OBIT: Ellen MULLIGAN, 1878, Altoona, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Blair County Historical Society
Transcribed by Judy Banja

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A YOUNG GIRL PAINFULLY BURNED.

  Ellen Mulligan, about sixteen years of age, a nurse girl in the employ of Mr. 
Bowman, of No. 1403 Eleventh avenue, arose from her bed about half-past six 
o'clock yesterday morning, and taking the cup of an ordinary lantern and 
lighting it proceeded to the cellar of the house to put some coals upon the fire 
in the furnace.  In order to feed the fire it became necessary for her to 
descend a couple of steps, the door being that much lower than the level of the 
floor.  IN doing this she placed the lamp upon the highest step, and going down 
commenced her attention to the fire.  She was dressed in a light calico dress 
and overskirt, and while in a stooping position her skirts swept over the flames 
of the lamp and took fire.  The first intimation she had of her danger was the 
warmth of her back, up which the flames were mounting.  When the girl discovered 
her perilous condition, she screamed loudly, which was heard by Mr. John Doyle 
and Mr. Bowman, his brother-in-law, who rushed to the cellar and then called 
Mrs. Bowman.  The gentlemen extinguished the flames with pieces of carpet, in 
the effort burning the ends of their fingers very severely.  The young girl's 
back was painfully burned, but Dr. Walker, who was called in, said the injuries 
were not dangerous.  Mrs. Bowman is very attentive to the wants of the injured 
girl, and she will probably soon be able to be about again.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Wednesday, February 6, 1878, page 4

THE INJURED GIRL'S CONDITION.

  The condition of the young girl Ellen Mulligan, who was seriously burned by 
her clothes taking fire from a lamp at the residence of Mrs. Bowman, 1403 
Eleventh avenue, on Tuesday morning, was somewhat better last evening.  Tuesday 
night she was sick and uneasy, being unable to eat or retain food upon her 
stomach.  This feeling passed away gradually, and yesterday she was able to ake 
some food.  She had much pain at first, but this is wearing off slowly, and she 
is improving.  She now sleeps naturally and rests comfortably.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Thursday, February 7, 1878, page 4

THE SAD DEATH OF ELLEN MULLIGAN.

  Yesterday morning at eleven o'clock, at the residence of Mr. Bowman, on 
Eleventh avenue, above Thirteenth street, died Ellen Mulligan, the young girl 
who was severely burned on last Tuesday week by her clothes igniting from a 
lamp while fixing a fire in the cellar kitchen of Mr. Bowman's house, where 
she was employed.  The young girl's injuries at the time were considered to 
be serious, though not necessarily fatal.  The would appear at times to be 
improving, but on Friday last she commenced to get worse.  She endured a 
great deal of pain, and she said she would be glad to die and be relieved of 
her sufferings.  She was fully conscious of her approaching dissolution, and 
met death very calmly.  The girl was an orphan, and there are circumstances - 
not necessary to mention here - of a peculiarly touching character in 
connection with her decease.  The body was neatly laid out in the parlor when 
the TRIBUNE reporter called to learn the truth of the rumor that the young 
girl was dead.  The features looked natural, and gave no indication of the 
great suffering she had borne.  The peculiar nature of her burns caused 
decomposition to set in very soon, and the funeral will take place this 
morning at nine o'clock.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Monday, February 18, 1878, page 4