OCR Text |
Show January 15 03.qxd 12/7/2021 3:30 PM Page 9 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume VII Issue VII Page 9 January 15, 2003 Dr. Robert S. Joyce Attends to Huntsville Accident Victim By Stanley F. Wangsgaard Ogden Valley Historian There were doctors in Ogden who served the people of Ogden Valley when called in emergency situations. One was Robert s. Joyce, physician and surgeon, whose office was in the First National Bank Building in Ogden. Dr. Joyce received an emergency call October 19, 1905 to come to Huntsville with haste because road supervisor Mads Wangsgaard had been crushed in a gravel pit. The Daily Utah State Journal, an Ogden newspaper, printed the following article on Friday, October 20, 1905: “A fatal accident, in which Mads Wangsgaard, a well known citizen of Huntsville, lost his life, occurred in that village yesterday afternoon. While directing the excavating in a gravel pit near town, an immense bank of sand gave way, entombing Wangsgaard, and crushing out his life. “Mr. Wangsgaard was recently appointed by the board of County Commissioners to the position of Road Supervisor of Huntsville District. Yesterday he put his force of men at work hauling gravel for the roads, and was personally superintending the work. He stepped under one of the over hanging banks, when it suddenly and without warning gave way and buried him. The other men employed on the work rushed to his assistance and succeeded in extricating him, and found that he was seriously hurt. Dr. Shields, a local physician, was called and he gave the unfortunate man what aid he could, in the meantime telephoning to the city for Dr. Joyce who responded at once. It was found that his hips were crushed, and four ribs broken, beside internal injuries. While Dr. Joyce was setting the broken bones, the man expires. “The deceased was one of the oldest, as well as one of the best known citizens of Huntsville. He leaves a wife and five children, two sons and three daughters. He is a brother of James C. Wangsgaard, former County Commissioner from Ogden Valley.” This was very good news reporting, but I would like to add a more personal view from a published biography: “As his wife, Kirstine, was hastily told that Mads was caught in a gravel cave-in, she realized the gravity of the situation and before they had finished hitching the team to the buggy, she was in the seat with quilts and pillow. They hurriedly drove to the gravel pit. As they arrived, the workmen had just uncovered Mads, and a quilt was taken from the buggy. Kirstine held his head in her lap, and her only thought was to take care of him. She said to her son Harvey, ‘Be careful as you drive, we will have to get a doctor.’ It was a terrible thing to see Mads lay there motionless and helpless. He was crushed; his ribs were sticking out through his shirt. Both legs were broken and his chest caved in. After he was placed on his bed, a phone call was made to Ogden asking Doctor Joyce to come. Dr. Shields was summoned and he cleaned Mads’ wounds and made him as comfortable as possible. Three and a half hours had passed when Dr. Joyce arrived and was preparing to do what he could. All the family had left the room, except his eldest son Niels. Mads said to him, ‘I can’t hold out any longer, I will have to go now.’ Those were his last words—he was gone.” Historical Photo Certificate of Appointment of Mads C. Wangsgard as Road Supervisor for the Huntsville Road District. Photo courtesy of Stanley F. Wangsgaard. Subscriptions available for out of area residents at $18.00 annually. Send payment with mailing address to: THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS P O BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 Mads and Kirstine Wangsgaard shown with their children Christine, Effie, Caroline, Harvey, and Niels in this photo taken in 1893. Photo courtesy of Stanley F. Wangsgaard, Ogden Valley Historian of Huntsville. The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please mail, email, or call Shanna 745-2688 or Jeannie 745-2879 if you have material that you would be willing to share. 801-745-4000 2555 WOLF CREEK DR. EDEN STORE HOURS: MON. - SAT. 7 AM - 10 PM SUNDAY 7 AM - 9 PM Have Flakes been accumulating in your yard and unwanted places? . . . . If so call Large AA Eggs 2 for $1.00 with coupon Western Family Limit 4 per coupon Expires 1/31/03 Farr Ice Cream 5 quart bucket $3.99 with coupon Limit 1 per coupon Expires 1/31/03 Large Freschetta Pizzas 2 for $8.00 Limit 4 per coupon with coupon Expires 1/31/03 Pepsi Cola Products 59c with coupon Limit 3 per coupon 2 Liters Expires 1/31/03 S PU H SNOW REMOVAL -- PUSH SNOWBANKS BACK . . . Reduce & Simplify your driveway or parking lot frustration REASONABLE RATES No Job is Too Small! 745-2309 Licensed & Insured Salt and Sand Available |