Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-09-15
Brcckinridge,s Defense.

Congressman Breckenridge has writ
ten letters to his friends in Lexington
Ky, in which he outlines his plans CT
defense against Miss Madilene Pol
lard's suit. In letter to one Of his
most intimate associates Mr.. Breckin-
ridge states that he will deny the
truth of the plaintiffs charge that an
engagement ever existed between the
two, or was ever discussed, or even
limited at by either. The defendant
will deny that he ever stated that he
was engaged to Miss Pollasd or intro
duced her as his fancee.
Colonel Breckenridge denounced as
false the statement that he introduced
Miss Pollard into Washington society,
or was in any way responsible for the
imposition the gay Kentucky girl prac-
ticed on the Washington 400. AS to
the charge that be is the cause of the
wayward girls downfall, fiat denial
will be recorded under oath. He will
also declare that he is in no way re-
sponsible for her undesirable career,
and asserts that ne had nothing TO do
with her until he knew her character
was not good.
1t is also said that Colonel Breckin-
ridge will propose to prove that Miss
Pollard confessed to him that she had
been betrayed by James Rodes, and
avowed her intention of leading the
lite which she had pursued. Rodes paid
her tuition at Sayre Institute, and call
ed as frequently as he was permitted to
see her mt Mrs. Ketchum's. She would
never permit Mr. Breckenridge to
stay longer than 8 o'clock, and
would always entertain him in the par
lor with the members of the family
present. She hated Rodes and called
him an "old fool"
She got position while at Mrs. Ket-
chum's at the Gazette office, after
which she notified Rodes that she
would not receive his attention any
longer.
1t is reported in Lexington that Miss
Pollard intends to enter the Theatrical
profession after the trial comes oil, and
will interpret only romantic roles, and
that a dramatist is already at work on
play for her.
According to Colonel Breckenridge,
the manner in which Miss Pollard was
introduced into Washington society is
entirely different from the stories in re-
gard TO her debut, which, it is claimed,
originated from the widow Of the late
Governor Blackburn.
.rhc colonel denies having been the
power that made Miss Pollard a vel
come guest at the best gatherings at
the capital Col Breckenridge explains
the matter in this way He says that
while the widow Of a distinguished ad-
mira was visiting the inmates OF a
house of visitation in Washington she
met Miss Pollard.
By the use of her splendid conversa-
tioual powers Miss !Pollard succeeded in
attracting the attention and at tine same
time engaging the interest and the
friendship of the admiral's widow. She
invited Miss Pollard TO her home and
introduced her to several members of
the Bayard family. They in turn pre-
scnted her to number of society peo-
pie, and soon the ambitious young
woman had the entree to the most ex-
elusive circles of Washington society.
Mrs. Ketchum, at whose house Miss
Pollard boarded while in Lexington,
says that Colonel Breckenridge once
took rooms there, remaining three or
four weeks, but he and the girl never
appeared much in each others COM
pany.