Mulholland, Nancy Lee 1953-1958

MULHOLLAND

Posted By: Errin Wilker
Date: 11/10/2016 at 18:35:25

GIRL, 4, DIED, 10 CHILDREN ESCAPE FIRE
Nancy Mulholland, 4, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Mulholland, was killed in a fire that destroyed the Model Clothing Store in Lansing early Saturday.

It was the second time the 13-member Mulholland family had lost its home and furnishings by fire.

Residents of Oelwein, 8 miles south of Lansing, who completely outfitted the family after the first fire, Saturday were collecting clothing and furnishings again.

Firemen said the blaze apparently followed an explosion on the ground floor apartment of Myron Osham, at the rear of a frame building adjoining the clothing store.

Mr. and Mrs. Mulholland and their children occupied second floor quarters in the frame structure.

Leo Unterberger, 67, who had operated the clothing store for many years, and Mrs. Unterberger, escaped from their apartment above the clothing store as the flames spread.

Isham went to Minnesota Friday and the cause of the explosion in his apartment had not been determined late Saturday.

Mrs. Mulholland said as flames swept through the building, she and her husband hurried 10 of their children out to safety. After the family gathered outside it was discovered that Nancy was missing. She had been asleep in her crib.

Lansing firemen and help from nearby towns restricted the fire in the frame building to the exterior, but the clothing store was leveled.

After the Mulhollands lost their home and possessions in a fire in December, 1956, Oelwein merchants and individuals collected two large truck loads of clothing, food and household furnishings. The trucks were driven to Lansing, and the parents and children were outfitted from head to toe.

Residents of Lansing sent Oelwein their thanks.

Harry Keniston, the Oelwein man who led the first collection, took over again Saturday. The Oelwein Chamber of Commerce is acting as a collection point for clothing, food and furnishings.

At least six Oelwein stores are giving clothing, shoes and household furnishings. The collected items will be delivered to Lansing next week.

Nancy's eldest brother, Robert, 18, is in the military. The other sisters and brothers are Patsy, 17; Martha, 12; Barbara, 10; Connie, 8; Betty, 6; Sharon, 5; Geraldine, 1, born after the family's first rehabilitation; James, 15; Jack, 14; and George, 3.

The family is being cared for by relatives until new housing can be found.

Source: Des Moines Register Newspaper Clipping, Hand-Dated 1958.