The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-22
The Defendant Will Deny Some Charges,
Explain Others and Try to Blacken
Miss Pollard's Character.
WILL ADMIT PROMISE TO WE'D
But Claim that Made line Knew 1t
Was Not Intended to Be Kept.
He Will Also Try to Prove that She
TerrOrized Him by Threats-ClOse
of the Plaintiffs Testimony.

WASHINGTON, March 21.-This was a
field day for the colleagues of Representa-
tive Breckenridge, of Kentucky. Congress
had taken a recess ostensibly TO sail down
the Potomac on an excursion and witness
the trial Of some big guns at Indian Head,
but the trial progressing In the Circuit
Court held greater charms for many than
the junket on the government gunboat.
Gray heads and bald heads were in the
majority in Judge Bradley's court but the
spectators were disappointed by one of the
least sensational days OF the trial, al
though they heard the defense of Colonel
Breckenridge outlined by his law partner
and attorney, Col. John ]. Shelby. and the
last words of Madeline Pollards story.
They then slumbered through the reading
OF long deposition. The defense will be
partly denial and partly explanation-de-
NAL that Colonel Breckenridge led Madeline
Pollard astray, and that she gave birth
TO a child at the Norwood convent; eXpla-
nation that she trapped him into a promise
to marry her on the mutual understanding
that the promise was only a device by
which she was to withdraw from his life
and be able to break off her relations with
tions between the two are admitted without
excuse or palliation, except a reference to
the inherent weakness of human nature.
but the orators spokesman represents that
he was often anxious to break them off,
but was always inveigled into continuance
by the young woman; that she followed
him, demanded money from him and COM
PEELED his promise to marry her under
threats, several times repeated, and en-
phasized by a display of pistols. More
over, 1t is promised to be shown that Miss
Pollard's early life had not been one of
virtue before the silver-tongued orator
crossed her path. This, in substance, Is the
defense, but it has many branches and side
issues.
Colonel Breckenridge and his right-hand
man, attorney Butterworth. were late in
arriving this morning, not appearing in the
court room until after the roll call Of
Jurors and until after Miss Pollard, with
face very pale. but apparently composed.
had waited several minutes in her seat.
IL. tgc grey heads Of the defendant and
his leading lawyer were bent together in
a brief consultation as Miss Pollard walked
around to the witness stand. Her face
showed lines of worry and a sleepless night
as she faced the audience for the fourth
day.
SHE GAVE A NOTE TO RHODES.
Mr.. Butterworth renewed his cross-ex-
animation by inquring If Miss Pollard had
the contract with James Rhodes, to which
she replied that the contract had been given
TO Rhodes. There never had been a set
tlement, but IN 1885 she had given him a
note for three times the amount he had
advanced for her schooling. II had never
paid Mr.. Rhodes because / never had any
money to pay anybody anything" she
said. The correspondence had continued
after she came to Washington. Mrs. DR..
Mary Logan had not recognized her when
they first met in Cincinnati, but had before
they had parted.
Miss Pollard was going on to explain
about that meeting, when Mr.. Butterworth
cautioned her that she must not wander
from the subject, protesting that he was
anxious TO treat her with perfect fairness.
Il beg your pardon; pardon IN Mr. t Bqtterwor,th;" n,I1;'
and l am very grateful l am so full of
things 1 want TO tell you can't keep them
back"
lawyers Butterworth and Wilson over the
ering of questions after this, which
Judge Bradley decided by declaring that
the witness was not obliged to answer a
question just in the form desired by the
examiner Then back to the autobiography
printed in a New York paper went Mr..
Butterworth. Objection was made by Mr..
Wilson that IL had been threshed over TO
WEAKNESS. and the same opinion was held
by the judge.
what was the fact about your adopt
ing the name of Breckinridge?' asked Mr..
Butterworth.
"When l first used the name Mr.. Breck-
inridge and 1 talked ii over. He said I
might use the name. and / had my card
plate made with it in 1889 or $780, was the
answer in explanation of the statement
in the newspaper article Then Miss Pol
lard added: Il am very weary this morn
ing and hardly able TO go on" Neverthe-
less the plaintiff continued to be mistress
of the situation, for when she had been
asked about the trunk she had at DIT.
Streets in Cincinnati during her first con-
finement, and Mr.. Butterworth read from
his manuscript she insisted that he should
give her his undivided attention before she
would continue. Great stress has been laid
by the defense upon the description OF this
trunk, which seems to be important 70
their case
That's all, Miss Pollard" said Mr. But
the plaintiff in black and Sister Ellis dis
appeared through the side door. her at
torneys remarl<ing that they had no more
questions for her.
Then" said Mr.. Carlisle, "the plaintiff
rests her case here"
for two days and over, during which every
phase of her case had been reviewed from
every light, but her attorneys did not
consider il necessary to strengthen or ex-
plain any of her statements by redirect
examination. They had in reserve other
witnesses and aftidavits but these they did
not use.