Epilogue: A Tribute

For those of you who did not have the opportunity to know my Grandmother, I would like to share a pictorial tribute to her. I would also like to share a few thoughts about her and my family, along with how this account has affected me personally. Today seems an appropriate day since today is the 31st anniversary of her death. Myrtle Laxton Barnes died March 11, 1981 at the age of 86 years 5 months.

Myrtle Laxton circa 1910

Myrtle Laxton Barnes with her first baby Grover Jr. - 1918

Buddy visiting his Mother in 1943 - Outing to Mohawk Park

Grover Jr. visiting his Mother in 1943 at the Sanatorium in either Tulsa or Vinita   

Christmas 1955 - Myrtle with her children
Son, William Paul "Buddy" holding his son Bill; Daughter, Betty; Myrtle; Son, Grover Jr.

Memorial Day 1956
Grover Jr.- Myrtle-Buddy

Fall of 1956: Mike, Grover Jr.'s son; Myrtle; Grover Jr.

My Mother, Barbara Barnes and My Grandma, Myrtle Barnes

Holding her first Granddaughter - August 1957
Mike Barnes, Grandma Barnes holding Frances, and Grover Jr.

Christmas 1962
Grandma Barnes with Frances and Ellen

First Great Grandchild - First Grandchild

Four Generations

Mike with Baby Michelle, Great Grandma Barnes, Grandpa Barnes

Since I started searching for answers to the questions I always had about my Grandma Barnes, I not only learned a great deal about her, but also about my Father and Grandfather. For me personally, it has been a difficult, but at the same time, rewarding journey.

It's difficult to find out how she and her children, my Dad, Uncle and Aunt suffered at the hand of my Grandfather. It is also difficult for me to understand why she did not fight back. I don't mean physically, but emotionally. Maybe I could understand it better if I knew more about her childhood. What was it like for her to loose her father before she was born and then become part of a large blended family at the age of two? And what was she like as a young woman before meeting and marrying Grover Sr? But as it is, I just cannot understand why she went back to him after she tried to get away in 1929 when the children were small. Another thing, it was difficult finding out that my Grandfather was more despicable that any of us knew. My mother, who was equally shocked, asked me if it bothered me to know that someone like him is my blood kin. It doesn't bother me, because Grover Sr. does not define who I am as a person. However, I do believe his actions and choices ultimately contributed in shaping my life. Because of the wrong choices my Grandfather made, my Dad in turn made a choice as to how myself and my siblings were raised. 

The rewarding part for me, was a new understanding of my Dad. I loved my Father very much, but after this I have new admiration and respect for him. He was determined to give us a better family life than he had. I didn't always agree with him, but what children always agree with their parents? I know my children do not! He could be strict about so many things and obsessive about family activities, but it was the best way he knew to show how much he loved us. I admire him for the way he cared for his family, his mother and how he put the deeds of his father behind him. He never downed his father to us, he never used him or his upbringing as an excuse, he just moved forward striving to be a better man.

I still want to know more about my Grandma Barnes. I don't know if I ever will, but I have come so far and cannot rest until I search further. It saddens me that this dear woman that many of us spent so much time with and loved so very much, was someone we actually did not know. I don't think my Dad, Buddy or Betty ever really knew what she was thinking or ever had a time when they were old enough to remember talking or hear her share her feelings. I do know that she was so happy to be with her children and grandchildren. She may not have been able to say our names, we were just "Honey", but she knew who we were and she enjoyed the family outings. She enjoyed going for a ride, coming to our homes, to the lake and most of all to the malt shop for a "hamburger and Malt"! I confess it is one of my favorite memories too, only for me it was a hamburger and chocolate dipped vanilla cone!

Another thing I have learned, is that I do not believe my Grandmother always had a mental problem. I believe Grover Sr. drove her to a mental breakdown and she was just not strong enough to fight back. I wish my Dad was alive right now for me to talk to and I could have shared this journey with him. Maybe I could have made him understand how important it is to know and understand our family history.  I believe acknowledgement of past hurts and tragedy can be the beginning of healing. Also, everything we learn about our family ancestors can give us a better understanding of ourselves and the family we live and interact with.

