New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-02-04
loves YOUNG DREAM
RUDELY DISTURBED
Soul Mate Sent to Jail-AMnity
to Crittenden Home

A story Of alleged platonic love be-
tween Myer Berkowitz, 81, son OF
Morris Berkowitz of 65 Smauey
street, and Charlotte Ringquist, a IL
-year-old Nevington girl, did not Wis
IDLY impress Judge James T. 'Mesklll
in police court this morning and de-
spite the pleas Of Berkowitz and the
arguments of his counsel. A. A.
Greenberg, the young man was sent
to Jail for 60 days and the girl was
sent to the Crittenden Home in New
Haven. Berkowitz appealed his case
to the superior court in bonds of
$500.
The denouem of Berkowitz
and the Ringquist girl came as the
result Of information given the po-
lice by the proprietor of Main
street rooming house. The matron
Of the rooming house testified this
morning that about 10 days ago the
couple came to her, explained that
they were married, and rented q
room. In proof of their alleged
marriage, the girl explained that he-
husband was of a different faith and
nationality and because she could not
understand the language of his peo-
pie she did not care to live with
them. On Saturday, after noting q
series of suspicious incidents, the ma =
tron notified Policeman Hartford L.
Dart, who investigated the case. He
visited the rooms occupied by the
couple about $50 O'Clock Saturday
evening and was informed that they
Wero really married, but their GER
tificate was at Berkowitz's home on
Smalley street. Later the policeman
said, Berkowitz admitted that they
were not married and said, For
Gods sake, were not married, and
you'll be doing us big favor if you
let us go"
Girl Only II Years Old.
Although the Ringquist girl, who
is exceptionally pretty, declared she
is 8 years of age, her father testi-
fed that she passed her 18th birth
day only on September 2. He also
declared that sine meeting Berko-
WITT he has been unable to make her
behave. Despite his protestahons
that the Snalley3 street man was not
q fit companion for her, the girl in
sisted on receiving him, the father
said, and over week ago left home.
In her own behalf, the young girl
testified that she has known Berko-
WITT for five months, has kept steady
company with him since she first met
him and became engaged to him
shortly after making his acquaint-
ance. The girl said that it was she
who rented the room on Main street
and it was at her request that Ber-
kowitz came to live with her because
+@ Low,
thermore, the girl said, she ran away
from home because She couldn't
live without Mr.. Berkowitz and
wanted to move where 1 could be
with him all of the time" To other
questions the girl said that Berl1o-
WITT had told her he loved her and
would marry her only he was regis
tered in Glass 1. A. in the selective
draft and would probably have to go
to war; SO they decided to postpone
nuptials until he came back from
war.
well. your father told you Ber-
kowitz was no good and asked you
to leave him, didn't me-" queried
Prose cutor Klett
IT know, but when ] loved him,
now could I leave him alone " par
ried the girl.
Bcfkowtz, in his turn on the wit
ness stand. cOrroborated all that had
been said by the girl and said: Sure
I'll stick to her and if ] was classed
in Class II instead Of Glass ], A,
would marry her today" He then
attempted to place the entire respon-
sibility for his living with the girl as
husband and wife upon her. He said
she insisted that he stay with her
and he was afraid to, leave her for
fear she would commit suicide.
What could I do? She wouldn't
live without me and I didn't want
her to kill herself" he said.
The girl maintained that she was
entirely innocent of any misconduct
and protested that, although she had
lived continuously with BerkoWltz
for more than a week. their Assoc
Citations had been purely Dlatonic.
This the court was not inclined to
believe and Berkowitz was sentenced
to 60 days in Jail, while the girl was
sentenced to the Crittenden Home at
New Haven.
HIyUI0IS