RITCHIE: We left off with shots fired at Al Ritchie, shots that left powder marks on the car door and on Ritchie.

In true gangster style, Ritchie walked to the ambulance, spouting blood from four wounds.

“At the Bradford hospital, he conversed with officers, his wife and a few friends. He lapsed into unconsciousness at 5 o’clock last evening, two hours after he was admitted.”

The story continues with some background.

“Albert Verrusio Ritchie was born in the United States 44 years ago, a descendant of the Marquis Verrusio of Naples. At an early age he was taken to Italy where he was educated in public schools and at the academy at Modena, a school similar to West Point.

“Family reverses cut short his education, so at 18, Al Ritchie returned to the United States bent upon a career as a detective. He did some good work in assisting to put down the Black Hand in Italian quarters of several New York cities.

“Then, Ritchie changed his life. He became owner of one of the most notorious of road houses, the “Sunset Inn,” located about two miles north of Olean on the Buffalo highway.

A bootlegger, he became intimate with bootleggers. He arose to a position of some consequence in liquor circles, and even trafficked in dope, according to one report. About two and a half years ago, he said he ‘retired’ — but he retired from a racket that doesn’t allow retirement.

“For a time Ritchie was an investigator for the district attorney of Cattaraugus County, New York. He got hold of the ‘black book’ of Rotunda, noted Olean blackhander and murderer, and made detective history. This was the first time, it was believed, that the secrets and rituals of the Camorra code ever fell into the hands of police.

“Two years ago, Al Ritchie came to Bradford. His reputation preceded him. He was known throughout the southern tier of New York. Several times he attracted attention of police in Binghamton, Elmira and Olean. He had operated in Scranton for a time.”

More tomorrow.