This Day in History: 1912-01-11
Charles R. Rhodes, the Ramsey Undertaker, had quite an adventure when he went to New York City to try to settle the affair of an Italian worker who died on January 2nd from too much drink. Mr. McComber, the Superintendent of the McMillan Farm had asked Rhodes to delay the funeral until the victim’s brother could be notified. The man’s papers were turned over to Rhodes to assist in the search for the brother. They included a New York City bankbook with over $1,000 on deposit. When Rhodes arrived at the Bank in the Italian neighborhood of Manhattan he showed the teller the bank book and asked for the brother. He was immediately attacked and struck about the head by three rough appearing men. He succeeded in escaping and went to the Police to swear out a complaint against the men and get the papers back. Although the bank teller denied ever having seen Rhoades (he spoke only broken English) the police were able to locate both the papers and the three men and eventually to straighten things out. Finally charges were withdrawn. The three men, one of them the missing brother thought that Rhodes was trying to steal his money. Mr. Rhoades expenses were paid. His head has healed, but he will not soon venture into the Charles Street section of New York again.
(Bristow)