Samuel Albert "Albert" Holcomb 1880-1914

HOLCOMB

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/13/2011 at 00:34:35

Holcomb Dies From Injuries
Was Struck by An Automobile on Streets of Fort Dodge About a Month Ago
The remains of Samuel A. Holcomb were brought to this city from Fort Dodge last Saturday for burial. Mr. Holcomb was the victim of a very sad automobile accident in the city of Fort Dodge some weeks ago and died from the injuries he sustained on April fifteenth. He was the son of H.W. Holcomb of this city, and has resided in this city for the past ten years, going to Fort Dodge a little over a year ago to take a run out of that city on the M. & St. L. Ry. He was a young man of exceptionally good habits, and was always at his post of duty, and an ever willing worker. The following taken from the Fort Dodge Messenger gives a full account of the sad accident.

“After hovering between life and death for twenty three days, Samuel A. Holcomb, a railroad fireman, died at the Mercy hospital Wednesday at 9:15 p.m. Death was caused by injuries received when the man was hit by an auto driven by John Stafford on the evening of March 23. There will be no inquest, as the injuries received in an accident that could not have been avoided.”

“This afternoon at 4:00 the body was shipped to Estherville, where services will be held Friday. The Brotherhood of Railroad Engineers took care of the body in this city.

“Holcomb was thirty-three years of age and was born in Axtel, Nebraska. His parents are living, at Estherville. He had been employed in this city by the M. & St. L. railroad as a locomotive fireman for over one year.

“E.A. Wilcox, a fireman and a friend of Holcomb, were with him on the night of the accident. His story of the affair was narrated today.

“Holcomb and I were coming from the theater at 11:05 on the evening of March 23 and had reached the Oleson Drug Store,” said Wilcox. “We had decided to go to our home and started to cross the street to the pool hall located on the south side of Central avenue on Eighth street. The auto bus was coming west and we thought we could get across the street before it arrived at the corner. Holcomb and I started to cross, he a short distance ahead of me. Mr. Stafford was coming from the same direction as the auto bus. We did not see him.”

“Just as we had gained a part of the distance across the street, we saw Mr. Stafford. He tried to dodge us, and we did the same. Holcomb was hit by the car and dragged under the wheels for a short distance. I was struck by the car and had a bruised hip for several days. We picked Holcomb up and took him to the hospital.” (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, April 22, 1914)

Dies From Internal Injuries
S.A. Holcomb Died at Ft. Dodge on Wednesday, April 15
On the evening of March 23, while attempting to cross one of the business streets in Fort Dodge, S.A. Holcomb, a son of Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Holcomb, of this city, was struck by an auto driven by John Stafford, and so seriously injured that on the 15th of the present month the unfortunate victim passed from this earth. The reckless driver of the automobile took the young man immediately after the accident to the hospital, where the best medical skill obtainable was prevailed upon and for a time it was thought that the victim would soon be about his duties, but about ten days ago his condition became alarming and he grew steadily worse until the end came.

Deceased was thirty-four years of age, and up until two years ago made his home with his parents in this city. He was in the employ of the M. & St. L. Railway in the capacity of a fireman. He was an industrious, sober young man, and well-liked by his fellow workmen and acquaintances. He had never married.

The remains were brought to the parental home in East Lawn, where on Saturday morning at 10:00 o’clock funeral services were conducted by Rev. Whitfield. Interment occurred in the East Side cemetery. Besides the father and mother, three brothers and six sisters are left to mourn the loss of a good son and loving brother. The Democrat joins friends of the family in extending sympathy. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, April 22, 1914)