WAUPACA COUNTY NEWS

April 29, 1926

OPERA HOUSE AT FREMONT BURNS

THE ENTIRE VILLAGE WAS IN DANGER FOR A TIME

OUTSIDE FIRE CO.’S HELP

Weyauwega, Appleton and Hortonville Send Aid

Loss Around $15,000 With $6,000 Insurance

Building Owned by Sam Henjum of Oshkosh

About 8:00 o’clock last Saturday evening fire broke out in the combined Fremont Opera House, soft drink parlor, restaurant and residence of H. Dalman and family. The fire quickly got beyond control of the local fire department and the entire village was in danger of destruction.

A call for Weyauwega’s fire department was quick to respond and in a few moments was throwing two streams of water upon the fire. The fire department of Hortonville and one fire engine from Appleton arrived a few moments later, and it was owing to the combined efforts of the Fremont Fire Department and these outside aids that a building is left standing in the business district of Fremont today, as high wind was blowing at the time. As it was, the fire was confined to the Opera House where it originated, presumably by crossed electric wires.

This Opera House was built by Louie Smith, several years ago, and later was sold on a land contract to Mr. Dewald, who got into a little trouble over the Volstead law, and who is now boarding at a famous institution in Milwaukee. Later, Dewald traded his equity in the property with one Harry Dolan, from near Chilton, and the latter was occupying it at the time of the fire. The building was a frame iron clad structure 32 x 100 feet, two stories high, and on the southwest corner was an addition which was occupied as a residence by the owners. The lower story was used as a restaurant and soft drink parlor, while the upper story was the "Opera House".

The building would cost about $20,000 to build today, on which there was an insurance of only $6,000, carried by companies represented by the Fremont State Bank. Sam Henjum, who is now a resident of Oshkosh, was in Fremont Sunday looking after his interests.

Just a week before the Opera House was crowded to its capacity and more, by an audience among which were many Waupaca and Weyauwega people, attending the presentation of a play given by the Fremont Dramtic Company. Had the fire occurred then it would have resulted in a fearful loss of life. Mr. Dolan carried but little if any insurance, as he had occupied the property but a few weeks.