The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-03
HE FELL INTOA TRAP
Breckinridge an Easy Victim
Of the Cross Examiner.
PERJURY ABOUT HIS LETTERS.
he Old Mss . Habitss ef sarah Gees.
His Cestrstiss for HE Treat
meat Of Mad sliss Pslisra.

WAsBrsaros CRY. April z-Grsat ex.
pscsstions had been focused on the croes-
examination Of Col. Brsckinridge By ex.
Congressman Jers n. Wilson. particularly
hsre in Washington City. where the abil-
tiles Of both men are appreciated. The
expectations began TO b realized after the
noon recess today. when the colonel was
delivered over into the hands Of his
opponents. He had continued his
story OF the intrigue with Mad
cline Pollard through the morning.
entering many and reiterated denials OF
various statements inside by her and rslat-
ing his own version Of the intsfvie~s with
the Washington City chief Of police, and
Of the correspondents between himself and
the plaintiff. He had been tessifying for
nearly two court days when his direct
tsstimony was finished, and although Mr..
Wilson piled him with questions eli day
ths Contamination VAS Just begun. II
was expected that the colonel would try
70 reconcile his reputation - Q moraiist
and churchman. and this expectation
VS. not misguided one. for the examine
ton took that direction from the start.
The first time he showed marked en-
bsrrassnent during the trial was when an
envelope vas handed to him, with the
request that he read the direction and con-
tsnts, which he reluctantly did. because It
vas an invitation 70 Miss Pollard, in
February, 1888. requesting the honor Of
her presence 1t . reception 70 be given in
honor OF w. G. p. Breckinridgs at the
Norwood institute, and the Norwood in
titute IL the most exclusive and fashion
able seminary for young ladies in Wash-
ington City. An embarrassing presump-
ton which Mr.. Wilson chung to through
out was that the same standard Of NOR atty
should be demanded Of men - Of women.
Finally, at the close OF the day. having
secured the statement that he had written
no letters to Madeline Pollard In 1885, Mr..
Wilson sprang something very much like
strap by dropping into q line Of question:
ing which indicated that he had in reserve
testimony to show that the member from
kentucky did write two letters through .
typewriter at the capitol. Then for the
first time the defendant seemed TO lose bis
temper and made most strenuous deniais.
The typewriter, whose testimony 10 next
in order. In Miss Louise Lowell. now .
clerk in the treasury department.
On tho opening Of court this morning
Col. Breckenridge denied the alleged car
riage ride OF August Is. 1892, and that he
asked the plaintiff to give up her child.
He never spoke Of marriage before the
death Of his late vile. He denied the
Hoffman house conversation about repre-
senting Whitney and kairchiid in Europe.
BrecKinridgs described the correct Inn
preston Maj. Moore had given that
the conversation at his Office had lasted .
much longer time and went over the con-
yersation heretofore given. Witness de-
tailed an interview with plaintiff prior to
one with Mai. Moore. The interviews
were friendly, plaintiff expressing regret
for her conduct on the street and at Moors's
Office. On May - the witness took
plaintiff to MIRA Blackturn's for the night.
Later no had An interview with Mrs.
Blackburn, who said she washed her
hands of tho whole matter. The follow
ing day plaintiff again came to the hotel
and conversation ensued A. to further
conference which should be held with
Msior Moore prior to her going away.
AS no described how he waved her of.
Col. Breckinridge gesticuiated impress
svey with both hands, and gave tragic
infection TO his tones as he closed the ac-
count of the visi, a. Mrs. Thomas with
Then left her." There was constant re-
iteration IN the defendants deniais and
he would frame them In every possible
form of negation. OF time, place and man.
ner
Continuing the description Of the Sec
oad visit TO her Major Breckenridge said !:
Miss Pollard said she was going to New
York To have child and that l was the
author of her pregnancy. She insisted
that tell Moore that | was the only man
that had ever heen intimate with her.
declined. Then she refused 10 so. She
turned her jacket back and | saw the
eleam of pistol in her bosom. | said !:
you are sitting close 10 me- She said !:
I'm use that on my self. II on anybody l
made statement about not seducing her
with considerable force, even temper"
Breckenridge read the kilograms sent by
him TO plaintiff, offered by her, and
seemed amused when she spoke of Cin-
einnst, paper containing the announce
ment OF his engagement to plaintiff. To =
friend he had denied the rumor. The
Plaintiff wrote inquiring II he denied the
report, and threatening to publish their
past relations. Butterworth asked IL he
bad relations with plaintiff alter April ~.
the date OF his secret marriage with Mrs.
Wing lie answered that hc had no rcla-
tons after April ~.
Al noon Ruttersorth announced tho
direct examination finished, after breek-
!nrldge had stated that he VAS absent from
Washington City when plaintiff VAS dis
charged from the census office because she
expressed satisfaction at Sherman's death.
Jere NJ. Wilson took Col. Breckenridge
In hand for contamination after recess.
The irst questions were directed toward
elieting from defendant admissions tn at
In his early law practice feiends were
obliged 20 make good sums OF money i'm
properly appropriated from clients. Col.
Breckenridge Was compelled TO explain
his connection with the Presbyterian
church. which has been passive rather
than active, lie had lived In Lexington
slthin four squares OF the house occupied
by Sarah Guess and had known its
Character for twenty years. He
Also admitted tina, he had visited the
house before he vent theirs with Misc Fol-
lard. Witness had received many letters
iTea p1aia;ih. but kept none bur those In
evidence. At the FIRST interview with
fslnta he advised her to marry Rhodea
BY further questioning Mr.. Wilson
elected the information that the colonel
last June had delivered . speech 20 .
soman's society In Nashville and had
ssen presented with . basket of nowsrs-
He denied that he said he had no wife to
Present them 10 and offered 90 explain
What he 81 said. bat Mr.. Wilson would
bot permit
Are you a member Of the Mcsonic fra
israity'"