OBIT: Julius Sylvester REFFNER, 1917, Roaring Spring, Blair County, PA

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Death of a Child.

  Julius Sylvester, the 4 year old son of Lloyd and Effie Reffner of 
Sugar street, Roaring Spring, died at his parental home at 7.30 o'clock 
this morning of membranous croup, the child having been ill since 
yesterday noon. The child is survived by its parents and grandmother, 
Mrs. Anna Albright.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, December 13, 1917

Boy's Letter To Santa And His Death Notice Appear In Same Paper

  Santa Claus - good old St. Nick - loved the world over by every boy 
and girl, who anxiously awaits his coming every Christmas season will 
have one stocking chuck full of gifts on his visit this year which one 
youthful friend of the genial saint won't be able to claim in the 
cherished way.
  Santa's visit comes too late to have the modest appeal of little 
Julius Sylvester Reffner, aged 4, of Roaring Spring, fulfilled. On the 
same day that Julius' letter to "dear Santa Claus" was printed in the 
Altoona Mirror for Santa's reading, the death notice of this little 
friend of Kris is chronicled.
  Little Julius, through his parents, posted a letter to Santa dated 
Dec. 10 and the lad looked forward to having his appeal in Santa's 
column in The Mirror. Last evening the boy's letter appeared as 
follows:
  Dear Santa Claus - Please send me a new overcoat, a swinging horse 
and a drum and some candy and nuts and fruit. Your little friend,

JULIUS Reffner.

  The appeal was printed on page 19. On the following page, page 20, 
appeared the death notice of the lad. The boy was taken ill two days 
after writing to Santa. He died yesterday morning of membranous croup 
after a twenty-four hour illness.
  Thus one appeal, which was looked upon to bring great joy into one 
Blair county home at Christmas time will go unanswered here on earth 
but not unanswered in the great beyond, where joy is supreme and where 
sorrow is known no more.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., Friday, December 14, 1917