Bio: Engel, Walter – Fire Destroys Chicken Coop/Barn (Dec 1973)

Transcriber: Stan

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 13 Dec 1973

Surnames: Engel, Bremer, Gipp

Fire of an undetermined origin completely destroyed the chicken coop and barn on the Walter Engel Sr. farm, two miles north, 1 miles west and one-tenth mile north of Abbotsford early Friday morning.

The Abbotsford Fire Department, called out about 4:45 a.m., kept the fire from spreading further and remained on the scene for two hours. They saved some toys and feed stored in the milk house.

The loss includes 40 chickens and four guineas, housed in the chicken coop where the fire apparently started, and bicycles, sled, flying saucers and other toys store in the barn, as well as the family camper and trailer, which were also stored in the barn.

Engel drove a pig and sheep from the burning barn, and also saved the family car, which was housed in the barn.

The barn was approximately 55 years old, built by the Bremer family on the farm which was one of the oldest homesteads in the area. The Engels purchased the place three years ago from George Gipp, who moved to Missouri. They plan to return this spring.