TIPS NEEDED TO HELP SOLVE COURTHOUSE ARSON IN CHARLESTON

Tragedy has struck in the city of Charleston and Mississippi County. The 96-year-old red-brick, two-story courthouse topped with a white dome was destroyed by arson last Monday. But in the wake of the confusion, the county and residents have rallied to restore services and find the person or persons responsible for this abhorrent crime.

At the top of the priority list has been relocation of county offices that provide daily services for the public. The county is trying to find a centralized location where most of the offices can operate for perhaps two years until a new courthouse can be built. For at least two weeks, most county operations are at a standstill, including court proceedings. This calamity provides a stark reminder just how important operations of the county are to its citizens.

Fire and water destroyed more than bricks and mortar. Valuable records were lost. Some of the county records -- such as voter registration, financial records and tax records -- were kept on master computer tapes that can be accessed from nearby New Madrid County courthouse. Some office records were salvaged, and others were stored in a nearby bank. But all the recently completed reassessment work was lost and will have to be done again.

Local and state investigators have been joined by 30 federal agents. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' National Response Team has been dispatched to the scene. This is the same team that investigated the Oklahoma City federal building bombing. The person or persons responsible for this destruction should be dealt with swiftly and harshly.

A reward of $10,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrests and conviction of the arsonist. Persons with information should call 1-800-39-ARSON or 1-573-683-2121. Despite the numbers of investigators on the scene, tips from the public could prove important in the case.

Meanwhile, Mississippi County will work to get back on its feet as it mourns the loss of its historic courthouse. A tragedy of this nature often brings people closer together. This unity of purpose may be essential as the county begins the long road to rebuilding its offices and courthouse.