Louis Wagner and his sons operated a flour and feed store from a one story structure. The Wagners were also mechanics who had a supply of tools; and, their business was stocked with electric goods. The building had an adjoining cement block room to the east.
At about 4:30am on March 13, 1923, a fire started at the business. The fire was believed to have started at the back of the building or midway to the front. At the time, the supply of flour within the store was light, which was fortunate. But, all of the valuable tools and electrical goods were destroyed. Firefighters managed to get water on the cement block room to the east; and, the wall withstood the heat. The cause of the fire was not determined.