away from the Lawhorn's home.
Neighbors, several of them attired only in night clothes, with coats, which they hurriedly donned,rushed to the house, which already ablaze, and rescued the two girls.
BLAST KILLED WOMAN
The mother was also carried from the burning dwelling but she was dead when neighbors examined her as she lay along the road waiting for an ambulance which had been summoned from Clendenin.
After receiving first aid at the scene, the girls were brought to the Charleston hospital in Hess and harper ambulance of Clendenin.
Neighbors said the Lawhorn's home was heated by a coal stove and a were inclined to discount the theory that the stove could have caused the explosion. All of them said the force of the blast was "Too Terrific" to have been caused by a coal explosion. State Troopers from the south Charleston detachment and Dr. Max J. Goldman, Kanawha County coroner, went to the scene Saturday morning to investigate.
Mrs.Lawhorn's body was removed to the Hess and Harper Mortuary at Clendenin, Survivors besides the two daughters, include four sons, Elbert of Blakely, James with the U.S.Army in Holland, Roy with the Army in the Phillipines and Coy D. Lawhorn with the Army in North Africa.
The Charleston Daily Mail Feb 27, 1945: "MINER ADMITS CABIN BLASTED TO FRIGHTEN 3"
Lawrence Welch Says He Wanted To Drive Lawhorn Woman Off
Red eyed and sobbing, Lawrence Welch, 39 years old, Queen Shoals Miner, the father of four young children, early Tuesday signed a confession in the presence of the State Police in which he told of the Dynamite Murder of Mrs. Ella Lawhorn and crippling of her two daughters as they slept in their two room cottage last Saturday morning near Queen Shoals, Clay County.
A Murder charge was placed against Welch a few minutes after he made his confession, State Police Sgt. P.H. Thomas said. State Police obtained the confession hardly 50 hours after the charge of dynamite, planted under the edge of the small home, blew Mrs.Lawhorn, the mother of three soldier sons, through the wall, killed her instantly, and crippled her two daughters, Rebecca,15 and Marie,13.
Denies Intent To Kill
Welch said he would waive to the Grand Jury at his Preliminary hearing set for Tuesday before officials in Clay County. " I didn't mean to kill anyone" the miner was quoted as saying, "I just wanted to frighten the women out of the country".
His confession came only after State Police confronted him with his mine badge, found at the scene of the explosion, he had loaded his boots with stones and sunk them in the well at his home.
Rebecca, the oldest girl, frequently had been a visitor at the Welch's home, Police said "staying sometimes for as long as two weeks or a month at a time. She had not been there, however, for several weeks, after the two families allegedly became involved in "family Arguements".
Lived Near Victims
The miner's wife and four children, whose ages range from one to eight, live in a log cabin about a quarter mile away from the rubble marking the spot where Mrs.Lawhorn's home stood.
At Charleston General Hospital, Marie Lawhorn remains in critical condition. One leg already has been amputated, hospital attendants said.
Rebecca's condition at the same hospital is improving.
Ella Woodrum parents was Richard Lee Woodrum and Louisa Brown.
QUEEN SHOAL BLAST FATAL
Woman, 55, killed 2 Daughters hurt
A Mysteries explosion at 3 o'clock Saturday morning shattered a two-room frame house near Queen Shoals, five miles up Elk River from Clendenin, Killing a 55 year old woman and injuring her two young daughters, one of them critically.
Killed by the force of the blast was Mrs. Ella Lawhorn , a widow. The youngest daughter Marie Lawhorn 13, was the most critically injured. She was carried from the burning house with both legs fractured and suffering from shock and other serious injuries.
GIRLS IN HOSPITAL
The oldest girl, Rebecca, 15, suffered injuries to her head and left leg but her condition was not regarded as serious, Both girls are patients in Charleston General Hospital.
The Lawhorn home which was a reconverted school building, was situated on the secondary highway running north from the main Elk River Highway.
Fire which followed the explosion was described as "Terrific" by neighbors, the nearest of whom resided nearly 100 yards away from the Lawhorn's home.
Neighbors, several of them attired only in night clothes, with coats, which they hurriedly donned,rushed to the house, which already ablaze, and rescued the two girls.
BLAST KILLED WOMAN
The mother was also carried from the burning dwelling but she was dead when neighbors examined her as she lay along the road waiting for an ambulance which had been summoned from Clendenin.
After receiving first aid at the scene, the girls were brought to the Charleston hospital in Hess and harper ambulance of Clendenin.
Neighbors said the Lawhorn's home was heated by a coal stove and a were inclined to discount the theory that the stove could have caused the explosion. All of them said the force of the blast was "Too Terrific" to have been caused by a coal explosion. State Troopers from the south Charleston detachment and Dr. Max J. Goldman, Kanawha County coroner, went to the scene Saturday morning to investigate.
Mrs.Lawhorn's body was removed to the Hess and Harper Mortuary at Clendenin, Survivors besides the two daughters, include four sons, Elbert of Blakely, James with the U.S.Army in Holland, Roy with the Army in the Phillipines and Coy D. Lawhorn with the Army in North Africa.
