The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-17

Cars ID Their Intimacy Since That
Time.
WASHINGTON, March 16.-The news
from New York that the marriage Of
Col. w. c. p. Breckinridge and Mrs.
Louise Wing had taken place secretly
in that city on April 80 last according
to the marriage certificate, three months
before the public ceremony, was spread
about the courtroom where the breach of
promise case was being tried this even.
ing and created great interest.
Counsel, however, were unable to see
what bearing this marriage could have
on the case for testimony has been
given that the engagement OF Colonel
Breckenridge and Miss Pollard existed
nearly q month prior to the date of The
secret marriage as given in the certi6
cate, which has just been filed in New
York.
Mrs. Julia c. Blackburn, the widow
of Gov. Luke Blackburn. of Kentucky,
who testified in the case on March 9,
said that on Good Friday night in 1893
Colonel Breckenridge brought Miss
Pollard TO her apartu ents at the Port
land, in this city, and presented her as
his future wife, asking Mrs. Blackburn
to give the young woman her protection
during the engagement.
Good Friday in 1893 came on March
81 while the secret marriage is recorded
as having taken place April 20 Of that
year. Miss Pollard testified on the
witness stand day that ION ono OF
the last days OF August" in 1892 Colonel
Breckenridge had asked her to marry
him ard she had consented.
Colonial Uiprid,rn told bu a
reporter that the certificate of the New
York marriage had been filed with tho
bureau OF vital statistics, and asked if
he would say something about it.
mo, have nothing 10 say" he said.
1t will all como out later. l must not
talk OF these things now. You will
have to wait until l go on the stand,
then you will hear the whole story. No,
L really cannot say anything about it"
Misss Pollard Tells the Story of Her Life.
Madeline told the story of her life to-
day to courtroom full of men. She
was on the witness stand from early
morning until aojournment and the tale
she told was romance. She was some
what theatrical, very plaintive and con-
fiding and gave her testimony without
hesitation. Her brightness, her keen
wit and her appreciation of every ques-
eAoh WCfo hOUlSoaOlc.
For such sensational case her testi-
mony was free from suggestive and
vulgar details. She proved the most
interesting witness of the now noted
trial, and every word she uttered was
listened to with attention.
She told how she had lived as little
girl; how James Rhodes, an uncouth,
cid man, had made q contract with her
to pay for her education ON condition
that she would pay him back or marry
him; how Colonel Breckenridge came
into her life; how she passed for nine
years as pure, innocent girl; of the al
legged proposal OF marriage after tho
death of Mrs. breckenridge, and of what
followed the defendants marriage TO
Mrs. Wing. Her cross examination was
in progress when the court adjourned.
Mir. Carlsle's preliminary questions
were about Miss Pollard's parentage
Her father was q saddler; when he died
in 1886 all the Odd Fellows and Masonic
lodges in Kentucky sent delegates to
Frankfort TO attend the funeral.
In answer to Mr.. Carlisle, Miss Pol
lard said: "In the very last days of
August, 1892, Mr.. Breckenridge met mo
at the Baltimore and Ohio Railway
station"
How did he greet you?"
"He drew me 10 him, kissed me and
put me in a carriage, and we were driven
into the country"
What did he say in the carrlage?"
HE told. me that he had something
to tell me, and he said he was vain
enough to think would be glad to hear
it. He said the children were all
reason why he should not marry; he
asked me if l would marry him, and
told him would"
Miss Pollard was then questioned as
to her stay at No. 25 Lafayette square,
where she said Colonel Breckenridge
had called upon her often. She had
communicated tho fact OF her engage
ment to Mrs. Thomas and to Claude de
Ia Roche Francis.
Her Presentation TO Mrs. blackburn
Miss Pollard also told the story of her
presentation to Mrs Luke Blackburn
by Colonel Breckenridge as his future
vito and OF his placing her in Mrs.
Blackburn's charge as my future wife, :"
as testified to by Mrs. Blackburn a few
days ago. Miss Pollard was asked con-
corning her visits to DR.. N. S Lincoln
and to Major Moore, the superintendent
OF police, with Colonel Breckinridge, on
which occasion, according to the testi.
mony of DR.. Lincoln and Major Moore,
Colonel Breckenridge acknowledged his
engagement to her.
''In 1884," said Miss Pollard, 81 was
summoned from school in Cincinnati to
go to Frankfort, where my sister was
very i'll. Mr.. Rhodes pat me on the car
A gentleman was in the car. Coming
over to me he said: Your face is familiar
to me; don't l know you?' l said: No,
but know who you are; you are Colonel
Breckinridge.' He sat down on the