I'd like to close sharing some of the last pictures I know of with Grandma Barnes. It is the last special memory I have of her with my Dad. Chester and I took our brand new first born child to meet his Great Grandmother. It was a special moment for me to see my Dad so proud of his grandson and so happy to share Josh with his mother. That year before she died, we had moved back to Tulsa and I was able to visit her more often. Daddy was moved to a substation in Tulsa and they had moved Grandma Barnes to a nursing home close to his work and Buddy's home. It made it easy for Daddy to check on her frequently, so I would find times to meet with him to visit her. I guess because I was a new mother I looked at my Dad in a new light. I would walk away from our visits so touched by the tenderness he had with her. When he was with her, he wasn't my Dad, he was a little boy worried and caring for his Mother. He loved her very much and he showed it not only in the way he cared for her, but in the way he looked at her. I also admire my Mother, because she supported my Dad and helped him care for her. Mother loved her as a daughter.
Myrtle Laxton Barnes may not have been an emotionally strong woman, but the love of her children gave her strength and a will to live a long life. And during that time she passed along that strength to all of us.........

I love they way Josh is holding her finger and all our hands are in the picture

Four Generations
Great Grandma Barnes, Grandpa Barnes, Frances and Baby Joshua
October, 1980

Chapter 9: Mr. and Mrs. Grover J. Barnes Sr.

Do you Grover Jerry Barnes Sr. take Arnavay D. Tyler Benge Minter Barnes Tyler to be your lawful wedded wife? Grover and Arnavay both say "I do" exactly six months after Grover was last granted a divorce from Arnie and Myrtle on the same date - June 19, 1953. Was this a romantic coincidence or another calculated move?When you read the court documents you see the restraining order the Judge authorized upon Arnie's request and you read his angry reply about her Intervening in the case between himself, Myrtle and Grover Jr. But it is just too fishy for me that the property is not divided or sold within 30 days after the June 19th judgement. Then they are married again on December 19th after the judge says all must wait six months to remarry.

May I present Mr. and Mrs. Grover J. Barnes Sr.

I was given this picture by Arnie's niece who I talked to in Sallisaw. The picture was taken December 19, 1953. I never brought up anything I knew about their relationship or the court cases. I was not there to educate her on my findings, I was there to listen and learn about their relationship from her family's viewpoint. They didn't know anything about my Grandma Barnes or all the courthouse mayhem. Her family just saw them as having a "love, hate" relationship and felt the on again, off again relationship was due to Grover's drinking. Arnie's niece is a very nice person and was very kind to welcome us into her home to share pictures and stories. She is a woman in her 70's, never married and devoted her life to education and travel, but was still very close to her family. She told me Grover's drinking would have had to cause problems in the marriage because Arnie did not drink and was against it. She also gave me a copy of Arnie's 1952 Sunday School Certificate Award. Please forgive my insert of sarcasm, but I personally find this all to be just a bit disingenuous of Miss Arnie. Of course, I believe her family was given a distorted view of their relationship and the entire situation.

Apparently sometime after this marriage, they bought property in Vian/Gore area. The home was what they called a cabin and they managed other cabins on the property. It was actually not very clear to me, but I believe they owned all the cabins. They were renting out the house on 5th Street in Tulsa and then renting/ managing the cabins in Vian/Gore. Arnie continued to work as a home health nurse and Grover Sr was still working on a line crew. Arnie's niece gave me the picture below of the Grand River Dam where he was working on line construction. She said he took a bad fall and Arnie cared for him during his rehabilitation. Despite his time off work, they were still bringing in a good income. So, there should not have been any excuses for him not paying the court ordered alimony and expenses.

Pictures of the Cabin given to me by Arnie's niece:

However, on June 20, 1955, my father, Grover Jr. filed an Application For Citation against Grover Sr. The document below, states that Grover Sr. had not paid the $15.00 per month to Grover Jr. since December, 1954 and he had not paid the institution in Vinita their payments since November, 1954. The document states that he has been asked to pay, but has "wholly failed to do so". Then on August 29, 1955, a Court Order was issued for Grover Sr. to appear in Court September 9th, 1955 to explain why he has not paid and why he should not be held in contempt of court. He was issued a summons the next day.

Unless I missed something when I went through the file to be copied, that is where the file ends. I do not know if there was a court appearance on the 9th of September, whether Grover decided to pay what he owed, or it the court date was delayed into October.

