Local History by Dede Terns-Thorpe - Mountaintop Community Rallies After Local Fireman Dies - June 20, 1925 Eight Others Hurt

 Firefighters-T'ville Hook and Ladder photo

APPRECIATE YOUR LOCAL VOLUNTEER FIREMEN!

“Eight Members of Tannersville Fire Department and a State Trooper in Accident at Haines Falls on Monday Night – One Man in Kingston Hospital.”

Harry M. Payne, a 29-year-old fireman was sent to the Kingston City Hospital with a broken leg and other injuries. The firetruck was on its way to a fire at Hotel Kaaterskill’s caretaker’s cabin (the hotel had burned the year prior) when it overturned at Renner’s Corner, corner of 23A and Rotue 18. Firemen Harold Allen and Payne were pinned under the truck, with the six other firemen and Trooper Johnson escaping with minor bruises. Fireman Payne, thought to be the most injured was transported to the Kingston Hospital. (The news article said Fireman Payne was 40, but his headstone in Evergreen Cemetery said his was born in 1896 and died in 1925. 

Recently I found a follow-up story on how the community supported Mrs. Gertrude Payne and her young son, Richard.

The Fire Department created a committee to aid Mrs. Payne with her loss, and to form a trust account for both her and her son. When his son, Richard, turned 17, he would be given a trust fund for his education. His mother would receive $40.00 monthly (Close to $400 today) and $40 would go into Richard’s trust account.

A copy of the letter sent out by the firemen’s committee on July 20, 1925 is below.

“In order to facilitate the work of receiving contributions, the following persons have been named and authorized to receive funds from their respective community. “

Onteora Park                                                       J. W. Worth

Elka Park                                                                James Walsh

Twilight, Santa Cruz & Sunset Parks    Edward France

Haines Falls                                                        Herbert O’Hara

Platt Clove                                                            Milo Claude Moseman

The committee asked the community to give generously.

Delmar Smith & Milton Peck, Committeemen

Thanks for reading. Stay safe and be careful.

Dede Terns-Thorpe/Hunter Historian