I have just confirmed that Roane County has suffered a tragic historical loss. Last night the Historical Browder Hardware Store in Kingston was completely distroyed by fire. Located at the corner of Race and Kentucky Streets the building was one of the oldest businesses in the area dating from the late 1700's or early 1800's. (I will need to check the date further.) Where many historically famous men have visited, worked or lived in the rooms to rent upstairs. A tragic loss for all of us. Some of my earliest memories as a child are of visiting the store with my family. I remember seeing the local men gathered around a pot-belled stove and playing checkers near the rear door. The warm friendly faces of the Howard and Browder family members as they greated my parents or grandparents as we entered the store. Leota