This is an authentic signed check from North Carolina Senator Furnifold McLendel Simmons (1854- 1940). Senator Simmons, a native of Polksville, N.C. was a Democratic Senator for the state from 1901 to 1931. He was a key figure in the Titanic wreck investigation.

On April 17, 1912 the American Senate ordered an investigation of the Titanic tragedy. The Senate Committee on Commerce appointed a subcommittee to examine the feasibility of international agreements to protect ocean traffic. Since many Americans were on board, this was a push for maritime reform, of particular interest was lifeboats and life saving equipment.