Bio: Syth, John (Barn Fire – Jul 1970)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Syth, Scherer

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Loyal, Wis.) 09 Jul 1970

When the electrical and wind storm struck the area Tuesday evening, lightning struck the John Syth Barn. Syth drove to Greenwood (Clark Co., Wis.) to call the fire department, as his lights had gone out and the telephone was also out of order.

The road construction at the corner of 98 and 73 added to the confusion at the site and traffic officers kept reminding sightseers to keep the roadway clear for firefighting equipment.

The 32 by 60 foot structure was beyond saving when the fire department arrived. The 2,000 bales of new hay and three to four hundred bales of straw burned. Involved in the loss was a barn cleaner and the milking equipment.

A 17 by 22 foot machine shed was also destroyed, but most of the machinery had been removed before flames reached the building next to his barn.

Syth's eighteen milk cows and the young stock were in the pasture. One heifer perished in the blaze and another may not survive.

In the path of flying embers were the Syth home, and also that of Richard Scherer. Foremen remained on duty as a precaution.

John Syth's grandfather, also John Syth, had come to this wilderness area in 1870, and as a young man had built this barn. It was partially covered by insurance.