The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-10
THE POLLARD CASE.
Mrs. BIaekburn's Strong Testi-
mony Against Breckinridge.
PROMISED TO MARTY THE oiRL.
The Ha1~us 1as1R 8sfssDsS oougAs
Prsesesasa Of sAs Police 1re0 the
Wsnan Ne HsA Wrongsd.

IPotoee10o Of tho Police 1R0o the
Wsnan He HsA Wrs.gsA.
wAsHrxorox CrrY, March a-Ths hear
ing Of the Pollard Brecksnr.dge suit, be
gun yesterday. Was resumed in the district
court this morning. Miss Pollard was one
Of the 6rst to appear. accompanied by two
elderly ladies. Though subjected to the
constant scrutiny Of the throng which
filed the court room. she seemed perfectly
at ease. Col. Breckinridgs came late, but
was fresh and smiling.
The case Was opened with statement
by Lawyer Caideron Carlisle to the jury,
reciting the contrast in the positions OF the
parties 10 the suit: rshearsing how Breck-
inr,dge took advantage OF Miss Poiiard's
youth when she was . school girl OF II;
how, under promise Of marriage after the
death of his then living wife, made before
credible witnesses. he became the father
Of her thres children; how be failed to
keep his promise and married another
woman how she endeavored to leave him
Their. but had been persuaded to continue
NJ his mistress because Of love for him.
During the address the plaintiff flushed
crimson, trembied violently and buried
her face in her handkerchief. Brecks
inridgs chatted unconcernediy with his
attorneys. Carlisle said his client
did not claim 70 DO devoid of
fault or blame, but there was breach Of
promise which vas at issue. He then
sketched her life. A brilliant girl Of COM
mon parsntsgs. she was anxious to rise.
As q country girl. uneducated. she met ].
C. Rhodes, q man OF means, not Of high
station. who became enamoured OF her
and promised to educate her II she would
marry him. She signed IN agreement to
that effect. Afterward, when he was
pressing her for fulfiliment of the agree.
ment. she asked Breckinridge's counsel.
He came and ut once began to take ad-
vantage of her youth and lack of knowl-
edge Of the world, and accomplished his
purpose under promise of marriage. After
his wife's death he had introduced her as
his promised wife into the iirst families Of
the city.
Then Attorney Phil Thompson an
opening statement till the conclusion of
the plaintiffs testimony. Attorney Will
son demanded that certain books, ono con.
taiaing Christmas card given plaintiff
by the defendant. taken by counsel for the
defense, be returned. The defense asked
that the book be more accurately described.
The court held the description sufficient.
During the colloquy tho plaintiff broke
into hystericai and inarticulats sobs and
ordinations.
Mrs. Julia Blackburn, widow Of the late
Gov. blackburn. of Kentucky, was the
first witness. She testified that in tho
spring of 1893 In Washington City, Col.
Breckinridge brought Miss Pollard to her
and asked her kind caro- and protection for
the young lady. adding that a. soon as
sufficient time had elapsed after the death
of his wife he intended to marry her, 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.
Blackburn, when she chided him for for
getting his devotion to his first wife, that
he had discovered that Miss Pollard was
In love with him, and as man of honor
felt bound to marry her. At another time
he asked witness to allay Miss Pollard's
jealousy. Mrs. Blackburn asked him If he
had given her cause, and he declared on
honor that he had not. This was when he
was paying attention to q Mrs. Wing, Of
Louisville. whom he subsequently mar
ried. Mrs. Blackburn related how Miss
Pollard once In her presence urged Br eek.
inridge to tx tho wedding day. but he put
her off. saying he would fix it later. On
cross-examination Mrs. Blackburn said
Mss Pollard on social occasions bore her.
self like lady. As to her feeling toward
Miss Pollard, she said she felt sorrow for
any woman compelled to fight her own
battles, adding, as she turned flashing
eyes on Breckenridge: "Just the sorrow /
feel at being compelled to appear here,
when If had the defense of q husband 1t
would never have been necessary"
Mrs. Blackburn testified that In 1892
Breckenridge called upon witness, he said
at Miss Poliard's request. TO correct re-
ports concerning the latter. and asserted
that there could be no scandal attached to
NJ SIS Po.iard's name, since for a long time
after coming to Washington City she had
remained in a convent. Mrs. Fillette,
witness stated, had said Miss Pollard uas
forward, taking undue liberties in the
houses Of her friends: saying Miss Pollard
had invited Charles Dudley Warner to her
(Mrs. Fillette's) house without her
permission. When Miss Pollard came
TO tell her OF Col. Breckinridge's attentions
TO Mrs. Wing. Mrs. blackburn advised her.
ii she had self-respect. to drop him. On
his next visit Col. Breckenridge declared
sternly, emphaticaily and frequently that
stories OF his attentions to other women
were miserable gossip. Mrs. blackburn
extended Miss Pollard more protection
than she otherwise would have because
Breckenridge asked her and she believed
him TO be a gentleman.
In the afternoon Miss Pollard was de-
cidedy cheerful, smiling as she talked
With ner lawyers Miss Mary Deshs, sister
OF Defendants first wife, testified TO hav-
ing known Miss Pollard, but her evidence
was OF little account mo cross -examina-
ton for her; she may stand aside. " said
Col. brecsaBrIdge. with q ave of the hand.
Maj. Moore. chief OF police OF tae Dis
tfiet OF Colambla. took the stand. Hs
trst met Miss Pollard, accompanied by
Brccsiur.dgs. IN his office May IS. ISIS.
lie said The door Was suddenly throw
open, and Col. Breckenridge came in, FOL.
lowed by lady. lie said ne might have
10 ask my protection, as the lady had
threatened his life. she demanded that
he shouid promise 10 marry her. she "a.
excited aud demanded tnat he name the
day. tie named May 81, Iss3, and SAID lie
would marry her thcn ii p.oviience
spared has life Witness warned Mis-.
Pollard that she mast not maze threats
against Coi. BFeek ridges life. as the
police would deas with her. on Mas II,