Application For Citation

What I can tell you, is Grover Sr. fell over with a probable massive heart attack on Octboer 12, 1955 and died instantly. He was at the cabin and working on it outdoors. He was alone, Arnie had gone on her home health rounds into Muskogee. Someone in one of the other cabins called for help, however, he was dead and was taken to a funeral home in Sallisaw. Since they could not get ahold of Arnie, my father was called. The story I am about to relate from my husband, was just told to me after leaving the house of Arnie's niece. In 1981, my father retired from Public Service Company of Oklahoma. My husband, Chester, was having trouble finding a job in the field of his degree, which was landscaping. Since my Dad was leaving PSO, he was able to help Chester get a job driving a truck for a crew at PSO. All the men of course knew and had worked with my Dad and there were a few that had worked with my Grandfather, Grover Sr. They said Grover Sr. was not a likable person and not easy to work for. Some had said they were with Grover Jr. they day he got the call about his Dad. He was asked to come identify the body. There was no emotion, no sadness. He went in, said something like, "yes that is my Dad", turned around and walked out.

So, once again, I have given you the facts that I know. I hope one day soon, I can go back to Sallisaw on a weekday, to check court records for any more answers or clues. However, I think we are still left hanging - a little disappointed that we do not have the complete story. It's hard to not let your imagination run wild and then threaten to take the facts of a tragic series of events and sensationalize them. 

You have listened to me since the chapter where I first introduced Arnie, share my facts and the reasons why I believe with Arnie and Grover Sr. everything was planned and calculated. Beginning when Grover Sr. plotted to take Myrtle's insurance money and put her away, while Arnie was divorcing her Second husband to the day Grover Sr. died. So, bear with me as I throw a possibly wild conclusion out there for you to consider. With Arnie's nursing education and background, could she have given him something before she left to do her Home Health Nursing rounds that would cause a heart attack?  There wasn't an autopsy done on him, and who in their right mind would suspect anything different of a 63 year old man who smoked, drank in excess and was on the overweight side? Yes I do believe it to be possible that Grover Sr. was not the only cold calculated person looking out for himself. Look at who lost the most in the situation and who came out ahead. Grover Sr. only paid a little over one year of the seven awarded years of Alimony awarded to Myrtle. With Grover gone, she didn't have to pay the rest of the alimony to Myrtle.  Arnie filed for divorce several times and was always denied sole custody of the house. With Grover Sr. gone she now has sole ownership of everything. I found the records where she kept the house on 5th street as a rental until 1976, when she sold it and I know from her niece, that she lived at the cabin in Vian until she could no longer care for herself. While Myrtle continued to live her life to the age of 87 always being cared for in either a mental institution or later a nursing home. As far as I know, there were no funds awarded after Grover's death to help care for Myrtle. Then again, you can say that the whole situation "is what it is" a man who abused his body, worked hard physically and had to have been under a great deal of stress brought on by his own lifestyle of deceit.

So, I would really like to hear from you. What would be your conclusion of the missing pieces? What kind of relationship do you think Grover Sr. and Arnie really had? Share with me your theories about  the Judge's final ruling which was basically a ruling of compromise.

I was taught by my parents that even in bad situations, God will bring good from it. I have shared so much sadness, so much anger, hurt and wrong doings, that I believe I need to end on a positive note. I would actually like to end this account with a tribute in the following epilogue..............

Chapter 8: Barnes vs Barnes AND the Intervener

Before Grover Sr. is Summons on January 20, 1953 to appear in court, Myrtle Barnes' son and newly appointed guardian, Grover Jr. files a petition on behalf of her on December 30, 1952. The defendant, Myrtle, is asking the court to vacate and set aside the decree of divorce that was rendered against her on December 12, 1947. Grover Jr. is accusing Grover Sr. of frauduantly obtaining a divorce from Myrtle during the time she was committed to the asylum for the incompetent while acting as her legal Guardian. The following petition is long, however, it gives a detailed account of Grover Jr.'s accusations against his father, Grover Sr. Here is a brief list of the accusations:

1. Fraudulent divorce on December 12, 1947
2. Allegations within the proceedings were false and fraudulent
3. Fraudulent statement of both parties not sharing property and why
4. The appointed Guardian ad litem, W. O. Moffett was not authorized to act as her attorney and he also did not represent her best interest
5. Grover Sr. never disclosed to the Court at the time he filed the petition, that he was legal guardian of  his wife, Myrtle
6. Grover Sr. was not residing in Tulsa County. At the time he filed his petition, he was living in Los Angelas County of California. At this point, I doubt that my father knew that Grover Sr. admitted he was living with Arnie in California, before a different Judge when Arnie filed for divorce from him back in May of 1952. I say that because, I would have thought that would have been another accusation listed in this Petition.

