Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-23
The Investigation Committee Advises
: The Adoption Of This Course.
NE TRIED ny couRr-MARr1AL.
srcciGc Charges Arc Prepared, n
committee to GO over the Evil
dcncc, and the Camp TO Sit I'm
Judgment on the Case.

The Grand camp. maue thelr report yes
to-day 10 Grand Commander Cox. and
last night submitted their findings and
recommendation TO r. Il. Lee Camp,
SONS OF Veterans. In both instances they
recommended that Mr.. Minetree Folkes,
whom they reported as having been
found guilty Of Conduct unbecoming a
Gentleman and a comrade. be expelled.
Tie Grand Commander promptly acted
on the recommendation, and removed
NIr. Folkes from the position he occupied
on the Grand Camps History Committee,
but under the constitution of the camp,
that body was unable TO take such action
As was recommended until after the ac-
cssed should have been tried by court
martial. Accordingly, a committee was
appointed to prefer charges and specif-
ctt.0us, and these charges were referred
10 another committee. who will investi-
gate them and report next Monday
night 20 the camp, which will sit as a
sourt-martial, and decide as TO what
course shall be pursued in melting out
punishment 10 Mr.. Folkes, their COM
mander
THE CAMP IN SESSION.
The camp met last night at o'clock
md there were in attendance upon it's
session a large number OF interested
spectators. Exciting colloquies and lively
discussions were expected by the audi
ence. but none such developed during
the evening. The proceedings were in
teresting. but on the whole they were
rather tame. and nothing of an exciting
nature occurred.
The camp was opened with prayer by
the chaplain, Rev. James e. Cook, who
petitioned for peace and good will to
govern the hearts OF the camps men,
bers. Among other things the chaplain
said:
"Oh. Lord, we are gathered here to-
night 20 take action which may concern
the future of one of our comrades. DO
Thou. we beseech Thee have pity and
compassion on him, and If he has erred,
show him the error of his way, so that
hereafter he may be guided to walk
more circumspectly throughout the re-
uDainder OF his life"
The camp after this prayer, proceeded
10 transact routine business, and ii was
some time before the report Of the COM
mittee charged with the investigation,
was called for. When it was reached
absolute silence pervaded the room, and
everybody gave the strictest and closest
attention 10 what was being said in or
der that nothing Of interest might be
lost.
THE REPORT HANDED IN.
Mr. Folkes was not present, and Lieu
tenant-Commander Walden occupied the
chair. When he announced that the
camp was ready to hear the report Of
the Investigating Committee, Chairman
Robert Lecky arose and handed il to the
secretary, who head 1t as follows:
TO Edward Courtney, Secretary r. e. Lee
Camp. No. l, Sons of Confederate Vet
eTans:
We. the undersigned, beg to submit the
following report for the information Of
r. r. Lee Camp No. l, Sons Of Confed-
crate Veterans:
Your committee. acting under the fol-
lowing preamble and resolution, namely:
Whereas the rumOrs regarding the
employment by the American Book Com
uany Of members OF the Committee on
Histories affects the members OF the His
tory Committee OF this camp as well as
the veteran camp:
Resolved. That the investigation COM
mittee appointed by Grand Commander
Cox. consisting Of Comrades Robert
Lecly, Jr.. Il. L. Epence, Jr., and John A.
Lamb. be also appointed by the COM
mander Of the camp 10 thoroughly inves-
tigate the matter so far as II affects the
History Committee of this camp and re-
port the result Of said investigation to
this camp
found Comrade and Commander Minetree
Folkes guilty Of conduct unbecomng a
gentleman and comrade" and we re-
commend that he be expelled, and to this
end that charges under the constitution
and bylaws be preferred against him.
We also beg to report that no member
OF the History Committee Of your camp,
nor any other member Of your camp
(other than Comrade Minetree Folke) is
implicated in the rumors named. All of
The testimony (Which was taken under
tath) adduced before this committee has
been filed with our report % G.snd-COm-
mander +. =. Cox.
Respectfully submitted.
ROBERT LECKY. JR,
JOHN a. LAMB.
+. LESLIE SPENCE. JR.
THAT TO COMMANDER cox.
IN cOnneGUOn Win TINS lfpJll lllt SNt~
re.ary also read the following report TO
the Grand Commander. which was hand
fd I'm at the same time by Chairman
Lecky:
10 +. +. Cox. Grand Commander of the
Grand Camp, sons OF Confederate Vet
Grams:
slr.-In obedience Of Special order No
!, which is as follows:
Headquarters Grand Camp Sons Of Con-
federate Veterans,
Department Of Virginia.
Richmond. Ma, November Q, 1884,
Special orders No. i.
In accordance with a resolution from X. |
=. Lee Camp, No. l, Confederate Vet |
erans passed November 5. 1897. request |
ing the Grand Commander OF the Grand |
Camp OF Sons OF Confederate Veterans |
90 appoint a committee 90 thoroughly in |
vestgate the rumors concerning the en- |
ployment OF members OF the Grand Camp, |
S. G. v. by the American Book Com |
pany. ] have the honor TO announce the |
following committee: Robert Lecky, Jr., /
John a. Lamb and r. Leslie Spence. Jr., |
of II r. Ice Camp. No. l, Sons OF Con-
fedcrate Veterans.
Whether these rurnors are founded upon
facts or not ii IS for this committee 70
determine. and they are urged TO use
their best Efforts 10 procure ali the evil
dence possible from books, papers oral
statements. or whatever other sources
may be accessible to them. Your COM
mander views with regret that rumors OF
this kind should ever have been circu-
lated. and, thinking this regret 20 be |
common TO every member OF the Grand
camp deems quick action 10 be