CHRISTIANSON, George 1899-1963

CHRISTIANSON, HAVIG, HALVERSON, BOONE

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 8/23/2011 at 15:53:56

George Christianson 1899-1963

OSAGE MAN VICTIM OF APARTMENT FIRE

Marshalltown – George Christianson, 64, Osage, died early Thursday as fire raced through an old apartment hotel here, forcing about 20 guests onto the street in their nightclothes.

Christianson, a veteran of World War II, had been a patient at the Soldiers Home here and had recently moved into the apartment. Fire Chief Leo B. Knox said Christianson died of smoke inhalation.

His body was found in a bed in a second floor room of the Foster apartments, a 3-story brick and frame building which formerly housed the YMCA.

The old hotel was a landmark here before the turn of the century when it was known as the North Western Railroad Hotel, State Rep. John Mowry, Marshalltown, is owner of the building.

Born in Mitchell County, January 4, 1899, Christianson had lived most of his life in the Osage area. He was a carpenter.

Surviving are three sisters; Mrs. Elsie Havig and Mrs. Ingvold Halverson, both of Osage; Mrs. Clara Boone, Orlando, Florida; two brothers; Harold, Osage; and Ralph, Milwaukee.

Funeral services are pending at the Champion Funeral Home, Osage.

Another guest Elmer Hamre, was overcome by smoke. He was treated at a hospital here and released. Firemen and policemen took about seven persons down ladders from second floor rooms. Other guests were led from their rooms to safety.

Fire Chief Knox estimated the fire caused several thousand dollars damage as the flames ate through the second floor and into the attic at the rear of the building. The rest of the structure was extensively damaged by smoke and water.

Knox said it took the fire department two hours to bring the fire under control. The alarm was turned in about 2:30 a.m. and the chief said the blaze was extinguished by 5:30 a.m.

Mason City Globe Gazette, Thursday January 3, 1963