Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-17
MADELlNE'S STORY.
Testimony CT Miss Pollard IN
the Case at Washington.
BRECKINUIDCES LAST MARRIAGE.
Certificate That IL Took Place In New
Three Months Prior to the Pub
lie Ceremony.

OF W. C. T. Breckenridge TO Louisa r. s.
Wing. dated April 20. 1893, was sent TO
the Health Department yesterday from the
yNr,ldehce in this city OF the Rev. Dr.
John II. Paxton. formerly of the West
Presbyterian Church. 1t sets forth that
DIT Paxton offciated, and that the cere-
rnony was witnessed by Eleanor n. Col
lier and Mary l.. Paxton. II IL thought
that the document may play an impor-
tlnt part in Miss Pollard's suit against
Congressman Brcckinridge. the Con-
yrcssman was publicly married TO Mrs
wing last July, but since the trial Of the
present suit IL has been hinted that the
defence would prove that there was
former secret marriage which would show
that tho defendant was not legally in
position 10 agree 90 marry Miss Pollard at
the time when. according TO witnesses for
the plaintiff he did 50 contract. one Of the
chief witnesses for the plaintiff. Colonel
Moore. Chief Of Police OF Washington,
testified that Colonel Breckenridge and
Miss Pollard went 10 his Office on May
l.th OF last year and that in his resence
the Congress sTnan declared he would mar
IS Miss Pollard on May 2lst. Before that
time. as is now shown. he was married
in this city TO his present wife. Under
the rules Of the Bureau Of Vital Statis-
tics marriage certificates should be flea
for entry in the books within thirty days,
but they may be legally recorded at any
tlma within year and then formally
r gistcred.
MISS POLLARD on THE STAND.
WASHINGTON. March 16.-Mss Pol
lard told her story in court to-day. She
gave il in all the detail needed to satisfy
tho cravings Of the most curious. She
began with her meeting with Mr.. Breck-
inrdgc, when she was a school gin, and
told all about her life with him up 10 the
time when she claims he broke his prom
ise TO marry her. Miss Pollard made her
appearance IN Judge Bradley's court
room. attended as usual, 10y Mrs. Ellis,
promptly at 10 o'clock, and was called
To the stand almost as soon as the court
opened Sha was questioned by Mr.. Car
Iiale. though Mr. Wilson took much in
tei-st in the examination, and frequently
made suggestions TO his associate. Miss
Pollard had evidently neryed herself to
the ordeal Of the witness-stsnd. and
seemed calm and self-posse5sed, only on
one or two occasions showing any emo
ton Sha was attired, as she has been
every day since the trial commenced in
dark suit. with a neatly-htting coat a
black bonnet. and black SILK gloves Her
voice is we'll modulated. and there is some
affectatiOn in her manner Of speaking. She
SAYS "eyther' for either. and pronounces
soma words in manner that reminded
those who have been in court every day
OF MIR Claude de la Roche Francis. Her
facs was almost coloress.
Already OF course, there is much sur
mis-, as to the course of the defence. IL
has been hintod that the defence could.
and would prove "a secret marriage be-
tween Colonel Breckinridge and his pres
eut wife prior to the date when, accord
ing 10 tine testimony in the trial Mr.
I;rrcIinridge acknowledged before Wit
nesses hts purpose Of marrying the plain>
tin Lawyers say that to prove that he
Wa4 a married man at the time of his
promises 10 Miss Pollard would practl-
cally end h.r action for breach Of pron>
i5e of marriage. as he would be incapable
Of making such a contract or in other
words that IL would be an Illegal con-
tract which could not be executed. What-
ever might be considered as 10 the Of
fence committed by Mr. Breckenridge
from a moral point Of view. this defence,
a is claimed would clear him of any legal
responsibility. As shown in the dis
matches from New York testimony may
he adduced 10 prove marriage TO Mrs
Wing in New York Ak early a. April 18Th
THIS would be before the interview in
Major Moores office. but not before the
date which Miss Pollard fixes in her tes-
iimony as the time when Mr.. Breckin>
ridge delighted her by informing her or
his purpose To marry her.
MISS POLLARD'S TESTIMONY.
During the giving OF her testimony the
defendant paid the closest attention to
every word said by Miss Pollard and APP
parently appeared somewhat disappointed
when Mr.. Carlisle led Miss Pollard from
that period In her life. when she was a
mere child 70 their meeting here In Wash
ington at the railroad station, when he
told her he had something to tell that
evening which he was vain enough TO be-
iicVe would please her. The defendant. "a
did the rest OF those present in court
evidently believed that her counsel would
lead Miss Pollard step by step from her
childhood up 10 the present day. Colonel
Rrcckinridge smiled broadly when the
plaintiff, in speaking Of her age remark
"a that the defendant must have been
aware OF her mistake for II was he who
endorsed applications filed with the Civil
Sarvice Commission He Smiled, too,
when Miss Pollard was asked If she
knew Mr.. Claude de La Roche Francis
The plaintiff made what is known 10
the legal profession as a good witness.
She spoke deliberately, with a slightly
raised voice. seemingly weighing the ef-
feet and force Of every word uttered by
her. The various dates referred to by
her were given without the slightest hesi-
tatiOn except when she was asked the
dates Of her visits with the defendant
u Dr Lincoln and Major Moore, of this
city. For moment she appeared slightly
confused, but almost Immediately settled
the dates in her mind, giving them as
given by DIR. Lincoln and Major Moore.
For some reason or other Colonel Breck- |
inridge appeared 10 be, lass at ease as
Miss Pollard progressed In her testi-
mOny-now sitting well back in his chair.
now sitting well forward, with his elbows
On the table before him. his face resting
IN his hands. and now and then bending
over toward Mr.. Butterworth who APP
prarel to be taking notes for the cross
examination OF Miss Pollard. and making
whispered suggestions. AS the plaintiff
told Of Colonel Breckinridge's calling for
her with carriage at the school, the
defendant threw back his head and,
while he steadily gazed her straight In
the eye. he nervously strokcd his beard
first with one hand and then with the
other. When Miss Pollard told of the
visits OF the defendant and herself TO
the house of Sarah Guest. Colonel Breck- |
inridge again made whispered suggcs-
tions to Mr.. Butterworth. who sat beside
him. But never for a moment. however.
did he remove his eyes from the woman
on the stand
Not only was Miss Pollard a clear
headed. composed witness. but she was
also a most obedient one. rarely, indeed,
uttering a word not callsd forth by the
inquiries OF Mr.. Carlisle. When the four
volumes OF Washington Irying's works
which have so frequently appeared during
the trial were produced. the plaintiff did, |
however volunteer the Information that |
certain inscriptions were IN tbem before she
opened them on the stand. remarking, as
she opened them, "Yes. here they are"
During the whole OF her time on the stand
the lady from the House OF Mercy sat be- !
side her. but Miss Pollard gave no indiea-
,tx.. <sf. tlt.f her (ftF