I stumbled upon a box of papers at an estate sale, within them is an obituary written by Martha Levinson, sister to Lena (Levinson) Solomon. Interestingly, Martha went in to marry R.H. Kutner, genial proprietor of the Borough Park Clubhouse in 1907 (which later became Yshiva Etz Chaim, and in the 80s was torn down). Martha, in 1911 in some manner came upon Goldie Narkir a survivor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of 1911, and in the same box there was a drawing and poem that Martha made for Goldie. The poem describes the sorrow of losing loved ones in a fire. Morris Solomon was the eldest of the Solomon’s that perished in the Brooklyn Theatre Fire. Morris was in his 40’s, the others (his two daughters and his son (husband to Lena), and Lena his daughter in law), were all in their early 20’s. There was nothing in the box about Morris’ wife or any other children, brothers or sisters. Martha (Levinson) Kutner presumably went on to live a full life.
This is amazing! The survivors of such public tragedies must have felt a bond. I hope Martha did have a long and full life. I'm going to see what I can find out about her. Thank you!
I came across this in Green-Wood and always meant to see if I could find out more. Thanks for writing this and sharing the story. There should be a memorial of sorts.
I wonder if there may have been one near where the theater once stood. Cadman Plaza didn't open until 1939 and the city only got the land in 1935. The theater was apparently right where the statue of Beecher is now.
I stumbled upon a box of papers at an estate sale, within them is an obituary written by Martha Levinson, sister to Lena (Levinson) Solomon. Interestingly, Martha went in to marry R.H. Kutner, genial proprietor of the Borough Park Clubhouse in 1907 (which later became Yshiva Etz Chaim, and in the 80s was torn down). Martha, in 1911 in some manner came upon Goldie Narkir a survivor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of 1911, and in the same box there was a drawing and poem that Martha made for Goldie. The poem describes the sorrow of losing loved ones in a fire. Morris Solomon was the eldest of the Solomon’s that perished in the Brooklyn Theatre Fire. Morris was in his 40’s, the others (his two daughters and his son (husband to Lena), and Lena his daughter in law), were all in their early 20’s. There was nothing in the box about Morris’ wife or any other children, brothers or sisters. Martha (Levinson) Kutner presumably went on to live a full life.
This is amazing! The survivors of such public tragedies must have felt a bond. I hope Martha did have a long and full life. I'm going to see what I can find out about her. Thank you!
I came across this in Green-Wood and always meant to see if I could find out more. Thanks for writing this and sharing the story. There should be a memorial of sorts.
I wonder if there may have been one near where the theater once stood. Cadman Plaza didn't open until 1939 and the city only got the land in 1935. The theater was apparently right where the statue of Beecher is now.
Thanks for this. I used to love wandering Green-Wood and would always think of all the stories I didn't know. Now I know one more!
I spend a lot of time at Green-wood also. Kate Claxton, who was onstage when the fire broke out, is buried there too.