Frances Fern Gilchrist

Frances Fern, daughter of Joe and Sally Gilchrist, was born Sept. 19,
1912 and died Jan. 22, 1917, aged 4 years, 4 months and 3 days. She
leaves to mourn her, her parents; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. E.
Reed; and other relatives of this vicinity and Mr. and Mrs. Coryell
and other relatives of Kentucky.

The funeral was conducted by Rev. Cole of Millersburg at the home of
Mrs. W. E.  Reed Friday, Jan. 26, at 2 o'clock p.m.  Interment at
Lutton cemetery.

Circumstances connected with the illness and death of "Baby Frances"
are unusually sad.  With her parents she had been visiting her
mother's parents and other near relatives in the south.  On the way
home she was taken ill.  On reaching Fowler, Indiana, they left the
train and secured medical help, three doctors visiting her.  Pneumonia
developed and all help proved a failure.  She had spent a happy
Christmas in the south, but with the eagerness of childhood she was
looking forward to her real Christmas with grandma Reed.  The "great
big doll with real hair" had been bought and beautifully dressed by
grandma, and the bed too--a gift from uncle Ike--for the big doll were
in waiting for the little play mother who was never to enjoy the gifts
she had asked for.  During her illness she asked if grandma had got
the big doll, and on being told yes, and a bed for it too, she said "I
want to go home."  Tho her death occurred among strangers, sympathy,
encouragement, kindness and help were shown and given them by the true
warm hearted people with whom they came in touch.  True to the
hospitality of their kind, The Camp Fire Girls, dressed all in white,
walked from the hotel to the depot by the side of the little casket.
They gave as a token of respect for the little stranger, a beautiful
floral offering.  This little one was an only child, an only
grandchild and the only girl in the Gilchrist family, thus she was
doubly dear, the idol of all, just stopping a little while as she was
passing thru this life to an noble beautify, and redirect the lives of
those she loved, for the love of a child calls out the finest
sentiment of which human nature is capable.  Yes, little Francis has
gone home.

Her pure baby soul has passed unto Heaven.
Twas the promise of Christ to the little ones given.
With sweet baby angels is she singing His praise.
And playing with them 'neath celestial rays?

Is she tuning a harp with strings of pure gold?
Is she awed by the bliss of supreme glory untold?
Did she want to stay? Did she want to go?
Does she know of our sorrow, our grief and our woe?

Who can tell all the change of our baby's new life?
Leaving sickness, and pain, and life with its strife.
Leaving hearts that are crushed, by grief at their loss
Tears avail not, we must bow at the cross.

Under the snow there's a little gray mound.
And there she sleepth, oh! so sound.
In God's own time He will wake her we know,
From under the snow, from under the snow.

> One who knew and loved her.

The parents and other relatives wish to extend thanks for all kindness
shown and for expressions of sympathy, also for the beautiful floral
offerings during their sad bereavement.

North English Record on LDS film # 1003429
Extracted by Dennis Nicklaus 1995