Clayton Stores Destroyed by Fire, Oct. 12, 1926

Clayton Suffers Disastrous Fire. . . Three Stores Burn, the Loss Being Estimated at Around $85,000, Partially Covered by Insurance

The town of Clayton suffered a disastrous fire about 4 o’clock Friday morning when three stores in the main business district were practically destroyed. The fire originated in the L. H. Johnson Hardware building, presumably in a pile of rags caused by spontaneous combustion. The loss has been estimated at $85,000.

The losers are: Charley Horne, who owned the building; the Clayton Department Store, managed by W. L. Whitley; the L. H. Johnson Hardware Company, and Owen Gulley Company, general merchandise.

It was estimated that it would cost about $25,000 to rebuild the stores. The stock of goods of the department store was valued at $20,000; the hardware stock at $16,000, and the general merchandise at about $25,000. The losses are partially covered by insurance.

The Raleigh fire department was called to help extinguish the flames.

From the front page of the Smithfield Herald, Oct. 12, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073982/1926-10-12/ed-1/seq-1/