New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-28
DID MISS POLLARD WRITE II!
TESTIMONY BY HANDWRITING EXPERTS
IN THE BRECKENRIDGE CASE.

On HER At WESLEYAN tOl-l-l-sf.- 'lif-
HAS DECLARED IT \ FORGERY
CHEF MOORE DENIES sEV-
ERAL THINGS SHE
SAID or THE
STAND.
Washington, March 97.-IIardly fifty people were
present in the Circuit Courtroom this morning
when the Pollard Breckinrldge case was called.
Major Moore. the Chief of Police. took the stand
Mr.. Shelby conducted the examination of Major
Moore. who had already testified In behalf OF MISS
Pollard. In answer to questions from Mir Shelby
Major Moore denied statements made by Miss
Pollard the stand with reference to what had
been said at interviews between Colonel Breckin-
ridge and Miss Pollard and the witness. He de-
MED that Colonel Breckenridge had said. as test-
fled by Miss Pollard. This is one Of life's TRACE
dies" tdding that this young woman had borne him
two children. and that there third IN pres
pect" to which, according TO Miss Poard's te9;-
mony. she replied: Yes. Major Moore. l gave my
self 10 him
Some other minor things testified TO by Mss Pol
lard in reference 10 the conversations in Major
Moore's office also denied by Major Moore
This concluded his direct examination, and he
turned over for cross-examination to Judge
Wilson. Major Moore said. in answer 10 Judge Will
son. that his recollection Of the conversations IN
his office between the plaintiff. the defendant and
himself May 10 and on May II was based al
most entirely on shorthand notes which he had made
Immediately after the interviews. Judge Wilson
wanted particularly to know whether there was any
thing said by Miss Pollard in the direction OF or
suggesting that this sham and a deception
that was being practsed Major Moore.
Major Moore answered: There was not
What was his Colonel Brcckinr.dge's manner
when he made these declarations to You about
marrying Miss Pollari?" Judge Wilson's next
question
Quiet" said Major Moore, after an objection TO
the question had been overruled.
II want to know whether on that occasion her
manner did indicate satisfaction and gratifi-
cation over the promise of marriage"
"Oh object to that. too said Colonel PM
Thompson. But the question allowed. and Major
Moore said: Her manner indicated satisfaction and
qualification"
DR. g. b. Schaeffer Deputy Coroner OF the Dis
trict o: Columbia. put on the stand, as an ex-
pert in handwriting. to examine the letter which
Colonel Breckenridge says he received from Miss
Pollard In 1884. and which caused him to call on
her at the Wesleyan College In Cincinnati the week
their intimate relations began. Miss Pollard read
this letter the stand, and pronounced 1t for
gerry. "And no knows better than that man
there" she said, Indicating Colonel Breckenridge.
that II written by me- This letter
hes never been made public
Dr. Schaeffer asked many questions as TO his
practice In detecting fOrgeries and in running down
anonymous letter writer's. After examining Dr..
Schaener for nearly hour to his knowledge OF
handwriting Judge Wilson said he was satisfied
that DIR. Schaefer did not have the necessary quail
fcatons OF expert but Judge Bradley thought
otherwise and allowed the witness 20 remain on
the stand.
IN THE SAME HANDWRITING.
Major But;erworth handed DR. schaefer the LEI
ter purporting to be 10 Colonel Brecknrdge from
Mss Pollard, which she claims Is forgery.
other letter signed w. c. p. r.. and bundle OF
Miss Pollards letters TO Rodes. DR.. Schaefer said
he had examined all these yesterday.
Now. Doctor" said Major Bdtterworth. having
compared these carefully you state. YOU say
whether this letter here Zone Of Miss Pollards
knowiedged epistles) written by the per-
con this uhe letter claimed TO be forged)?'
Eyes. sir; they wefc written In the same hand
writing"
"Now Doctor. I hand you a Christmas ard which
was taken from work of Washington Irving. Ca7
you whether the writing 1t Compile
tnents OF w $. D. has been written more than
tive years."
This is the card which the defence claims Miss
Pollard slipped into volume Of Irving at 81. Jo-
scphs Founding Asylum while she there GET
ting up evidence last December prove her claim
u that she the asylum In 1885 and gave birth
10 a child there.
Judge Wilson objected TO Major Butterworths
question. and 1t modified DR.. Schaefer being
asked how long the writing had been done.
The witness answered that it looked to have been
written not than three four years ago.
That was the utmost limit and It might have been
written within three four months Dr. SchaeTer
entered into a technical explanation as 10 how ink
Is affected by exposure the air prove his asser-
lions. and he then turned for cross-ex-
animation TO Judge Wilson, who asked many Ques-
tions to ascertain what was the regular charge of
the witness for expert testimony. II was clear
that he was trying 10 show what weight big fee
would have the witness
The letters produced he said. had been given him
by Colonel Breckenridge on Sunday night, and he
had examined them then and last night. The
Christmas card was examined yesterday morning
day to the letters and two hours to the card The
examination OF the ink on the Christmas card has
been ocular only.
And you mean TO say. that you determined the
age of that ink by sight alone?" asked Judge
Yes sir" vas the ne answer and the witness
the purpose of deceiving him, he could not modify
what he had said
Then ne said. in answer TO another question by
Judge Wilson: Il feel much more certain that !
Madeline Pollard wrote that letter dhe alleged |
forgery than do 10 the date OF the handwrlt-
ing as stated by me-"
DIFFERENCES IN LETTERS.
Then Judge Wilson made Dr. Schaeher tell how |
ne noted dissmilarities in handwriting and had |
him the difference between the letter &C. in |
one note and the latter &c" in another note Then |
the letter "w" taken up and Dr. Schaeffer said /
he knew positively that the wv" in the alleged |
forged letter exactly like the wv" in about !
twenty other letters written by Miss Pollard.
Now. show w like this In any one Of the |
letters" said Judge Wilson, and at the end OF a !
long examination the witness declared that he |
found two WIS in a letter and both were little
different from the one indicated. Two more VS.
in separate notes were shown Or. Schaeffer, and he
said they entirely different. Then two separate
rs him, and Judge Wilson asked II !
ne could tell whether two letters entirely differ
ent were written by the same person.
II might" said DR. Schaeffer eyasively
But you tell?'
II might" again.
You don't know" said Judge Wilson positively
Dr. Schaeffer admitted that sometimes handwrit-
Ing had been well Initiated that experts were de-
Ceived-in fact this had occurred frequently.
Nov. Doctor. look at that word July" and tell
ma mat has
by an expert in penmanshp?" asked Judge Wilson.
1T IL above the average" said Dr. Schaeffer.
The letter which Judge Wilson showed the wit
ness the alleged forgery.
Now look at the figures that follow July" said
Judge Wilson ''and tell me If they do appear 10