The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-20

LEAINGION hy., sept. lS.-II Is
now said by persons in a position to
know something of the intentions of
Col. w. C. p. Breckenridge, that in his
cross-petition in the now famous Brock
enridge-Pollard seduction and breach Of
promise suit he will deny that Miss Pol
lard can lay her downfall at his door,
and that he is in no way responsible
for her undesirable career; that he had
nothing to do with her until he knew
her character was not good.
Some weeks ago the correspondent
states he called upon Mrs. Ketchum,
the lady with whom Miss Pollard
boarded most Of her time while in Lex
ington, but that lady had gone to Chi
cago and he could not see her. Today,
however, he found her at home, and
several points Of interest which
the public heretofore has not heard, have
been secured in an interview with
Miss Hoyt, an elderly maiden lady liv-
ing with Mrs. Ketchum, who had charge
of Miss Pollard during her stay at the
Ketchum house. Miss Pollard applied
to Mrs. Ketchum for board, stating that
she had come to Lexington to attend
and always paid her board promptly,
having the money on hand on each pay
day. The girl was then about seven
teen years old, and said that she had
~, Int
that she had completed her studies and
had now concluded to take a course at
the Lexigton institute.
She had been at the house some
months when Col. Breckenridge applied
for Groom. He said he was tired stay
ing at the hotel and that he had a very
important case in court, and that he
would take his meals out Of town.
The room was furnished, and Col.
Breckenridge had been at the house at
regular intervals for nearly a week be-
fore he met, as far as Mrs. Hoyt knew,
the young lady in question. However.
it happened that the colonel took din
ner at the house one day and Miss Pol
lard was at the table. COL Breckenridge
took his seat, speaking to all as he en-
tered the room. and hence the formal
ity OF an introduction to Miss Pollard
was neglected; but to all appearances
they were strangers except it seemed
that they had possibly been introduced
at some previous occasion, and were.
therefore, acquainted. They conversed
as strangers, and neither showed signs
that were noticed Of having any &C
quaintance beyond this.
After Miss Pollard had been at Mrs.
Ketchum's six or eight months the report
came from Cincinnati that she had gone
out driving with Col. Breckenridge in
closed carriage behind two fine horses
and remained away from school all night,
She was told of this and asked for an
explanation. Miss Pollard made light of
the report and said that her uncle, a
Mr.. Oliver, who, she said, resembled Col.
Breckenridge very much, had called on
her to go with him to certain institute
In Cincinnati, where he had a child,
whose parentage was not known to the
public. No more was thought about the
matter and not until the publication of
her petition was the Ketchum house
hold reminded of what she had told
them concerning the escapade.
James Rodes paid tuition at Sayre In
stitute and called as frequently as he
was permitted to see her at Mrs. Ketch-
um's. She would permit him to stay
longer than o'clock when he would call
and always entertained him in the par
lor with the members Of the family pres
ent. She hated Rodes and called him IAN
old fool" She got a position while at
Mrs. Ketchum's at the Gazette Office.
after which she notified Rodes that she
would not receive his attentions any
longer. and about this time she had the
confidence of her landlady and was
charged no board. Col. Breckenridge oc-
cupied his room at Mrs. Ketchum's some
three or four weeks and during the time
no one of the family suspected that any
undue relations existed between the
colonel and the young woman.
The information comes from a close
friend of Col Breckenridge that he will
return to Lexington within the next
week and give such a statement 70 the
Ashland democracy as will clear him of
the charges preferred against him by
Miss Madeline Pollard.
Through the same channel the CORE
sponoe nt states that he learns that Col.
breckenridge will propose to prove that
Miss Pollard confessed TO him that she
had been ruined by James Rodes, who at
that time was defraying the expenses of
her schooling, and avowed her intention
of leading the life which she has pur-
sued. Friends OF Col Breckenridge here
are confident that he can clear himself OF
the existing scandal and signify a will
ingness to allow him to do so before
pIedging their support to any other as
pirant for congress from this district. 1t
is thought, and no doubt will prove true,
that Col. Breckenridge viii be received