Robert Smith Linville

Robert S. Linville Killed in Oil Field Accident Saturday, August 7th; Last Services Are Held Here Wednesday

Robert S. Linville, of Lance Creek, met death instantly Saturday afternoon, when his head was crushed between two drill collars on a drilling rig on location in southern Weston County. Linville, employed by the Mesa Drilling company, was said to have been standing with his head between a drill collar and a collar that was being hoisted above the platform on the rig. The collar on the hoist began to sway and smashed his head against the stand.

The remains were brought to Lusk where concluding rites were held at ten o'clock Wednesday morning from the chapel of the Peet Mortuary with Rev. Leroy Train, Pastor of the Lance Creek Community Church officiating. Mrs. Lester Meade of Lance Creek provided the organ accompaniment for a mixed trio composed of Miss Margaret Lee, Mrs. Rudy Christensen and Paul Sheaman, who sang "In The Garden." Mrs. Judson P. Watson of Lusk accompanied Paul Sheaman, who sang "The Lord's Prayer" as a solo.

Interment was made in the Lusk Cemetery where members of Weiten Dupes Post #4, American Legion, that had attended the services in a group, held military rites for the deceased. Serving as casket bearers were Owen Harness, Fred Sheaman, James Stratton, Bill Welch, Arthur Orr, and Clarence Boston, all of Lance Creek.

Robert Smith Linville, born July 20, 1901, at Ute, Iowa to Robert Linville and Mattie Smith Linville, departed this life the 7th day of August, 1954 at the age of 53 years and 18 days.

Mr. Linville spent most of his childhood and youth at Summer, Nebraska. In November, the 4th day of the month, 1925, he was united in marriage to Miss Glee Mowery. The wedding was solemnized at the County Seat, Lexington, Nebr.

Born to this union were Janice Eileen, who passed away at four months of age; Robert Lee, who is now married and lives in Casper, Wyo.; Wanda Mae, who is now Mrs. David Lorenzen of Lusk, Wyo.; Russell Dean who is in the service and stationed at Boston, Mass.; Maurice Galen who is also in the service and at present stationed in Germany but did not receive leave to come home; and Sharon Lee who is at home with her mother in Lance Creek and is a student at the Niobrara County High School in Lusk.

During World War I, Mr. Linville had served with distinction in the United States army for 1918 to 1919, and received the Victory Medal. He had been employed in oil field work during the past several years. At the time of his passing, he was so employed when the tragic accident occurred.

Left to mourn his passing are his devoted wife, Mrs. Glee Mowery Linville, of Lance Creek, his children, Robert Linville, Casper, Wyo., Mrs. Wanda Lorenzen, Lusk, Wyo., Russell of Boston, Mass., Galen of Germany; and Sharon of Lance Creek; his mother, Mrs. Mattie Smith Linville, of San Bernardo, Calif., two sisters, Mrs. Fred Zimmerer, Lyman, Nebr., Mrs. Lucille Pierce, Wanita, Nebr.; two brothers , Howard Linville, Odell, Nebr. and Gerald Linville, San Bernardino, Calif. and three grandchildren.

The Lusk Herald
August 12, 1954
R. S. Linville Killed In Oil Well Accident

Robert S. Linville, 53, resident and oil field worker at Lance Creek for many years, was killed instantly with a skull fracture Saturday, at 4:20 p.m. while working on a drilling rig owned by Mesa Drilling Co. in the Black Thunder area in southern Weston County. Funeral services were conducted from the Peet chapel in Lusk at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

According to Weston County Coroner Don McColley the accident occurred as Linville was standing on the rig in a position between an idle drill collar and one that was being hoisted in preparation to go into the well. The collar on the hoist swayed stiking Linville on the head and catching him between the drill collars. He died almost instantly from a fractured skull.

As the road in this area was nearly impassable because of recent rains, the body was taken from the scene of the accident by a Newcastle plane. The remains were then brought on to Lusk by the Peet Mortuary.

The Rev. Leroy Train, pastor of the Lance Creek Community Church, officiated at the final rites held at the Peet Chapel this Wednesday morning at 10:00 o'clock. Members of the Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4 of the American Legion, and the national Guard conducted graveside and military services. A trio composed of Paul Sheaman, Miss Margaret Lee and Mrs. Rudy Christensen, sang "In the Garden" and Mr. Sheaman sang "The Lord's Prayer." Mrs. Lester Mead of Lance Creek and Mrs. J. P. Watson of Lusk provded the accompaniments and chapel music. Pallbearers were Owen Harness, Fred Sheaman, Jim Stratton, Bill Welch, Arthur Orr, and Clarence Boston.

Robert Smith Linville, the son of Robert and Mattie Smith Linville, was born July 20, 1901 at Ute, Iowas. He spent most of is childhood and youth at Sumner, Neb. During World War I he served with distinction in the U. S. Army receiving the Victory Medal.

He married Miss Glee Mowery November 4, 1925 in Lexington, Neb. They became the parents of six children. One daughter, Janice Eileen, died at the age of four months. Surviving children include: Robert Lee of Casper; Wanda Mae (Mrs. David Lorenzen), Lusk; Russell Dean, stationed with the United States Navy in Boston; Maurice Galen, stationed with the U. S. Army in Germany; and Sharon Lee of the family home in Lance Creek. All were home for the services except Galen.

Other survivors, besides his wife and children, are his mother, Mrs. Mattie Smith Linville, San Bernardino, Calif.; two sisters, Mrs. Fred Zimmerer, Lyman, Neb., and Mrs. Lucille Pierce, Wanita, Neb.; two brothers, Howard Linville, Odell, Neb., and Gerald Linville, San Bernardino, Calif.; and three grand-children.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records