Verbeck, Pierce (1927)

VERBECK

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 7/7/2010 at 08:44:03

Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) Aug. 12, 1927

PIERCE VERBECK FATALLY INJURED

Popular And Worthy Young Man Of Grinnell Killed Wednesday In Tragic Accident.

FATALLY INJURED WHEN THROWN FROM CAR.

Was Going To Farm Near Grinnell To Work With Threshers For The Day.

Grinnell was saddened early Wednesday morning by the tragic death of Pierce Verbeck, one of Grinnell's finest young men. He was instantly killed at 7:20 Wednesday morning, when his Chrysler sport roadster, traveling north on the road northeast of Grinnell, overturned just two and one-half miles north of Snow's Corner. According to witnesses the car, which was not being driven at an excessive rate of speed, came over a short steep hill, and struck some deep ruts, throwing it to one side of the road. Attempting to turn it back too suddenly, Pierce was thrown from the car into the air, and his death resulted. The car swerved from the ditch on the left side of the road, turned over two or three times, and then headed south and was lying on its side, twenty-seven feet further up the road.

Witnesses of the accident were two, a boy and a girl who lived on nearby farms. The young boy said the car came over the hill, struck a rut, slowing down for a moment and then swerved into the ditch. Pierce was thrown as high as the telephone wires, according to this story, and the car turned over a number of times and stopped at the other side of the road. The car was badly wrecked, the frame being sprung, two fenders smashed and the windshield demolished.

He was on his way to a farm to work with the threshers. The men who came to the scene of the accident came to town at once for the doctor and the ambulance, but nothing could be done, and it is thought that death came instantly. Passengers of a car which Pierce had just passed said that he was not going over thirty five miles an hour at the time of the accident.

Well known around Grinnell, and liked and respected by all that knew him, Pierce was one of Grinnell's most respected young men. Hard-working, friendly and loyal, his absence will be keenly felt by the many who knew him.

Pierce was several years ago in the employ of the Herald in the pressroom and there never was a more willing or more trustworthy young man in our employ. All the intervening years we have held him in the highest esteem, and have enjoyed his friendship. His death is a serious loss to the entire community as well as to his friends.

The funeral was held at the home this morning at 10 o'clock conducted by Rev. E.M. Vittum. It was largely attended by friends of Pierce and by a large circle who feel a deep sympathy for the sorrowing father, mother, and sister.

NOTE: Pierce was the son of Luther Meredith Verbeck and Ruth Tracy.