PETTIS COUNTY COURT HOUSE BURNS DOWN

BLAZE SAID TO HAVE BEEN STARTED FROM TORCH USED BY TINNERS WHO WERE REPAIRING.

The Pettis county court house, which was located in the heart of Sedalia, was destroyed yesterday afternoon by a blaze which started after 3 o'clock, said to have originated from the blow of a torch of tinners who were repairing the roof.
The building was erected in 1884 at a cost of $100,000. An insurance of between $50,000 and $75,000 was carried. It is estimated that at present prices it will cost at least $300,000 to replace the building, which was made of Carthage stone.
The fire alarm was turned in at 3:30 o'clock and the big clock which had been placed in the dome through the instrumentality of the Sedalia chapter of the D. A. R., was reached before it could strike the hour of 4 o'clock.
As soon as the fire was known, officials and clerks put all records in the vaults and fled from the building.
Among other losses sustained was that of the law library of the Pettis county bar association, said to be one of the finest in the state.

Moberly Evening Democrat Missouri 1920-06-17
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!