Petition To Vacate Decree

The following document is Grover Sr.'s Answer to this petition. Notice in this document under the fifth statement, Grover Sr. gives a detailed account of how he believes his son, Grover Jr., is doing this for the sole purpose of malice toward himself.

After this, on April 25, 1953, a Subpoena and Praecipe for Subpoena is issued to Quincy J. Jones and W. P. Barnes as witness for Plaintiff, Grover Barnes Sr., and to appear in court May 5, 1953. I hope my Legal Council can shed some light on this, because I'm not sure I understand this. The legal definition for Praecipe for Subpoena is to demand someone to do something or show cause why he or she should not. Unless it has something to do with neither men wanting to be a witness for the Plaintiff. I know that W. P. (Buddy), supported his brother Grover Jr. and they shared the same feelings about their parents. Now Quincy Jones was Grover Sr.'s attorney at the questionable 1947 divorce hearing. The only thing I know about Quincy Jones is what I researched about him on the internet. He was a prominent lawyer in Tulsa during the 1930's and 1940. He was retired at the time and he died less than a year after this Subpoena was issued. His obituary says he died after a lengthy illness of cancer, so he was more than likely sick at this time. There is nothing in the file to show if this appearance actually took place on May 5th of 1953. 

The next document jumps to May 16th, 1953. 

It is an Amendment To Petition issued by Grover Barnes, Sr.

Apparently, Arna Vay has changed her mind about setting aside the divorce granted December, 1952. Now she has decided to file an order to Intervene. The following document shows she needs to set up and establish any and all claims that she may have to the property both real and personal involved in this action and to be granted any and all other relief which to the court seems right and proper.

Order Permitting Arnavay Barnes  To Intervene

Dated May 21, 1953

The next day, on the 22nd of May, 1953, Grover Sr. files a Motion to Vacate the Order. However, he is denied and a restraining order is filed by Arnie, against him. He is restrained from causing her bodily harm, disposing of Assets and coming to the property they own and where they both have been residing, at 1412 E. 5th St. in Tulsa.

Arnie then files a Motion stating she believes she has grounds for divorce and would like to see it settled within the lawsuit between Grover Sr. and Myrtle Barnes. the following Motion:

On June 10th, 1953, Grover Sr. files his Answer to Petition of Intervener

 The document below is an Answer and Cross-Petition filed by Grover Jr., in behalf of his Mother, Myrtle Barnes. This petition finally allows Myrtle, along with Grover Jr., to answer Grover Sr.'s allegations from 1947. This time Grover Sr.'s relationship with Arnie, before the marriage took place January, 1948 in Los Angeles, is addressed. He is not only being accused of gross neglect in his duty as Guardian, but as an Adulterer. Grover Jr. also wants to prove that Myrtle should have an interest in the house on 5th Street. Since he believes Grover Sr. was still married to Myrtle, then it was their joint ownership of funds that purchased the house.

 On June 10, 1953, Grover Sr. comes back and of course, denies each and every allegation contained in the above document.   Then on the 11th of June, three doctors appointed by Judge Elmer Adams of Tulsa County, where asked to examine Myrtle Barnes. They stated their findings concerning Myrtle Barnes, who was currently a patient of Eastern State Hospital in Vinita. She was found by them to be suffering from a chronic form of mental illness and it was their opinion that she was incurable and would never be able to be cared for outside of a mental hospital.

By June 16th, the trial concerning Grover Sr. vs Myrtle Barnes, by way of her Guardian Grover Jr, along with the Intervener, Arnavay Barnes, drew to a close and Judge Elmer Adams handed down his Judgement. The way I understand the following Decree of Divorce, Judge Adams did not find favor with just one party. I will list below a recap of Judge Adams' final judgement.

