Harry Adolph Sengstack
Death is Final Victor in Heroic Battle Against the Elements
Harry A. Sengstack, Driller at Lance Creek, passes Away at Local Hospital, After Heroic Effort to Bring Medical Aid; Two Gangs of Men Work Far Into Night to Open Road From Manville to Field
Death was final victor in a heroic battle against the elements staged on New Year's eve, when two bands of men valiantly fought the giant snow drifts between the 77 Hill and the Lance Creek field, in order to get medical aid to Harry A. Sengstack, 47 years old, oil well driller, who was critically ill with pneumonia at the Indian petroleum lease in the field.
After conquering huge drifts and battling almost impassable roads for many hours, and bringing the stricken man to the Lusk Hospital on New Year's morning. Death registered final victory and Mr. Sengstack passed away at 8 o'clock Sunday evening.
The battle against terrific odds to bring medical aid to the stricken man is a story of self-sacrifice and brotherly love seldom equaled, but which is always manifest in times of need in this Western country.
Dr. W.E. Reckling of Lusk received a call about noon on Thursday, December 31, from Lance Creek, saying that Mr. Sengstack was critically ill with pneumonia. The doctor made a futile effort to get to Lance Creek, but his way was blocked by the large drifts and heavy snow on the 77 hill, just out of Manville.
Returning to Lusk, C. Frank Bautch and Lloyd Bowman volunteered to go with the doctor and help him clear the road, although the task seemed hopeless.
Bert Henton, superintendent of the Ohio Oil Co. at Lance Creek, volunteered to send all his men and trucks to undertake organization of crew of shovelers from the Lance Creek end.
At Manville, Dr. Reckling, Mr. Bautch and Bowman were joined by Lee Stoddard and Oscar Rudd with the Stoddard truck. Earl Grimm with his truck and two boys also joined in the battle. Bucking the drifts and shoveling, the crew was able to make only a few feet at a time, but the progress was steady.
At the Lance Creek end, Mr. Henton with trucks and a gang of shovelers composed of Ira Roth, Jim Hoblit, Len Jewett, Art Liberty, H.A. Gregg, Lewis Clark, Roy Jones and several others were fighting the drifts and finally reached the bottom of the the 77 hill. Bucking the drifts with the trucks and shoveling, their progress was slow.
Darkness soon came on, but the battle continued. Each crew of shovelers could tell by the lights on the cars and trucks what progress was being made. At times it looked as if the uneven battle with nature would be lost, and Dr. Reckling considered setting out on foot through the snow fields, hoping that he could reach the patient ahead of the Grim Reaper.
Finally, close to midnight, the two gangs met, the road was open, and escorted by the gang of men, cars and trucks, the doctor finally reached the Sengstack home.
It was soon seen that Mr. Sengstack was in a critical condition, but with the roads in danger of being closed again by the high winds, it was decided to take a chance on bringing the dying man to the hospital in Lusk, where he could better be cared for.
One of the cars was fitted up as an ambulance, and the patient, surrounded with hot water bottles and jugs, making him as comfortable as possible, was rushed with all speed to the hospital here. The party arrived at the Lusk Hospital, with the patient in fairly good condition.
after emergency treatment, Mr. Sengstack rallied, and it was at first thought he had an even chance for recovery. However, his heart began to fail under the tremendous pressure of the congested lungs. For 18 hours he was kept alive by oxygen, in the hope that he could be taken over the impending crisis. But the heart failed and death came early Monday morning.
Mr. Sengstack leaves a widow, Mrs. Emma Josephine Sengstack, and one daughter, Betty, 11 years old. He came to the Lance Creek field about a year ago, and has been engaged as a driller on the Indian Petroleum lease. The well was shut down on December 1, and Mr. Sengstack remained as caretaker on the lease. He was stricken with pneumonia only a few days before his death. He had been a driller in the vicinity of Rawlins for several years, where he was well known.
The body was placed in care of the Peet Mortuary, and was shipped on Tuesday morning's train to Casper. A hearse will meet the train there and the body will be taken overland to Rawlins, where the interment will be made.
Mr. Sengstack came to Wyoming from California, and was a member in good standing of a Masonic Lodge in San Francisco.
Mrs. Anna Wilson, Mrs. Collins of Rawlins, Mrs. Sedgewick and Betty accompanied the body to Rawlins.
The Lusk Herald, Twenty Years Ago - Jan. 7, 1932
Death was the final victor in a heroic battle against the elements New Year's Eve, when two band of men valiantly fought the giant snow drifts between the 77 Hill and Lance Creek field, in order to get medical aid to Harry Sengstack, 47 year old driller, who was critically ill with pneumonia. C. F. Bautch and Lloyd Bowman volunteered to go with Dr. Reckling and try to help him get through to Lance Creek. They shoveled their way to Manville where they joined L. C. Stoddard and Oscar Rudd with the Stoddard truck. Earl Grimm and his two boys with their truck joined in the battle. At midnight they reached 77 Hill and before long the Lance Creek group headed by Bert Henton and his group of shovelers and trucks were met. Arriving at the Sengstack home the doctor decided that the patient's only chance to survive was to get him to an oxygen tent and better medical facilities. So one of the cars was fitted up as an ambulance and the trip back to Lusk was made in safety arriving at 3:00 a.m. At first Mr. Sengstack rallied but his heart failed and he passed away.