Macon County News Items - Fire Destruction Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) March 27 1856 An alarm of fire was raised last night, about 10 o'clock, occasioned by the burning of a chimney in G. W. Baker's dwelling. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) > 1856 > May > 15 Destructive Fire On Wednesday of last week, Mr. W. J. Tully, living some four or five miles south of town, met with a heavy loss by fire, which originated by burning corn-stalks in the field. Seven cribs of corn, containing upwards of three thousand bushels, two stacks of hay and over a thousand rails, with stable and sheds, were consumed. The dwelling was in considerable danger, but was saved. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) > 1856 > July > 24 The Sangamon River Railroad Bridge on the Central Road, near this city, was found on fire this morning. A locomotive passing over, discovered it, and putting on steam, barely escaped a tumble. The engineer stopped and extinguished the flames. There is no passing the point until the bridge is repaired, which will be done as soon as possible. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) August 28 1856 The dwelling house of Dr. W. J. Chenoweth, of this city, caught fire this morning, but luckily was discovered in time to be put out before much damage was done, one part of the kitchen roof having burnt off. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) September 18 1856 Another Fire Friday night about half past 12 o'clock a fire broke out in Meeks & Jones' paint shop, entirely consuming the shop and contents. The two story frame Wagon store of Wright & Linn, caught and was burnt down. Several acts of Wagon maker's tools and about $100 worth of unfinished wagon stuff burnt with the building. The balance of the tools were mostly saved. Building valued at $500. Meeks & Jones' loss was quite heavy, as we learn they had just laid in a heavy stock of Paints &c. Their loss was about $3000. Insured $490 - Etna. W. L. Powers had, we learn, some $250 worth of Glass burnt up in the shop. No insurance on the Wagon Shop. The Paint shop was without doubt set on fire, as Mr. Meeks declares that they had neither fire or matches in the shop for months past. Our citizens should be on their guard and watch out for the scoundrels. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) December 4 1856 On last Sunday night the alarm of fire was given, which aroused quite a number of our citizens, many of whom believed themselves hoaxed, but found out at last that the fire was in the Central Mill. Quite a large hole was burnt through the floor. It was however happily extinguished and thus saves a heavy loss to the owners. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) April 30 1857 The Mt. Zion Academy was destroyed by fire one day last week. The Academy was organized by the Cumberland Presbyterian. We hope they will rebuild it immediately as it was of infinite value to the neighborhood in which it was located. HOME ©2008 Genealogy Trails