The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-30

p. Breckenridge faced Madeline Pollard,
his accuser, in circuit court of the Dis
trict Of Columbia to- day and told part
of his version Of their intercourse. The
morning session OF court was passed in
reading dispositions by the defense and
hearing the testimony of TWO witnesses
who wero introduced by the plaintiff to
impeach the evidence of Brant and
Kaufman, the freq tiers Of houses of
iu-fame in Lexington, who said they
had known Miss Pollard as an inmate of
one Of them
The courtroom filled rapidly after
recess, for the word had gone round that
Colonel Breckenridge would probably
take the stand before two o'clock. APP
plications for admission were many,
and 1t was noticeable that old men we're
in the majority. When court convened
every seat inside the bar WAS filled with
lawyers and outsiders who had the
necessary pull, and the few seats in the
spectators space were occupied.
Nothing of interest occurred In the
proceedings until Colonel Breckenridge
took the stand. To Major Butterworth
he said he was born in Baltimore fifty
six ears ago; moved to Kentucky and
obtained diploma from Danville (Ky J
University. He was married, he said :,
on ST Patricks day, March II, 1859, and
his first wife died in April, 1860, Just
after the birth Of her child. He said he
entered the Confederate service under q
provisional order by Gen John II. Nor.
gan, authorizing him to raise company
in Georgetown, Ky, and passed through
various grades until he became colonel
OF tho Ninth kentucky Cavalry.
Defendant said he WAS married the
second time to Miss Desha in Licking
ton on Sept mber 10. 1861 the marriage
being FASTENED SO that Colonel Brock
lnridRe could go INTO tho war. He had
four living children, two of whom wore
in America.
Colonel Breckenridge had Just begun
to tell about when his law career com
menced when Miss Pollard, who had
been sent for, entered with Miss Ellis,
OF the house OF mercy. Colonel Brock.
inridge did not allow the plaintiffs en-
trance to interrupt him. Continuing he
said he had taken law course in Paris
and elsewhere and at one time was a
member OF Gen. Benz. E. Buffers law
firm.
DO YOU know the PLAINTIFF" asked
Major Butterworth.
lido"
when and where did you first see
her?"
VI can'trecall the month, but should
say in the latter part of April, 1884. l
met her on the train going to Licking.
ton from Covington
Estate about that meeting"
Whenever it was, it was a cool
morning, and l bad my overcoat I
went to get it, and saw tho plaintiff
sitting near the door. She bowed in a
perfectly proper manner, and stopped.
said: Young people grow up so rapidly
nowadays that l cannot rememb Der
you > She said: "But know you; am
Madeline Breckenridge Pollard. She
said: My father was quite an admirer
OF John G. Breckenridge that he put
breckinridge in my name. If l had
been boy he would have called me
john
She said she knew DR.. Dudley in Lex
ington, whom I knew. l asked her
where she WAS going and size said to
frankfort to see her sister who was i'll i.
We chatted few minutes, and l said
hoped her sister would be better, and
then passed out Of the car.
"How did you come to meet her
again?"
"She sent me letter telling me to
come to see her about legal matter, I
do not know where that letter is, but
with an unaided memory, l should say,
l kept it as was my habit but it has
been searched for by my son and my
partner, Mr.. Shelby, without success "
Ibid you write to her?"
"Yes, | wrote to her. and have a
very distinct recollection that told her
If she would write nae the nature of the
business, or would cell on me, If she
were in kentucky, 1 would be glad to
help her."
Ibid you receive any other letter from
her?"
YES"
'Was it this one?" said Major But.
terworth, handing the defendant the al E.
legged forged note, dated July 20, 1884.
Judge Wilson i'm mediately objected to
having this writing placed in evidence,
and Major Butterworth passed it over
for the time being
Colonel Breckenridge said the next
time he saw Miss Pollard WAS at the
Wesleyan University in Cincinnati. He
had gone to CovinRton on law business
and remem bered this letter while there.
SO he went across the river to see the
writer He sent up his card and Miss
Pollard came down almost immediately
and sail: II suppose you were surprised
to receive such letter from a school
girl?"
IL said laughingly." said the witness,
that supposed she had somewhat ex-
aggerated ideas when she thought the
matter was worse than divorce case"
This is quotation from tho alleged
forged letter. Maj. Butterworth then
made an appeal to the Judge to admit
the dubious letter to evidence. He con-
tinued that it was similar in penman.