The notes on this page are offered as a supplement to the newspaper accounts of "water tragedies" at Four Mile creek near Darrtown.
These notes are a combination of personal experiences and/or "word of mouth" stories. All are offered as being true and sincere recollections.
The Darrtown webmaster wrote the following notes, after conducting telephone interviews with the persons named below. Each individual has reviewed and approved these notes as being accurate.
HARLAN MILLER REMEMBERS DANGER IN THE FOUR MILE CREEK SWIMMING HOLE
When asked if he had any memory of drownings at Four Mile Creek, Harlan said "No" - but, he immediately shared some memories that illustrate the dangers hidden in the creek waters south of the Decker farm off Schollenbarger Road.
Harlan said that when he and Billy Collins were young teen-agers, in the early 1950s, they decided to go on an over-night camping trip along the Four Mile Creek.
The two boys began their expedition at the southern end of the Darrtown Road bridge, about a half-mile south of Darrtown. Making their way west, along the south-side of the creek, they hiked about a mile to a wide spot in the creek that was directly south of the Decker farm.
Harlan explained that "Doe" (Theodore) Decker, who owned the farm north of the creek, charged a fee to people to travel across his land to reach the swimming hole, which included a sandy area.
Harlan and Billy set up camp on the south side of the creek and spent the night in that location.
The next day, after fishing for a spell, they broke camp. Billy suggested that they go home by hiking along the north-side of the creek, which meant they would have to swim to the opposite side. Harlan agreed.
Carrying and/or pulling their knap-sacks, while swimming was sure to be a challenge; but, the boys were feeling adventursome. So, they stepped into the water - where they soon experienced the unexpected.
Harlan said the temperature of the water noticably dropped, as they reached the middle section of the creek. The colder water and the exertion of swimming with their camping gear began to take a toll. A sense of panic arose.
The boys made it to the other side and after resting, Billy said he was ready to go back into the water. Harlan balked and he urged Billy to stay on dry land.
Harlan said that he never went back!
=====================
According to Harlan, the swimming hole was about 60 feet wide (of course, this is not a constant; the width would vary according the weather/rain fall). He described the hole's shape as a "tear drop."
Harlan believes there may be an artesian spring at the bottom of the swimming hole, which would explain the cold water temperature that he and Billy experienced.
DALE BUFLER RECALLS VISITING THE SWIMMING HOLE AS A BOY SCOUT
Darrtown native, Dale Bufler, did not recall any stories about drownings at the Four Mile Creek.
However, Dale did remember that Lester Brooks was the leader of a Darrtown boy scout troop and Dale participated in a scout outing at the Four Mile creek picnic area, south of the Decker farm.
PAUL DECKER SHARES FAMILY MEMORIES OF FOUR MILE CREEK PICNIC SITE
Paul Decker, grandson of Theodore Decker, shared the following memories of people visiting the Four Mile creek swimming hole site located at the south edge of the Decker farm.
> The Deckers charged 25 cents per car to those who wanted to drive on their farm lane to reach the swimming hole area.
> One Fourth of July, there were over 100 cars at the swimming hole site.
> In the late 1950s, a car belonging to a couple from Hamilton remained overnight. Eventually, two pair of shoes were found along the creek bank. Authorities dragged the creek and found two bodies.
> Later, a member of the sheriff's department advised the Deckers to stop charging a fee, as liability lawsuits were becoming more common.
> Once the Huston Woods state park opened (1956), the creek swimming hole lost its appeal as a recreation spot.
JOE PATER REMEMBERS BOTH THE 1955 AND THE 1956 DROWNINGS
1956 Drowning
The 1956 drowning, in the Four Mlle creek near the intersection of Schollenbarger Road and Lanes Mill Road, may have gone unreported here - had not Joe Pater shared the story in December 2020.
Joe knew about the unfortunate incident, because it involved the death of his aunt who was driving to the Pater home to attend a bridal shower for his sister, Patty.
1955 Drowning
Joe Pater, as a 13 year-old boy in 1955, whose family lived about two miles west of Darrtown, in an isolated spot off Schollenbarger Road, often pedaled his bike back and forth between his home and the thriving metropolis of Darrtown (population about 250 at the time).
Joe cannot recall for certain how he heard about the 1955 drowning. He may have noticed some unusal activity, while he was pedaling past Decker's farm, or he may heard about the drowning, while he was hanging out in Darrtown.
Joe can recall, in his mind's eye, seeing the two corpses, mother and son, lying on the ground at the edge of the Four Mile creek, after being dragged from the water. Joe arrived before the authorities and he remembers that the bodies were yet not covered.
COMMUNITY - PAGE 3: Anecdotal records
√
