Rural General Store01

Waupaca Republican Post

January 26, 1911

BOTH STOCK AND BUILDING DESTROYED BY FIRE

General Store of G.A. Pinkerton at Rural Total Loss, Estimated at $5,000

A disastrous fire last Thursday evening completely destroyed the stock of merchandise and the building at Rural, owned by G.A. Pinkerton. Mr. Pinkerton closed the store at 10 o’clock after assuring himself that everything was all right; that the doors were locked, that no smouldering matches were left and the lights were all out. At 11:00 a passerby routed Mr. Pinkerton out of bed with the displeasing announcement that his building was in flames. He was on the grounds too late however to do anything; everything was lost, including five hundred dollars worth of new stock placed on the shelves that day.

The loss, about five thousand dollars, was only partially covered by two thousand dollars of insurance. The origin of the fire is a mystery; Mr. Pinkerton can suggest no one who might have a score to pay although many people suggest an incendiary origin for the fire.

The business was started about two years ago by Potts & Pinkerton; later Mr. Potts retired from the business. Mr. Pinkerton has lots of pluck and seemingly cannot be discouraged. He plans to open again at Rural in the near future.