1. Grover Sr. and Arnavay were legally married on January 3rd, 1948 in Los Angeles, California
2. Grover Sr. is entitled to a divorce from Myrtle by reason of the fact that she has been adjudged as incurably incompetent and had been for at least five (5) years before May 18, 1953.
3. Grover Sr. must pay to Myrtle for a period of seven (7) years, the sum of $60.00 per month for her support. Of that $60.00, $45.00 would go directly to the institution and then $15.00 to Grover Jr., her Guardian. (Grover Jr. had asked for twelve (12) years.
4. Arnavay Barnes is granted a divorce from Grover Sr. All cash on hand is to be divided among them and Grover Sr. is to pay Arnavay $700.00 for personal property.
5. Arnavay is denied Alimony payments.
6. Burial Lots in Muskogee are to be divided between Grover Sr. and Myrtle. However, the house and property at 1412 E. 5th St. in Tulsa is awarded to Arnavay and Grover Sr.
7. Arnavay and Grover Sr. are given thirty (30) days to either sell the property or buy one another out. If not, the Court will handle the division.
8. Grover Sr. is to pay for Myrtle's attorney fees of $150.00 and Arnavay's attorney fees of $100.00 by July 1, 1953.
9. The Judge also decrees that the bonds of matrimony are dissolved between Grover Sr. and Myrtle and Grover Sr. and Arnavay. Neither of the three parties are allowed to remarry for six (6) months from the date of June 19, 1953. Arnavay also asked to restore her name to her maiden name and the Judge granted her request.
10. Grover Sr. was allowed to keep his 1952 Chevrolet one-half ton pick-up truck as his separate property. Arnavay was allowed to keep the household furniture as her separate property.

 Decree of Divorce

I wish I could tell you that all the parties involved went their separate ways and lived happily ever after, but I can't. I can't even tell you absolutely, positively for sure what actually happened. I can show you the documents and share with you what I was told by my parents and what I have been told in the past few weeks, however, we are all going to end up drawing our own conclusions as to what exactly happened between Grover, Myrtle, his three children and Arnavay. The answers to many of the questions are literally dead and buried.

I personally think that Grover Sr. hadn't any idea as to how to be a husband or father and resented Myrtle and his children very early in their marriage. I think he was a con artist, a lier, a cheat, a drunk and a womanizer. Myrtle was a meek, mild woman and I believe he took advantage of it and drove her to a nervous breakdown. He seized the opportunity to rid himself of her, take her money and sever a relationship with his children. 

At first I couldn't understand the connection of Arnavay purchasing the house on 5th Street in 1945 and then allowing Grover Sr. to put his name on the deed in 1952. Why would she do this when she had filed for divorce before and then again twice after that date. Was there an agreement between them or did he con her? I think you will have to draw your on conclusion about this also. But I can tell you that I think everything he did was a calculated move to benefit himself and himself only. I think he used and probably abused Arnavay, but at the same time, she didn't appear to have any regard for Myrtle or Grover Sr.'s children. She appears to me to have been set on obtaining as much as she could from Grover Sr, no matter what it cost. As far as the house goes, I think my father was right about the money paid for on the house on 5th street coming from money acquired while Grover Sr. was married to Myrtle. I think Grover Sr. gave Arnavay the money to purchase the house so it could not be tied back to him while he was pursuing a divorce from Myrtle. With what I have found out about Grover Sr. and Arnavay, I believe he had something to hold over her, in order to force her to put Grover Sr.'s name on the property in 1952.

Well, I will stop here. I have given you much to read and much to digest. I promise, the conclusion in the next chapter will be much shorter............

Chapter 6 Postscript: From A Legal Perspective

I consulted with local counsel for interpretation of the legal documents thus far. I wanted to share her insights with you. I believe her legal and historical information will clarify a great deal for us. It will give us a broader perspective of what was actually happening when you are reading the context of the legal documents.

 The following are her legal perspectives:

1. Oklahoma law at the time of filing for the divorce required a statement of fault called a "ground for divorce" by the filing party.  Oklahoma at that time did not have a "no-fault" provision as we do today. What frequently happened when a person wanted a divorce was a tragedy. Much deception occurred in the petitions to obtain a divorce. It was a common practice. The statements Grover Sr.  made were actually the kindest available under law during that era. Many times unfound allegations of adultry or insanity were used. Domestic violence wasn't even considered an appropriate ground (reason) for the era.                                                                                                                                                                                                 Since Myrtle was incompetent she did not have the legal ability to file for divorce even if she wished to do so.  Grover Sr. as the filing party had to have a ground.  Since he was plaintiff he could not use the reason of his infidelity because adultry was punishable. Also your historical detailing indicates he was a bigamist which was also a punishable crime. So, it would be unfair to view Grover Sr.'s actions based on Oklahoma law today as cruel for that era. Not that I am defending any of his actions. Just explaining the viewpoint of Oklahoma law for the period the divorce was filed within. 
2. The divorce was effective the moment the Judge signed the Decree/Order. The 6 month period referred to another marriage not be considered valid until 6 months from the date of the decree/order of divorce being granted. It is odd wording for the era, but this is an accurate translation of the language used from the legal perspective. 
3. An incompetent (then known as insane) person had very few legal rights.  It was not uncommon for husbands to have wives placed under guardianships to be "rid" of them. 

