Joseph A. Cutshall-King began his writing career in 1975, when he was offered the Directorship of the Chapman Historical Museum in Glens Falls, NY. Told that the job required him to write a weekly local history column for The Post-Star, he responded, “I can’t do that.” Told he would not be hired if he didn’t, he responded, “I can do that!”
Joe subsequently wrote for The Post-Star for the ten years he was the museum’s Director (1975-1985). He returned to The Post-Star in 1994 to write for another nine years. His most recent book, Over My Shoulder, is a first-volume compilation of those columns he wrote from 1994 to 1997.
Joe also has several published full-length histories: WATER & LIGHT: S. R. Stoddard’s Lake George; Hospital by the Falls, The History of Glens Falls Hospital 1897-1987; Con Amore–the Italian History of Fort Edward; and Cornerstone of the Future: a History of the First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls, NY. He co-edited Sherlock Holmes, Victorian Sleuth to Modern Hero with Sally Sugarman and Charles R. Putney. He also wrote and produced a regional history program, Legacy, for WCKM-FM/WWSC-AM from 1978 to 1988.
Joe’s first fictional work is the historical mystery novel, The Burning of The Piping Rock, based on the unsolved arson of mob-run Piping Rock Casino in Saratoga Springs in 1954. It was fueled by his father’s involvement with Saratoga Springs’ political machine and the mob during Saratoga’s illegal gambling heyday after WW II.
Joe Cutshall-King lives in upstate New York with his wife. He, has completed the screenplay for The Burning of The Piping Rock and lays awake nights dreaming of its being produced in Hollywood.
The Burning of The Piping Rock 
Is any of the the story particularly George A King’s involvement based on facts?
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Hi Rosemary, I am Joe’s wife, Sara. I can answer your question….Joe usually is not able to answer right away because of his job. So the answer to your question is YES…anymore he would have to fll you in…thanks for asking! Sara
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Hi Rosemary.
My apologies for not getting back to you sooner. The arson of the Piping Rock as presented in my novel is fictional, so that would make my father’s involvement in it fictional as well. However, there is much actual, true history in the book. Dad was an employee of James Leary, the head of the Republican machine in Saratoga in the 1940s and `50s and the person who coordinated “services” for mob–police-fixing, money laundering, etc. Leary, an attorney, also defended the mob in court.
Dad did run MacFinn’s Drugstore and was very much involved with all the mob activities that Leary was: especially the gambling casinos. At Leary’s request, dad kept two sets of books for the pharmacy, which was used to help launder gaming money, among other illicit activities. Dad also sold cellophane and scotchtape to an arsonist whom he referred to only as Harry the Torch, whom, Dad said, had burned the Piping Rock Casino to the ground in 1954. The casino was owned by the mob, fronting for distinguished citizens who wanted to hide their ties to it.
Dad’s involvement with the Leary machine and everything that went on in Saratoga Springs between 1946, when we came to Saratoga, and 1952, when we left, nearly cost our family our lives. And that is solid truth. Leary was a dangerous man and my father got involved in a dangerous game. A lot of what I have my father relate in the novel is absolutely true. Perhaps someday I’ll do a book about the book.
Thanks for great question.
Joe
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Thank you for answering Joe, hopefully you will be able to sign our copy of the The book when you are up north.
Yours truly,
Rosemary Moore
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I just finished your book. It was amazing! I worked with your dad at the Burleigh Pharmacy in Ticonderoga (76-77). I was trying to find your dad’s PT boat number when I came across your book. He was a great man and always gave me good advice. He told me many war stories and actually told me about the other use for cellophane wrapping paper. It was so easy to picture him standing there as I read your story.
I tried to find his name connected with PT 27 but only came up with a skipper by the name of George A. Matteson. George was a hero and I only wish I had stayed in touch with him.
Thanks for the story,
Dale
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Hi Dale!
Great to hear from you and thank you for your kind words! I went through Dad’s service jacket, two thirds of which consist of original copies and the remainder certified copies from the National Personnel Records Center. Looking back over his records, I see that Dad was Commander of PT 364, but not PT 27. Therefore, it has to have been my misunderstanding that he was commander of the other PT Boat, although I am very sure he was First Officer, which had led to my misunderstanding. My apologies.
You write that “George was a hero.” He was that. He was in the Philippine Invasion in October 1944 and subsequently was assigned to taking American POWs out of Japanese prison camps. The one he usually spoke of was at Amboina. He was decorated for his service in the South Pacific and the Philippine Invasion.
You said you worked at the Burleigh Pharmacy from 1976 to 1977? What did you do while there?
Again, thanks finding my website. Please stay in touch!
Best,
Joe
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