The record-union., 1894-03-10
Hearing of the Suit of Miss Pol
lard Resumed at Washington.
DAMAGING TESTIMONY AGAINST
THE DEFENDANT.
Governor Flower of New York Directs
the Mayor of Troy to Sift the EIec-
tion Frauds and the Riot of Last
Tuesday to the Bottom, no Matter
Who 1t Hits.
Special to the REcoRp-UNroN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, March 9.--The hearing
of the Pollard -Breckinridge suit was re-
sumed in the District Court this morn
ing. Miss Pollard was one of the first to
appear. She was accompanied by two
elderly ladies. Though subjected to the
scrutiny of the throng which filled the
courtroom she seemed perfectly at ease.
Colonel Breckenridge came late, but was
fresh and smiling.
The case was opened with the state
ment of Lawyer Calderon Carlisle to the
jury, reciting the contrast in the positions
of the parties to the suit; rehearsing how
Breckenridge took advantage Of Miss
Pollard's youth when she was q school
girl Of II; that, under promise of marri-
age to take place after the death of his
then living wife, made before credible
witnesses. he became the father of her
three children; how he failed to keep his
promise and married another woman;
how she had endeavored to leave him
then, but had been persuaded to continue
his mistress because of her love for him.
Carlisle said his client did not claim to
be devoid of fault or blame, but there
was "a breach of promise which was at
issue.
He then sketched her life-a brilliant
girl of common parentage, anxious to
rise. AS a country girl, uneducated, she
met j. 4. Rhodes, man OF means but
not of high station, who became enam-
ored of her and promised to educate her
if she would marry him. She signed an
agreement to that effect, and atterward,
when he was pressing her for the fulfill
ment of the agreement she asked Breck-
inridge's counsel. He came. and at once
began to take advantage of her youth
and lack of knowledge of the world, ac-
complishing his purpose under promise
TO marry her after his wite's death, and
had introduced her as his promised wife
into the first families of the city.
Then Attorney Phil Thompson an
nounced that the defense would reserve
its opening statement till the conclusion
OF the plaintiffs S testimony.
Attorney Wilson then demanded cer-
tain books. one containing a Christmas
card given the plaintiff by defendant and
taken by counsel for the defense to be re-
turned. The defense asked that the books
be more accurately described, but the
court held the description to be sufficient
Mrs. Julia G. Blackburn, widow of the
late Governor Blackburn of Kentucky,
was the first witness. She testified that
in the spring of 1893 in Washington Colo
mel Breckenridge brought Miss Pollard to
her and asked her kind care and protec-
tion for the young lady, adding that as
soon as sufficient time had elapsed after
the death of his wife he intended to marry
Miss Pollard in spite of the fact that he
was old enough TO be her father, being
thirty-One years her senior. At another
time he told Mrs. Black burn, when
i l.. IL 4
ton to his former wife, that he had dis
covered that Miss Pollard was in love
with him and, as a man OF honor, he felt
bound to marry her. On another Occa-
sion he asked the witness to allay Miss
Pollard's jealousy. Mrs. Black burn
aske him if he had given her cause and
he declared on his honor that he had not.
This was when he was paying attention
to Mrs. Wing Of Louisville, whom he
subsequently married.
Mrs. Blackb burn related how Miss Pol
lard once in her presence urged Breckin-
ridge to fix the wedding day, but ne put
her off, saying he would fix it later.
On cross examination Mrs. Blackburn
said that Miss Pollard, on social occa-
sions, bore herself like lady. AS to her
feeling toward Miss Pollard, she said she
felt sorrow for any woman who was COM
pelled to fight her own battles; adding
ridge: Just the sorrow | feel at being
compelled to appear here, whom, if had
the defense of husband, it would never
have been necessary"
Major Moore, Chief of Police of the
District of Columbia, took the stand. He
first met Miss Pollard, accompanied by
Breckenridge, at>his office on May 13,
1893. He said: ''1he door was suddenly
thrown open and Colonel Breckenridge
e~1I i.1ry II i |,
might have to ask my protection, as the
lady had threatened his life. She de-
manded that he should promise to marry
her. and seemed excited. She demanded
that he name the day. He named May
81, 1898. He said he would marry her
then, if Providence spared his life"
The witness warned Miss Pollard that
she must not make threats against Col
onel Breckinridge's life as the police
would deal with her. ION May 18th, at
my Office, Breckenridge said the lady was
in a delicate condition through relations
with him; that she was going to New
York to prepare for the event, and he in
tended to marry her. lie asked me to
witness his determination. We three
clasped hands. 1t was an impressive
scene," said the Major. Miss Pollard
had drawn from her bosom revolver,
declaring that if she had occasion she
took it; Colonel Breckenridge suggesting
that | should return it, as it was Christ
mas present, and telling me he gave it to
her on her birthday"
Moore identified several letters and tel
egrams which passed between himself
and Breckenridge. but all were unim-
portant
Beginning the cross-examination Mr..
Thompson said dropping into the Ken
lucky vernacular: "Major, have you got
the pistol the lady pulled from her
bosom?" A messenger was dispatched
to the Chiefs office for the revolver.
Ibid she say he never ruined her?"
asked Mr.. Thompson, whereupon Miss
Pollard cried No" shrilly, and her law
yers and friends devoted themselves to
quieting her, which they were able to do
with difficulty. Not that time" was
Moore's answer.
DR.. n. s. Lincoln said the defendant
brought Miss Pollard to him saying she
was unreasonably jealous, and very
nervous and needed treatment.
The court then adjourned.