The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-27
CLINE TELLS TWO
 VERSIONS OF NEW
 SCREEN TRAGEDY
John Bergen Shot and Killed by Location Man--TWo Notes Found in Dead
 Mans Pocket
By AasocInted Press

Edgewater, N. J., August 26.-- George Cline, movie location finder, was held on murder charge today after he had given the authorities two versions of the shooting in his home last night of John Bergen, screen actor, who, he said, admitted having assaulted Mrs. Cline several weeks ago while they were in the Adirondacks.
 His first story, as reported by county police, was that he and Ber- gen were going upstairs to fight a duel when Bergen whipped out his pistol. Cline knocked the pistol from the actors hand only to see him take out blackjack. he said. Then Cline fired.
 The second version, as Prosecutor Hart said Cline had told it to hlm, was that the man had gone upstairs. Cline had given Bergen pistol, kep. were to fight a duel in tho dark. As he started to turn out the light, 5e saw Bergen point his pistol sat him. and he knocked 1t from the actor s hand, whereupon Bergen grasped his own gun and 1t was while they struggled over this weapon that the shot was fired. Cline said he was not sure who pulled the trigger, tho prosecutor said.
 Was Drunk
 Mir. Hart said Cline added that he must have been drunk when he gave hls first description of the affair.
 George Landon, q taxi driver. .old the prosecutor hee took Bergen 10 Cline's home about 9 o'clock and obeyed instructions to wait. When he heard a shot, he said. he drov G away. He saw Bergen running from the house. He notified policeman !. and going back, they found Bergen dying a short distance from the Cline home. In his pocket was blood stained note reading: George Cline killed me"
 Another note found in Bergen $ clothes, and held by the prosecutor. said:
 "If by chance I am shot in .he next few weks 1t will be done by q George Cline alias George Watts of Edgewater, N. J.. for reasons ,in- known to me. He is threatening me. No doubt a German Leuger, calibcr 25. will be used. as 1t Is a fayorite of his many guns. 1 am John Ser gen. 2l4 East Eleventh street"
 Assaulted Wife
 AS the prosecutor related it, Cline said that Mrs. Cline had been acting strangely since their return from Saranac Lake, but it was only yes terday that sne told him Bergen had assaulted here there after inducin E her to go there.
 i"Cline and Mrs. Cline both tele- phoned to Bergen after she had told her story yesterday said the pros- ecutor, urging him to come to Edge water to clear up the situation. When he arrived. Mrs. Cline, in the presence of her two brothers. her husband and Bergen repeated the story. He attempted to justify ms act by alleging that all women were traitors. Cline said. and then the husband told him he would have to fight it out"
 Cline told newspaper men that he met Bergen three years ago when the latter was a. professional dancer in New York. He was corner loafer. but I made a man out of him, making him work, and even spending $1,o00 to get him out of jail in Atlantic City" he said. "On this trip to Saran-c Lake this boy accompanied me. I left him alone at the hotel with my wife and kfddies, trusting him. naturally. and then to think he went and pu.i.d a rotten deal like this on me-" He then expressed sorrow over ths affair and repeated the version ef the shooting he gave to Prosecutor Hart.
 A woman who called at the local (Continued on Page Twol