Early last Sunday morning the sad news was phoned in this city from Wesley Hospital in Wichita that Harriett Allderdice, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Victor J. Allderdice, had just passed away. The little one had been taken to Wichita a couple of weeks before for treatment for a severe attack of summer complaint. She became so much better that hopes of her recovery seemed justified, but a turn for the worse came a day or so before her death.The body was brought to this city on Monday and burial was made on Tuesday forenoon in Crown Hill cemetery, following funeral services which were conducted from the home and which were in charge of Rev. H. W. Cummings of the Methodist Episcopal church. It was a beautiful funeral service. The words spoken by Rev. Cummings were appropriate and consoling. Two beautiful songs were sung by Mrs. George R. Stewart. Four of Harriett's uncles - Chas. E., James H. and Cline Allderdice and Wm. Brumbaugh were the pallbearers. The following obituary and beautiful tribute to little Harriett was read by Rev. Cummings.
"Harriett Allderdice, the youngest daughter of Victor and Elizabeth Allderdice, was born in Coldwater, Kans., September 22, 1921. Passed from this life July 22, 1923, at Wesley Hospital, in Wichita, Kans., at the tender age of 1 year and 10 months. In addition to her sorrowing parents, she leaves to mourn her departure, a sister, Helen, one aunt and four uncles, her grandmother Allderdice, also her grandfather Brumbaugh, and four cousins, besides a host of warm hearted friends in all who knew her.
"Although she had been seriously sick for several weeks, some improvement had come within the last few days, till friends had felt hope for that the worst had passed. Only a short time before the end came she had a sudden turn for the worse. Her frail constitution had resisted as long as it could hold out. It broke under the long strain and her sweet spirit took its flight to the Master, who said, 'Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.'
"Her short life was like a delicate little flower that begins to fade away before it gets well started toward the life mature. Although she was only a fragile little bud, she possessed the dainty tints of a full blown flower, and dispersed the fragrance of her happy and attractive little life upon all the friends around her.
"Although she was so young, she was cheerful by nature, as bright as a sun ray, as rare as the dew drop in the morning air, and a perfect joy to the home and friends around her.
"She had the baby trait of making all who saw her glad they had lived long enough to enjoy her happy smile, and to appreciate real babyhood.
"While it is true that she was only a fleeting moment in the cycle of eternity, yet like the flaming meteor, that swiftly passes, she leaves a stream of light and cheerfulness behind her, and sweet memory in the minds of her parents and friends.
"From our human viewpoint it is very sad to be called upon to give up our little one, and it leaves us sorrowful and lonely, but our Christ who, Took little children up in his arms and put his hands on them and blessed them, takes them to Himself and there we will find them when we are leaving this world of disappointment and sorrow. Heaven, like this world, would not be much of a place if it had no children in it. We know where to find them. They are safe."
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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