Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-04-16
POLLARD-BR BRECKENRIDGE TRIAL.

!
ing in the case OF Madeline Pollard
against Congressman w. C. p. Breckin-
ridge for so, 900 damages for breach Of
promise rendered verdict in favor OF
| Miss Pollard for 1900.
Immediately after the jury retired
Mr. Cole was elected foreman. A bal
lot was taken, which resulted II to l
in favor of the plaintiff. Some time was
spent in bringing the one juryman over,
and then the question of damages was
taken up. One juror was in favor Of
giving the plaintiff the full amount
claimed, $50 900, and the juror who
voted for the defendant thought mere
IL nominal damages cent-should be
eiven. 1t was finally decided that each
Juror should write down an amount,
and the average was taken, resulting in
the award OF $4,000.
When the verdict was rendered there
was not sound in the room. Judge
Bradley mad taken occasion to warn
the spectators just before the verdict
was rendered that any demonstration
OF approval or disapproval from the
spectators would not be tolerated, and
every man there needed the warning.
Colonel Breckenridge had sat leaning
forward and when the verdict was an
nounced he did not change color or
manifest any sign OF nervousness.
When Foreman Cole announced the
amount Of damages, Colonel Breckin-
ridge turned 10 Colonel Thompson and
| asked How much ?"
When the foreman had sat down,
Colonel breckenridge rose quickly to
his feet. and asked in his usually must
cal voice Ifyour honor please, within
what time can motion for new trial
be fled -
Within four days, said Judge Brad
Your honor said Mr.. Mckinney.
who had started to address the court
when Col. Breckenridge asked hisques-
ton, I'VE give notice of an intention to
file motion for new trial
Judge Bradley bowed, and, then
turning to the jury, thanked them for
their faithful services and discharged
them for the term. The crowd filed
out slowly, followed q few minutes
later bv the defendant and his friends.
They walked across the courthouse
square to Mr. McKinaey's Office, where
Mrs. Breckenridge was in waiting, and
fifteen minutes later the husband and
wife entered q waiting open carriage,
and were driven along F street. There
had been story in Il local paper the
day before of rumorcd estrangement
between the Colonel and his wife Oh
account Of this suit, and, as if to dis
prove the rUmor, Mrs. breckenridge and
another lady, said to be the Colonies
daughter, had driven TO the court house
during the noon recess, and had held a
conversation with MIN in front Of the
building
The baroucbe stopped at big grocery
store, where Mrs Breckenridge gave
some orders. Col. Breckenridge s.ood
in The doorway, calmly surveying the
crowds of passers-by, and laughed as a
little newsboy pushed an extra III
his face. He bought the paper, and re-
entering the carriage with his wife.
drove 10 their home.
III Caldcron Carli5le's Office Miss Pol
land was holding an ovation. Mr.. Car
Isle had walked nimbly out of the
courtroom, and gone to tell his client
the verdict. She did not break down
and cry, but expressed her JOY in re-
peated handshakes with her friends,
and exclaimed sob, isn't it good, ism t
il good :" Her brother closed the door
Of The room to keep out the rush.
Mr.. Carlisle said that Miss Pollard
did not care to talk. 'She has kept
herself as much in the background as
possible" he said, mot only from our
| desire, but from her OVID. / think it Is
best that she should say nothing so
soon after the close Of the trial"
Col. Breckinridge also declined to
talk, but he promised that he might
have something to say within day or
two.
The concluding portion of Judge Viii
sons argument was attended by several
sensational incidents.
In the course of his argument Judge
| Wilson said the defendant not only de-
uied that he had wronged the plaintiff
at the house of Sarah Cess, but admit
ted that he himself had been wronged
before that time at the same place.
This caused litter from the spectators,
and before it died away, Col. Breckin-
ridge half rose in his chair, and said :
'Now, if your Honor please, that is a
misstatement. | testified that | was
never at the house Of Sarah Cess but
once"
"Oh, don't try to change it now
said Judge Wilson. "You have finished
your testimony"
II am not testifytng now, please
your Honor, but this is not the truth,
and I simply desire to make this last
statement" Col. Breckenridge said, with
some warmth.
"Your statement was, Mr.. Breckin-
ridge said Judge Bradley, chat you
were at the house of Sarah Cess before
you went there with the plaintiff"
Eyes, but that was ALL" Col. Brock
inridge replied.
Mention was made in the GAZETTE
of the passage between Judge Wilson
and Mr.. Stoll in court Saturday morn
ing, when the latter thought his oppo-
nent had accused him Of completely in
the forgery ola letter.
During The recess Mr.. Wilson said to
Major Butterworth that, if it appeared
from anything he had said that he in
tended to impute any improper con-
duct to Mr.. Stoll he would correct and
retract it. Mr. Stoll expressed himself
as being satisfied with Mr.. Wilson's eX-
PLANTATION, saying that it was no doubt
intended to be full and complete.
Perhaps the utterance from Mr.. Will
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