In case of the destruction by fire or otherwise of the records, or any part thereof, of any district court, the judge of such court may proceed upon his own motion, or upon application in writing of any party in interest, to restore the records, papers and proceedings of his court relating to the estate of deceased persons, including recorded wills and wills probated or filed for probate in said court; and for the purpose of restoring said records, wills, papers or proceedings, or any part thereof, may cause citations to be issued to any and all parties to be designated by him, and may compel the attendance in court of any witnesses whose testimony may be necessary to the establishment of any such record or part thereof, and the production of any and all written or documentary evidence which may be by him deemed necessary in determining the true import and effect of the original record, will, paper or other document belonging to the files of said court; and may make such orders and decrees establishing said original record, will, paper, document or proceeding, or the substance thereof, as to him shall seem just and proper; and such judge may make all such rules and regulations governing the said proceedings for the restoration of the record, will, paper, document or proceeding pertaining to said court, as in his judgment will best secure the rights and protect the interests of all parties concerned.
R.L. 1910, § 7269.