The people of this community were greatly shocked Friday noon of last week to learn that Mrs. Marnie Maxwell, wife of Elzie C. Maxwell, residing in the northeast part of town, had attempted suicide by cutting her throat with a butcher knife. She was rushed to a hospital in Macomb where she passed away Saturday night at about midnight.
Mrs. Maxwell was preparing the noon meal. Her daughter, Wandaleigh, aged 13, was assisting her and her mother, Mrs. Alice Welker, who resides a few blocks away was there at the time.
Mrs. Maxwell went out on the porch of her home where she sat down. Presently she left the porch and her mother, Mrs. Welker, who noticed she was gone, asked her granddaughter Wandaleigh to look for her mother. The child left the house in search of her. Calling for her, she was horrified to see her mother stagger from a nearby woodhouse with her throat cut and collapse on the ground.
The little girl called for help and Childs Bowser was the first to come to her assistance. Dr. E. M. Price was summoned and finding the woman in a serious condition, ordered her taken immediately to a hospital. She was rushed to a Macomb hospital where she was given medical attention.
Mrs. Maxwell was unable to speak due to the fact that she had severed the vocal organs. A wound some four inches long was made in her throat.
Mrs. Maxwell seemed to be in fair spirits during the day and had not indicated in any way to the members of her family that she contemplated committing the terrible deed she committed. Some weeks ago she had the third finger of her left hand amputated and this seemed to give her a great deal of worry, although the wound had entirely healed.
Marnie Leona, daughter of Geo. R. and Alice M. Welker, was born in Woodland township, June 26, 1892 and departed this life June 16, 1928, aged 35 years, 11 months and 20 days.
She was united in marriage to Elzie Maxwell, Dec. 4, 1912, and to this union seven children were born: Dale Eugene, Wayne Devere and Sarah Alice preceded the mother in death. Those who are left to mourn are: Wilford, Wandaleigh [listed in this paragraph as "Wanda Lee" in original obit - Ed.], John and Charles. During the pastorate of Rev. Ella Niswonger she professed faith in Christ and united with the U. B. church of Astoria of which she was a member at death. She united with the church Feb. 7, 1912 and was baptized by Rev. Edwards July 28, the same year.
Mrs. Maxwell leaves to mourn her departure the above named husband and children, her aged mother, three brothers, Harley Welker, Jesse Welker and John Welker, one sister, Mrs. Maud Wilson, a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the U. B. church Tuesday at 2:30 P. M. conducted by the pastor Rev. W. R. Seitzinger and interment in the Astoria cemetery.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus