Here's a link about the case from Wiki. As I understand it, being Wikipedia based, anyone can edit the page. However, the summary seems to be correct. What I have forgotten, if true in the summary, was that it says the Christmas Lights were still on AFTER the fire started. Do other sources confirm this?
http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Sodder_Family
Satch
In 1968, over 20 years adter the tragedy, the Sodders received yet another mysterious reminder. An envelope arrived addressed to Mrs. Sodder with no return address. Inside she found only a photograph of a young man, 24-28 years old, wearing white pants and a shirt, and sitting in front of a window. On the back of the photograph were these words: "Louis Sodder" "I love brother Frankie." "ilil Boys" "A90132 or 35" Mrs. Sodder was convinced that the photograph was of her son Louis Sodder, who was supposed to have died in the fire at the age of nine. The Sodders took the photograph to Charleston in an effort to convince Attorney General Donald Robertson to reopen the case. But the Attorney General was not convinced of the identity of the young man. Determined to follow this lead just as they had so many others, the Sodders again employed a private detective. They paid him in advance and sent him to the town which was listed on the postmark of the letter. They never heard from him again. Mrs. Sodder was afraid that if the letter or the name of the town was published it could bring harm to her son. She had no choice but to admit defeat. The photograph was enlarged and placed in a frame in front of her fireplace. She took comfort in the belief that although her children were out of her reach, they were still alive.
"90132" was a postal code for Palermo, Sicily at the time. The Sodders themselves were of Italian descent; the original name was Soddu.
This is one of those "haunting" cases.
One of the things I have wondered about is why none of the children tried to contact their parents later, after they were on their own? Were they told that their parents and siblings died in the fire?
Also, what did the Sodders do concerning their family history or background that would make them targets of organized crime? (If that is how the fire started and if indeed the children were taken.) It seems that from the way LE responded and treated the family tragedy, that the Sodders for whatever reason, were not welcome in the community.
Satch
11. The engines not starting seems strange. Who would have planned in such detail that they would have immobilised them? Was it ever discovered why they wouldn't start? Where engines very difficult to start in those days? i.e finding the biting point could have been very difficult if under any stress.
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