Drowning Attempt Leads to Hospital

Article taken from The Lima News, November 14, 1935

Probate Judge C. P. McClelland committed Mrs. Merrell Spurgeon, 42, of Portsmouth, who attempted Nov. 6 to drown herself and two girls, to the state hospital for insane at Athens today.

Drs. Frank C. Wagenhals and Robert W. Tarbell testified Mrs. Spurgeon, a registered nurse, told them, "I just can't recall this period. I am all confused."

Mrs. Spurgeon waded into Big Walnut creek, 10 miles south, with her 10-year-old daughter, Ruth, and 10-year-old Marlyn Price, and told the girls: "come on, let's all die together." She was being held on a charge of assault with intent to kill.

Second Suicide Try Successful
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ATHENS, O., Jan. 9 --- (AP)

---Mrs. Merrill Spurgeon, 42-year-old widow of Portsmouth, who tried to drown herself and two children last Nov. 6, because of an unrequited love, hanged herself today in the Athens State hospital.

Mrs. Spurgeon was committed after she waded into the Scioto river, 12 miles south of Columbus, with her daughter, Ruth, 10, and Marlyn Price, 10, and told them "let's all die together."

The girls and Mrs. Spurgeon, a nurse, were rescued by men working nearby.

Sheriff Ross Anderson of Franklin-co reported at the time that Mrs. Spurgeon sought to die because she failed to reconcile a romance with the Price girl's father, Roy M. Price, Columbus salesman.