The child of a tragic birth, she died in a horrific train wreck in the dark of the night aboard the Pullman car #416 named the "Toboco" near Thaxton, VA while in the company of her loving great aunt, Mrs. Catherine Thompson. "Aunt Kate", who was childless, had reared little Pattie as her own after the death of Pattie's mother. A short time following the accident Kate Botts Carrington, Pattie's step-mother, wrote for her the following lines: "A darling child only 9 summers old-bonnie and bright and fair was she: With dark blue eyes and hair like gold, and the sweetest mouth one ever did see. A mouth made for kisses, and childish wiles, soft and red as the heart of a rose--Often dimpling with merry smiles, sometimes drooping with childish woes. Dear little hands, so softly clinging, bringing such comfort in their tender touch, a gay young voice whose shrill sweet singing and merry laughter we miss so much. Death, my darling, was cruel to clutch you from those loving arms that vainly ache once more to enfold-only to touch you-Of one who sorrows for your sweet sake. For hushed are the songs, and the sweet young laughter, the precious body lies silent and still-She is in peace in the great hereafter, And we only know it is God's own will."
The child of a tragic birth, she died in a horrific train wreck in the dark of the night aboard the Pullman car #416 named the "Toboco" near Thaxton, VA while in the company of her loving great aunt, Mrs. Catherine Thompson. "Aunt Kate", who was childless, had reared little Pattie as her own after the death of Pattie's mother. A short time following the accident Kate Botts Carrington, Pattie's step-mother, wrote for her the following lines: "A darling child only 9 summers old-bonnie and bright and fair was she: With dark blue eyes and hair like gold, and the sweetest mouth one ever did see. A mouth made for kisses, and childish wiles, soft and red as the heart of a rose--Often dimpling with merry smiles, sometimes drooping with childish woes. Dear little hands, so softly clinging, bringing such comfort in their tender touch, a gay young voice whose shrill sweet singing and merry laughter we miss so much. Death, my darling, was cruel to clutch you from those loving arms that vainly ache once more to enfold-only to touch you-Of one who sorrows for your sweet sake. For hushed are the songs, and the sweet young laughter, the precious body lies silent and still-She is in peace in the great hereafter, And we only know it is God's own will."
Inscription
Child of W. Allen Carrington & Pattie Love his wifeBorn Sept 15, 1779 taken July 2, 1889
