Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-21
BERGDOLL,S MOTHER CLAIMS
SHE BOUGHT SONS FREEDOM

WASHINGTON, July 10. - Mrs
Emma c. Bergdoll, of Philadelphia
today told a house committee inves
tigating the escape of Grover C1eve
land Bergdoll, her Stacker son, thai
she gave $4,000 to Major Bruc,
Campbell, an army officer at Cover
nor's Island, for use among high of
ficials at Washington" to help obtain
his freedom.
Campbell, she said, first demanded
100000, but she refused.
Mrs. Bergdoll said she took the
money to the island and handed it
to Grover, by whom it was turned
over to Campbell. Campbell, she. said,
told her he had passed the money
to another officer for the purpose in
Dictated.
Major Campbell recently told the
committee he did not receive one
dollar from the Bergdolls. He has
been summoned from Camp Pike to
answer the charges of Mrs. BergdolL
Mrs. Bergdoll said she did not
know the name of the man men
toned by Campbell as having re-
ceived the money, but asserted lie
was an agent of the government"
Campbell told me he could not
accept any money for himself" said
Mrs. Bergdoll, but that he wanted
the 100000 for the higher-ups at
Washington and New York.
The charges have been made be-
fore by Bergdoll, but were given lit
tie credit at that time.
The story of the demand was re-
lated to General John H. Sherburne,
counsel of the committee, by Mrs.
Bergdoll about two weeks ago. AT
first, today she refused to answer any
questions, saying it might "incrim-
mate her" After being assured she
would be given immunity for her
statements, Mrs. Bergdol told how
she had received letter from Berg
doll, now in Germany, asking why
she did not reveal the amount said
to be paid to Major Campbell. She
said her refusal to answer at first
was caused by the fact that her prop
erty was seized by the government
after her testimony a few weeks ago.
Major Campbell and Gibboney de-
manded at Governors Island that
give them 100000 said Mrs. Berg
doll.
II told them to go to hell. but
Grover told me to hush. Then later
Major Campbell. I brought this to
New York, sewed in my dress, and
gave it to Grover for Major Camp
bell, then he later told me he had
paid the $1,000 to the higher up
After that they kept bothering me for
more money 4.
Mrs. Bergdoll said she had re-
ceived letters from all over the coun-
try demanding money for various
schemes to obtain BergdolPs release.
"a man named Harting wants $5,-
900, and another named Sullivan, who
said he was an agent OF Palmer, de-
manded $4,000"
Mrs. Bergdoll charged that in or
der to obtain the money Major Camp
bell told her Grover would be shot
at Governors Island unless the $780,
900 was paid.
campbells Testimony
1t was learned that the committee
has been investigating the Campbell
charge for some weeks. ~
James F. Houlahan, bookkeeper for
Wasserman Brothers. New York stock
Ssmep e. sfyoo said With h pae
firm on February 20, 1920.
Mrs. Bergdoll claimed she paid the
money to her son for Campbell about
February 1. She said it was paid
in bills and Houlahan said the books
indicated the deposit was in cur
rency.
Captain Campbell played the stock
exchange, but was not successful"
said Houlahan. He lost s5,41o.47
between February 10, 1920, and June
80, 1920. He still owes us about
$500"
David T. Shane, New York automo-
bile dealer, told OF selling Campbell
a used Winton for $1,000, which he
paid for in a cash draft on Wasser-
man Brothers. This was bought on
March 81. 1920.
Campbells salary was given as
1882 a month, and he has been in
the service eighteen years.
Chairman Peters announced that
Captain Campbell, now at Fort Pike,
Ark, had been ordered before the
committee by the war department. He
L.