The Garnett's have owned the Lumber and Hardware Store for 13 years. They moved here in 1993 from San Antonio, Texas. The Garnett's purchased the Hardware Store from Perry Norman Caffall who owed it for about 10 years, before them was Clyde Lively who owned the store in the 50s, and before him was Mr. Love. The Hardware Store was one of the first businesses in Dexter. Mr. Love was the manager of Triangle Lumber Company. They moved the building off the rode in the late 20s and built the front part of the building which is the building that is being used today. The original building locate in the back is used for storage. The Hardware Store was a general store more then a hardware store in the earlier years.

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    Located in the Hardware Store was a safe that held the money and various important documents. To open the safe you would have to put the combination in, then you would beat on one particular spot. The Garnett's called a locksmith to come work on the safe to try to fix it. The locksmith told them to get out of the building and go across the street. The locksmith found bank type gas that was in a little cubby hole that would explode if someone tried to rob the safe. The gas that was in the vials found in the safe was nitroglycerin. The locksmith packed up the vials of gas drove them across the river and shot them. Ultimately, saving the day!