Chris Salvesen

A Lusk Citizen Meets Death in Auto Wreck

Chris Salvesen, so late among us in health and vigor, has passed to the mysterious beyond, and the shift of scene from life to death was instantaneous. The tragedy came to pass through the overturning of his Ford car on the highway between Wheatland and Lusk, at a point some ten miles south of the Tom Black ranch on Willow creek. In the car, besides Mr. Salvesen were Wm. Jack and E. Rosson of this city and Fred Christensen of Node.

The four were returning from Denver, and at about 11 o'clock of Tuesday night they reached the spot of fatal disaster - a portion of the roadway having a high grade and a very narrow crown. The car was slowed to not exceeding six miles an hour, and the lights were weak. Rosson had the wheel. Mr. Salvesen, who sat beside the driver, evidently fearing disaster, added his grip to the wheel. A second later the car was in the ditch, having made a complete overturn and landing upon its side.

William Jack and Mr. Salveson landed clear of the wreck; Christensen was held in the car, as also was Rosson. The more or less injured ones were soon on foot, and to their grief and horror they found Salvesen dead. He bore a deep gash across his forehead and his skull was severely cracked.

At a house some two miles distant on the backward way, a telephone message was sent here calling Dr. Morris, coroner, to the scene. Dr. Morris arrived between the hours of 1 and 2 o'clock, and the dead and injured were brought to town.

Word of the tragedy was soon abroad on yesterday morning, and from everyone came expressions of regret because of the death involved and of sympathy for the wife and children so suddenly bereft of husband and father.

The funeral will take place tomorrow, Friday, afternoon at 3 o'clock, and will be under direction of the Odd-Fellows Fraternity.

Deceased was between 42 and 43 years of age. He, together with his family came here some 13 years ago from near Huron, So. Dakota, and located on a homestead tract near Node. For a number of years he had resided in Lusk, where he engaged in blacksmithing, the occupation he was following up till his death.

Mr. Salvesen, as of nearest kin, leaves a wife and five children, of which the eldest is of 13 years and the youngest two years. He carried a life policy in the Capitol Life Insurance company of Denver, of $2000, and an accident policy for $500 in a Des Moines, Ia., company. As a fellowman and a citizen he was well thought of.

The Lusk Herald and The Lusk Standard
September 26, 1922
Obituary - Chris Salvesen

Chris Salvesen was born in Broseley, Denmark, May 22, 1880 and died in Lusk, Wyo., September 19, 1922, at the age of 42 years three months and 28 days.

Mr. Salvesen came to the United States in 1902 at the age of 22 and settled in Osseo, Wis., later making his home at Yale, S.D. He was married to Miss Mary Christensen on February 6, 1910 and to this union five girls were born, who, with the mother survive. They are: Stena, 12, Anna, 10, Edna, seven, Laura, three and Mabel, two.

After residing for two years after the marriage at Yale, Mr. and Mrs. Salvesen came to Wyoming and homesteaded near Node. Upon making final proof on their claim they moved to Lusk, where the family home has since been, he having been engaged in the blacksmithing business until claimed by death. Affiliating with the Custer lodge No. 21, I.O.O.F., Mr. Salvesen had always been an active worker and was at one time head of that organization.

Besides the sorrowing wife and children there are left to mourn his demise his father and mother, four brothers and three sisters, all of whom with the exception of a brother still reside in Denmark.

THIRTY YEARS AGO - Sept 19-26, 1922
The Lusk Herald
September 25, 1952

Chris Salvesen was instantly killed; E. Rosson suffered severe internal injuries and William "Scotty" Jack and Fred Christensen were badly shaken and bruised about 10:00 o'clock Tuesday night when the care in which the party was riding went over a 20 foot embankment near the Tom Black ranch, south of Manville, as they were returning from Denver. Mr. Jack walked to the Auftengarten ranch and phoned to Thos. Fagan, who in company with County Coroner Dr. M. L. Morris left at once for the scene of the accident and brought the body of Mr. Salvesen and the other members of the group to Lusk.

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