The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-15
JERE WILSON'S ARGUMENT
The Ex-HOOsier Congressman An
gers Mr.. Stoll, of Kentucky,
And Rumors of Duel Fly Thick and
Fast Until an Explanation Is Made
Judge Bradley's Charge.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE Breck-
inridge code of morality has been con-
demned The jury in the famous breach
of-promise case this afternoon returned a
verdict in favor of Miss Madeline Pollard
and awarded her fifteen thousand dollars
damages. Mr.. Wilson concluded his argu-
ment about 2:30 Judge Bradley at once
delivered his charge, the jury retired at
307 and returned in one hour and twenty
eight minutes.
1t was 4:45 o'clock when foreman Charles
r. Cole, of the Circuit Court jury, entered
the court room and rendered the verdict
that ended the long and exciting Breclxin-
ridge-Pollard breach-of-promise trial. SEN
sations had fairly crowded into the last
day of the trial; there had been some of
the most dramatic scenes which ever
stirred the dingy little court room, reeking
as it was with the memories Of celebrated
cases; there was an approach to a per-
sonal collision between Ex-Judge Wilson
and attorney Charles II. Stoll during the
magnificent closing argument of the Wash
ington lawyer. followed by talk of a duel,
and Judge Bradley, in his charge to the
jury, scored Col. Phil Thompson as
lawyer is seldom spoken Of in court.
The first ballot taken by the jury was
upon the merits of the case, leaving out
of consideration the question of the amount
of damages. 1t resulted in eleven votes for
a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. and one
vote for the defendant. Thereupon the dis
senting gentleman was figuratively cor
nered by his colleagues and for some time
was argued at. In speaking of this discus
sion afterwards. foreman Cole said that
Full 70
miliarity with the points of the testimony
as had been evidenced by the lawyers in
their arguments They laid the case fully
before the obdurate juryman, called for
the grounds on which his belief was based
and were finally able to overcome him by
sheer force of logic.
The next question to be settled was the
figure at which the damages should be
rated, and upon this matter there was the
widest possible difference. Two or three
Jurors thought the full amount sued for,
$5OOOO should be awarded. Foreman Cole
said that a verdict of 81 would vindicate
Miss Pollard and punish Mr.. Breckenridge
sufficiently and he thought ii was un-
necessary to impose a great financial pun
ishment upon him. Discussion of this mat
ter followed until the usual course was
adopted, each juror writing the amount he
considered just upon a slip of paper, and
a balance being struck. The amounts
ranged from 81 to $4,000. and $4,000 was the
average.
THE JURY RETURNS.
Just before the final vote Judge Bradley
had sent messenger to inquire If there
was any possibility that a verdict would
be agreed upon soon. Receiving the reply
that the jury was about to conclude it's
His entrance, of course, was the signal
for a gathering of the crowd. Not a wom-
ans face was seen in the court The room
fairly bristled with blue coated bailiffs, for
rumors of impending trouble had fioated
about all day, and there were several de-
tectives in the crowd. The hands of the
clock stood at thirtysix minutes after 4
when the jurors. in single file, entered
Almost at this moment, from the outer
door at the judges left, was thrust the
silvery head of Congressman Breckinrdge
surveying the room for an instance before
he entered. Following him came his son
Desha and Col. Phil Thompson. No one
being present to represent the plaintiff, a
bailiff was dispatched across the street
aud in five minutes Mr. Calderon Carlisle
arrived. Then Judge Bradley stretched out
his hand warningly to say: when the
verdict is announced, for 1 am informed
that verdict has been agreed upon, there
must be no demonstration, either of ap-
prevail or disapproval.''
The clerk called the roll OF the jury, then
grumbled loudly an interrogatory, which,
being interpreted. was: Gentlemen of the
jury, have you agreed upon your verdict?'
eve have" responded foreman Cole.
eve find for the plaintiff
An inarticulate murmur started, which
the bailiffs quickly hushed. 1t was merely
a mixture of vocal sound and crowdng
which expressed no particular sentiment
except surprise. Following this there was
an awkward pause. Finally the Judge
asked:
For how much?'
Fifteen thousand dollars" announced the
foreman of the jury. Another rustic like
the first arose. but was speedily silenced
One man near window shouted to the
crowd outside: Fifteen thousand dollars"
but he was not reprimanded.
BRECKINRIDGE SPEAKS
Colonel Breckenridge rose slowly to his
feet. All those who his face say it
was nearly as white as his beard, but his
voice was clear as usual wnen he spoke in
a hesitating way. saying: 81 do not know
the practice of this court, but 1 wish to
give the usual notice of a motion for a new
trial. He dropped into a seat beside his
son, who was hardly less pale than his
father.
Nobody waited to hear the formal ad-
journnent. The jurors filed out Colonel
Breckenridge pulled his slouch hat over his
eyes and followed after them. with his SON
in his wake, elbowing his way across the
hall TO the marshals office. The jurors were
just ahead of him in the outer Office as he
pressed his thumb 10 the green door of the
private room. There was no handshakine in
congratulation or sympathy between the
Colonel and any one else.
Miss Pollard was not in the court room.