In the 1840s, a fire destroyed much of the town, including the courthouse, many homes, and most of the town records. In 1847, Huling sold much of the town, as well as  of land in Jasper County, to Englishman Jerich Durkee in exchange for $1000 and 5000 "tin boxes of Green Mountain Vegetable Ointment."
In the mid-19th century, a conflagration devastated much of the town, including the courthouse, numerous homes, and most of the town records. In 1847, Huling sold substantial portions of the town, along with land in Jasper County, to Englishman Jerich Durkee for $1000 and 5000 "tin boxes of Green Mountain Vegetable Ointment."