The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-09
MISS POLLARD'S SUIT
Her Case Against Hon. w. G. P
Breckenridge Placed on Trial.
Jury Secured Yesterday and Adjourn
ment Taken-The Plaintiff. Defend
ant and Their Counsel.

WASHINGTON, March s.-Congressman
W. c. p. Breckenridge, long titled the sill
ver-tongued orator of Kentucky, son of a
Presbyterian minister, veteran of the con-
federate army, member of one of the
most distinguished families Of his State
and heretofore conspicuous as a politician
and churchman, began to-day the role of
defendant In suit for $4,000 damages for
breach of promise and seduction, brought
by Miss Madeline V. Pollard, also Ken
tuckian. Last August the suit was fled
a few days after the second marriage of
Colonel Breckenridge. Since then both par
ties to the suit have been engaged I'm TAX
ing testimony in Kentucky and Cincinnati
the attorneys for Miss Pollard endeavoring
to substantiate her assertions that Colonel
Breckenridge seduced her when a girl in a
seminary at Cincinnati, was the father of
her three children, and had made repeated
promises to marry her; while the state
ments secured by ME Breckenridge tend to
blacken the character Of the plaintiff. Miss
Pollard. for year. held a clerical position
I'm the Census Bureau at Washington and
has done much writing for the newspapers,
sometimes under The name of Madeline
VintOn Pollard and occasionally as Made
line Breckenridge Pollard. During the
months following the filing OF the suit she
has lived In a house of refuge of the Epis-
cOpal Church in Washington and her BROTH
er, who was editor of a weekly paper in
Kentucky, has been in the city as her -ad-
wiser.
1t was nearly II O'clock this morning
when the case was called in the dingy little
white courthouse of the District of CO.
Iumbia, an old-fashioned specimen of archi-
lecture, standing in Judiciary square
fronted by imposing white marble pillars
and overlooking a statue of Abraham Lin
coin. Not a few OF the most important
criminal and civil cases of the past half
century have transpired under the roof OF
the District courthouse. Giteau was con-
victed of the assassination. of President
Garfield there and just across the hall the
eloQueaCe of Col. Robert G. Ingersoll lent
interest 10 the long-drawn-out star route
trials. while the memory on the repartee
of Ben Butler and many other lights OF
the bar who played leading parts in their
times. are still associated with the place.
In the ordinary course of events. this trial
would have taken place In the Circuit
Court room. but the early pressure for ad-
mission decided Marshal Wilson 10 transfer
the case 10 the room of the Criminal Court,
the largest in the building
THE JUDGE AND COUNSEL
Judge Andrew G. Bradley, who is trying
the case. is a member of one of the oldest
families OF Washington, man in the prime
OF life. OF athletic figure with a soldierly
mustache and strong. even features. noted
among the lawyers OF the District bar for
his unhesitating frmness and independence.
He is a leading member OF the New York
avenue Presbyterian Church. OF which Col.
breckenridge has been regular attendant
during his residence in Washington. Re
Gently Judge Bradley has come into PROM
inence through his decision against Com
missioner OF Pensions LOchren In the man
damus suit brought by Judge Long Of
Michigan.
The personnel OF the legal force arrayed
I'm the case is no less interesting. For Miss
Pollard appear two OF the best known attor-
neys. Judge Jere NJ. Wilson and Mr.. Calder
on Carlisle. The former gained his title on
the Supreme Bench Of Indiana, came 20 the
Capitol as a member OF Congress from that