The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-04-04


Iard-Breckinridga trial today to permit
the introduction Of evidence that Colonel
Breckenridge had carried on a typewriter
correspondence with Madeline Pollard
from the house of representatives in 1856.
The demand from the plaintiffs lawyers
to be permitted to follow his course.
brought delicate question OF law before
the Judge 1t was conceded that docu-
ments might be brought into use and a
witness questioned upon it in cross-exami-
nation from which to lay the basis for con-
tradiction, but whether the existence OF
. missing document could be asserted and
the defendant asked whether he wrote It
was another question, a question which
Judge Bradley decided in the affirmative
after listening to the argument ana
consulting authorities. He held,
however that the witnesses could not be
asked TO give their recollection OF the con-
tents of the letters. Accordingly, Mrs.
Louise Lowell, vino conducted a business
in typewriting and stenography at the
capitol in the year 1886 and had been dis
covered by tie plaintiff last Sunday.
stated that she had copied the mysterious
letters upon a typewriter for the colonel
ard had also addressed for BIN package
of envelopes to "Miss Pollard, "A North
made an entry Of the address in note
book which she produced, but which did
not entirely substantiate her statement
because il seemed to have oeen used IN
1887 and 1883.
Miss Pollard also appeared in speak
ing part once more TO testify that she
lad received the letters in question.
During her brief appearance the lawyers
had their hands full enGeayoring TO make
her confine herself to questions directed to
her, for in her untrammeled utterances
when Oh the stand before, she scored some
of the most telling points for her side.
Thereafter the program was continuance
of the fencing between the congressman
from Kentucky and the ex-congressman
from Indiana.
Both Colouel Breckenridge and eX-Judge
Wilson are lawyers of brilliant parts and
no exhibition of Its kind approaching the
thrust and parry of the TWO when pitted
as examiner and witness, has been heard
for years. 1t was enjoyed by an audience
worthy of it's merits. for besides the usual
varying corps of congressional attendance
and lawyers, there was well-known
Methodist clergyman III the audience and
a retired Judge of the district court in
seat beside Judge Bradley. Colonel Brock
inridge made ironclad denlals of
the testimony of Mrs. Lowell, besides
contradicIing Miss Pollard at many
s.. 81 v
drop into vein of sarcasm at times
speaking of the defendant Ms "a fatherly
looking and pc rfectly respected gentleman
like yourself" He laid the foundation
for more testimony ia rebuttal by obtain
ing denial that servant at the fashion
able boarding house where Miss Pollard
had lived had ever seen her using in his
presence that work basket formerly be-
longing to his dead wife which the
colonel swears he dad not give the plaintiff.
Every body is guessing tonight the nature
of the new line of examination which Mr..
Wilson announced he would take up in
the morning.
Judge Bradley does not seem to relish
the testimony Colonel Breckenridge is
giving Whenever the colonel begius 10
talk. the judge wheels his chair around SO
that the high back is turned towards the
witness box and the judge directs his
gaze far of into the room or reads legal
documents.
Mrs. Louise Lowell, about whom so
much has besn said, was ha first witness
called today. She is the person who Mr..
Wilson, in the cToss-examination OF Brock
inridge, intimated had written certain
letters for the Colonel regarding which,
breckenridge disclalmed all knowledge.
Mrs. Lowell was a t-Dosrapher and type
writer in the corridor OF the capitol.
Witness said she had dous letter writing
copy OF the letters she had written for
breckenridge bad been returned to him.
She had always copied Colonel Breckin-
ridges letters from manuscript brought
her, and had Invariably returned every
thing to him. She had addressed enyel-
opes of his congressional and private cor
res pondence. She had addressed envelopes
10 Miss Pollard, 16 Upper street, LexiDg
ton, kentucky" She particularly re-
membsred that, because she had
made a note OF the address. Her
purpose being at tue time, she ex-
planned, to remember where to send
future letters. Witness said she had
addressed two or three envelopes separate
~, then "A package Of small ones, yellow
with age. and not such envelopes as a
business man would Use, to address noted
personages. Envelopes had been brought
her by Colonel Breckenridge. The first
communication was addressed MY dear
sister Louise"
Objection was raised to having witness
state what was the contents of the first of
these letters, and the objection was sus-
tanned by the court for tue present.
Are you acquainted with Miss Pol
lard ?'
II never saw Miss Pollard until coming
here"
Colonel Breckinridge resumed the wit
ness stand aud made emphatic denisIs
covering many of the statements OF Mrs.
Lowell.
After recess Miss Pollard was placed on
the stand to prove that the letters in ques-
iion bad been received by her and destroy
ed. The defense objected TO this line of
testimony at this stage, bus it WAS admit
ted by the court, exception being noted
Miss Pollard described these letters as be-
ginning my Dear Sister Louise and "My
Little Spitire," and addressed 10y type
writer aud all signed in lead pencil
Then Colonel Breckinridge WAS back on
the stand making flat denials concerning
these letters Having finished this branch
of the subject, he defendant told of the
events OF the fall OF 1887, when he aud the
plaintiff met IN Washington near the
Catholic institution-"as woman in her
condition and "A man supposing himself to
be the author or her condition would
meet"
do you wish 10 be understood as say
ing you supported her in whole or in pal L
during the two years that she was at the
academy of the Holy Cross on Massachu
sets avenue ?" was question TO which
the colonel responded:
Il would not wish TO be understood as
saying any thing about il if | could avoid
IL, but as matter OF fact my contribu-
lions TO her were not lesseGed. They Were
irres ular in amounts, and / understood
they helped TO pay her board at the acad-
envy"
Referring to five notes of 500 drawn by
the plaintiff and endorsed by the defend
ant late in 1892 TO pay Miss Poliard's ex-
penses al the school of the Holy Cross,
Colonel Breckenridge stated lie did Dot
know that becauseof the notes. did not
know whether they had been protested
Was sure he had never received notice shat
two oil them went 10 protest.
NV TO refresh Your memory began
Mr.. Wilson, this testimony having been
elected by succession OF questions, do
you not know notice of the protest was
sent TO you both in Lexington and Wash
ingfonf"
be did not and the attorney asked, do !
you know the particular object for which !
those last notes Were Grawn1s