Dear Jim Williams (Inman Compendium), Inman, Hopson, and Anderson Researchers; The following are email reports concerning the Newton County Texas Courthouse fire. This courthouse was a Texas Historic Landmark and archived many irreplaceable records for the family history researcher. It concerns me what may be necessay to restore or rebuild the courhouse along with the required scientific salvaging of any damaged records. There are many INMAN, HOPSON, and ANDERSON records contained in this couthouse and I considered it as one of the main record repositories for early 1800 settlements of East Texas, next to Sabine and Smith counties. I have no exact details as what was actually damaged or destroyed at this time, but it is certain, financing for any of these undertakings will require the help of many citizens. I urge anyone with a concern for this tragic loss to visit the Newton County Historical Society website and offer your support. Newton County Historical Commission http://www.jas.net/~newton The following are email repots of the fire. Sincerely, Douglas Anderson La Porte, TX Researching ANDERSON, CLARK, GREEN, HOPSON, INMAN, LEWIS, LIGNOSKI, LOVE, LOWE, POLK, STARKS, WILLIAMS >> Subj: [TXTYLER-L] Newton Co., Tx Courthouse burns Date: 8/4/00 7:32:17 PM Central Daylight Time From: kcfalcon@swbell.net (Keith Hale) Reply-to: TXTYLER-L@rootsweb.com To: TXTYLER-L@rootsweb.com Friday 7:20 PM According to Channel 12 news in Beaumont the Newton County Courthouse is currently on fire and has almost burned to the ground. This is a terrible loss to all researchers in that area! Keith Hale ==== TXTYLER Mailing List ==== HELP ROOTSWEB GROW http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/how-to-subscribe.html << >> Subj: [TXNEWTON-L] Photos of Fire Date: 8/4/00 9:44:36 PM Central Daylight Time From: sueowens@jas.net (Sue Owens) To: TXNEWTON-L@rootsweb.com I am uploading, as we speak, photos of the fire to the below website. They will be in file format and you will have to click on the actual file (.jpg) for still photo and (.mpg) for video. This is the address www.newton.txnetwork.com/fire As there are a LOT of photos, they will be uploading for the next thirty minutes, but as they are added, if you use refresh/reload you will get the new files as they get to the server. Sue Owens sueowens@jas.net ==== TXNEWTON Mailing List ==== Newton County Historical Commission http://www.jas.net/~newton << >> Subj: [TXNEWTON-L] court house Date: 8/5/00 11:44:31 AM Central Daylight Time From: marye@jas.net (Mary E. Fortenberry) To: TXNEWTON-L@rootsweb.com I have just returned home from the courthouse. Because I was with the judge, I got to go into the sheriff's office and the area between it and the courthouse. The fire marshals were there. Even though it is terrible, it is not as bad as it could be. It appears that the center section under the clock is what burned and it fell all the way through to the bottom. The too sides are not as badly damaged, mostly water. There are brick walls separating the main part to the sides. That probably saved most of what is left. Most of the records are safe. In fact the probation department had little damage. The old, old books of records seem to be OK. Some have water damage but someone in Austin is skilled to take care of the problem. District Clerk seems to have minor damage. In fact, authorities are going up and down the stairs on that side of the building. Betty Cobb, Treasurer, was pleased with the condition of her office. Insurance man was there along with the commissioners. They are going to try and save some of the structure. However, there are big cracks on the side of the building facing the gazebo. The building may have to come completely down. We do have insurance but not enough. The commissioners had just increased the coverage last budget year. Ron Lewis, state representative, said that he is already searching for funds to rebuild. We are probably going to lose some or parts of the trees. As I looked into the center, from the jail side, I could still active flames burning on the bottom of the floor. The fire department was there. I guess that just about covers all I know at this time. marye ==== TXNEWTON Mailing List ==== Newton County Historical Commission http://www.jas.net/~newton <<