Hamilton Alfred Gregg
H.A. Gregg Succumbs to Injuries, Losing a Valiant Fight, Interment in Kansas
Hamilton A. Gregg, 34 years old, Continental Oil Company superintendent at Lance Creek, lost a valiant fight for life when he died at 1:30 Friday afternoon at the Lusk hospital, twelve days after receiving what proved to be fatal burns in an explosion at Lance Creek, Sunday, October 8th.
In the explosion which cost his life, Gregg was badly burned upon the face, arms and upper portion of his body, and although all possible means of saving his life were employed by Dr. W.E. Reckling, the attending physician, and attendants at the Lusk Hospital, no hope was held for his recovery at any time.
Dave Allen and Lowell Crowe, who were injured in the same explosion , caused when an electric spark ignited escaping gas in the pump house, are certain to recover, although each was seriously burned upon the face and hands.
Hamilton A. Gregg was born in Elkton, Maryland, May 23, 1899. He came to Lance Creek in 1929, where he assumed his duties as superintendent of the Continental Oil Company holdings in the Lance Creek field. He was universally respected by all his associates, and it has often said that he was one of the most efficient as well as the most popular superintendents ever in charge of the field. He is survived by his wife, Irene Gregg; his sisters, Mrs. Elenora Johnston of Elkton, Md., and his brothers, Clinton E., Edgemoir, Md. and Rudolph F., Elkton, Md.
Prayer services were held at the Midwest Funeral Home, Friday morning at 10 o'clock, with Rev. Edwin F. Irwin officiating. Following the services the body was taken to the Northwestern depot, accompanied by a large cortage, made up of Mr. Gregg's many local friends, and shipment was made to Florence, Kansas, for burial. The pallbearers were T.A. Godfrey, Muir Clark, Louis Clark, H.L. Jones and Mr. Norbe and Mr. Wilson of Salt Creek. While friends were filing out of the mortuary, Mrs. John B. Parr rendered a beautiful piano solo.
The Midwest Funeral Home, with Carl Weymouth, director, and Herman Houston, mortician, were in charge of local services and preparations of the body for shipping.