Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-03-10
The observation-disclosures! { use.


case in Washington closed yesterday
with Mrs. Blackburn's testimony.
The second witness was al dy, hand
somely attired in green and black silk,
Miss Mary Desha, the sister of Colonel
Breckinridge's first wife, who said that
she first met Miss Pollard at Lexington,
KY, in the summer of 1889, and next
with Secretary and Mrs. Carlisle dur
ing the Worlds Fair. When questions
were asked concerning the first wife OF
Colonel Breckenridge, the defense OBJ
jected, saying that the marriage was
not in dispute. A light wicker basket
was handed the witness, which, she
said, she had presented to her sister,
and on which were initials in her sisters
handwriting.
mo cross.examination for her: she
can staad aside said Colonel Breckin-
ridge, with a wave of his hand.
Major Moore, chief of police of the
District of Columbia, next took the
stand. He first met Miss Pollard, ac-
companied by Col. Breckenridge, in his
office May Is, 1898. He said: "The
door was suddenly thrown open, when
Col. Breckenridge came in, closely fol-
lowed by a lady. He said that be
might have to ask my protection, as
the lady had threatened his life. She
demanded that he should promise to
marry her, seemed much excited, and
demanded that he should name a day.
He named May 81, 1898, and said be
would marry her then, if Providence
spared his life. When he started to ex.
plain the trouble between them, she
put her hand on his shoulder and dis
suaded him. She was much excited, He
was COOL
The witness had warned Miss Pollard
that she must not make threats against
Col. Breckinridge's life, as the police
would have to deal with her.
In questioning Major Moore about
Col. Breckinridge's promise to marry
Miss Pollard, Mr., Carlisle asked: Can
you reproduce mis- tone Of voice.
"No, sir; l wish l could" replied the
Major, in a tone which produced a
burst of laughter and a reprimand from
the court.
Major Moore said he had taken notes
Of the interview, which notes he read.
On May II, in witnesses Office, Colonel
Breckenridge had told him that the
lady was pregnant through her rela-
lions with him; that she was going TO
New York to prepare for the event,
and that ne intended to marry her.
"He asked me to witness his deter.
mination. We three clasped hands.
1t was an impressive scene" said the
Major.
He had notes of this interview also,
which he read. Miss Pollard had
drawn from her bosom a revolver, de-
claring hat if she had occasion TO do
so she would use it upon herself and
him. The witness took it, Colonel
Breckenridge suggesting that he should
return it TO her as 4 Christmas present,
she telling him to give it to her on her
birthday.
There was a stir of excitement
through the room as Major Moore, con.
linuiug, said He told her that she
could not accuse him of having APP
preached her with flowers, or seduced
her; that the first time he saw her he
ook liberties with her person, and the
second night he spent with her."
During this interview, which lasted
half an hour, Miss Pollard reclined on
the sofa, and Colonel Breckenridge sat
there.
When the witness was asked wheth-
err, at any time, Colonel Breckenridge
had qualified his promises, there was q
chorus of objections from Col. Breckin-
ridge and his attorneys, Mr.. Thompson
protesting that the promises might
have been qualified many times un-
known to the witness.
In an amended form the question
was permitted.
Major Moore had received four COM
munications from Col. Breckenridge
and one telegram.
The letters were handed Col. Brock
inridge for Identification. "Those are
in my handwriting. That typewriter
one has my signature. Isent that tele-
gram" were his comments, in a mat
ter.of-fact way. One dated Lexington,
June %, '93, asked a particular favor
of the Major, stating that Miss Pollard
was writing to people in Kentucky,
spreading the news of her engagement.
The second one, dated July 10, 1898,
stated that he paid the penaly of public
life by malicious notes in papers like
Town Topic and inuendoes inspired by
Miss Pollard, which created scandal.
There is no reason why she should
destroy herself" said the letter.
One of July %, dated at Harrington,
Tenn, introduced Major P. P. Johnson
and w. S. Chesney as Col. Breckin-
ridges friends, who would co operate
with Major Moore in preventing scan
dial.
1t had been presented by them on
July 26. Major Johnson had given
him a check for 500, drawn by Colonel
Breckenridge on July 81, to assist Miss
Pollard, but, witness having no idea of
her whereabouts, the check had been
returned to Colonel Breckenridge.
A letter, dated Lexington, August /,
announced Breckinridge's expected re-
turn to Washington for the special ses-
sion of Congress, said that Major Moore
knew the situation better than Colonel
Breckenridge did, and concluded, 81
do not know whether to expect any
trouble"
Beginning the cross.examination,
Mr.. Thompson said major, have you
got the gun the lady pulled from her
bosom ?"
A messenger was dispatched to the
chiefs Office for the revolver. Mr..
nhomncon u.as innlined to be ~facatious