St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-03-10
she CRIES IN THE COURT.
HkDELWE POLLARD MUCH AFFECTED
8Y The TESTIMONY
IN THE GREAT SCANDAL CASE.

The Wife of ex-Gov. Blackburn, of
Kentucky, Tells of the Promise
of Marriage Made by the
White Rhiskered Breckin-
ridge-District Chief Of Police
Gives Damaging Testimony.
WASHINGTON. March 9.-There was
enough of sensation ana scandal in the
trial of Madeline Pollard's breach of
promise suit against Congressman
Breckenridge, of Kentucky, today to
satiate even the most eXpectant in the
fashionably arrayed masculine audience
which crowded the circuit court. Wit
nesses we'll known 10 all Washingtoni-
ans detailed the secret history of the life
travelled by the snowy-bearded con-
gressman and the attractive young
woman who, seated only all arms
length apalt, were magnets for the GU
rioSity which always surrounds the per-
sonages OF such a case. Except the
half-dozen connected with the case,
there were no ladies in court, but long
lines of men, like the crowds
OC4OlC OOA Oi4IDN VI q hhNo"SA'
waited outside OF the door TO be
admitted. These men seemed 10
regard the trial altogether i'll the light
of a theatrical entertainment, appar-
emily unconscious of the fact that there
was an element of human tragedy about
the affair. Saturday is motion day in
the circuit court, so the Washington
populace Will be denied further oppor-
tuuity to satisfy its curiosity until Mon
day.
One of the first persons tn enter the
circuit room this moraing was Miss
Madeline Pollard. the plaintiff in the
suit against Congressman W. c. P.
Breckenridge.
This Was the first sight of the plaintiff
vouchsafed to the scandal lovers WHO
crowded the court, and for quarter Of
an hour before the trial began she was
the target or ali eyes and the subject OF
many curious comments. Miss Pollard
is an attractive young woman, whose
appearance weuld indicate that she has
attained thirty years; with a slender,
GIRIISH FIGURE
which was ehvelOped in long black
with a small. piquant mouth, upturned
nose, flashing black eyes and heavy,
dark brown hair. She wore a small
black bonnet Two ladies accompanied
her, and sat beside her at the table with
her counsel, directly in front of the
Judge. One OF them. an elderly lady,
dressed in black. was one OF the sisters
of the EDiscopaiian house Of refuge, in
winch Miss Pollard is sheltered. The
other who sat beside the plaintiff was a
weIl-dressed lady of middle age, who
figured as friend of Miss Pollard, but
wnose identity no one could discover.
Miss Pollard seemed quite at her ease.
Her face was covered with thin veil,
which in no way concealed her features.
She talked with her lawyers most of
the time prior to court convening. Col.
Breckinridge was late in putting in his
appearance. Finally he came. with a
small satchel of documents on his arm,
fresh and smiling, accompanied by his
son. Desha Breckinridge The number
OF lawyers made it necessary to have
two rows of tables, the front line de-
voted to the Pollard forces; the second
row occupied by
THE BRECkINRIDGE PARTY,
so that the white-haired defendant sat
almost directly. back of his young an
tagunst.
The trial really commenced when
Caideron Carlisle faced the jury, lean
ing languidly against table, and. in
deliberate conversational tones, outlined
the matters which the plaintiff would
endedvor TO prove He contrasted the
positions of the two parties, one a man
OF family, of political prominence, high
in the councils of the Presbyterian
church, famous throughout the country
as an orator: the other a friendless
young woman. Something was said
aboutthe legal aspect OF the case. Then
he began TO read the declaration, which
was published in full when the suit was
brought: how Col. Breckinridge had
taken advantage OF Miss POllard's youth
when she was a girl of seventeen al the
Wesleyan Female seminary, and then
further alleging that he was the father
OF her three children; that he had in the
presence Of credible witnesses promised
TO marry her, having previously made
the promise to become her husband
when his wife should die; that he had
married instead Mrs. Louise Wing, of
Louisville; that Miss Pollard had en-
deavored to leave him and make a
career for herself, but had been per-
Eu5dtd to continue as his mistress be-
cause of her love for him.
During this reading, Miss Pollard
flushed crimson. She trembed violent
", and buried her face in her handker-
chief. Col. Breckinridge chatted in
maiter-nf-fact way with his Lawyers.
THAT, gentlemen" Mr.. Carlisle said.
ais the story of my client. She does not
come here saying that she is devoid of
fault or blame, but there is the promise
of marriage and its breach, the issue OF
this case"
Next Mr.. Carlisle read the defend
ants answer denying all the material
allegations in the complaint Sketch
Ing briefly what would be proven in the
case.
MR.. CARLISLE SPOKE
of Miss Pollard as the daughter OF a sad
dler, brilliant, always endeavoring to Use
above her station. He said that when
she was young girl, John C. Rhodes, a
man OF means. but not OF high position,
was attracted by her charms, offered to
educate her if she would marry him;
and she, a simple country girl, had
signed an agreement TO that effect.
Afterwards when Miss Pollard was in
trouble because Rhodes was pressing
her to fulfill her promise, and because
she, country gill, believed he could
invoke the law in his aid. she had writ
ten Mr.. Breckenridge, asking his ad-
vica, letter which was answe req in
person.
HThen, according to Mr.. Carlisle, began
a deliberately laid scheme to work the
rum OF the girl. under promise that
when his wife died he would make her
his wife. He had introduced her as his
promised wife into the first families of