Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-04-03
HE ADMITS 1T.
The Colonel Says He Promised
to Marry Madeline.
The Southern ChivaIry in His Nature
Was Not the Cause.
But He Ssys He Was Afraid She Would Other.
wise Kill Him.

WASHINGTON, April As soon as court
met this morning, Col. Breckinridge took
the stand and Maj. Butterworth began by
questions to shake the testimony of Mics
Pollard With reference to the alleged pro-
posal of marriage in August, 1892, which
the plaintiff clsims took place in a carriage
in this city.
Breckenridge denied all those statements
of the plaintiff concerning the alleged con-
versation during the ride. He said he did
not see the plaintiff in August, 1892, and
did not know she was in Washington at
the time. Butterworth made reference to
Miss Pollard's statements that the defend
ant made her give up her child, and that
he had talked with her about his deceased
wife.
! 81 never in any way mentioned to her
the name of my wife" said he 81 never
knew she had given birth to living child
and | never asked her to give it up."
Breckenridge also denied Miss Pollard's
statements concerning their meeting at the
Hoffman house in New York. II did not
see the plaintiff at the Hoffman house on
the evening of April 3O," said he, .because
| was not there. did not tell her, as she
states, that had an engagement with Will
liam c. Whitney or Charles S. Fairchild
and that they were to send me abroad in
the interests of a $50 0,O00, 900 railway
scheme. did not tell her on April 80 that
| was going to spend the night in a private
car. None of her statements are true"
"What took place on your first visit to
Major Moore in reference to your promise
to marry the plaintiff and what was said at
that timer"
"My recollection is, that the converse
tion did not cover over 10 or Is minutes.
| think my opening sentence was: Il have
come to deliver this young woman or my
self into your custody, might lose my life
by her, and that desired that he should
hear what l had to say and arrest either
me or her. She threw up her hands and
said she had not threatened to take my
life, that her hands were her only weapons.
| "She said to me during our talk that she
would not kill me if I<would marry her
that month. replied, will marry you
on the last day of the month if Moore does
not interpose. then said 1 was going to
tell the whole matter. She placed her hand
on my shoulder and demonstrated about my
telling. asked her if she would do what
| wanted if did not tell. She said she
would.
81 turned to Major Moore and said Il
| think we can settle this matter between u.s.
[ took her there for the purpose of deliver
ing her over to the police, and if she had
| not made her promise to me to do as asked
| would have done it. There was no request
| to Major Moore that should preserve the
secret. told her she could not get an
other dollar out of me for her support. She
| then began to cry and told me that her ner-
vous manner and excitement resulted from
her delicate condition.
"Now, tell what happened after you took
the pistol away from her in the house of
Mrs. Thomas after she had attempted to
take your life"
Il left her and she tainted or pretended
to similate fain,ing. Next morning before
| had gone to breakfast she sent up her
card to my room at the Rigxs's house and
| went down to see her in the parlor. She
was full of prote stations of regret over the
scene she had created at MIS-. Thomas and
We had an smiable interview. She told me
she was willing to keep her agreement about
going away from Washington and che sub
| mitted to me schedule of the things she
needed money for. She also asked for a
small additional sum of money to pay some
expenses here before going away.
I'VE parted with expressions of regret.
regret on her part that we were obliged to
part and that she had acted go badly, re-
gret on mine that she was pregnant by me-
This was Sunday, May IA. Next night |
vas in my rooms at the Riggs house enter
tairing some Kentucky friends, when she
| came again and seemed very nervous and
| excited. She said she was going to spend
| the night at Mrs. Blackburns and l took
her there"
Col. Brechinridge told of a conversation
with Mrs. Bls, kburn the same week in
which Mrs. Blackburn demanded the ex-
PLANTATION which Breckenridge had failed to
give in New York of how Miss Pollard and
the witness came to be stopping at the Hoff-
man house together.
Breckenridge said he declined to give any
explanation, saying it was not for him to
explain, and Mrs. Blackburn said she
washed her hands of the whole business
and did not want anything to do with people
who behaved so badly and abused her con-
| fidence in such a way.
| Miss Pollard afterwards said to the wit
ness that she was glad it had ended that
way, that they had nothing more to fear
from Mrs. Blackburn, and she would 90 to
New York and drop out of his life without
explanation to anybody. Arrangements
were made to send the plaintiff to New
York, and to be cared for during her con-
finement.
Concerning the statements sat an inter-
view with Mai. Moore, Breckinridge said
Miss Pollard was snxious for him to tell
Moore that no other man had any improper
relations with her but he would not do 90.
The plaintiff had agreed to 60 to New
York, the witness said, to remain there
during confinement and she again submit
ted the schedule of things she needed. He
furnished her the money for these things.
The witness was Obliged to 90 away
about this time on speaking tour through
virgipia and Kentucky. and he and plsin-
tilt parted on the best of terms, she agree
ing to leave Washington and remain away
and not trouble him any more.
II considered the matter between the
plaintiff and myself 20 far a Washington
was concerned. 10 far - Mrs. Blackburn
was concerned, and 20 fur as our o exual re-
lations were concerned a. entirely ended.