News: Thorp – Fire Destroys Business (14 Oct 1944)

Provided by: Barbara Marin
Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bogumill, Brzezinski, Walsdorf, Kurtz, Sargent, Meyers, Borysiewicz

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 24 Feb 1972

The old Walsdorf Opera House and Tavern, owned by Edward Bogumill, is no more.

Fire destroyed the 58 year old building, located in the center of Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), about 6:30 Saturday evening, October 14, 1944.

The blaze evidently broke out in the west end of the hall, and had gained such headway that efforts of the fire department to extinguish it were in vain. The Stanley Fire Department responded to the call, but as their pumper was out of order, nothing could be done. The firemen did the best they could under the circumstances and kept the nearby buildings of William Brzezinski Tavern and the Thorp Finance Corporation Office wet and no damage was suffered by these, with the exception of a few cracked windows. The wind was blowing lightly in a southwesterly direction --- if it had been blowing north the entire block would probably have been destroyed.

The first floor of the structure housed the tavern. Mr. Bogumill's office and the large hall, which had not been in use as such to any extent lately. It was used for storage purposes, and also contained about $2,000 worth of equipment of the Central Refrigeration, Inc., besides other tavern equipment.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bogumill and large family occupied the living rooms over the tavern, and were obliged to vacate in such a hurry that clothing, furniture, and practically nothing was saved. Some liquor and beer was moved to safety from the tavern.

The origin of the fire is uncertain, but two small boys who had been playing with Jack-o-lanterns in the hall, may have started the fire.

This is one of the oldest buildings in the Village, its first appearance being made in 1886, when it was owned by Kurtz. Old timers say that it was owned by the Sargents at one time and traded to Wm. Walsdorf in 1890. It passed into the hands of Jake Meyers upon the retirement of Mr. Walsdorf, and Stanley Borysiewicz owned it for several years. Mr. Bogumill purchased the business about six years ago.