RATHBURN, Patti Lou

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, Friday July 23, 1948 A SAD TRAGEDY PATTI RATHBURN, 4, VICTIM OF SHOCK AFTER CLOTHING CAUGHT ON FIRE Funeral services were held in Wickenburg Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock for little Patti Lou Rathburn, 4-year-old daughter of Mr and Mrs E. M. Rathburn of Ramsey, Ariz., 20 miles west of Salome. The child passed away in the Blythe, Calif., hospital Monday evening from pneumonia and shock following a tragic occurence at her home Sunday evening. Playing in the yard, the girl managed to drain a small amount of gasoline into a can from the gasoline drum. She had obtained a match and when she lighted it, the flames flared up and caught her dress on fire. Her father and mother, inside the house, heard her screams and rushed out, pulling the burning dress from her and administering first aid. The father rushed the burned child to the Blythe hospital where she was treated for first and second degree burns about the body and arms. She passed away the following evening a 6:23 o'clock. MRS WESTALL'S NIECE Patti Lou was a niece of Justice of the Peace and Mrs R. L. Westall of Wickenburg, Mrs Rathburn and Mrs Westall being sisters. The body was brought to the Wickenburg Chapel where the funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon. Burial was in the Hedrick family plot at Wickenburg Cemetery. The parents, two sisters and one brother survive. The sisters are Lorraine, 15 and Judy Ann, 22 months. The brother is Elton M., Jr., age 17. Pattie Lou would have been five years old December 6 of this year. Mr and Mrs Rathburn operate a cafe at Ramsey.