Jonesboro closed up the old year with a conflagration which cost about ten thousand dollars. On Wednesday evening, the 31st ulto, a fire broke out in a bar room on Main Street, and in spite of the efforts of the citizens it swept eastward to the corner of Main and Depot, destroying a tin shop and two large dwellings owned by Dr. BOVELANE and Mr. John BLAIR. The latter gentleman is said to have had an insurance policy which, if good, will protect him from loss. The building was formerly owned by Rev. Z. L. BURSON, of this town, and was worth some $4,000. The other property is said to have been uninsured.

Source: Bristol News, 6 Jan 1874, pg. 2. ChroniclingAmerica.gov website.  http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85026955/1874-01-06/ed-1/