Murphy - Roberta Newlin
Source: Crawfordsville Journal & Review, Saturday, Sept 7, 1931
Mrs. Roberta Newlin MURPHY, 27, wife of Paul Murphy and mother of two small children committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid at her home 202 Covington Street Friday afternoon. The first taking of the tragedy was obtained by Murphy when he returned home from work about 4 o'clock. He noticed that the shades in the house were drawn and that a coat had been pinned over the glass front door. Trying the door he found it locked. A few knocks brought no response. Finally after repeated banging on the door by Murphy, his wife turned the key and without a word to her husband went to a bedroom and collapsed on the bed. The husband at first did not discern the cause of his wife's actions, but after finding an empty two-ounce carbolic acid bottle on the bed he called a physician. The doctor, on his arrival, administered the antidote for the deadly poison but was unable to save the young mother. She died shortly after 4. The physician estimated that she had taken the poison about an hour previous to the time. Dr. AL Loop, county coroner, was called and after an investigation found a note scribbled on a piece of blue wrapping paper. It instructed the husband to care for the children and assured him that he was the sole object of her affections. Murphy told Coroner Loop that when he left home at noon for work his wife was in good humor and appeared to be carefree and happy. Neighbors supplemented this testimony, remarking that early in the afternoon Mrs. Murphy and the two children went downtown and seemed to be without a worry. The husband told the coroner that he and his wife had no serious domestic trouble during their married life. He did relate, however, that the "usual" little family spats did occur occasionally. Funeral services will be held at the Hunt & Ratcliff Funeral Home at 2 Sunday afternoon with the pastor of the local Nazarene church in charge. - kbz