Bio: Wehrmann, Albert - Barn Fire (22 May 1963)

Contact: Betty Comstock

Email:  betty@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Wehrmann

------ Source: Loyal Tribune (Loyal, Clark Co., Wis.) 05/30/1963

A fire of unknown origin destroyed a barn on the Albert Wehrmann farm, five miles northeast of Loyal Wednesday night.

Mr. Wehrmann was working outside the 165 foot barn when he discovered the fire and notified the Loyal Fire Department at 8:15 p.m.  Although the department arrived promptly, it was impossible to save the barn.  Some machinery also burned in the blaze; however some fifty head of cattle were lead to safety.  The fire department stayed at the scene until 3:45 a.m. to prevent any of the other buildings on the farm from catching fire.

An 80 foot portion of the barn had been added last year and it is believed that the fire started in that section.  The loss is partially covered by insurance.

The following Letter to the Editor appeared in the June 6, 1963 Loyal Tribune, written by Judy Wehrmann, daughter of Albert and Agnes Wehrmann.  Judy, 18, expressed the thanks of her parents for the community support received after their barn burned on May 22th.

Dear Friends,

On behalf of my family, I wish to express my gratitude for all the help we received when our barn burned.

We wish to thank all those who helped in any way.  Especially those who worked so diligently the following day enabling us to milk at home; also the wives who brought all the food to feed the men.

A debt is owed to the firemen who kept the house from burning and stayed until 3:00 a.m. to be certain nothing else would burn.  Thanks also goes to those who carried our the furniture when the house began to burn and to those who returned it after the blaze was extinguished.  We are deeply indebted to those who helped get the cows and heifers from the barn safely.

Within the last week we again received help to which we are indebted.  Neighbors came with big trucks and manure loaders to clean out the foundation.  Along with them came the willingness to work.  If any of these men never knew what dirt was, they know now!  Arriving at approximately 8:30 a.m. stopping for an hour for dinner, and working until supper, they removed all of the ashes and debris from the basement, and all of the steel had been removed or air hammered our and separated.

Along with those who brought food, we wish to thank those who brought contributions.  These contributions included a milk stool, tub for washing milkers, feed and hay for the cattle and money.  One never knows what a friend is until he experiences a happening such as this.

To those who helped fence yet the night of the fire and to those who kept our heifers and fed them until convenience enabled us to turn them out on pasture, goes another thanks.

Another special thanks goes to our local Surge dealer and his helper who worked the next day to set up a pump and pipe line.  And to our local technician who is currently and will be for sometime helping us get some of our records straightened out.  All records and identification of any kind were in the barn.

There are many things I may have omitted.  Little things that are never to numerous to mention, but things that are impossible to express in words.

One has often heard the saying that anything no matter how bad it may be has a purpose.  I believe this fire had much significance.  First it made us realize how much we had to be thankful for; also how grateful we should be that we didn’t lose more.  Thirdly, how wonderful it is to have friends.  We hope to someday repay all of those who helped in any way.

In conclusion we wish to thank the editor for enabling us to thank all of you.  We can never be grateful enough.  May God bless all of you.             Judy Wehrmann