Smyrna times., 1895-03-13
Death of Clifford HnFanker

The death angel seems to have been
making numerous visits to our town
recently bat in no place has the shadow
of his black wings caused more deep and
general regret than his visit to the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. John A. HOffecker
Saturday morning and bearing away
the life-the spirit of their only child,
Clifford Appleton, who, instead of a
lifetime as they had fondly hoped, had
been permitted only eleven years lack
ing a month and few days in his stay
with them. A death under such cir.
cumstances is one of those inscrutable
prOvidences that staggers faith, and
Obscures reason in its attempts to
solve. The bereaved know and feel
the pangs of grief in the earthly state
nor can faith more than partly assuage
this in the human breast but the bliss of
future reunion which Divine revelation
alone holds out, declaring with David
in his lament for his son, "But now he
is dead wherefore should fast? can 1
bring him back again l shall 30 to
him but he shall not return to me-" is
the one supreme comfort and cOnsola
tion. Little Clifford was recognized on
all sides as boy of remarkable endOw-
ments, that not only endeared him to
his parents but made him favOrite
throughout a large family and circle of
| friends. But while thus in certain
sense caressed he never gave the FIRST
evidence of being spoiled: boy always
| in spirit and animation; in candOr,
cOnscientiousness, and correct de-
meanor, exhibiting the traits of a
thoughtful adult. Aside from his de.
votion to his parents, his ruling passion
was love of school. To him there was
no greater privation than to be de-
tanned from school, always at the head
of his class. The same perseverance
was manifested in his music lessons,
pro1laiming his highest ambition to be
able to play like his teacher
1t was the surprise of his friends that
he could have these ambitions and
perseverance considering the state OF
his health. 1t is not forgotten how
narrowly he escaped death in a
severe illness four years ago. 1t
was struggle of weeks running
into months of emaciatiOn and pain and
he must have succumbed but for his
indOmitable pluck, often expressively
stated as grit" in what seemed an
unequal fight for his life, but he tri'
umphed. 1t was wonderful, and Sc
expressed in terms by all who knew
the circumstances. His re-appearanct
on the streets and in school again after
such long lapse of time was matter
of general Congratulation, and express
sive hopes for the future. But the hop,
was delusive. His family has noticed
for several months that his ambition
was greater than his strength, anC
when incipient pneumonia set in foul
days before death it was felt hI
could not stand the strain again; and
= although his first symptoms yielded CC
treatment, and in measure his cOnOi
ton had improved, a further cOmpli
cation involving the stomach set il
rapidly exhausting his strength, ant
causing his death from heart failure
He was concious until the last; h,
asked for drink of water, and whi l.
his mother was getting it, he caugh
his fathers hand in his, saying, "hOV
dark it is getting, l must be dying
goodbye, papa" and his spirit wa
gone.
We need not say that bis parent
have the sincerest sympathy of the en-
tire community, which likewise ex
tends to little Clfford's grandfather
John H. HOfiecker, who is left withou
a grandchild. A large circle of friend
joined the relatives yesterday after
> noon in services at the house conducte'
by Pastor Stengle, accompanying then
to GlenwOOd cemetery where the littl
, form was laid away to rest. 1t was fit
ting that the last service to the moTts
remains should be amid an abundanc
D of flowers in their fragrance, purit,
and suggestiveness. Among thes
! was beautiful crown Of white rose
from the Sunday School, boquet G
roses from the Infant class, baske
from the boys who loved him." sew
eral wreaths, one from the King
Daughters; two pillows, one will
"CliffOrd" in immOrtelles; a star. an
, great profusion of cut flowers, Easte
! and Gala lilies and lilies of the valley
= violets, roses, &c.