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Philosophia
May 2nd, 2008, 09:43 PM
140-year-old Cannonball Kills Collector

Sam White got hooked on the U.S. Civil War early, digging up rusting bullets and military buttons in the battle-scarred earth of his hometown.

As an adult, he crisscrossed the Virginia countryside in search of wartime relics - 19-century weapons, battle flags, even artillery shells buried in the red clay. He sometimes put on diving gear to feel for treasures hidden in the black muck of river bottoms.

But in February, White's hobby cost him his life: A cannonball he was restoring exploded, killing him in his driveway.

From here (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/02/national/main4068515.shtml?source=RSSattr=U.S._4068515).

:foh:

Willow Rosette
May 2nd, 2008, 09:54 PM
WOW talk about good workmanship.

October
May 2nd, 2008, 10:02 PM
WOW talk about good workmanship.
:foh:
My stars...no kidding. Collector to the end?

Willow Rosette
May 3rd, 2008, 12:25 AM
:foh:
My stars...no kidding. Collector to the end?

LOL Quite literally

Against The Tide
May 3rd, 2008, 12:56 AM
Tragic. But died whilst engaged in his life long passion. Thats a good thing.

AmericanMe
May 3rd, 2008, 01:30 AM
I've already submitted this one to DarwinAwards.com

Laisrean
May 3rd, 2008, 07:49 AM
Shouldn't this be in the historical forum?

And I guess the morale here is don't assume anything. He probably assumed this was a dud like all the others he'd handled, but you never really know.

Laisrean
May 3rd, 2008, 07:51 AM
And btw, which side did the shell belong to and where is Sam White from? It might just be the confederacy got off the last shot afterall - 140 years after the war! :T

Philosophia
May 3rd, 2008, 07:54 AM
Shouldn't this be in the historical forum?

*shrugs*

bellamandu
May 3rd, 2008, 08:12 AM
i thought you had to actually detonate those old cannonballs before they would explode?