The Mysterious Fire

In 1918, tragedy struck when the store, owned by German-born Charles Engle, was deliberately set on fire. The culprit was never found, but rumors swirled. Some speculated it was related to anti-German sentiments following a “burning of the Kaiser in Effigy” event. Others believed bootleggers set the fire to destroy evidence of a moonshine operation. Despite this devastating loss, the community's resilience shone through. Join us in the next post to learn about the store's remarkable comeback.

Huron County Tribune Article published on Friday, November 22, 1918.