Bio: Van Dreel, Floyd – Barn Destroyed by Fire (Jul 1970)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Van Dreel

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 23 Jul 1970

Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a large barn on the Floyd Van Dreel farm , 7 3/4 miles east of Colby on County Trunk N, last Thursday.

Besides the 10- x 40 structure, the pig and chicken houses were lost, along with all milking equipment, and both silos were cracked.

Fifteen heifers and 175 chickens perished in the blaze, which spread so quickly that the Van Dreels were unable to save them.

There were 10,000 bales of hay in the barn, and about 1500 bushels of oats from last year. A drage also was lost.

The loss is partially covered by insurance.

Mr. Van Dreel discovered the blaze as he was returning to the barn with a load of hay from the field. Both the Colby and Edgar fire departments were summoned, and remained until about midnight to save the house and machine shed.

The barn had recently be remodeled, reroofed, newly painted, and a new thresh floor laid. A blower also had been installed.

The farm is the old Van Dreel homestead, originally built by Mr. Van Dreel's 90-year-old father.