CEDAR COUNTY, NEBRASKA - FIRE DESTROYS STATION
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CEDAR COUNTY NEWS JAN 17, 1952

FIRE DESTROYS STATION, STORE AT ST. JAMES

BLAZE DISCOVERED SHORTLY BEFORE 3 O'CLOCK AM ON MONDAY

Wynot - The St. James Service Station and store was destroyed by fire 
in the early morning hours Monday. The Wynot fire department was 
called shortly before 3 am.

By the time firemen arrived the fire had gained too much headway and 
it was impossible to save the building, but all other nearby buildings 
were saved. A few barrels of oil exploded but luckily the gasoline 
tanks did not explode. The building was completely destroyed.

The cause of the fire was not determined. Loss to building and contents 
was placed at between $6,000 and $10,000 which is partly covered by 
insurance.

The fire was discovered by three young men who happened to be driving 
by on the highway, they called Paul Noecker, manager of the store, and 
he called the fire department.

The station was built in the fall of 1935 by a group of St. James 
citizens and from the profits the business was built up to inculde a 
store as well as as a service station.  Mr. Noecker managed the business 
from the start.

According to information given the News, the committee which operates 
the store, will decide whether to rebuild the building and continue 
operation of the station and store.