Father Takes Spurgeon Dial to State Hospital After Suicide Attempt, April 29, 1924

Indian Is Unsuccessful in Attempt at Suicide. . . Secured a Match and Set Clothing on Fire in Jail Yesterday—Jailer Prevatt Found Fire Before Much Damage—Had Been Insane since Mother’s Death. . . Left for Raleigh Today

Spurgeon Dial, Indian, who was brought to the county jail last Sunday and who was taken today to the State hospital in Raleigh, made an unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide in the jail last night ab out 7:30 by setting his clothes on fire.

Jailer A.H. Prevatte found the fire before any damage had been done. He was putting another prisoner in the jail and was almost stifled on account of the smoke. Upon investigation he found that Dial had secured a match from someone and had set fire to a coat which, it is said, he hated very much.

The unfortunate Indian has been mentally deranged for the past several months, especially since his mother died about the first of the year. After her death he began drinking heavily, and this is said to be partly accountable for his insanity. His father, Jim Dial, took him to Raleigh.

From the front page of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Tuesday, April 29, 1924