The New York herald., 1922-08-27
WIDOW OF BERGEN,
SLAINBY KLINE, Says.
He GOT HIS DESERTS
Asserts She Was Deserted
With a Child, Husband
Posing as Unmarried.
NO GOOD HER VERDICT
Father Of Kline, Said to Be
Rich, Hurries on to Aid
His Son.
EDGEWATER BACKS HIM
Two Women Weep Together
in Police Station and Solace
Each Other.
EDGEWATER BACKS HIM

Though tho death certificate OF
"Jack" Bergen, shot and killed by
George Kline at Kline's home In Edge,
water Friday night, stated that Bergen
was single. a Mrs. Mary Bergen OF
119 West 128th street went to the
Edgewater police station yesterday
and said she was Bergen's wife. She
told the police further that five years
ago. soon after the birth of a daugh-
ter, Bergen deserted her. At present
she is living with her father. Hugh
Gribbin, and two brothers.
HE was never any good. and got
what he deserved Mrs. Bergen is
said to have told the police. She added
that she would be glad to go on the
stand as a character witness for
Kline. According to Capt Dinan, who
interviewed Mrs. Bergen. her father
was formerly member of the New
York Police Department. She said
Bergen posed as single man.
Friends and relatives Of Kline are
rallying round him in Hackensack jail.
Mrs. Kline was permitted to speak with
him by Sheriff Joseph A. Kinzley Of
Bergen county.
wife of Slayer In Tears.
As Kline supported her with one arm
through the bars of his cell she wept:
''Oh. George. why did you do it?"
Never mind, don't cry. Mary" Kline
responded. Everything Will come out all
right"
AS Fred Brtier. court officer. and Capt.
Dinan led her away she soboed that
Kline was wonderful husband.
tAtelegram was received by Kline from
bis father. said to he a wealthy retired
butcher Of Philadelphia, James Kline.
The telegram read. 'Will spare no ex-
rense 10 see you receive justice. Ar
rive tonight" Mr.. Kline. Sr.. end Mrs.
Kline, mother of George Kline. were ex-
pected In Hackensack to-day.
Anybody would have done the same
thing" said Kline In the jail last night.
THE fellow was a dirty rat. / had
been his friend ever since l knew him.
got him his position, / got him clothes.
] gave him money. got. him out of
scrapes. In spite of that he attacked
my wife in my absence.
"I might have forgiven him." Kline
continued, "if he hadn't made the asser-
ton that she was a common bum"
Nathan Hale Allyn, county detective.
and other detectives and the police off,
cial photographer of the county. George
Hommel, made a thorough examination
OF the bedroom on the second floor OF
the Kline home where the struggle took
place.
The bullet with which Bergen was
killed was found lodged in the stairs
outside the room door.
The bullet. fired from a As caliber
Colt automatic. entered Berger's left
breast between the second and third
ribs. IT pierced the left lung. passing an
inch from the heart. broke the eighth
rib in back and fractured the spinal
cord. Il then passed ont of the body
and through the closed door OF the room.
Kline Never Named wntx.
II was denied last. night that Kiine's
name had formerly been watz. The
error may have arisen because Kline Is
said 10 have a sister. Mrs Rita Walsh.
who conducts "A dancing academy in
Carnegie Hall.
Tho dead mans mother. Mrs. Ellen
Bergen of 2f4 East f15th street. called
at the Edgewater morgue accompanied
by her son Joseph and an undertaaker
said to he Edgar ]. Donaghue Of 1866
Washington avenue. Bergen's body was
removed to New York.
The mother weepingly praised her son
as q model boy. She said she never
had trouble with him. Her statements
were shared by Joseph Bergen. her
other son.
A. g, Hart, prosecutor. and Charles
j. Mccarthy. assistant prosecutor said
that Kline will have to wait his regular
turn for arraignment In the County
Court. The arrsignment will probably
not be reached until the middle OF next
geek.
According to statements made by the
dead mans wife Bergen deserted her
year after their marriage. She first
met him. che said. when both took
part In a minstrel show at st. John the
Baptist's Church. Seventy-second street,
several years ago. lie was her dancing
partner. she said
Two wives Meet I'm Jail.
Mrs. Kline. wife OF George. frail
youthful appearing woman. met Mrs.
Bergen In the Edgewater police station
meet again to solace each other.
Mrs. Bergen said her husband would
not work except as professional
dancer. She told Capt Dinan that he
first got place with tho Fox Film
Company when he was n sergeant IN the
First Field Artillery, y. g. n. " The
Fox company occasionally sent to the
New York armory Of the field artillery
at Sixty.ffth street and Broadway
Manhattan. FOR soldiers for extra parts
Ia their productions.
When the war broke out. afrs. Bergen
said. She obtained Bergen's release from
the draft by claiming dependency for
herself and child for him.
Kline was convinced yesterday by III.
G. Hart. Prosecutor for Bergen county,
n. j.. that his first story Of how he
killed John Bergen in Edgewater on
Friday night was too vulnerable, so
COutIuucd on Pare SIX.