On July 3 the Court-house of Decatur County, at Decatursville, Tenn., was entirely consumed by fire. Loss, $100,000. The lawyers of the town had their offices in the Court-house, and their libraries were all consumed, together with valuable papers which they had in their possession. In the County Clerk’s office there was $30,000 in currency. The County Court Clerk also had many valuables in his office, which he tried to save, with more important county papers. He wrapped himself up in wet blankets and penetrated the building, but the flames drove him back, and he was slightly burned in the attempt.
The New York Times, New York, NY 12 Jul 1869