New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-01-03
ENGULFED IN POOL
OF W0MAN'S TEARS.
Sympathetic Man, Protector Of
Widow, Lands in Court

Five years ago, Peter. Markow.
aged II years, not having heard
from his wife in Austria for about
nine years and feeling moved to do
q favor for the widow OF good
friend with whom he had worked
for many years, made oyertures for
the friendship of Mrs. Katherine
Kist, a resident Of New Jersey. She
was BROKE" according to Markows
testimony in police court this morn
ing when he was arraIgned on charg-
es of drunkenness and breach OF the
peace. and after they had taken sew
eral drinks, she accepted his offer Of
support and protection In her widow
hood and they took up the married
state without becoming legally join
ed in wedlock.
In Elizabeth. N. j.. where they
made their home. a daughter was
born and Markow provided for her
through infancy and in every way
carried out his parental obligations
Several weeks ago, however, he was
arrested on complaint Of Mrs. Kist.
and during the hearing in court it
developed that they had not been
married. although he had promised
Mrs. kist to take her as his legal
wife. She learned that the reason
he did not keep his promise was
that he had wife and son in Aus
tria, and when she confronted him
with the reports she had heard. he
admitted their truth. The judge in
the Elizabeth court ordered them to
discontinue their mode of living, ac-
cording to the testimony this morn
ing. but Mrs. Kist wept and carried
on like a truly grieved sweetheart,
Markow told Judge Alling, and he
weakened and accompanied her to
the home of her sister at 20S Hart
ford avenue, this city, about three
weeks ago.
Mrs. Kist's sister disclaimed
knowledge of the circumstances IN
der which the couple had been liv-
ing for the past five years. when
questioned by Judge Alling and
claimed to have learned them only
her sister had become widowed and
on learning that she was living with
Markow, she assumed she had mar
ried him.
Saturday night, Markow became
intoxicated. Mrs. Kist made this
statement in her testimony and Mar
kow admitted it. She said he tried
to wreck their tenement and threat
ened to set fire to the house. He,
however. testified that he announced
his intention of obeying the order Of
the Elizabeth judge and went so far
as to check his trunk and purchase
a. ticket to New York, but Mrs. Kist
or someone else telephoned to the
railroad station and forestalled his
departure. wherepuon he became
angered and went back to the tene-
ment and gave vent to his wrath.
Supernumerary Officer Carroll
testified that he was called to the
tenement Saturday evening and ar
rived in time to see Markow throw
a rocking chair into the back yard.
Taking him inside the house, the
officer questioned him about the
trouble and learned the details of the
life of the principals since they met
FIVE years ago. He testified to find
ing dining room chairs broken and
the bed stripped to the mattress
but was unable to uncover evidence
to substantiate charge that incen-
diarism was contemplated by Mar
kow.
In reply to Judge Alling, Markow
said he does not know that his wife
is alive, as a friend made an effort
some time ago to locate her without
success. He believes his II year old
SON Is with the mother II they are
living. He said he wanted to obey
the order of the Elizabeth judge but
he was overcome by Mrs. Kist's dem
onstration of sadness and affection,
Judge Alling found him guilty as
charged and imposed a fine Of 81
and costs. He also ordered him to
live apart from Mrs. kist.