The Charleston Daily Mail Feb 27, 1945: "MINER ADMITS CABIN BLASTED TO FRIGHTEN 3"
Lawrence Welch Says He Wanted To Drive Lawhorn Woman Off
Red eyed and sobbing, Lawrence Welch, 39 years old, Queen Shoals Miner, the father of four young children, early Tuesday signed a confession in the presence of the State Police in which he told of the Dynamite Murder of Mrs. Ella Lawhorn and crippling of her two daughters as they slept in their two room cottage last Saturday morning near Queen Shoals, Clay County.
A Murder charge was placed against Welch a few minutes after he made his confession, State Police Sgt. P.H. Thomas said. State Police obtained the confession hardly 50 hours after the charge of dynamite, planted under the edge of the small home, blew Mrs.Lawhorn, the mother of three soldier sons, through the wall, killed her instantly, and crippled her two daughters, Rebecca,15 and Marie,13.
Denies Intent To Kill
Welch said he would waive to the Grand Jury at his Preliminary hearing set for Tuesday before officials in Clay County. " I didn't mean to kill anyone" the miner was quoted as saying, "I just wanted to frighten the women out of the country".
His confession came only after State Police confronted him with his mine badge, found at the scene of the explosion, he had loaded his boots with stones and sunk them in the well at his home.
Rebecca, the oldest girl, frequently had been a visitor at the Welch's home, Police said "staying sometimes for as long as two weeks or a month at a time. She had not been there, however, for several weeks, after the two families allegedly became involved in "family Arguements".
Lived Near Victims
The miner's wife and four children, whose ages range from one to eight, live in a log cabin about a quarter mile away from the rubble marking the spot where Mrs.Lawhorn's home stood.
At Charleston General Hospital, Marie Lawhorn remains in critical condition. One leg already has been amputated, hospital attendants said.
Rebecca's condition at the same hospital is improving.
Ella Woodrum parents was Richard Lee Woodrum and Louisa Brown.
The Charleston Mail, Charleston, W.V. February 24, 1945
QUEEN SHOAL BLAST FATAL
Woman, 55, killed 2 Daughters hurt
A Mysteries explosion at 3 o'clock Saturday morning shattered a two-room frame house near Queen Shoals, five miles up Elk River from Clendenin, Killing a 55 year old woman and injuring her two young daughters, one of them critically.
Killed by the force of the blast was Mrs. Ella Lawhorn , a widow. The youngest daughter Marie Lawhorn 13, was the most critically injured. She was carried from the burning house with both legs fractured and suffering from shock and other serious injuries.
GIRLS IN HOSPITAL
The oldest girl, Rebecca, 15, suffered injuries to her head and left leg but her condition was not regarded as serious, Both girls are patients in Charleston General Hospital.
The Lawhorn home which was a reconverted school building, was situated on the secondary highway running north from the main Elk River Highway.
Fire which followed the explosion was described as "Terrific" by neighbors, the nearest of whom resided nearly 100 yards away from the Lawhorn's home.
Neighbors, several of them attired only in night clothes, with coats, which they hurriedly donned,rushed to the house, which already ablaze, and rescued the two girls.
BLAST KILLED WOMAN
The mother was also carried from the burning dwelling but she was dead when neighbors examined her as she lay along the road waiting for an ambulance which had been summoned from Clendenin.
After receiving first aid at the scene, the girls were brought to the Charleston hospital in Hess and harper ambulance of Clendenin.
Neighbors said the Lawhorn's home was heated by a coal stove and a were inclined to discount the theory that the stove could have caused the explosion. All of them said the force of the blast was "Too Terrific" to have been caused by a coal explosion. State Troopers from the south Charleston detachment and Dr. Max J. Goldman, Kanawha County coroner, went to the scene Saturday morning to investigate.
Mrs.Lawhorn's body was removed to the Hess and Harper Mortuary at Clendenin, Survivors besides the two daughters, include four sons, Elbert of Blakely, James with the U.S.Army in Holland, Roy with the Army in the Phillipines and Coy D. Lawhorn with the Army in North Africa.
The Charleston Daily Mail Feb 27, 1945: "MINER ADMITS CABIN BLASTED TO FRIGHTEN 3"
Lawrence Welch Says He Wanted To Drive Lawhorn Woman Off
Red eyed and sobbing, Lawrence Welch, 39 years old, Queen Shoals Miner, the father of four young children, early Tuesday signed a confession in the presence of the State Police in which he told of the Dynamite Murder of Mrs. Ella Lawhorn and crippling of her two daughters as they slept in their two room cottage last Saturday morning near Queen Shoals, Clay County.
A Murder charge was placed against Welch a few minutes after he made his confession, State Police Sgt. P.H. Thomas said. State Police obtained the confession hardly 50 hours after the charge of dynamite, planted under the edge of the small home, blew Mrs.Lawhorn, the mother of three soldier sons, through the wall, killed her instantly, and crippled her two daughters, Rebecca,15 and Marie,13.
