[crutledge]

Snell, Roy J. (Roy Judson), 1878-1959
Author of 76 mystery stories for boys. Born in Ladonia, Mo. In 1878, Snell moved to the Sycamore area and learned his father's trade of erecting windmills. He entered Wheaton academy after his 19th birthday, graduated, and then worked his way through Wheaton College, finishing with the class of 1906 In 1941, Snell wrote the network serial, "Jack Armstrong—The All American Boy." At the special request of his publisher, he wrote eight war novels for children.

Excerpt
“He is dead!”
Johnny Thompson felt the grip of the speaker’s hand on his arm and started involuntarily. How could this strange fellow know that Frank Langlois was dead—*if he was dead? And was he? They were surrounded by inky blackness. It was the thick darkness of a subterranean cavern, a mine. This was a gold mine. Three minutes ago their electric torch had flickered out and they had been unable to make it flash again.