The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-05-22
Grouer BergdoH, Notorious Draft
 Dodger, Escapes
By Associated Press

!
 1 Philadelphia, May 21.-Grover Cleveland
 Bergdoll, convicted draft dodger. recently sentenced to serve five years on Govern ors Island. New York, escaped from non-commissioned army officers at his
 mothers home here today and tonight was still at large. The wealthy Phila- rdelphian, who evaded the government authorities all over the country for more than two years before he was captured at his home in sensational raid dis appeared in his own motor car while two sergeants from Fort Jay. N Y., who had him in charge. were sitting in the drawing room of Mrs. Bergdolrs paIa- tial home. The machine was driven by Bergdolls chauffeur according to the police, who believe the driver merely obeyed shis command. According to information received here from Fort Jay tonight, Bergdoll came to Philadelphia yesterday on three days furlough to attend to important busi- ness matters It was said by the nilj- tary authorities that he left Governors Island on competent military instruc- tions and was supposed to visit a city other than Philadelphia. The nature Of Bergdoll's business, the military authori- ties said, was confidential
 FLEES IN AUTO
 Bergdoll made his escape about s o'clock. It was said the two sergeants had spent the night at the Bergdoll home, which is on the outskirts of the city. This aftegnoon he was entertain- ing the sergeants with recitations from Shakespeare. according to James F. Ro- mig, friend of the Bergdoll family. who was present. A telephone bell rans and Bergdoll said he would answer it. He left the room and as the bell kept ringing the two sergeants became sus- picious and Investigated. His car, which had been standing in front of the house. had disappeared and BergdolI with it. The draft dodger wa9 dressed in olive crab army prison denim.
 The two sergeants quickly telephoned police headquarters and every avenue of escape around the city was covere6 hy the city authorities.
 Mrs Emma c. Bergdoll, the fugitive's s mother was not at home when her son escaped, but returned shortly afterward
 Bergdoll was convicted of desertion by army co'irt-martial at cove~rors TsIand March 90 and sentenced to five years in the old prison at Fort Jay.
 Bergdolrs record with the police ~a this city and suburbs is long one. He began sensational career as a reckless motor car driver in 1911 when he was IS COTS oid. IiC lso ffOW 70. ne paid ScV- eral thousand dollars in fines for speed- ing and fighting with policemen who att tempted to catch him. He later branched out into aeronautics and amateur sci- ence.
 BROTHER STILL WANTED
 Bergdolls brothef Erwin R. Bergdoll. well known motor car racer, still is a fugitive from justice. He also disap- peared instead of answering the draft call and has not been heard of since with the exception of one brush with the police when he paid flying motor car visit to his mothers home. Two elder brothers of Grover had their names changed by courts to escape the notori- ety attached to Grover Bergdoll's name.
 Mrs. Bergdoll was convicted in the county court yesterday on a charge of wantonly pointing a pistol at eovAvn- ment agents at the time Grover was captured at her home last January. She was fined $279 and costs. At the time of the capture she fought off city police men and federal officers and. it was charged. threatened to shoot to kill. The officers by strategy gained entrance to the house and found Bergdoll hiding in a window seat. Mrs. Bergdoli is still to be tried on federal charges of aiding her son to evade the draft law
 Bergdoll is wealthy. having inherited about ss0o,0oo from his father. who was . brewer,