Harry Pincombe (1856-1927)

PINCOMBE, HOLLENBACK

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From Nevada Evening Journal and The Nevada Representative May 23, 1927 (page 1)

Unsung Hero Gave Own Life to Save Others

Funeral services for Harry Pincombe, 74, who died Thursday at Brockton, Mass., from the effects of that city Tuesday, were held at the Bishop Funeral Home in this city, today, after which the body was laid to rest in the Nevada cemetery, by the side of the wife and son who preceded him in death.

The body of Mr. Pincombe arrived here at noon today over the Northwestern and was taken at once to the funeral home. Services were held at 2:30, the sermon being preached by Rev. L. E. Watson of the First Methodist church and body was carried by old friends and business associates of his longtime residence in Nevada.

Mr. Pincombe leaves, besides his granddaughters, Misses Henrietta and Lois Pincombe, of this city, their mother, Mrs. Laura Hollenback, of this city, two sisters in England, and a wide circle of friends, not only in Nevada, but all over Iowa, and in the horse markets of Chicago and the east and south, where he had been a frequenter and where he was well-known and highly regarded.

More definite news of the tragic death of Mr. Pincombe is given in a story from the Daily Enterprise, of Brockton, Mass., where the fatality occurred, under the heading "Unsung Hero is Killed by Horse." The story follows"

"Harry Pincombe, 74, of Nevada, Iowa, who was injured Wednesday evening by a runaway saddle horse in Brighton, died Thursday at St. Elizabeth's hospital.

"Many Brockton people had met Mr. Pincombe at different times and he was a warm personal friend of James C. Keith, William Shields and "Eddie" Reynolds of this city.

"Kindly and courteous always, he had the friendship of the larged buyer, the small buyer, the owner and the "swipes." Only a morning or so ago he come down the stairs of a big stable where the boys were working their heads off to clean up before the sale. Doffing his hat and top coat he turned up his trouser bottoms, slipped on a pair of overalls and "dug in" and helped clean up in time for the sale.

"Much sympathy was expressed from all sources because of the tragedy coming out of an apparently clear sky and in the midst of hundreds of people. He was directly in the path of a halter-guided plunging big chestnut saddle horse, whose rider has not yet been found, and the warning shouts gave only time to turn around before he was struck. As he realized his position he pushed a woman and boy to one side. Although a second later the impact of his body threw them to the ground the force of the blow was on him and they were unhurt.

"An unsung hero," quietly remarked the president of a big automobile concern who stood with several Brockton men who saw the accident.

"Mr. Pincombe's body will be sent home to Nevada, Iowa, where he has relatives. His wife has been dead several years."