Again, my counsel said "we need to  remember the era". When Grover and Myrtle were married in 1915, women were basically property of their husbands and women's rights were a new thing. She pointed out that the right to vote was not formally amended until August 18, 1920.

The information she shared is sad and unfair, but it is the truth. The facts and truth of history are not always what we want to hear, but it is what it is - the truth.

Chapter 7: Barnes VS. Barnes

Now in the same year, 1952 and on the 13th day of November, my father, Grover J. Barnes Jr., files a petition against his father Grover J. Barnes Sr. As the son of Myrtle Laxton Barnes, Grover Jr. accuses his father, Grover Sr. of neglectling his guardianship duties. This filing was in the Sealed Guardianship File. However, let me recap the dates of the Divorce case between Grover Sr. and Arnie that I shared in the last chapter. The court issued a judgement dated November 25th, 1952 in Arnie's favor; she files an Appeal asking to be awarded more than what the Judge orders on November 25, 1952; On the same day, the Judge Over rules her;  then December 4th, 1952 Grover Sr. and Arnie jointly agree to dismiss the divorce. Now I will continue on with the petition my father filed.

I am not sure whether my parents knew Arnie and Grover Sr. were in the middle of divorce proceedings when my father filed his petition on November 13, 1952.  My mother has trouble remembering details right now, but when I heard the story told years ago about my father forcing his Dad to help take care of my Grandma Myrtle Barnes, their divorce was never part of the story.  But apparently, Grover Jr., Buddy and Betty found out at some point, that Grover Sr. had divorced their mother Myrtle while he was acting guardian and married Arnie. Grover Jr. also accuses him of not paying Myrtle's bills with the money awarded him in the Guardianship hearing. Therefore the following petition was filed to remove Grover Sr. as Guardian of Myrtle and a request for Grover Jr. to become her guardian. Also, Grover Jr. wanted restitution from Grover Sr. and to prove that he was not legally divorced from Myrtle.
My brother, Mike, shared a story with me that I have probably heard hundreds of times from my parents while growing up. However, he shared the story from his perspective, it was a part of the story that I had never heard before. During this Fall of 1952, Mike would have been 7, nearly 8. He remembers our Dad driving somewhere to meet Grover Sr. Mike was in the front seat and my Mom in the back. He knew this man was his Grandfather, but it was the first and only time he would ever remember seeing him. My parents said Grover Sr. asked to see Mike, but my Dad would only agree to just that; he could only come to the car to look at him. Mike remembers my father arguing with Grover Sr., but mostly pleading him to help with our Grandma Barnes. He remembers it being the first and one of the few times he would ever see his Dad cry. He remembers what my parents always told us our Dad said to our Grandfather that day. He told Grover Sr., "I will never raise him that way you raised us or do to my family what you did to yours!"
Since Mike's memory is so strong, I'd like to believe it is 1952 and my Dad went to Grover Sr. before he filed the papers at the courthouse. Knowing my father as I do, I can imagine he gave Grover Sr. a chance to do the right thing before taking him to court. Mother and Mike cannot remember exactly what Grover Sr. said, but apparently he, along with Arnie refused my Dad's pleas for help.

The following is the Petition filed November 13, 1952 at the Tulsa County Court House.

Since my Dad is accusing Grover Sr. of misuse of the Guardianship funds, the Court requests on November 25, 1952, a hearing concerning the annual account along with the consideration of his resignation as Guardian of Myrtle Barnes.

Grover Sr. submits his Annual Account of Guardian and Application for Approval of Resignation

In the following Account and Administration report, Grover Sr. finally answers to how he has spent the money allocated for Myrtle's care including how he spent Myrtle's Insurance money.

Court reconvened on December 8, 1952 and the Judge made his judgement. Fortunately for Myrtle and Grover, Jr., the Judge removed Grover Sr. as Guardian. However, he dismissed Grover Jr.'s allocation of misuse of the funds. The Judge accepted Grover Sr.'s Guardianship Account.

The following is the Court documents from the December 8, 1952 hearing:

Grover Jr. was not able to convince the judge that Grover Sr. was not performing his duties as Guardian for Myrtle and misused the funds. But now as Myrtle's legal guardian, Grover Jr. will move forward with more legal allocations against his Dad, Grover Sr. 

Chapter 8 will begin January 10, 1953 with a new summons for Grover Sr. to once again appear in court.