The morning call., 1894-03-22
NOW THE DEFENSE
Madeline Pollard Rests
Her Case.
STATED FOR THE COLONEL.
Some Things Denied and Others
Explained.
CONGRESSMAN IN ATTENDANCE.
A Large Number of the Members
Prefer the Trial to an Ex-
cursion on the River.
IN ATTENDANCE.

w ASh1NO1ONs Marcn IL MS was a
field day for the colleagues of Represents
tive Breckinridge of Kentucky. Congress
had taken recess, ostensibly to sail down
the Potomac and witness the trial of some
big guns at the Indian Head Proving
Ground. but the trial in progress at the
Circuit Court held greater charms for
many than the Government gun boat.
Gray-haired and bald heads were in the
majority in court, but The spectators were
disappointed by one of the least sensa-
tional days of the trial, although they
heard the defense Of Colonel Breckinridge
outlined by his law partner and attorney,
Colonel John J. Shelby, and the last words
of Miss Pollard's story. Then they slum-
bered through the reading Of long depo-
sition.
The defense will be partly denial and
partly explanatory, claiming that she
trapped him into promise to marry her
on the understanding that the process was
only a device by which she was TO with
draw from bis life and be able to break off
her relations with Mrs. Blackburn.
The loDg-continued relations between
the two are admitted without excuse or
palliation, except a reference 10 the inher-
ent weakness of human nature; bnt the
orator represents that he was often anx-
ious to break hem off. but was always ln-
veigIed into a continuance by the young
woman; that she followed him; demanded
money from him and compelled him TO
promise to marry her, under threats. sew
eral times repeated, and emphasized by q
display of pistols.
Moreover. it is promised to be shown
that Miss Pol lard's early life had not been
one of virtue before the slver-tongued
orator crossed her path. This. in sub
stance, is the defense. but 1t has many
branches and side-ssues.
Miss Pollard was on the stand for a time
to-day. but nothing of special interest was
brought ou. by the additional cross-exami-
nation. Then the prosecution suddenly
announced the end of its inquisition, which
had lasted over two days. Counsel for
Miss Pollard is SO well satisfied with the
Impression she has made that they not only
declined to ask her a single question to
strengthen any point in her evidence, but
announced they rested the case there
This was done in spite of the tact that
they had a number of additional witnesses
and affidavis. Miss Pollard at once left
the courtroom, showing evidence in the
pallor of her countenance of the strain un-
After counsel for the defense had re-
tired for consultation and returned, Col
onel John T. Shelby of Lexington, KY,
Breckinridge's law partner. proceeded to
outline the defense. He said:
81 am authorized by defendant to say,
and it will be corroborated by his solemn
oath, that he aid not ruin her; that it was
never made known to him that she ever
had any children by him until the filing of
this suit last August, nor did he ever un-
der any circumstances make any promise
of marriage to her,"
The defense did not intend to condone
whatever was wrong in the relations of the
two. and it was only by the truth defend
ant wanted to be judged.
Colonel Shelby declared Miss Pollard
accosted defendant on the train before he
ever knew her, told him how her father
admired John c. Breckenridge and named
her for him. Some weeks later he received
p letter from her asking advice as to her
relations with Rhodes, which he answered.
giving her the law in the case. Later she
asked him to come to the seminary and
followed it with another, TO neither of
which he responded. Being in Cincinnati
one day on other business he went to see
her. He found her woman of 20 or q, as
would be shown, and not a mere school
girl. She admitted her relations with
Rhodes, and asked Breckenridge to take
her to an entertainment in the evening,
herself suggesting a closed carriage. 1t
was at ker suggestion, not at his, that they
went to Sarah Goss' house.
Shelby said there had been no renewal
of the relations during the eighteen months
ending in July. 1888, though Miss Pollard
had followed BreckinrIdge to Washington
and prosecuted him with her attentions.
Breckinridge had been compelled under
fear and threats OF exposure to give Miss
Pollard more money than he could spare
from his means. but he still offered her
money if she would go away from the city
and fit herself for work.
a denial was made Of the allegation that
in August. 1892. or at any other time. de-
fendant had promised to marry Miss Pol
lard. He absolutely refused her sugges-
tion in 1892 that she go to Miss Willard's
school in Berlin. and upon her return he
should marry her.
Ia March, 1893. the pressure brought to
bear upon Breckinridge by Miss Pollard
was enormous. She was known init
mately to Mrs. Blackburn as young and
agreeable woman from the same State.
There was talk as to why Miss Pollard was
seen so much with Colonel Breckinridge.
She told him this, and that she had ex-
planned to Mrs. Blackburn that they were
engaged.
He told her it was his purpose to tell
Mrs. Blackburn frankly the relations
which had existed between them. She
implored him not to make known the
relations and not to expose her then, but
give her one more ctance to make place
for herself in the world. to rrotect her so
far as to admit the engagement to Mrs.
Blackburn, then she would go to New
York and gradually die out of his life, cut
of Mrs. Blackburn's life aud out of Wash
ington. It seems as hough any man might
have seen the danger OF such an arrange
ment as thar, the lawyer said.
In the latter part CT March she told him