1843: Peter W. Walton, Gin House Destroyed by Fire.
The Gin House of Mr. Peter Walton, of this county, was destroyed by fire on Saturday night last. There was between forty and fifty bales of Cotton in the house at the time, which, together with two gins, and other property, were entirely consumed. The fire was the work of an incendiary.
Source: The Columbus Enquirer, Columbus, Georgia, Wednesday, December 20, 1843; Pg. 2