Retired probate judge offers reward after John Looney House fire; historical society seeks donations

Retired Probate Judge Wallace White Jr. told the Saint Clair County Commission that the John Looney House, a local historic landmark, burned “just caught fire” several years ago and that, in his view, the blaze was deliberately set. "Somebody started that fire," White said, and he announced he was "offering up 1000 dollars 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 asked the commission to help publicize the reward; commissioners and historical-society members responded immediately. White reported a few pledges and said "$3,000 we've raised in just a minute or 2," and Commissioner [Chair] said he would match donations as appropriate. The chair also explained a path for government funds to support preservation work: the county can provide money to projects through the Saint Clair County Historical Commission, which administers government-funded restoration projects.

Why it matters: the Looney House was described as a rare double-pen log structure with local historical value; White and historical-society members urged preservation if restoration is feasible. Commissioners said they are willing to consider funding routed through the countyappointed Historical Commission and encouraged the judge and society to bring formal project proposals and engineering assessments to determine whether the structure can be restored.