Gulfport, MS Harrison County Courthouse Fire, Jan 1916 - Origin of the Fire

As To The Origin

The origin of the fire is not known but it is not unsurrounded with suspicions of incendiarism.

The fire started on the upper floor, between the judges’ stand and the southeast jury room, a part of the courthouse in which there had been no fire since 10 o’clock in the night.

Shortly after that hour members of the petit juror, who were locked up for the night on a murder case, were in the courtroom and state that the fires were all out, and that the janitor had the fireplaces with wood and coal in preparation for next day’s fire.

The jury, as stated, was confined in the jury room in the west of the building, for the night, having been detained in the case of Ben Collins, being tried for murder.

Thomas Gleason, of Biloxi, one of the jurors, states that about one o’clock he smelled the odor of paint and noticed smoke in the jury room. Suspecting that something was wrong he arose and opening the door, discovered that the judge’s stand, the lattice work in the rear and the whole of the southeast jury room was in a mass of flames.

Mr. Gleason at once awoke the rest of the jurors and as quickly as possible all made their way from the burning building without suffering any injury.

Bailiff “Dad” Pulliam, in charge of the jury, claims he was awake about one o’clock and heard tip-toeing in the courtroom. “Thinking it was the janitor,” said Mr. Pulliam, “I did not pay any attention to the incident.” Who it was tip-toeing around the courtroom at 1:30 o’clock, is not known. Importance attaches to the circumstance only in 30 minutes later the building was in flames.

Good Work.

That good work was done by courthouse officials and others after the fire was discovered is shown in the fact that no valuable goods were lost. Among those who lent assistance in removing records and other things from the doomed building should be mentioned members of the volunteer fire department. They worked unselfishly and remained on duty until the last.

Early this morning City Commissioner Corbett helped transfer the court records to the Hardy Building with his city convicts.

Courthouse Built In 1901.

The Harrison County courthouse, destroyed by fire last night, was erected in 1901, at an original cost of approximately $38,000, but additions which have been made since, according to a statement made by ex-Supervisor F. W. Elmer this morning, brought the total cist to about $50,000. The total amount of insurance is $25,000. The building was two stories in height.

Notes.

Speaking of the fire this morning, Judge Neville said he could not account for the fire around the judge’s stand for he does not smoke while he is holding court, and therefore is certain the ignition did not come from a carelessly thrown cigarette. “I simply can’t account for it,” emphasized the judge, while expressing his regrets over the loss suffered by the county.

Robert Harrison, in charge of the city pumps at the old power plant is certain that both the steam and electric pumps were turned on when the signal was given. He is unable to account for the low pressure. It is stated that the electric or steam pump should have given at least 100 pounds.

Watts Rankin, city electrician, states that when he turned on the electric pump at the central fire station, full pressure was immediately forthcoming. He claims further, that the water supply and pumps were in good order.

The blame for lack of pressure, if any attaches, will have to be placed later.

Only one accident has thus far been reported at the fire, that being one occurring to Griff Holland of the paid fire department, in which he fell a distance of several feet. Medical aid was secured and he is said to be resting easy.

The several county officials are arranging offices in the Hardy Building and will be ready to serve the public in a day or two. As previously stated the office of sheriff and tax collector got ready for business before noon, which is declared quite remarkable. “Voters have only a few more days in which to pay poll taxes,” said Mr. Hewes, “and to accommodate these so they will not lose their franchise was the real object of getting our office in running order.

The fire has been the one topic of conversation on the streets and elsewhere in Gulfport today and the remains of the building have been viewed by throngs.

The Daily Herald, Gulfport, MS 18 Jan 1916