Well I've solved the mystery. My mother who is 86 remembers the Rag Man. (or multiples thereof) She said this was during WWII, they were older men, very poor, out of work, and they'd come to your house and ask if you had any old clothes to throw away etc. They would then take them and sell them to make money. So apparently children were threatened.. if you didn't behave... I'll give you to the Rag Man. So there ya have it! Janean