The evening world., 1894-03-08
BRECKENRIDGE TRIAL.
Kentucky's Eloquent Congress-
man at the Bar.
In Miss PoIIard's $4,000 Breach
Of Promise Suit.
Jury Obtained To- Day-The Case to
Go On Tomorrow.
By Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. March s.-The
dingy little white Courthouse OF the
District of Columbia. an old-fashioned
specimen of architecture. standing in
Judiciary Square. fronted by imposing
white marble pillars and overlooking a
statue OF Abraham Lincoln, will be the
theatre for weeks to come OF the most
sensational episode of litigation known
to the passing generation OF Washing
tonians.
Congressman w. C. p. Breckenridge,
long Titled the silver-tongued orator of
Kentucky. son OF a Presbyterian minis
ter, veteran of the Confederate army, a
member of one of the most distinguished
families OF his State. and heretofore
man, began to-day the role OF defendant
In a suit for 5000 damages for breach
Of promise and seduction brought by
Miss Madeline Pollard. also a Ken
tuckian
Last August this suit was filed, q few
days after the second marriage OF Col.
Breckinridge. Since then both parties
testimony In Kentucky and Cincinnati.
the attorneys for Miss Pollard endeavor-
ing to s~ubstantiate her assertions that
Col. Breckenridge sedmced her when a
father OF her three children. and had
made repeated promises to marry her.
while the statements secured by Mr..
Breckenridge tend to blacken the char
acter Of the plaintiff.
Miss Pollard for n ear held a clerical
position In the Census Bureau at wash
ington, and has done much writing for
name OF Madeline Vinton Pollard. and
occasionally as Madeline Breckenridge
Pollard. During the months between the
Ming OF the suit and Its trial she has
| Ayal In n hnttaa NJ rafuRe NJ the FMS.
copal Church in Washington, and her
brother. who was editor Of a weekly
paper in Kentucky. has been in the city
Judge Bradley tries the case. For Mis-.
Pollard appear two of the best know
Washington attorneys, Judge Jere N
a leading part In his own defense, will
the able assistance he will receive from
Col. Phil Thompson. an ex-Congressmai
yer. Col. Enoch Totten. one OF tn
strongest Washington attorneys. VIII
was to have acted with the defense. is II
Florida because Of weak health. and viii
son the defense has unsuccessfully en-
deavored to secure a further postpone
ment OF the trial
One of the most active workers in tn,
arrangement of the defense is A son o
Col. Breckenridge, has been untirin,
in his efforts In his fathers behalf. TIL
Issue OF the charges against the Con
gresham Is considered OF the most vita
Importance to him. since his campaig,
for reelection to his seat will he con
Quoted this Summer. In Washington SO
cietv. and particularly in Kentuck.
circles, the greatest Interest Is manifesto,
In the case.
Half an hour before 10 o'clock. tn,
time for the court &c open. the corridor
swarmed with curious people. endeavor
iEg by every device to pass the gauntle
Of doorkeepers. Among the curious
were several old ladies', half ashame'
of their presence. So small H. tn
courtroom that Judge Bradley had Civ
On orders to exclude every one but h
having n legitimate interest in the case
First on the scene OF active PARTED
pants In the case were the attorney
for Miss Pollard. Messrs. Wilson an
Carlisle. soon afterwards the most con
spicuous parsonage OF all. Col. Breck
inridge. OF Kentucky. arrived. Their
was n ruddy glow of health on hi
face. fringed by the sno white bear
and locks. which would make him
He was accompanied by Ben Butter
from Ohio. who had been engaged t
take the place OF Col. Totten In tn
defense.
Col. Breckenridge sauntered over to tn
reporters table. where he shook hand
with some of his friends.
How are you feeling. Coloncl?' on
Of them asked. First rate"'
Il should say / was" was the answer
There was no trouble In securing
jury for the case. and after the jury wa
sworn the trial went over till tomorrow