Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-02

Mrs. Luke p. Blackburn May BE an
Important Wftucaa


special dispatch from Lexington. KY.
to the New York World today says:
Several important facts have come to
light in connection with Miss Madeline Pol
lard's suit against Representative W. c. p.
Breckenridge.
1t seems that when the suit was brought
Gen. Basil Duke was interviewed by q re-
porter of a Louisville paper. Col Breckin-
ridge served with Gen. Duke during the
war. and the two have been warm friends
for a period anterior even to that. Gen
Duke naturally plead for suspension of
Judgment and while not expressing the be-
lief that there was no foundation for such
an action discredited the charge of seduc-
ton. In short he made the best defense he
could make for his friend.
Soon after this interview appeared it is
said Gen. Duke received letter from Mrs
Blackburn. widow of Gov. Luke p. Black
burn. Owing to the close relations that
Gen. Duke had with the late Gov Black
burn, and the no less cordial friendship
which had always 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 under
taken to defend Col. Breckinridge
She went on to say in substance that the
latter had told her of his engagement with
Miss Pollard. had placed Miss Pollard under
her Chaperonage, and had specially re-
quested Mrs. Blackburn's kindest considera-
tlOH LOT MISS fOliarQ, on the ground that
she would soon become Mrs. BRECKENRIDGE
Mrs. Blackburn of course, entirely uncon-
scious of the relations existing between the
two. accepted the charge, permitted Miss
Pollard to share all the social recognition
she herself received. and even invited her
to accompany herself and Mrs. Zane to the
springs.
Mrs. Blackburn was indignant beyond ex-
preston when the disclosures made by the
suit appeared in the papers. In her letter
to Gen. Duke she freely expressed her deep
sense of wrong and outrage, and character
ICED the conduct of Col. Breckinri ridge in the
strongest terms she could commani Sine
concluded with the declaration thai were
her husband alive he would hold Bceckin-
ridge personally accountable for tie in
dignity and insult she had been offered
1t appears further that Senator Joe Hlack
burn, who was half brother to the late Gov
Blackburn, became acquainted with the re
lations existing between Col. Breckenridge
and Miss Pollard, and when he heard how
Mrs. Blackburn had been imposed on he
declared on several occasions and without
secrecy that he intended holding Ereckin
ridge responsible for his con 1uct The sui
followed however, and The presumption 1.
that Senator Blackburn decided to await II.
result before taking action.
Mrs. Luke Blackburn and Mrs. Zane. hel
widowed sister, have spent their winters In
Washington for several years. Should the
case come to trial during the life of Mrs
Blackburn she will prove an important
witness.
Though shrinking in womanly modesty
from the ordeal and deeply deploring the
notoriety, she is reported as being so indig
nant that she will not hesitate to respond
to a summons for her presence in court
Her testimony will be corroborated. IL cor
roboration is needed. by the evidence o.
Mrs. Zane, who Is cognizant Of the facts