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I am deeply saddened by
this tragedy. Although I moved from Carthage more than half a lifetime ago,
my heritage and memories are tied to these buildings. I remember my first
year of having money to shop for Christmas, when going to the old Woolworth's
building (or was it Newberry's?) and walking along the old wooden floors to
find the special gift for my parents. In those days I thought having $2.00
was rich.
I remember marching up through State St in the Memorial Day parades with my
girl scout troop and later with the band from school, going across the bridge
from West to East Carthage. I looked up at those buildings and thought I was
in the "big city". We walked to St. James Church from our home in
West Carthage. My sister Denise and I spent many hours window-shopping and
dreaming. We always got our new school shoes at the Triangle Shoe Shop on
State Street and if we were real good (and money allowed) our Mother would
take us to the old Rexall's for a real ice cream soda, complete with straws.
Looking at the rows of magazines and makeup was every girl's dream.
A piece of my foundation has disappeared with this fire. Although I don't
visit the area as often as I would like, I no longer have a place to take my
children and grandchildren to teach them about life in simpler (it seems) times.
There never seemed to be a hurry about that, I thought it would always be
there. Now they may never know.
Thank you for sharing the story. Although I know it would be difficult to
achieve, I hope any rebuild will attempt to reproduce the historical aspect. Memory 4061@aol.com
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The Carthage fire of 2002
has devastated us all. I moved back into Carthage in September of last year,
after being gone for a number of years. When I heard about the fire, at about
10am when my mother woke me up, I was immediately in shock. I didn't know
what to think or do. I considered going up to state street immediately, and
eventually did go up around 1030am. What I saw, broke my heart, and immediately
brought tears to my eyes.
This is my hometown, I was born and raised here, and have many memories of
the buildings ravaged by the fire. I didn't cry only for myself, but I wept
for the people left homeless, the people who lost their livelihoods, and for
the loss of our community's history.
I also took a lot of pictures, and I would love to share them with you if you
would like. I would also like to help you in anyway with collecting stories
about the fire, and about people's reaction.
I have become a published poet, so writing seems to be my forte'. Let me know
how I can help.
Sincerely
Joseph Everett
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I am devastated! Stumbled
across this news by accident while updating what's been happening in the
North Country... Carthage was my home for a year (last year) while we were
stationed at Fort Drum, and I loved living in the village. My children
attended Carthage Elementary, we shopped regularly at the P&C (the
"mini-cart store, my daughter would call it) and would always run into
people we knew, attended church at St. James, and were active in Scouting.
Fond memories of downtown include marching with the Scouts up State Street in
the parades, and I always loved driving up State Street on a snowy winter
night, with the old historic buildings towering above...it was like a scene
from decades past and evoked a wonderful feeling of a hometown village. My
children attended gymnastics classes while the gymnastics school was there
(next to Donna Foote’s), and we ate at Stefano’s Pizza... hard to imagine it
are all gone now! It must have been a tragic day in Carthage, and a day that
must have seemed to last forever as part of the heart of downtown slowly
died. My heart and prayers go out to you all...If there is anything I can do
to help, please let me know. Though 3500 miles now separate us, I will always
think of Carthage as my "hometown" for one wonderful year.
Victoria Palmer
and Seth, Caitlin and Megan Seibel
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LITTLE
TREES
There
was a fire in our little town
Much of Carthage did burn down
Homes and work lost in despair
Flames tossed without a care
Yet
little trees remained throughout
Withstood the hoses' constant onslaught
And also battled intense flame
Ice covered soldiers they now remain
Behind
little trees lies a battlefield
And yet throughout they did not yield
Sole survivors of a battle lost
Twinkling next day, covered with frost
Little
trees bring hope in their own special way
Of new birth with blossoms growing in May
Strength in Carthage will now be found
To re-build the charm of our little town
Debbie
Sligar Fleming
3/6/02
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On March 2nd my oldest
son Mathew Burr turned 19. He is a basic EMT at
Carthage Area Rescue Squad. He had spent Friday night there and was to
come back home to have his birthday with his family on Sat. morning. My
wife and I were at home. My wife is president of the rescue squad and I
am a basic EMT that has been on the honor roll for a few years now. My
wife woke me up and said Carthage was on fire and that she would head
for town and help out. Shortly after I also headed to town and as many
others did started what was to be a very long day. When I got to town I
went to the rescue squad and met up with the chief. We started up spring
street making sure that people were getting out of there homes o okay.
Some were all ready gone, others did not want to leave there home, and
some people went back inside.
The chief and I walked a few miles that day looking to help in any way
that we could. Scott the chief stayed busy calling help on the radio,
keeping everyone in contact with each other and working with EMS and
fire coordinators.
Many hours passed and everyone not only pulled their weight, but pulled
together.
I remember went I first got there looking up the street and seeing lines
of people without end. Every one of them was carrying something helping
their friends and neighbors in any way that they could. No one seemed to
be talking. It was as though this was rehearsed and there was no need
for questions or instructions.
My son never left Carthage that day nor did my wife. It would be 36
hours later without sleep before they would finally take a break, but
not without first knowing there were other EMS people to take care of
those in need. They were back at after a little rest and would continue
to do this every day. Let me add that this is all done without pay.
