Bio: Tesmer, Ray & Milford (fire - 1964)

Contact: mailto:stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Tesmer, Rohan, Steinhilber

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Wisconsin) 9 Jan 1964

FIRE GUTS OFFICE OF CLARK BUILDER

A state fire marshall was called at Wellsville Thursday to: cheek on whether or not arson. might.lbe a factor in fire which gutted a construction company building earlier.

Fire Chief Harry Frantz said that State Fire Marshall William Rohan, Eau Claire, had been r-quested to assist the investigation which had already shown the building had been broken into some equipment smashed, a safe opened, and money taken. The fire caused thousands of dollars damage.

The building is a metal building housing the Tesmer--Construction Corp., two miles east or Neillsville on Highway 10. The fire. was reported shortly before midnight by Mr. and Mrs. Lester Steinhilber, Neillsville, when they saw it as they drove by.

Volunteers found flames burst through window offices and were burning about forty feet of the interior near the front of the building. The exterior was not reported seriously damaged. Ray and Milford Tesmer, who operate the construction firm, estimated. 'the loss resulting from the fire at more than $10,000.

They said furnishings destroyed in the front of the building include a blueprint machine, calculators and other -office equipment and a file of blueprints and photos.

Investigation showed that a back door had been opened .after windows were broken and the safe in the front office forced open There was $20 missing from the sate. Firemen remained at the scene until 3:30 a.m. Investigation also showed that headlights of a truck stored inside the building had been smashed and that holes had been poked through some of the interior doors.