Last Tuesday morning about 9 o’clock our citizens were startled by an alarm of fire. A great many persons were in town, the most of whom were attending Court, and as a matter of course, considerable excitement prevailed. Soon a large number of people were on their way to the spot whence the cry of “fire,””fire,” proceeded. Ye local was among the number.

Arriving at the large and commodious residence of Dr. H. BLACK, and which was used by him as one of the two hotels of Bolivar, it was plain to be seen that the alarm bell had not been struck without cause. Flames were issuing from the roof near the west chimney, and as the house was a two-story frame considerable difficulty was experienced in gaining a foot hold on the burning roof. As soon as possible a ladder was procured, and willing hands rushed to the post of danger, but all to no purpose, save that of doing what could not be done – extinguishing the fire with water thrown from worse than useless buckets.

To the eye of a fireman, without the “all important machine,” the case was hopeless. Soon the fiery element burst forth in all its might; men left the roof, and betook themselves to other portions of the building where labor would be of more avail. Porches and sheds were torn down, out-houses protected, and the crumbling edifice emptied of its contents. Fortunately the air was not in motion, and the fire advanced but slowly. Owing to this fact all of the furniture and household effects were saved, though we are sorry to say, from careless handling, in a somewhat damaged condition – always the case where an organized fire company is needed.

The building destroyed was worth at least $4,000, upon which there was no insurance…

The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 02 Nov. 1867, Page 2. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.