The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-26
GRO0VER PAID HIS FINE.
Statement ENoneratIng Van Bershof
Followed by Another.


Followed by Another.
The personal differences that have
for the past month marred the ira
ternal affection that formerly existed
between Odd Fellows James Van
Berschot and Frank Grover show no
particular signs of abatement. On the
contrary, the incidents of yesterday
bid fair to revive the hitherto smoul-
dering embers of the fire of discord.
Yesterday morning Mr.. Grover ap-
peared in the City Court and entered
a plea of guilty to an information
charging him with assault and bat
terry upon Mr.. Van Berschot. Judge
Norwood fined him $40 and the fine
was paid.
The assault of which Mr.. Grover
pleaded guilty was committed at
meeting of the local tribes of Red
Men, and its incidents, as they have
oozed out of the wigwam, are sum
cfently familiar to the reading pub
lie.
In consideration of Mr.. Van Berschot
declining to appear against him, Mr..
Grover signed a statement which ex-
onerated his antagonist in the scrap.
OF all blame whatever and further de-
clared that there was nothing in the
larceny after trust charge against Mi.
Van Berschot which had been pre-
ferred.
However, Mr.. Grover was not will
ing to let it go at that. After the
conclusion of the proceedings in the
City Court he made a statement Of
his position, in which his reasons for
signing the statement Mr.. Van Ber-
schot had prepared are explained at
length. Mr.. Grover said:
In reply to statements pur-
porting to have been made by
Brother Van Berschot, after the
proceedings in the City Court, l beg 10
make the following explanation: The
plea of guilty entered by me in the
City Court, upon which 1 was fined
the sum of SO, was entered upon the
advice OF any attorney. The matter
was presented to me in such light
that 1 felt and still feel, that 1 was
justified in making this personal sac
rifice for the good of all concerned,
for to have made the proper defense
would have involved matters which /
did not care to bring up in the courts.
AS to the letter of recommendation
/ gave Brother Van Berschot, beg to
say that on entering the court room,
this prepared letter was handed my
attorney, who gave it to me, and adj
vised that 1 sign it, as we did not care
to offer any umbrage to Brother Van
Berschot, who had no dougt consumed
considerable mid-night-oil in it's prep
aration. l agreed with Brother Hill,
my attorney and therefore signed the
letter. l would also say that
l am still ready and willing
to sign as many letters of
recommendation for Brother Van Ber-
shot as he may feel the need of, as I
would gladly do for any brother who
feels that his good name and repu-
tation under a cloud of suspicion.
I'm conclusion 1 will state, that as
to myself, l have been a resident of
this community for eight years, and
up to this date have never had occa-
sion to use letter of this kind, hut
should 1 in the future feel the need
of such a one, l have no doubt but
what my dear Brother Van Berschot,
will furnish it me, as cheerfully as
furnished this one to him."
The paper that was signed in court
was read at the hearing and spread
upon the minutes. 1t is as follows:
Savannah, Ga, July 25, 1902.-The
undersigned. having in a fit of passion
made unwarranted assault upon the
person of James Van Berschot my
feeling at which time being wrought
up by remarks to which l had attach
ed an unnecessary importance, and
which / have since realized were clear
ly within the rights and privileges of
the above stated gentleman, l sincere
ly regret my action in the matter.
"As to my subsequent charges of
larceny after trust, which l preferred
against him, l desire to state they are
without foundation, and l hereby ex-
onerate Mr.. Van Berschot of any
thought or act, as far as known to me,
which could in any way be construed
so as to give the slightest suspicion to
his integrity and honesty. Believing
that the foregoing explanation is due
Mr.. Van Berschot at this time, so as
to set himself right with his friends,
1 am, Frank Grover"
Mr.. Growers comments upon the pa
per he signed in the first instance are
not likely to pour oil upon the trou-
bled waters. 1t is said that a session
of the encampment of Odd Fellows to
which both Mr.. Grover and Mr.. Van
Berschot belong will be held to decide
which of them, from the fraternal