The evening world., 1894-03-08
BRECKENRIDGE TRIAL.
Kentucky's Eloquent Congress-
man at the Bar.
In Miss PolIard's $50, 900 Breach
OF Promise Suit.
Jury Obtained To- Day-The Case to
Go On To- Morrow.
(By Associated Press)

WASHINGTON. D.. c., March S.-The
dinEy little white Court-House OF the
District of Columbia, an old IA shioned
specimen of architecture, standing in
Judiciary Square, fronted by imposing
white marble pillars and overlooking a
statue of Abraham Lincoln. will be the
theatre for weeks to colne of the most
sensational episode OF litigation known
to the passing generation Of Washing
tonians.
Congressman W. C.. p. Breckenridge.
long titled the silver-tongued orator of
Kentucky, son of a Presbyterian minis
ter, veteran Of the Confederate army, a
member Of one Of the most distinguished
families of his State, and heretofore
conspicuous as a politician and church
man. began to-day the role OF defendant
In a suit for $4,000 damages for breach
of promise and seduction brought by
Miss Madeline Pollard, also a Ken
tucklan.
Last August this suit was filed. a few
days after the second marriage of Col.
Breckenridge. Since then both parties
to the suit have been engaged In taking
testimony in Kentucky and Cincinnati,
the attorneys for Miss Pollard endeavor-
ing to substantiate her assertions that
Col. Breckinridge sedlced her when a
girl I'm a seminary at Cincinnati, was the
father of her. three children. and had
made repeated promises to marry her,
while the statements secured by MI.
Breckenridge tend to blacken the char
acter OF the plaintiff.
Miss Pollard for a year held a clerical
position In the Census Bureau at Wash
ington. and has done much writing for
the newspapers, sometimes under the
name of MADELINE. Ninton Pollard, and
occasionally as Madeline Breckenridge
Pollard. During the months between the
fling OF the suit and Its trial she has
lived in n house Of refuge of the ,Epis-
Copal church in Washington, and her
brother. who was editor of a weekly
paper in Kentucky, has been in the city
as her adviser.
Judge bradley tries the case. For Miss
Pollard appear two of the best known
Washington, attorneys, Judge Jere NJ.
Wilson and Calderon carlisle. Col.
Breckenridge. II IL understood, will take
a leading part In his own defense, with
the able assistance he will receive from
tol PM Thompson, an ex-congressman
from Kentucky. who is "A brilliant law
yer. Col. Enoch Totten, one OF the
strongest Washington attorneys, who
was to have acted with IN. defense, is in
Florida because OF weak health, aud will
not return until the LIB. for which rea-
son the defense has unsucCessfully en-
~deavored to secure a further postpone
ment of the trial.
one OF the most active workers In the
arrangement Of the defense Is a son of
Col. D~reckinridge. who has been untiring
In his efforts In his fathers behalf. The
Issue OF the charges against the Con
gresham is considered Of the most vital
Importance to him, since his campaign
for reelection to his seat will he con-
Quoted this Summer. In Washington So
cicty, and particularly in Kentucky
circles, the greatest interest Ia manifested
In the case.
Half an hour before 10 o'clock, the
time for the court &c open. the corridors
Hwarmed with curious people, endeavnr.
irE by every device. to pass the gauntlet
of doorkcepers.. Among the curious
wer. several old ladies. half ashamed
courtroom That Judge Bradley had Civ.
en orders to exclude every one hut those
having n legitimat" interest In the case
First on the scene Of active PARTED.
pants In the case w"re the attorneys
for Mias Pollard. Mcssrs. Wilson and
Sricuous parsonage OF all, Col. Breck
inridge. Of Kentucky, arrived. There
was n ruddy glow OF health on his
face, fringe6 by the snow white bearC
and locks. which would make him 4
figure 10 he noted In any aSsemhlage
He was accompanied by Ben Butter
worth, the well-krown eX-CongreSsmar
from Ohio. who had been engaged t.
take the place OF Col. Totten in tn,
defense.
COL. Breckenridge sauntered over to the
reporters table. where he shook hand
with some of his friends.
How are YOU feeling, Colonel?' on,
Of them asked First rate?"
u hould say | was" was the answer
There was no trouble in securing {
jury for the case. and after the Jury wa!
sworn the trial went over till tomorrow