The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-22
That Is the Way Breckinrldge WIN
Try TO Make Il Ap-
pear.
The Defonse in Part a Denial and
in Part an EXplann-
tiOn.
The Inherent Weakness Of Human Ma
turs offered In EEtenuation OF tho
Admitted Fault.

WAaHm0IoH. March 2l.-ihia VAS held
day for the colleagues of Representative
BrsoEinridgs, Of Kentucky. Gray hairs
and bald heads we're In a maiority ia at
tsndanoe in court. but the spectators we're
dissppointAd by one Of tho least sensational
days Of the trial. although they heard the
defense Of Col. Breokinridgs outlined by
bis Law partner attorney. Col. John J.
Shelby. aud the lGsi wo de Of Miss PollarHs
story. Then they slumbsred through ths
reading OF a long deI osition. The defense
will be partly denial and partly eIp.aua-
tory; a denial that Cot. Breckinridge had
seducsd Madeline Pollard; that she lad a
child az Norwood convent; sn explanation
that she trapped him 10 promise 10 marrg
her on the undermining that the procssH
was only device By which shs was TO With
draw from his life aud be able 10 break oa
her relations with Mrs. Blackburn.
The long continued relations between Tire
two are admitted. without excuse or pAlli-
alton. except Toference 30 the inherent
weakness Of human nature. bat she orator
represents that he was often anxious 10
break of relations with Mrs. Blaekbufn.
bu, was always invsieled into oontinusnes
By the young woman, that she followed
PEELED his promise 20 marry her undeF
threats. emphasized by display OF pistols
II il promised 10 be shown that Miss Pol
lsrd'G early life had no. been one Of virtue
before the silveT-tongusd orator crossed
her path. This in substance, is the de-
Tense. bat IL has many branches and side
.nsuss.
Miss Pollard was on the stand for a time.
but nothing Of speoisl interest was brought
out By the additional cross-eIamination,
I hen the prosecution suddenly announced
the end Of its inquisition. which had lasted
over two days. Counsel for Miss Pollard
are so we'll satisfied with the impression she
made that they not only declined 10 ask her
a single question 90 strengthen any point of
her evidence, bat announced that they fest-
ed ths oass there. This was done in spite
Of the fact that they had number Of addi-
tonAl witnesses and GfidaYits. Miss Pei
lard at once left the court room, showing
evidence in the pallor Of her countenanos
Of the strain under which she has been la
boring.
After counsel for defense had retired for
consultation and returned, Col. John 4.
Shelby. OF LsIington. kT., Brsokinridgs's
Law partner. proceeded to outline the de-
fenfe. He said: II am authorized by de-
endant TO say. and 10 will be corrobOfated
by his solemn oath. that be did not seduos
hsf; that q was never made known 10 him
that she ever had any children by him
until the hling OF this suit last August; doF
did he ever. under any cireumstsnosa,
make any promise Of marriage 90 her"
Continuing, counsel declared that Miss
Pollard accosted the defendant on tram
before he ever knew her; told him how her
father admired John &. Brsckiniidge and
named her for him. Some weeks later 10
received a letter from her asking advice aa
90 her relations With Rhodes, which he
answered. giving her the Law in ths case.
Later she asked him 20 come 20 the
inarY, aud followed 10 with another. 70
neither OF wbioh he responded. Being 10
Cincinnati one day on other business be
went 30 see her. aud found he' woman of
20 OF 2l, aa would he shoSn, not mere
school girl. She admitted Illicit relations
with Rhodes. and asked him to take her 10
an entertainment in the evening, he self
suggesting e.ossd carriage. In the course
OF the ride the illicit relations we're estab-
lishsd. moi By seduction, but in n way
which occurs when q woman IL not avsrse
to such things. 10 Was at her suggestion.
not his, that they vent 20 Sarah Goss' house.
Shelby said there had been no renewal OF
illlioit relations uring thc eighteen months
had followed him 20 Washington and per-
secuted him with her attention. Col.
BrsokinridRe had been compelled. under
fear aud threats Of exposure. TO awe Mics
Pollard more money than be could spars
from hu means, but still he offered hef
money II she would 20 away from the city
and ~ herself for work. Denial Was made
I OF the allegation that IN August. 1892. or al
any other Nme. defendant had promised TO
marry Alias Pollard. as he absolutely re-
! fused her suggestion N 1872 that she 30 20
/ Miss William's school IN Berlin and upon
/ her return that he should marry her.
Miss Pollard was known intimately 10
/ Mrs. Blackburn aa young. agreeable Wo.
man from the same state. There was talk
As to Why Miss Pollard was seen 30 much
vita Col. Breckinridge. She told him this,
aud that shs had explained 20 Mrs. Back
burn that they wore engaged. lie tod her
"a was his purpose TO tell Mrs. h sokburn
frankly she relations which had existed be-
tween them. she implored him not TO
make known their relations. not 30 expose
her then. but 60 give her one more chance
90 make a place fog herself 10 she world; TO
pTOtset her 90 far as 90 admit their engage
meat 10 Mrs Blackburn. and then shs
out OF his life. By the aid Of such sdmIs-
Ms. Blaokburn's life. and out Of Wash
ineton.
10 seems 80 though any man might have
seen the danger of such arrangement. tho
lawyer said. In the latter paTt OF March.
she told him Mrs. Blackburn wanted 30
see him. lie had gone aud they had talked
her over, be telling Mrs. Blackbutn Of his
desire 90 shield her; thai she was an im-
prudent Girl. Dufiug this time. 40 Mrs.
IhomaG' house. % LaFayetts square. shs
had attempted 90 shoot him. and only by
the merest accident had ho been able Co
disaTm her. lie went % Kentucky without
Rsossding 20 her demands