In 1850 Frederick was a student with the Rev. B.F. Brabrook, a Baptist Clergyman, in Scott County, Iowa. When Rev. Brabrook died in 1852 Frederick headed West. Frederick married Henrietta Speer in Multnomah County, Oregon Territory on Aug. 3, 1856. In 1861 Frederick took his family to California, where he joined his older brother Nathan Coombs and his mother Abigail (nee Hinckley) Coombs Carpenter. Nathan Coombs had traveled west with the Hastings Party in 1842. Nathan Coombs and his children were instrumental in the development of California and Napa. On February 20, 1871, during divorce proceedings, Frederick shot and killed his wife Henrietta and committed suicide. He left letters to his brother Nathan for disposition of his business and property. Five children were instantly orphaned.
Note: His mother Abigail Hinckley was a Mayflower descendant. (Thomas Rogers).
Contributor: Roberta Mattle∼Murder and Suicide
One of the most appalling affairs that ever happened in Napa County, occurred in Napa City, February 20, 1871, under the following circumstances:
During the previous term of the District Court, proceedings in divorce had been begun between Fred Coombs and his wife, who had been living previously on Howell Mountain. The matter was referred to the Court Commissioner, Mr. F. E. Johnson, who had been taking testimony on the day of the fatal affair, in the office of Messrs. Pendegast & Stoney.
Between five and six o'clock in the afternoon, he adjourned the session, and all parties were preparing to leave the room. Coombs asked his wife to accompany him. She replied that the time for a reconciliation was past. Coombs thereupon drew a revolver and fired twice at her, the first ball passing through her arm, while the other penetrated the center of the breast-bone. He then turned his pistol on himself and fired, the ball taking effect in the right temple and lodging under the scalp, killing him instantly.
Mrs. Coombs was taken to the office of Dr. M. B. Pond, but she was beyond the reach of medical aid, and died within twenty minutes. Coombs left a letter stating what disposition to make of their children and property.
It was thought that he was laboring under a fit of temporary insanity.
USGenWeb Archives by: Regina Gualco
Note: His mother Abigail Hinckley was a Mayflower descendant. (Thomas Rogers).
Contributor: Roberta Mattle∼Murder and Suicide
One of the most appalling affairs that ever happened in Napa County, occurred in Napa City, February 20, 1871, under the following circumstances:
During the previous term of the District Court, proceedings in divorce had been begun between Fred Coombs and his wife, who had been living previously on Howell Mountain. The matter was referred to the Court Commissioner, Mr. F. E. Johnson, who had been taking testimony on the day of the fatal affair, in the office of Messrs. Pendegast & Stoney.
Between five and six o'clock in the afternoon, he adjourned the session, and all parties were preparing to leave the room. Coombs asked his wife to accompany him. She replied that the time for a reconciliation was past. Coombs thereupon drew a revolver and fired twice at her, the first ball passing through her arm, while the other penetrated the center of the breast-bone. He then turned his pistol on himself and fired, the ball taking effect in the right temple and lodging under the scalp, killing him instantly.
Mrs. Coombs was taken to the office of Dr. M. B. Pond, but she was beyond the reach of medical aid, and died within twenty minutes. Coombs left a letter stating what disposition to make of their children and property.
It was thought that he was laboring under a fit of temporary insanity.
USGenWeb Archives by: Regina Gualco
In 1850 Frederick was a student with the Rev. B.F. Brabrook, a Baptist Clergyman, in Scott County, Iowa. When Rev. Brabrook died in 1852 Frederick headed West. Frederick married Henrietta Speer in Multnomah County, Oregon Territory on Aug. 3, 1856. In 1861 Frederick took his family to California, where he joined his older brother Nathan Coombs and his mother Abigail (nee Hinckley) Coombs Carpenter. Nathan Coombs had traveled west with the Hastings Party in 1842. Nathan Coombs and his children were instrumental in the development of California and Napa. On February 20, 1871, during divorce proceedings, Frederick shot and killed his wife Henrietta and committed suicide. He left letters to his brother Nathan for disposition of his business and property. Five children were instantly orphaned.
Note: His mother Abigail Hinckley was a Mayflower descendant. (Thomas Rogers).
Contributor: Roberta Mattle∼Murder and Suicide
One of the most appalling affairs that ever happened in Napa County, occurred in Napa City, February 20, 1871, under the following circumstances:
During the previous term of the District Court, proceedings in divorce had been begun between Fred Coombs and his wife, who had been living previously on Howell Mountain. The matter was referred to the Court Commissioner, Mr. F. E. Johnson, who had been taking testimony on the day of the fatal affair, in the office of Messrs. Pendegast & Stoney.
Between five and six o'clock in the afternoon, he adjourned the session, and all parties were preparing to leave the room. Coombs asked his wife to accompany him. She replied that the time for a reconciliation was past. Coombs thereupon drew a revolver and fired twice at her, the first ball passing through her arm, while the other penetrated the center of the breast-bone. He then turned his pistol on himself and fired, the ball taking effect in the right temple and lodging under the scalp, killing him instantly.
Mrs. Coombs was taken to the office of Dr. M. B. Pond, but she was beyond the reach of medical aid, and died within twenty minutes. Coombs left a letter stating what disposition to make of their children and property.
It was thought that he was laboring under a fit of temporary insanity.
USGenWeb Archives by: Regina Gualco
Note: His mother Abigail Hinckley was a Mayflower descendant. (Thomas Rogers).
Contributor: Roberta Mattle∼Murder and Suicide
One of the most appalling affairs that ever happened in Napa County, occurred in Napa City, February 20, 1871, under the following circumstances:
During the previous term of the District Court, proceedings in divorce had been begun between Fred Coombs and his wife, who had been living previously on Howell Mountain. The matter was referred to the Court Commissioner, Mr. F. E. Johnson, who had been taking testimony on the day of the fatal affair, in the office of Messrs. Pendegast & Stoney.
Between five and six o'clock in the afternoon, he adjourned the session, and all parties were preparing to leave the room. Coombs asked his wife to accompany him. She replied that the time for a reconciliation was past. Coombs thereupon drew a revolver and fired twice at her, the first ball passing through her arm, while the other penetrated the center of the breast-bone. He then turned his pistol on himself and fired, the ball taking effect in the right temple and lodging under the scalp, killing him instantly.
Mrs. Coombs was taken to the office of Dr. M. B. Pond, but she was beyond the reach of medical aid, and died within twenty minutes. Coombs left a letter stating what disposition to make of their children and property.
It was thought that he was laboring under a fit of temporary insanity.
USGenWeb Archives by: Regina Gualco
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