The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-10
THE TESTIMONY.
Mrs. Blackburn Gives Damaging Evil
deuce AGAINST the Defendant.


Breckenridge and Miss Pollard had called
on her, and had persisted in sending for
her three times when she had pleaded
WEAKNESS. She was induced to receive
them. Mrs. Blackburn spoke firmly and
continued
Colonel Breckenridge said: have
brought this young lady to ask for her
your kind care and protection, for L ex-
pect that in the future she will be great
deal to me. AS soon as a sufficient time
after the death of my wife has elapsed L
intend to marry her.
"He said: You may consider this fool
ish'
~ replied that there was always risk in
these things
He said: L am old enough to be her
than l.
ION another occasion he said: L saw
that you were greatly shocked at the an
nouncement of my engagement
rotd al replied: @ 1T seems to me very poor poor
who has so recently died
He replied; L will tell you what L
never expected would pass my lips. 1 dis
wards me were, and i, man Of honor,
considered it my duty to offer TO marry
Il said: You certainly take very high
view of these things
Afterwards Colonel Breckenridge had
lards jealousy Il asked" said Mrs. Black
burn, Have you given her any reason?'
He replied: ON my honor as gentleman
Then 1 told him that Miss Pollard had
come TO me the day before telling me Of her
fears"
Continuing, Mrs. Blackburn told how
Mr.. Breckinridge had denied, when she told
him that he had no right to pay devoted
any affection for Mrs. Wing, but thought
IT would be well for the report % his en-
gagement to reach his family, at they
might become familiarized with the thought
or his becoming married. Mrs. Blackburn
related how Miss Pollard had once urged
marriage, and how he said that circum
stances prevented it just then. but that he
would fix date and communicate it TO
Mrs. Blackburn Going to his side Miss
Pollard laid her arm affectionately on Col.
BreckinridgeS shoulder, calling him "Wil-
lie;' that he had stroked her hand and pat
ted 1t anectionately. Mrs. Blackburn told
Miss Pollard to go away, and Colonel
Breckinridge said: Let US have no more
demonstrations here"
MRS. BLACKBURN CROSS-EXAMINED.
Colonel Thompson cross-examined Mrs.
Blackburn She said that the bearing of
Miss Pollard upon social occasions had
been that of lady.
Mr. Thompson became more pressing in
his inquiries regarding the feeling of Mrs.
Blackburn for Miss Pollard, and the wit
ness replied that she felt a sorrow for any
woman compelled to fight her own way in
the world. With flashing eyes, and facing
| the white-bearded Congressman, she said: :
Just the sorrow L feel in being compelled
| to appear here, when, if 1 had the defense
of a husband, it would never have been
| necessary"
When Mr. Thomson asked for the dates
of the various calls the witness replied:
L mad no occasion TO charge my mind with
! them. AS Colonel Breckenridge came on his
Il
| he can tell YOU.
In 1892 Colonel Breckenridge had called
upon witness, as he said, at Miss Pollard 5
| request. to correct reports concerning Miss
! Pollard, and had then asserted that there
| iard's name, since for a long time after COM
| ing to Washington, she had remained in a
convent ofH th+ Mrs: & Fillette witness stated had
| ing undue liberties in the houses of her
| friends. saying that Miss Pollard had in
vited Charles Dudley Warner to her (AIrs.
| Fillette's) house without permission.
| , Mr.. thompson proceeded TO interrOgate
the witness as to who had been present,
according to Mrs. Fillette's story, during
| the visits of Charles Dudley Warner, where
upon Mr.. Carlisle objected. and Judge Brad
| examination has gone so far as it has, La-
cause 1t Is utterly immaterial.'
| Mrs. Blackburn was not made 10 contra
| dict her direct testimony in any particular.
| To one of Colonel Thompson'S cross-ques-
| tions she retorted that he seemed to be
trying trying to % make her repeat unpleasant epi-
/
repeat them, the tears springing TO her
| 1T is only ordinary cross-examination,
| Mrs. Blackburn" said the Judge.
knows that have told the truth, replied
| Mrs. Blackburn. Il have nothing to add TO
| or take from what l have said"
DO you know what made him come on
| that occasion?' queried Mr. Thompson, the
| reference being to the second visit of Col.
| Breckinridge
DO l know what. aetuated Colonel .Breck-
inridge? No." replied the lady, most forci-
bly,.
When Miss Pollard came TO tell her Of
| Colonel Brecknridge's attention to Mrs.
| Wing Mrs. Blackburn had advised her, if
she had any self-respect, to drop him: that
| if he was determined 70 play the villain
nothing Miss Pollard could say would pre-
inridge had declared: '.sterniy, emphatic
ally and frequently" that the stories OF
his attentions to to other women HI were were the
| had extended TO Miss Pollard more prOtec-
ton than she otherwise would because Col.
Breckenridge had asked her to. and she
believed him to be gentleman
| In New York, in May. 1898. Mrs. Black
burn had told Mr.. Breckinridge that she
mitted Miss Pollard to follow him about.
| Miss Pollard had pleaded with her not to
withdraw her protection, prornlsing 10 eS-
| ington Mrs. Blackburn had received no ey-
PLANTATION. and had told them that she was
| through with them. Previously she had pro-
| tested against the frequent visits of Col
| Brec kinridge TO Miss Pollard. telling him
| that he should guard her as he would
| his own child, and he had replied that she
| was too hard upon him, knowing them to
| be engaged.
After a noon recess Miss Pollard seemed
| decidedly cheerful smiling as she talked
| with her lawyers Mrs. Blackburn returned
TO the witness stand and surveyed the aud
| ience through her lorgnette. Two tele-
| grams which she had identified on direct
| examination were produced. They had beer
received by Mrs. Blackburn in April and
| MAY 1899, both informing her of Made
lines" address in New York, No. East
Thitry-first street, the other No. West
FifIy-frst street, the second saying that
Madeline would meet her at the depot
and signed by Colonel Breckinridge This
finished Mrs. Blackburn's testimony.
MISS MARY DESHA TESTIFIES.
The second witness was Miss Mary Desha
the sister of Colonel Breckinridge's frs
wife, who says that she first met Miss
Pollard at Lexington, KY, in 1883, and next
with Secretary and Mrs. Carlisle during
the worlds fair. When questions were
asked concerning the first wife of COlone
Breckenridge the defense objected, sayine
that the marriage was not a dispute. 4
light wicker basket was handed the witnes.
| which she had presented 10 her sister, ant
on which were initials in her sisters hand
| writing.
| mo cross-examinatiOn for her; she may
| stand aside" said Colonel Breckenridge
| with a wave Of his hand.
Major Moore. chief OF police of the Dis
trict OF Columbia, next took the stand. HI
| was acquainted with both parties 70 th'
| suit He first met Miss Pollard. accom-