Yall arent going to believe these photos and the story around them. Traces of Texas reader Irin Smith sent in these two items regarding her grandfather, Charles Bertolino, the famous rat catcher of Galveston. Charles exterminated 500,000 rats in 12 years. Says Irin: This is a news article in the Dallas Newspaper of my Grandfather, Charles Bertolino (my mothers dad). He was well known in Galveston. He received a citation from Pres. Roosevelt for saving more than 500 people from drowning after the hurricane. He was one of the known life savers of Galveston. (There is another I always like to give credit - Leroy Colombo, who was deaf. Not related but deserves credit). In this photo Grandpa Bertolino is in a cart full of dead rats. He was paid by the City of Galveston to catch rats. This was taken in 1921. There actually was a bubonic plague in the summer of 1920. (I think infected fleas on rats came on the banana ships from South America. Galveston wharves was known for import export business.) My Grandfather Charles and grandmother Mabel had 21 children (4 sets of twins). Unfortunately, he was unable to save his son from drowning. It is said he worked on his lifeless body for hours. My Grandmother died the next day. Astounding stuff, Irin! Thanks for sending these in!
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 19:38:15 +0000
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