The Washington times., 1894-04-05

regarding his story to Mrs. Blackburn that, being
a man Of honor, he had been obliged to propose
marriage to Miss Pollard on discovering her
feelings toward him.
snow Mrs Blackburn says that she told you
you had an unusually high sense OF honor in that
connection. Do you deny that" Mr.. Wilson per-
sisted
II deny that have any recollection Of it hav-
ing happened In that way"
Col. Breckinridges version OF the conversa-
tions between himself and Mrs. Blackburn
regarding the trip to Europe differed radi-
cally from that lady's, as did his memory Of
what she had said about being Obliged TO
withdraw her protection from Miss Pollard
unless they were more discreet In their con-
duct.
'.That did not happen in that form and in
that connection" ne said, and MS answer
was substantially the same regaring his
(Breckinridge's) request that Mrs. Blackburn
should go to New York with the plaintiff
until they were married.
~ was urging her so tar as could without ex-
citing her suspicion to get the young woman out
of town. l endeavored to leave the impression
OH her mind always that We were engaged II
may such a word, was honestly endeavor-
ing to carry out the contract with Miss Pollard
to deceive her, and do not blame Mrs Black
burn for feeling little acerbity.
DO you deny that" Mr. Wilson demanded,
after reading Mrs Blacxburn's testimony regard
ing his description of the interest he felt in Miss
Pollard and of the standing Of her family.
II have no recollection of that, and my recol-
lection Is that il happened in a different way
was the final answer, and later the witness said:
Mrs. BLACKBURN puts her own construction on
my words" in commenting on another part OF
her testimony.
Reading to him the testimony OF Mrs. Black
burn that he had told her that he had never
paid the slightest attention to Mrs. Wing, but
that to have it reported that he was engaged
to her would familiarize his family with the
idea Of his marriage, and that when Congress
adjourned he was going home TO make ar
rangements for his marriage. Mr.. Wilson
asked for the witness recollection on that
point.
Parts of that was never said by me, accord
ing TO my recollection, and part Of it was never
said at ALL" was the answer. congress had
already adjourned, SO that shows that Mrs
Blackburn confuses these conversations, al
though she honestly endeavors to repeat them. "
"Do you deny that you told Mrs. Blackburn
you were not to marry Mrs. WingP
~ do most emphatically deny that ever said
that. Mrs, Blackburn gets the different CONVEX
sations commingled. j cannot remember my
self the exact words of conversations after few
weeks"
The colonel was sure that Mrs Blackburn had
not told him that she had told Miss Pollard that
If his attentions to Mrs. Wing were as she had
represented he was q villain.
II am sure Mrs Blackburn did not use such an
offensive word in her own parlor to visitor
Mrs. blackburn was lady have known for
years, and as a hostess she would not have said
such thing"
Whether it was proper for lady to call a
man Il villain in her own parlor il the circum-
stances warranted was question of ethics,
Col. Breckinridge said, which he did not
care to discuss.
Mr.. Wilson endeavored to pin down the
colonel to a denial OF the statement that he
had told Mrs. Blackburn he had no love for
zth Ifc- DTgl urd ND
finally secured the answer, Il am sure that no
such conversation occurred"
"You do not remember it," said Mr.. Wilson.
"Well, will say that do not recollect that
such a conversation happened"
Regarding the scene when Miss Pollard had
asked him to name the day. calling him Willie,
and he had stroked her hand afrectionately
and he had mo demonstrations before Mrs.
Blackburn he said: ..Such scene did hap
pen, and 1t was superb piece OF acting"
Wait" interrupted Mr. Wilson; "on your part
or Miss Pollard'sl'
ION her part, and possibly n little on mine"
'You were both playing parti"
my part was ended That was an act not down
in the bills. thought she WAS going too far
and was angry. / rose and said, My engage
ments are such that l cannot say when | will
marry this young woman did not say that
would come back and name the day"
Mrs Blackburn had said that he had ended
the scene with the last statement.
Mrs Blackburn's memory and mine do not
agree on that" he answered, when asked If he
remembered that on a subsequent visit, when
Miss Pollard had again pressed bim 10 name the
day, Mrs Blackburn had said that Col Breckin-
ridge had already promised 10 name to her the
day, and that was sufficient
When Mr.. Wilson asked why the colonel
had not said all these things on direct exarni-
nation. the colonel was proceeding TO say
that the jury had heard all he said. and that
he had endeavored to give the substance of
them. whereupon Mr.. Wilson broke in that he
did not want a speech and the defendants
counsel interposed that he should be allowed
to make his statement.
The examination was carried on from Mrs.
Blackburn to the first interview with Ma jor
Moore. the Washington chief OF police. The
stat ement OF the major that 'sbe de-
manded that the colonel should marry her at
once and he named the 3lst of May the colo
mel said happened in different way from the
majors account. adding:
Il said: Yes, will marry you the last day of
this month if God don't interpose-"
''Did God interpose?' Mr.. Wilson inquired.
"If God did interpose.n responded Col. Breck-
inridge. raising his right arm, II thank Him
from the bottom of my heart for having gotten
me out of such n possibility Laughter and
reproof from the bailifis-
do you say that Major Moore stated what did
not occur on that occasion?'
"On the contrary, his recollection of the sub
stance OF what l said is practically Identical
wi n mine"
"You did promise to marry her on the 31st of
the month";"
.Oh. it was not promise / was in an excited
frame of mind Just waved her OF, saying: i
will marry you nj the end of the month If God
does not irterpose, md went right on talking"
Col. Breckinridge gave the impression OF a
man deeply worried when he returned to the
witness box after the noon recess. The pal
lor of his face had given awayto deep flush,
and he took advantage of a momentary wait
while the lawyers were fumbllng over their
papers to sink back into chair for rest.
His attention was first called by Mr.. Wilson
to the second interview in the office of Major
Moore on May II, when he had clasped hands
with Miss Pollard across Major Moores hand
and promised that after Miss Pollard's child
had been born in New York he would marry
her. That was the substance of the happen
ing. the colonel explained. although it was by
no means all that had occurred. Nor were
the words quoted accurately. The plaintiff
was earnest and nervous and at times hyster-
ical during the conversation. There was
nothing then said about her getting out OF his
life because he had agreed to take care OF
her until her child should be born and for an
indefinite time thereafter, and to take care of
the child. 1t was intended to relieve Major
Moore's mind.
Was il the understanding that you were not
to be married" Mr.. Wilson asked, land that
you were 10 relieve his mind of his suspicious
against her?'
Not that exactly, but Major Moore was a
gentleman in possession of certain information
against her character, and she wanted me to re-
lieve his mind of that impression and give him
the belief that she was person that should
marry"