Big Fire at Fountain Thursday Morning

published in the Farmville Enterprise, November 19, 1915

The Large Mercantile House of Fountain & Co., Together with all Goods an Entire Loss. Estimated Value $45,000.00 with About $20,000.00 Insurance.

– Fountain, N.C.
– Nov. 18th

Between the hours of two and three o’clock this morning the large and handsome mercantile house of Fountain & Co., of this place, together with all goods and merchandise therein, was destroyed by fire. The building was so far gone at the time of the discovery of the fire that it was impossible to save anything at all. The loss is estimated at between forty and forty-five thousand dollars, with about $20,000 insurance. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is the general belief that it was set afire.

By the heroic efforts of our faithful bucket brigade the flames were confined to this one buiilding thereby saving many nearby stores and warerooms.

The reporter at this writing has been unable to get an interview with Mr. Fountain as to his plans for the future but it is expected that he will rebuild on the same old site as early as possible and resume his usual business.

Fountain & Co. Update

from “Fountain Items” in the Farmville Enterprise, November 26, 1915

Quite a number of people from nearby towns were here last week to see the ruins of Fountain & Co.’s magnificent store, which was destroyed by fire on Thursday a.m., Nov. 18th.

Fountain & Co. has moved into the old wooden building which was used by them before the erection of their new store and which has been used this year by J.T. Eason as a garage. As soon as possible they will have a new and complete line of goods as they have heretofore carried in stock. They will not begin work on a new store until the spring.