Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-03-17
The Breckinridge-Pollard Case.

Breckenridge, dated at various places
in Virginia in the spring of 1898, ex-
pressing solicitude about Miss Pollard's
health and urging her to take care of
herself and busy herself with some
work, were read.
During this time Colonel Breckin-
ridge has been making political tour
through the South. When Mr.. Car
Isle asked about letter she had writ
ten about sanitarium to Colonel
Breckenridge, Miss Pollard said: "Col-
onel Breckenridge has it and he can
bring it here
The attorney explained that notice
to produce the letter had been
served Intellectually, and Miss Pollard
replied, in semi-histerical tone.
How can l tell about all Of these
things there was so much happening"
whereat her lawyers qIieted her, tell
ing her she need not try to remember
it.
One letter, dated June 10, informed
her that his tour would end in few
days in Pennsylvania, where his father
had been president Of college, and
that he would then come to Washing
ton. A telegram, dated June 81, in
formed her that papers would be sent
by mail, concerning which Miss Pollard
explained that the colonel had always
alluded to money as papers, never
mentioning it in his letters as money.
4 dispatch in June told her that he
would leave for Washington not later
than June 10. There were other i'm
material letters and kilograms to Miss
Pollard at "The Farm" where she was
stopping with Mrs Blackburn, one of
them referring to Major Moore, the
chief of police, as Professor Moore. An
other piece of evidence was copy, in
a scrawling Italian hand, of the the
style affected by fashionable women, of
letter written by Miss Pollard to the
Colonel. 1t began "My Dear Willie, ="
was Gated at "The Farm, Charlottes-
vile, Va" but had not been read when
the noon recess was announced.
Miss Pollard's bosom was shaking
with suppressed sobs when she was led
from the courtroom on the arm of the
elderly sister from the House of
Refuge
The letter, which was read after the
recess, apologized for having given to
the papers the announcement of the en-
gagement, but said that it had been
done for the protection of herself and
Mrs Black burn, since it had been an
nounced in the Cincinnati Commercial
Gazette, and denied in the Lexington
papers. She had given the announce
ment to the Courier Journal, of Louis
vile, and the Post, of Washington. The
letter closed Hoping you can, and
will come to me soon, | am your loving
Madeline
The next letter read had been sent
by Miss Pollard to Col. Breckenridge
July 10, and was concerning a para
graph in Lexin gton paper, quoting Col.
Breckenridge as saying that he hoped
the mortifying reports regarding his en-
gagement to Miss Pollard, of Washing
ton, would cease. She wrote that he
had, by so saying, repudiated his SOL
emn contract. She would not then re-
quire him to make any newspaper
statements, but, that unless he imme-
diately wrote over his signature for her
protection repetition of his contract
to marry her, she would seek redress
without fear of consequence to herself
or 10 him.
Miss Pollard read this letter and said
'.There has never been any reply to
it. or any exchange Of messages be-
tween Col. Breckenridge and myself
since that letter was sent by me, and
received by him."
did YOU, as a matter OF fact" in
CURED Mr.. Carlisle, authorize state
ment of your engagement in the Wash
ington Post or any other paper?"
eyes, Mr.. Carlisle, l did, was the
answer.
Another note written to Mr.. Brock
inridge April %, 1889, said that she
had troubled him so much concerning
government position that she regret
ted to address him again, but would
like to see him on the same business
once more. This had been produced
by the defendant at the request of the
plaintiffs attorneys, and Miss Pollard
explained it, saying:
''In all my life with Mr.. Breckin
ridge, during these nine years, there
have been times when my letters to
him have had to be shown to the late
Mrs. Breckenridge, and at those times
have written blind wooden letters"
As she referred to the late Mrs.
Breckenridge" the voice OF Miss Pollard
was lowered to soft tones.
Further on in the examination she
remarked that Col. Breckenridge had
often taken her with him when be went
to address religious bodice. The first
date selected for the marriage had been
during the second interview with Maj.
Moore, when Mr.. Breckenridge had
promised to marry her secretly on the
3lst of May. No excuse for postpon-
ing this, or reason, was eyer given"
she said. "Col. Breckenridge told me
to ask him for none, and, as | always
tried to obey him in everything, l did
not ask him for some time"
From the night he took me to
Sarah's, on the night OF August, 1854,
there never was suggestion of dis
continuance of those miserable rela-
lions until he left lie with all sorts of
promises, pledges and loving words on
the 10th of May, 1885, was the answer
of Miss Pollard to her lawyers last
question.
The attorneys for the other side OBJ
jected to this answer, but not until it
had all come out in dramatic passage,