The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-04


the Letters.
Washington, April 3.-Col Breckin-
ridge and Miss Pollard were both on the
stand to-day. and both gave testimony
relating to the alleged letter which the
plaintiff claims was written to her in
1856 This is the letter alleged to begin
MY Dear Sister Louise, and by which
the plaintiffs counsel seeks to impeach
the testimony of the defendant.
To-day, after a hard legal fight,
the plaintiffs attorneys succeeded in
placing on the stand Mrs Louise Lowell,
who testified that while a typewriter at
the capitol in 1856, she had copied letter
written by Col. Breckenridge addressed
my Dear Sister Louise. " and that she had
endorsed numerous envelopes for him
with the name Miss Pollard, SO North
Upper street, Lexington, Ky"
MISS POLLARD TAXES THE STAND.
Miss Pollard also took the stand and
testified that Col Breckenridge frequently
sent her letters while she was in Lexing-
ton and he in Washington. They were
all typewritten, she said, and in them she
was addressed by various titles, such as,
my Dear Spitfre" and My Dear
Louise"
Col. Breckenridge denied that Mrs.
Lowell had ever copied for him any such
letter as that sic described, or that she
had addressed envelopes for him with
the name of Miss Pollard, although he
acknowledged that Mrs. Lowell had
written letters for him
Most of the day was taken up in this
testimony and in argument. There was
foe fyr,, yr,F
Col Breckenridge in the afternoon drag
ged at times
Col Breckenridge will take the stand
again. and according TO a statement made
by Judge Wilson al adjournment, he vii.
be examined on a new line.
TIE DISPUTED EPIsTLE.
When court adjourned yesterday after
noon Judge Wilson Miss Pollard attor
ney, was trying TO make Col. Breckin
ridge say that in ISS6~he had taken to be
copied by a typewriter in the capitol a
letter beginning My Dear Sister Louise
Col Breckenridge denied all knowledge
of such a letter, and he also said he had
no dear sister Louise"
Judge Wilson further asked him if he
had not taken TO this same typewriter a
bundle of envelopes to be addressed to
Miss Pollard, 36 North Upper street, Lex
ington, KY, and Col. Breckenridge denied
this also.
The period when the alleged letter was
supposed TO have been written was COW
cred in the statement of Col Breckin-
ridge that he had no relations and no cor
respondence with Miss Pollard in 1886.
Additional interest was given to the name
Louise" in the alleged letter, because
Miss Pollard claims that Louisa Wilson
was her assumed name when in Cincin-
natl in 1885.
Judge Wilson said that the name of the
typewriter who copied the Louise letter,
which, however, he was unable to pro
duce, was Mrs. Louise Lowell, and this
morning when court convened, Mrs.
Lowell, who is now clerk in the treas
ury, was present with friend. They
sat next to Miss Pollard and Miss Ellis.
Is 1T COMPETENT?
Mai. Butterworth asked Judge Bradley
to decide whether the evidence about
Sister Louise was competent.
Judge Wilson, in answer, said he pro-
posed to put the witness, Louise Lowell.
on the stand on the ground that the
plaintiff was not in possession of know
ledge she now had at the-time of her
testimony in chief,It was not the purpose
of the plaintiff, he said, to play any trick
or to take the defense by surprise, and
defendant would be given ample time to
make any explanation he chose concern
ing the letter.
WI &dtllSiC SdlN ne hlNl uOb learn bHe
name of the witness and did not see her
until Sunday morning.
Mr. Butterworth said he was not criti-
cising counsel, but thought the alleged
contents of the alleged letter should not
be placed in evidence until it was known
what the plaintiff expected to prove by it.
THE LETTER ADMITTED.
Judge Bradley in rendering his decision
referred to the question as novel situa-
ton, and said he had found authority
for the intersection of proof concerning
the existence of document that might
be lost or destroyed He, therefore
decided that proof tending to prove that
such letter as that, beginning, My Dear
Sister Louise, might be introduced
Judge Wilson called Mrs. Lowell to the
stand. She said she had known Col.
Breckenridge since February, 1886, when
she had a small Office on the house side OF
the capitol, whore she did steuography
and typewriting. She had done work for
Col Breckenridge and was acquainted
with his handwriting The defendant
had brought to her at the time indicated
letter to be copied.
He Is CAUGHT FIRMLY.
The manuscript was in the defendant
handwriting. Witness said she returned
TO Col. Breckenridge the manuscript and
copy of the letter in question. She also
did other work for tina defendant, such
as addressing envelopes
All said Judge Wilson: what did
you put on those envelOpesl'
Mr.. Shelby objected, but the question
was allowed
Miss Pollard, 36 North Upper street,
Lexington, KY was the answer, direct
contradiction of the testimony given bv
The defendant. Miss Pollard smiled and
there was buzz of interest throughout
the room.
Col Breckenridge busted himself writ
ing.
MADE NOTE OF IT.
Now said Judge Wilson, estate
whether you made memorandum of the
work done by you for Col Breckinridge2 '
i did, said Mrs Lowell, and she pro
duced little blank book and read
out of it the address given.
why did you put that name DOWN.
said Judge Wilson.
Feeling sure that ! should hear more
of Miss Pollard, and not being willing to
trust NY memory ! put il down "
Now tell what these envelopes looked
like.
They were small envelopes. not such
as a business man would use and yellow
with age"
How was the first communication he
brought 90 you addressed"
we object 20 that said Maj. Shelby.