Denies Intent To Kill
Welch said he would waive to the Grand Jury at his Preliminary hearing set for Tuesday before officials in Clay County. " I didn't mean to kill anyone" the miner was quoted as saying, "I just wanted to frighten the women out of the country".
His confession came only after State Police confronted him with his mine badge, found at the scene of the explosion, he had loaded his boots with stones and sunk them in the well at his home.
Rebecca, the oldest girl, frequently had been a visitor at the Welch's home, Police said "staying sometimes for as long as two weeks or a month at a time. She had not been there, however, for several weeks, after the two families allegedly became involved in "family Arguements".
Lived Near Victims
The miner's wife and four children, whose ages range from one to eight, live in a log cabin about a quarter mile away from the rubble marking the spot where Mrs.Lawhorn's home stood.
At Charleston General Hospital, Marie Lawhorn remains in critical condition. One leg already has been amputated, hospital attendants said.
Rebecca's condition at the same hospital is improving.
Ella Woodrum parents was Richard Lee Woodrum and Louisa Brown.
QUEEN SHOAL BLAST FATAL
Woman, 55, killed 2 Daughters hurt
A Mysteries explosion at 3 o'clock Saturday morning shattered a two-room frame house near Queen Shoals, five miles up Elk River from Clendenin, Killing a 55 year old woman and injuring her two young daughters, one of them critically.
Killed by the force of the blast was Mrs. Ella Lawhorn , a widow. The youngest daughter Marie Lawhorn 13, was the most critically injured. She was carried from the burning house with both legs fractured and suffering from shock and other serious injuries.
GIRLS IN HOSPITAL
The oldest girl, Rebecca, 15, suffered injuries to her head and left leg but her condition was not regarded as serious, Both girls are patients in Charleston General Hospital.
The Lawhorn home which was a reconverted school building, was situated on the secondary highway running north from the main Elk River Highway.
Fire which followed the explosion was described as "Terrific" by neighbors, the nearest of whom resided nearly 100 yards away from the Lawhorn's home.
Neighbors, several of them attired only in night clothes, with coats, which they hurriedly donned,rushed to the house, which already ablaze, and rescued the two girls.
BLAST KILLED WOMAN
The mother was also carried from the burning dwelling but she was dead when neighbors examined her as she lay along the road waiting for an ambulance which had been summoned from Clendenin.
After receiving first aid at the scene, the girls were brought to the Charleston hospital in Hess and harper ambulance of Clendenin.
Neighbors said the Lawhorn's home was heated by a coal stove and a were inclined to discount the theory that the stove could have caused the explosion. All of them said the force of the blast was "Too Terrific" to have been caused by a coal explosion. State Troopers from the south Charleston detachment and Dr. Max J. Goldman, Kanawha County coroner, went to the scene Saturday morning to investigate.
Mrs.Lawhorn's body was removed to the Hess and Harper Mortuary at Clendenin, Survivors besides the two daughters, include four sons, Elbert of Blakely, James with the U.S.Army in Holland, Roy with the Army in the Phillipines and Coy D. Lawhorn with the Army in North Africa.
The Charleston Daily Mail Feb 27, 1945: "MINER ADMITS CABIN BLASTED TO FRIGHTEN 3"
Lawrence Welch Says He Wanted To Drive Lawhorn Woman Off
Red eyed and sobbing, Lawrence Welch, 39 years old, Queen Shoals Miner, the father of four young children, early Tuesday signed a confession in the presence of the State Police in which he told of the Dynamite Murder of Mrs. Ella Lawhorn and crippling of her two daughters as they slept in their two room cottage last Saturday morning near Queen Shoals, Clay County.
A Murder charge was placed against Welch a few minutes after he made his confession, State Police Sgt. P.H. Thomas said. State Police obtained the confession hardly 50 hours after the charge of dynamite, planted under the edge of the small home, blew Mrs.Lawhorn, the mother of three soldier sons, through the wall, killed her instantly, and crippled her two daughters, Rebecca,15 and Marie,13.
Denies Intent To Kill
Welch said he would waive to the Grand Jury at his Preliminary hearing set for Tuesday before officials in Clay County. " I didn't mean to kill anyone" the miner was quoted as saying, "I just wanted to frighten the women out of the country".
His confession came only after State Police confronted him with his mine badge, found at the scene of the explosion, he had loaded his boots with stones and sunk them in the well at his home.
Rebecca, the oldest girl, frequently had been a visitor at the Welch's home, Police said "staying sometimes for as long as two weeks or a month at a time. She had not been there, however, for several weeks, after the two families allegedly became involved in "family Arguements".
Lived Near Victims
The miner's wife and four children, whose ages range from one to eight, live in a log cabin about a quarter mile away from the rubble marking the spot where Mrs.Lawhorn's home stood.
At Charleston General Hospital, Marie Lawhorn remains in critical condition. One leg already has been amputated, hospital attendants said.
Rebecca's condition at the same hospital is improving.
Ella Woodrum parents was Richard Lee Woodrum and Louisa Brown.
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