The evening world., 1894-03-08
TRIAL.
Kentucky's Eloquent Congress-
man at the Bar.
In Miss Pollard's $50, 900 Breach
Of Promise Suit.
-
jury Obtained To- Day-The Case to
Go On To- Morrow.
tBy Associated Pres,

WASHINGTON. ID. G.. March s.-The
dinEy little white Courthouse Of the
District Of Columbia. an old-fashion"d
specimen of architecture, standing In
Judiciary square. ffOnted by imposing
white marble pillars and overlooking n
statue Of Abraham Lincoln. VIII h" the
theatre for weeks to cone OF The most
sensational episode OF litigation known
to the passing generation OF Washing
tonlans.
Congressman w. e. =. Brecklnrligc,
long Tilted the sllver-tongued orator Of
Kentucky. son of a Presbyterian minis
ter. veteran Of the Confederate army, a
/ member Of one OF the most distinguished
families Of his State. and heretofore
conspicuous as a politician and church
man, began today the role Of defendant
in a suit for 5000 damages for breach
Of promise and seduction brought By
Miss Madeline Pollard, also a Ken
tuCklan.
Last August this suit was filed. a few
lays after the second marriage of Col.
Breckenridge. Since then both parties
to the suit nave been engaged in taking
testimony in Kentucky and CinGlnnnd'
the attorneys for Miss Pollard endecvor-
ing to su~bstantiate her assertions That
Col. Breckinridge seduced her when II
girl In "A seminary at Cincinnati. vas the
futher of her three children, and had
made repeated promises to marry her.
while the statements secured by Mr..
ircCkinridge tend to blacken the char
aCter Of the plaintiff.
Miss Pollard for a year held a clerical
position In the Census Bureau at WASH
ington, and has done much writing for
the newspapers, sometimes under ths
occasionally as Madeline Breckenridge
Pollard. During the months between the
Ming OF the suit and Its trial she has
copai Church in Washington, and her
brother. who was editor OF n weekly
paper in Kentucky. has been in the city
az her adviser.
Judge Bradley tries the case. For Miss
Pollard ppear two Of the best known
Washington attorneys, Judge Jcre NJ.
Wilson and Calderon Carlisle. Col.
Brecklnridge. It is understood, will take
a leading part In his own defense. with
the able assistance he will receive from
Col. lhil Thompson. an eX-tongressman
from Kentucky. who II a brilliant law
yer. Col. Itnoch Totten. one of the
strongest Washington attorneys, who
was to have acted with the defense. Is In
Florida because OF weak health. and will
son the defense has unsuccessfully en-
deavored to secure a further postpone
ment of the trial.
One of the most active workers in the
- VIZ ~ i''' 80 u ''ih ~
Col. BreCkinridgc. who mas been untirlng
In his efforts in his father's behalf. The
Issue of the charges against the Con-
gresham Is considered OF the most vital
Importance to him. since his campaign
for reelection TO his seat will be con-
Quoted this Summer, In Washington so
ciety, and particularly In Kentucky
circles. the greatest interest Is manifested
In the case.
Half an hour before 10 o'clock. the
time for the court &c open. the corridors
swarmed with curious people, endeavor-
Ing by every device to pass the gauntlet
OF doorkeepers. Among the curious
were several old ladies. half ashamed
Of their presence. SO small is the
en- orders to exclude every one but those
having Il legitimate interest in the cnse.
First on the scene of active partici-
pants In the case were the attorneys
for Miss Pollard. Messrs. Wilson and
Carlisle. Soon afterwards the most con
spicuous parsonage of all. Col, Brock
inridge, Of Kentucky, arrived. There
face, fringed by the snow white beard
and locks, which would make him n
figure 10 be noted In any asscmblage.
He was accompanied by Ben Butter
worth, the well-known ex-Congressman
from Ohio, who had been engaged to
take the place OF Col. Totten In the
defense.
Col. Brecklnrldge sauntered over to the
reporters table. where he shook hands
wifi some of his friends.
How are YOU feeling, Colonel" one
Of them asked. First rate?"
81 should say | was was the answer.
There was no trouble in securing a
jury for the case. and after the jury was
sworn the trial went over TIL Tomorrow,