Retired probate judge offers $1,000 reward for information after John Looney House fire; historical group seeks restoration support

Retired Probate Judge Wallace White Jr. urged the St. Clair County Commission to help revive interest in the John Looney House, a local historic property that burned down several years ago, and offered $1,000 as a reward for information that leads to arrest and conviction.

"I'm offering up $1,000 as a reward money to any person with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for burning down the John Looney House," White told commissioners, adding he believed the fire was deliberately set and that an investigation had "gone cold."

White introduced members of the St. Clair County Historical Society who were at the meeting and said residents had discussed donating additional funds. Commissioners and members of the audience immediately pledged matching contributions; the meeting record shows immediate matching pledges that the judge described as bringing the total raised in the room to about $3,000.

Commission members discussed the proper channel for any county funds to support restoration work. County staff and the judge noted that government funding must flow through the county Historical Commission rather than the private historical society; the commission appoints members to the Historical Commission and that body can receive and disburse public funds for preservation projects.

County officials also discussed whether the Looney House can be structurally restored. White and other speakers said engineering review is required to determine whether rehabilitation is feasible; stakeholders mentioned local salvage sources (an old gin that may have usable lumber) and volunteer contributions of historic materials might be used if restoration is technically possible.

What happens next: White asked that the county publicize the reward and historical-society efforts; county staff said they would coordinate with local media and the Historical Commission. No formal county appropriation or formal grant was approved during this meeting; commissioners treated the matter as a community-led fundraising and preservation discussion.

Quote: "I believe if we could get it up to a few thousand dollars, I just can't help but believe that somebody would talk a little bit," White said when describing the rationale for offering a reward.

Ending: The commission did not vote on a county-funded restoration at this meeting; members encouraged the historical group to pursue engineering assessment and formalize any request to the Historical Commission if public funding is needed.