The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-28
THE DISPUTED LETTER.
Breckenridge's Counsel Claim That
It Is Authentic.
SUPPORTED BY EXPERT EVIDENCE.


Miss Pollard HorseIf-Polics superin-
tendent Moore Recalled.
WASHINGTON, March 2s.-The defense In
the Pollard -Breckinridge trial took a new
tack yesterday, and ventured upon the
troubled sea of expert testimony Two
witnesses well known in Washington, DIR.
E. M. Shaffer, the deputy coroner of the
District OF Columbia, and Mr.. Edwin b.
Hay, an attorney who is something of n
local Chauneey Depew, appeared for the
Kentucky congressman, and their state
ments were directed to the support of the
contention that tho hand of Madeline Pol
lard penned the black bordered letter
written in 1894, which she has most EN-
phatically disavowed twice over on the
witness stand. Great stress is laid by the
defense upon the authenticity of this let
ter, not only because it runs counter to
the testimony of the plaintiff that Colonel
Breckinridge first called upon her at the
Wesleyan academy of her own volition,
but because they think if she can be
proven false on one important detail her
whole statement will be impeached The
signature to the letter also, goes to sup
port the opening statement of the defense
on a minor detail, viz: That Miss Pollard
had adopted at that time the middle name
of Breckinridge. This letter which has
figured so conspicuously in the case, and
which the defense will fight to get before
the jury, is as follows:
WESLEYAN COLLEGE. July 20 1891.
Dear Colonel Breckinridge; Your letter cnIno
to me on Saturday, am glad you told me it
would be inconvenicnt to come out here to the
college, for IL you had gone TO ever such lit
tie trouble to listen TO what sometimes over
burdens schoolgirls mind you might be in
clined to he provoked with yourself. preach
er's opinion of my little affairs would cause
premature gray hairs, where your opinion
might clear away all doubts and fears and
let me be quite free hearted again. think |
have prepared you for a divorce case but
listen, II IL worse than that. II a certain per-
son should advance funds for my tuition here
al school for three yenrs under the promise
that marry him at the expiration Of that
time, could he do anything If | would not
marry him. but teach and refund him all he
had advanced l know you think, why tho
deception But on no other terms will he
agree. When girl wants nothing bur n good
education, but means to obtain such are de-
MED her, what is shc to do but take the only
chance she is ever likely To have. liked your
face. and am sure l would like you. aud If
AT any future time YOU nre in the city and
would care TO come around remember that
home faces are always welcome.
lam very respectfully yours.
MADELINE Is. POLLARD.
FOR the first time yesterday the keen
cross-eXamination power of Judge Jere
Wilson. whose work has been awaited with
interest by his fellow lawyers. was brought
into play. 1t was first exercised upon
Major Moore. the chief of police, who was
called back TO dispute some OF Miss Pol
laru statements regarding the two inter
views III ms once during which Colonel
Brecklhrldge repeated his promises to
marry her, ana afterwards Mr.. Wilson
stirred up such cloud or verbal dust
around the expert testimoney of DR.
Snauer that the spectators hardly knew
whether the letter pnrported to have come
from the piaintin to the defendant or the
reverse.
Inc testimony OF Messrs, Shatfer and
nay was hhshnken ny cross-eNamination
u was 10 the erect that the letter In dis
Pute ana the ietters which MISS Pollard
acknoWiedsed as as hers was written by the
same hhno' me cross questioning de
NeloPeu ,.o ne last that Dr' smaller had re
ce'Neu ~" per uaS ior similar services as