Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-04-16

Judge Wilson started his speech with
great earn stness. All of the specific
charges against the character of his
client had been disposed of. he said, ex-
cepting the charge resting solely on the
word of the defendant that Miss Pollard
had been intimate with Rhodes. Accord
ing to the law as it would be laid down
by the court, however, that matter could
cut no figure at all, even il it were worthy
of belief. because Colonel Breckinridge
had admitted that he knew of it long be-
fore the year of the first talk of marriage
Entering upon discussion of the testi
mony of Colonel Breckinridge. Mr. Will
son started with the proposition that the
plaintiff and defendant took the stand
up on equal terms. The same credibility
attaches to the testimony of each where
it stood alone. hut this was one vital
difference, namely. that the statements
of Madeline Pollard were supported by
other credible witnesses, while Colonel
Breckinridge must ask that his word
stand uncorroborated. Miss Pollard was
sustained by Mrs. Blackburn, by Mary
Yancey, by Francis. by Mrs Lowell
Colonel Breckenridge was contradicted
by Sarah Guess, and her testimony was
infinitely more credible than his Sarah
had testified that he came to her begging
her not tNtell what she knew of the case
In dis SIssing the testimony of Mrs
Lowell Mr.. Wilson pointed out that
Colonel Breckinrdge had not at the out
set denied that he wrote those letters, and
that he had fenced adroitly against the
questions until he had secured an admis-
sion that they were destroyed and could
not rise up to confront him.
Then He Denied 1t Absolutely
Judge Wilson continued: This was not
the first time that he had been seduced,
for he tells you that he knew the house of
Sarah Guess; he had been there before;
some other siren before he met my client
had seduced him"
Colonel Breckinri ige interposed re-
monstrance. Now, your honor" he said,
leaning forwar.l, there is not the slighe-
est statement of that before the jury; NOT
the slightest evidence of it; / merely said
that had been there before"
Il believe you are correct" said Judge
Bradley. That is all you said"
You had better have denied it on the
stand if you wanted to, said Mr. Wilson
to the defendant.
81 was not asked to-" replied Colonel
Breckinrdge.
"Well you can't testify now"
This is the last chance and want the
testimony quoted correctly. l want to
set your errors right"
II am merely arguing on the probabili-
ties of the case" declared Mr.. Wilson
drawing the natural deductions from
the evidence. II l had asked who you
went with to Sarah Guess house before
there would have been have dozen law
yers on their feet.
But you did not ask it." retorted the
Colonel.
But he knew Mrs Rose in Louisville" 4"
said Mr.. Wilson.
Attorney Stoll-There is no evidence
that she kept an improper house then.
Mr.. Willson-Ah, but he met her on
the street. She gave him her card, indi-
eating her business. He knew her so
well that he
Knew How to Take My Client There.
Gentlemen, there were written on stone
ten commandments" SAID Mr. Wilson.
picking up the thread of Lis argument.
one of which was, Thou shalt not com :
nit adultry' This defendant admits that
over and over again he has violated that
one. On the same stone is written. Thou
shalt not bear false witness, and il man
shall violate one of these commandments
and be caught in the tolls of the law, Is
it not possible that under such straits he
may violate the others"
Every point Of the defense has been
disposed Of, Mr.. Wilson said, and there
remained but the statement o. the de-
fendant that there was a mutual under
standing that the contract to marry
should not be carried out, and that he
characterized. picturesquely. as "a clean
shaven, bald-headed falsehood," manu-
factured to fit the exigencies of the case
He discussed the probability OF a woman
abont to give birth to child consenting
to such an arrangement, and reviewed