My family is just a small part
of a very large picture. My hat goes off
to all the EMS, fire, electrical, fire Aux., police, and all others who
reached out a helping hand through this time of need that so many are
going through.
I also was taking some pictures
while this was going on. I may have some
of the earliest pictures taken that day. I will send you one and you can
let me know if you would like to see more. The batteries were low in the
camera so some of the pictures are not that good. Keith
Burr
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As you can see from the
messages I am forwarding to you, news of the fire
reached via a circuitous route. I literally grew up on State St.--the
hi-rise cited in your pictures is on the site of my grandparent’s home.
Antonio and Rosa Gullo, my maternal grandparents had a bar/grill there and
that is where I lived from birth until age 5. We then lived for a couple of
years at the foot of West St. in the Morelli house. I understand that it is
gone, too.
When I was seven, we moved into the Calendar block, 267 State St. That is
the building I called home until my graduation from LeMoyne in 1958 and my
marriage in Sept. of that year. One of my memories of my wedding day is of
the elderly handyman/janitor scrubbing the hall from our apartment all the
way down the stairs to the sidewalk so that my gown would not get dirty.
It was a wonderful street to grow up on--I knew every merchant and they knew
me. I couldn't put a foot wrong or it would be reported to my family and
then, look out!
I have lost some sleep and shed
some tears at the sight of the devastation of
my home street. My heart goes out to those who have lost their belongings
and their homes.
It grieves me to know that
there is no longer any place in town left for me
to show my grandchildren as the place where I grew up. Fortunately I have
many, many memories, not just of places but also of the wonderful people who
reared me so caringly.
Sincerely,
Marcella Muglia McCarthy (Marcy)
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What a terrible tragedy but I see
no report of any loss lives, what a
blessing that was for a fire of this magnitude. Was sent news from
former classmate, I grew up in Carthage, graduating from Augustinian in
1966, My father managed the Endicott Johnson shoe store located in
one
of the buildings destroyed.
My prayers go out for those who lost their homes and businesses and
thanks to the volunteer fire fighters and rescue personnel.
Joe Pierce
Rindge, NH
I am Carthage
native of 20 years. I am recently turning 22 and live in
Raleigh NC. I have just moved from home and it seems to be about 3 months
that I have been away. The news of the fire came as a surprise considering I
had just seen half of my hometown burning down on my local news. My wife and
I were watching something horrible considering I know a few people that live
in the build and always look forward in some of Stefano’s pizza when I come
to visit. I am still in shock that a big fire has hit our town twice in the
history of Carthage; I am in great hopes that no one was injured or killed in
the fire. Well to make a long story short I would love to here from you on
the news of the fire and thanks for posting the pics. My email is
gfella33@hotmail.com and thanks
again we both know how loyal our community is
and how this will only make us and our neighbors stronger.
Sincerely Gilbert C. Barlow Jr.
My name is Francis (Sonny) Young.
I grew up in Carthage and lived in that area for many years. I married
Patricia Tucker from Parham St. We last lived in Great Bend, where I was the
fire chief for many years. I have spent many hours on those streets, and on
those roofs as a child. Back when the theater was operating we used to throw
snowballs at the people coming out from those rooftops. Sorry to see it go..
I am retired now and live in Ellijay, Georgia. We usually "go home"
at least every couple years; so will see some of the damage. Say Hi to those
in the FD who know me..My e-mail is..brer-fox@ellijay.com
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I'm sure you don't know
me from Joe the Ragman, but you really touched
me with the pictures of the fire.
I was raised in Carthage, from
my birth in June of 1946 until we moved
to Tupper Lake in 1960. We lived out on River Road, in a stone block
house currently (as of 1997, the last time I visited) owned by our
former neighbor, Mrs. Steiner. My best friend ("I never had a best
friend like my best friend when I was twelve. Jesus, does anybody?")
Warren Forney lived at 561 South Mechanic Street. My parents used to
frequent the Jefferson Restaurant (on the street facing into the front
doors of the Catholic Church and across the street from Lofink Motors)
and the Superior Grill. We banked at Marine Midland, and shopped across
the street, at the Acme Supermarket, just down the street from (1) the
Carthage Volunteer Fire Department (The Nighthawks) and (2) Augustinian
Academy, where I went to school for grades 4, 5, and 6. Are you getting
a general picture?
Today, my cousin Michelle Ferry
(of the Governeur area) sent me the
pictures of the Carthage fire. While not as politically attractive as
the Twin Towers crashes, this fire has assumed disaster proportions for
Carthage. The cost of fighting it, and replacing the lost equipment
(Thank God all the firefighters made it out), along with asbestos
abatement etc. should wipe out a good chunk of Carthage's resources. A
good chunk of Carthage's heritage is gone. Rebuilding is only replacing
a comfortable old building with a nice, shiny new one. One with no
history, no tradition. No soul.
Has New York State stepped up
to the plate yet? With all the money to
build memorials and replace the work of terrorists, and replace the
income of those who were working that day in 9/2001, I think there
should be something left to help out the small communities that pay the
taxes and support the Great State of New York.
I didn't think such would
affect me as it has, but the pictures
(especially seeing the one entitled "In front of the Superior
Grill" and
from which I could locate the other buildings) brought a lump to my
throat.
Please tell me, is there a
website where I can keep abreast of these
developments? I'd like to know how it works out.
Yours truly, George LaMora
University of North Dakota
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