The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-05-20
WOMAN Tells HOW
HER HUSBAND FLED
WITH DRAFT EVADER
Mrs. Stecher Declares She
Was Left PennilesS and
Mrs. Bergdoll Refused
Even Her Sympathy

Washington, May 19.-Mrs. Freda
Stecher wife OF. Eugene Stecher, who
did not stop to say good-by when he
fled from Philadelphia with Grover
Cleveland Bergdoll, complained bitterly
of her treatment while testifying today
before the House committee investigat-
ing the slacker's escape.
With tears in her eyes the woman
told how Stecher, who had been honor
ably discharged from the army had
been persuaded by Bergdoll to flee with
him to Germany; how he had gone away
without leaving a dollar toward her
support, and how after filing divorce
proceedings on the ground of deser-
ton, she went to Mrs. Bergdoll, the
draft evader's mother for a little word
of sympathy,
Don't come to me with your troubles
for l should worry" Mrs Bergdoll re-
piled, according to Mrs. Stecher; I've
got troubles of my own Go to work
Representative Johnson, democrat
Kentucky. suggested that inasmuch as
the Bergdolls had enticed her husband
to aid the prisoner in reaching Ger
many, it might be well to consult a
lawyer with view to entering suit fer
damages.
Il thank you for that advice, sir" she
said.
ORDERED TO COOK DINNER
Mrs. Stecher said sne had been sum
moned by Stecher to go to the Berg
doll home and cook dinner for the ex-
petition, which had stopped over on the
way to the mountains in search OF the
pot of gold, but she was there only a
| ..f. 1v,,a n fr11 u -
the escape. Asked if she was not sur
prised to see Bergdoll there, the wit
ness declared she had questioned
Stecher, who bluntly ordered her to
"go on and cook the dinner, as that's
all you've got to worry about.
IF l had known they were planning
to escape they would be here now" the
witness exclaimed Stecher got no
money from me. handle the money in
nv family gnd IL he got anything; u
was from the Bergdolls"
After cooking the dinner and being
bawled out by Mrs. Bergdoll for giving
the soldiers too much Coffee Mrs.
Stecher said she was taken home in a
car with the prisoner and the two sol
dier guards the day previous to the es-
cape. stecher. she added, had promised
to be home that night, and the light IN
the little front hall burned until daylight
to show him the way in, but he never
returned.
BOUNDED BY AGENTS
| Mrs. Stecher told the committee she
had refused to comply with request OF
department OF justice agents that she
seek employment in the Bergdoll nome
and stay here as a government spy
II told them ! would not do 1op
| like that" she shouted and from that
time on they just logged my steps.
| Denying she had attempted to OBTAIN
a passport to join her husband Mrs.
| Stecher declared she had applied Tor one
in order to return to her home in Ger
MANY to see her aged father and sister,
both of whom were ILL.,
| Word reached the committee today that
Mrs. Bergdoll, who could not be found
at first. had agreed to turn over papers
| asked for at Philadelphia. If all demand
ed were produced. it was said, she VIII
not be required to appear again as VIII
ness. Several other witnesses, however
are to be examined before the hearings
are concluded.