The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-03-10
WILLIE AND MADELINE
Gay Breckenridge Vas Quick 10 Promise
But Slow 10 Perform.
HE NEVER NAMED THE DAY
Miss Pollard Scores the First Point
In the Sensational Trial That's
Now In Progress at
Washington.
IE NEVER NAMED THE DAY

Ing how Breckinridge took advantage OF
Miss Pollaras youth when she was a
school girl OF Il; that, under premise of
marriage after the death of lis then liy-
ing wife, made before credible witnesses,
he became the father of her three child
reni how he failed 10 keep his promise
and married another woman; how she cn-
deayored 10 leave him then, but had been
persuaded 10 continue his mistress be-
cause OF Ecr love for HIM. During the adj
dress tho plaintiff flushed crimson,
iremoled violently aud buried her face in
her handkerchief. Breekinridge chatted
unroncerneGly with his attorneys.
Carlisle said his client did not claim to
be devoid OF fault or blame, hut there was
breach of promise, which was the issue.
He then sketched her life. A brilliant girl
oil common parcntage. anxious TO rise. As
country girl, uneducated, she met j. c.
Rhodes, man OF means but not of high
station, who became enamored Of her and
promised 10 educate her If she would
marry him. She signed an agreement TO
| that effect.
Afterward, when he was pressing her
Tor ful!lllment Of the agreement, she
| asked Breckinridge's counsel. He came
and at once began 10 take advantage of
her youth and lack OF knowledge of the
world, accomplishing his purpose under
promise of marriage after his wife's
death, and he introduced her as his prom
| iscd wife into the first families OF the
| city.
Then Attorney Phil Thompson an
nounced that the defense would reserve
the opening statement Ill! the conclusion
OF the plainlii's testimony.
Attorney Wilson demanded that certain
books, one containing Christmas card
given plaintiff by defendant, taken by
counsel for the defense. be returned.
The defense asked that the books be
moro accurately described. The court
held the description sufficient. During
the co!loquy tho plaintiff broke into
| hysterical and inarticulate sobs and ex-
| CARNATIONS.
Mrs. Julia c. Blackburn, widow of the
late Governor Blackburn of Kentucky,
was the FIRST witness. She testified that
in the spring of 1898. in Washington,
| Colonel Breckinridgo brought Miss Pol
lard 10 her and asked her kind care and
| Protection for the young lady. adding that
| Us sptti hs AiiiS tihlts'a tibSi
the death of his wife he intended 10
marry her, in spite of the fact that
he was old enough 10 be her
father, being 81 years her senior.
At another time he told Mrs. Blackburn,
when she chidcd him for forgetting tho
| devotion of his former wife, that he had
discovered Miss Pollard was in love with
| him and. as man Of honor, he felt bound
| TO marry her. At another time he asked
the witness TO allay Miss Pollard's jeal-
| ousy. Mrs. Blackburn asked him II he
had given her cause and he declared on
| his honor that he had not. This was when
he was paying attention to Mrs. Wing Of
Louisville whom lie subsequently married.
Mrs. Blackburn related how Miss Pollard
once, Ia her presence, urged Breekinridge
to fix the day, but he put her or, saying
he would fix il late-.
On cross-examination Mrs. Blackburn
said Miss Pollard, on social occasions,
bore herself like lady. As TO her feel.
ings toward Miss Pollard, she said she
felt sorrow for any woman compelled to
fight her own battles, adding as she turned
her flashing eyes on Breckinridge: "Just
| as the sorrow feel at being compelled to
! appear here, when il had the defense of
a husband. it would never have been
| necessary"
| Mrs. Blackburn, continuing, said that
In 1892 Breckenridge called upon the wit
ness, he said, at Miss Polarl's request.
10 correct reports concerning the latter.
and asserted that there could be no scam
dal attached TO Miss Pollard name since
for long time after coming 10 Washing
ton, she had remained in convent. Mrs.
Filictiee, the witness stated, had said Miss
Pollard was forward, taking undue lihcr-
tics in the houses Of her friends. and say.
ing Miss Pollard had invited Charles Dud.
ley Warner to her, Mrs. Fillettee's. house,
without permission. When Miss Pollard
came TO tell her OF Colonel Breckinr!dge'
attentions to Mrs. Wing, Mrs. Blackburn
advised her II she had any self respect Ia
drop him. On his next visit Colonel
breckenridge declared siernly, emphatic
ally aud frequently that the stories of his
attentions TO other women was the work
OF miserable gossps. Mrs. Blackburn ex-
tended Miss Pollard more protection than
she oiherW Use would have, because Breck.
inridge had asked her and she believed
him a gentleman.
After the uooa recess Miss Pollard was
decidedly cheerful, smiling as she talked
with her lawyers.
Miss Mary Desha. sister of tho defend
ants first vile, testified TO having known
Miss Pollard, but her evidence was OF lit'
tie account. NO cross-eXamination 70,
her. She may stand ASIDE" said Colonel
Breckinriicc, with a wave of his hand.
Major Moore. chief OF police of the Dis
trict Of Columbia. took the stand. IlC
first met Miss Pollard accompanied 10y
Breckinr.dge in his cliice May IL, lS9S
II, said: The door was suddenly thrown
open and Colonel Breckenridge came in
followed by a lady. He said ne might
have TO ask my protection as tho lady
threatened his life. She demanded tina;
he should promise TO marry her, and
seemed excited. She demanded that hs
name tile day. He named May 81, 1898
when he said he would marry her il provi
dcnce spared his life. The witness warneC
Miss Pollard she must not make threats
against Colonel Breckinridgo's life as th,