Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-04-15

StOu Very Nearly Get Together
Over a Personal Matter-Judge
Bradley Gave Col. Phil Thomp-
son q ScorchinR on Account OF
His Speech Before the Jury.
Scenes and Incidents Of the
Closing Day Of the Famous
Case.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. April 14-FOremau
Charles R. Cole. Of the Circuit Court jury,
Gt445 o'clock this afternoon, announced a
verdict for the plaintiff, Madeline Pollard,
for $50 damages from Congressman w.
@. p. BreckinrIdge for breaking his con-
tract to marry her, thus ending the long
aud exciting Breckinridge-Po breach
Of promise trial.
Sensations had fairly crowded into the
last day Of the trial. There had been some
of the most dramatic scenes which ever
stirred the diugy little court room, reekjng
a. it was with the memories Of celebrated
cases. There was an approach 70 PER
E1naI collision between Judge Wilson and
Attorney Charles II. Stoll during the mag
uidceut closing argument Of the Washing
ton lawyer, followed by talk Of a duel, and
Judge Bradley, in his charge TO the jury,
SCORED COLONEL PHIL THOMPSON
&C a lawyer is seldom spoken Of in court
The jury retired at 8:O7 p. m.
The first ballot taken was upon the mer-
its Of the case. leaving outof consideration
the question Of the amount of damages. IL
resulted in eleven votes for verdict in
favor Of the plaintiff and one vote for the
defendant. Thoreupou the dissenting gen
t.eman was igUratively cOrnered Oy his
colleagues and for some time was argued
10 suoaxiuq ls1 -tais decision afterward
Foreman Cole said that the iurymen dis
p.aved fully as great a familiarity with the
points of the testimony as bad been evil
oeuced Ov the lawyers in their arguments.
They laid the case fully before the Ooour-
ate iuryman, called for the grounds on
which his oelief was based, ana nnGlly
Cvercame him Dy sheer force or logic.
me next question 70 be settled was the
fvurs at which tue damages should be
rated. and upon this matter there was the
widest possible difference. Two or three
Jurors thought
TEE FULL AMOUNT SUED FOR,
fftv thousand dollars should bee awarded.
Foreman Cole said that verdict Of one
dollar would vindicate Miss Pollard aud
uuuish Mr. Breck.uridge sufficiently, and
ne thought TO was unnecessary 10 impose
any great financial punishment upon him.
ID scussion Of this matter followed until
the course was accepted. eacu Juror writ
inc the amount ue considered Just upon
n n. @
ME amounts ranged from one dollar 90
fftv thousand, aud fifteen thousand was
tue average.
JDsr before the final vote, Judge Brad
lsv had sent q messenger % inquire N
there was any probability that verdict
would be agreed upon soou. Receiving
trs reply that the jury was about 20 con-
c.lde its deli 0eraUons, be entered the
court ro0ro. His entrance, of course, was
the signal for gathering of the crowd.
Not a womau's face was seen In the
conrr rThe room fairly bristlet with blue
coated bGilifs. for rumors OF pendlug
tr9ubIe had hoated ABOUT all day aud
there were several detectives IN the
e-,yvd. The hands of the clock stood az
tgirtv-fye minutes after tour when tbs
JURORS ENTERED rs SINGLE FILE.
Almost at this moment from the outer
door at the Judges leiL was thrust the
H
srrveving the room for aD instant before he
entered. Following him, came his sOc,
Deeba. and Col Pail Thompson.
No one being present 20 represent the
rIlintif. baiGf was dispatched scr0ss
trs street. and iu five minutes Mr.. Calder
on Carlisle arrived
Then Judge Bradley stretched out his
bo,d yvaruiuglv 10 say; "Naen this YER
6f,t is announced, FOR am informed that
d verdict has been agreed upon, there must
he mo demonstration either OF approval or
lT6s c'er., then called the roll Of the jury,
then mumoled loudly an interrOgatory
which being interpreted was; Gentle
men Of the jury; Have you agreed upon
,.We have responded Foreman Cole.
e.'wE FIND FOR TEE PLAINTIFF"
An inarticulate murmur started which
the 0ail.fs QuicSly nushe4- IL was merely
q mixture of vocal sound and Crowdlng,
erd which expressed no particular sentl-
ment. except surprise. Following this an
awkward pause.
Fifteen thousand dollars" announced
the foreman OF the jury.
Another rustic ike the first arose, out
was speedily QUenChed. One man near
,,,ind6gv shouted 70 the crowd outside;
t,Fifteen thousand dollars, plaintiff, but
vas not reprimaaded.
Colonel Breckinridge rose slowly 70 his
feet AN those who saw his face say it
v,,as nearly as white as bis beard, but his
voice was clear as usual when he spoke in
= hesitating way saying "l do not know
tns practice Of this court, but I wish 20
give the usual notice Of a motion for new
trial.
He dropped into seat beside his son,
hose ia Q was hardly less pale than his
own NOBODY waited 20 hear the formal
adjournment. The jurors fled out,
Colonel Breckinridge pulled hls slouch
bat over his eyes and followed after
tbeu. with his son in his wake, elbowing
tbeir yvsv across the hall 20 the MarshaPs
oeice. The Jurors we're Just ahead Of him
En- The outer Office and be pressed through
tban 20 tue green door before the private
olHce. There was no hancshaSing in con-
cremation or sympathy between the
Colonel and any one else.
Hiss Pollard was not in the court room
and Der attorneys reported that sue did
uot care 70 say anything about the case