Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-09-04


and the TWO have been warm friends
for period anterior even TO that Gen.
Duke naturally plead for q suspension
OF judgment, and while not expressing
the belief that there was no foundation
for such an action discredlted the charge
OF seduction. In short, he made tho
best defense he could for his ftfend.
Soon after this interview appeared IN
Is said Gen. Duke received letter from
Mrs. Blackburn. Owing TO the close re->
lations which Gen. Duke had with the
late Gov. Luke L. Blackburn and the
no less cordial friendship which had al
ways existed between Mrs. Blackburn
and himself and his family, that lady
felt justified In addressing him on the
delicate subject. She told him that had
he known the facts he would not have
und ertaken TO defend Col. Breckin-
ridge. She went on 20 say In substance
thar the letter had told her OF his en-
gagement with Miss Pollard, had placed
Miss Pollard under her chaperonago,
and had especially requested Mrs.
Blackburn's kindest consideration OF
Miss Pollard, on the ground that she
would soon become Mrs. Breckenridge.
unconscious OF the relations existing
between the TIVE. accepted the charge
permitted Miss Pollard to>eSare all tho
social recognition she her, received
and eyeninYitel- "s-AW 49,
self and Mrs. Zano
Blackburn was inu
preston when the d.
the suit appeared Ia
her letter TO Gen. Duke
pressed her deep sense
outrage, and characterized
of Col. Breckinridgo insth.
terms she could command.
cluded with the declaration tha
her husband alive he would hold
inrldge personally accountable iol
indlgnlty and insult she had been
fered.
II appears further that Senator j
blackburn, who was baf.brother to th
late Gov. Blackburn, became scquaintet
with the relations existing between Coi.
Rreckinrldge aud Miss Pollard. and
when he heard how Mrs Blackburn
had been imposed on no declared on
several occasions and without secrecy
that he Inte fed holding Breckenridge
responsible 10, his conduct The ali 4.
followed, however, and tho presump-
tIon is that Senator Blackburn decided
TO await its result btfore taking action.
Mrs. Luxe Blackburn has always
held high position In society. Sho
was a Miss Churchill, OF English stock,
and collaterally descended from the Ia
nous Duke Of Marlborough. John
Churchill, one OF the younger sons OF
the family, came TO this country about
the middle OF the last century and set
tied in MlddIesex county, Va. The old
homestead is still there. a well pre-
served relic Of Colonial architecture.
The Kentucky branch OF the family
have all been persona OF wealth and
social Importance. Mrs. Blackourn
aud Mrs. Zane. her widowed sister,
have spent their winters In Washing
ton for several years and were recog-
nized leaders OF the Southern society OF
that city.
The late Gov. Luke p. Blackburn be-
came famous both a. a physician aud q
pollticlsn. He was courageous 70 rash-
ness and would have resented The
slightest reflection upon any msnper OF
HIS family.
The opinion prevails thAtif the cass
ever comes 10 trial II will not be tried Ia
Washington. The Constitution pro-
yides tina, "Senators and represents,
tlyes shall, in all cases except treason'
felony and breach OF the peace, be priv
ileged from arrest during their attend
epce az the sessions Of their respective
House and 10 going 70 and returning
from the same. The Supreme Court mas
decided that the privilege eIemps
| Congressman from tho Ooiiga-
ton OF answering civil g.
well as q criminal process under the
conditions stated, rs arrest IL known
"A a civil as well as a criminal process.
| II "a urobable that Col. Brsckinridge
| will take advantage OF this clause and
plead bis privilege. In such an eyens
the case would be dismissed WHOM
nreiudlce and al action Instituted else
Where. or a new service served Ia
Washington al some Tina Shen she ~
fendant is not In ''sttendance On 'Hs
sessions OF Congress
Should the ease cone 70 tnai ouIIss
the life OF Mrs. Blackburn sne wiz
nroye an important witness Ihonga
saripkIpg, 10 womsnly modssty, from
the ordeal. and dseply deploring tne ~
torfety. she 10 reported a. being 20 IN
6Ienant that sns will not hesitate 70 TO
snond 20 a summons for Der presence IN
eonrt Her testimony will be corroo'
Grated II confederation 10 needed, %
the evidences OF Mrs. Zane. who u cogEi'
z.nt Of hhe facts and was liksriie
uf~.fr,, ~ the fodfQpfty.