09/22/2021
Notes on Fire in Courthouse Clock Tower (see handwritten copy by Culp in files)
From the Herald Register July 24, 1941
“ Fire most likely caused by old and defective wiring destroyed the tower on the Gibson County Courthouse today, and for a time threatened the entire roof structure. Below the roof the building is of fire-proof construction, the floors being made of concrete laid on a bed of sand over a foot thick, and supported underneath by steel plates held by steel girders.
The fire was discovered about 11:30 a.m., and the first line of hose was laid from the northeast side of the square, attempting to throw water on the tower. Without the use of the pumper, however, it proved impossible to reach the flames, and this stream was kept going mainly to force water under the tile roofing. The second line was attached to the pumper from the south side of the square and taken through the west entrance of the courthouse, over the second floor balcony, through the stairway and into the attic. It was this line of hose which did the most service. Later a third line was taken into the attic from the south entrance, and the fire was confined to the tower.
The old courthouse clock, seemingly anxious to get in as much work as it could, struck the hour of 12 about twenty minutes ahead of time and soon after plunged through the ceiling of the court room below. “
