Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-28
FORGED LETTER.
Experts in Handwriting Say
Fair Madeline Wrote It.
Though They Admit That Many An
Expert Has Been Mistaken.


WASHINGTON, March 27.-Hardly 80 peo-
pie were present in the circuit court room
this morning when the Pollard Breckin-
ridge case was called. Chief of Police
Moore took the stand ana Mr.. Shelby con-
Quoted the examination. Maj. Moore had
already testified in behalf of Miss Pollard.
In answer to . question from Shelby,
Moore denied statements made by Miss Pol
lard on the stand with reference to what
had been said at interviews between Bfeck-
inridge and Miss Pollard and the witness.
He said that Breckinridge had said, as
atte sted by Miss Pollard: This is one Of
life's tragedies" adding that "this young
woman has borne him two children and that
there was third in prospect" to which,
according to Miss Pollard's testimony, she
replied, "Yes, Major Moore, l. gave my
self to him. Some other minor things
testified to by Miss Pollard in reference to
conversations in Major Moores office, were
also denied by Maj. Moore.
This concluded his direct examination
and he was turned over for cross. examine
ton to Judge Wilson Major Moore said,
in answer to Judge Wilson, that his recol-
lection of the conversation in his office be-
tween the plaintiff, the defendant and him
self, on May 18th and on May 18th, was
based almost entirely on shorthand notes
which he had made Immediately after the
interviews. He would have hardly remem-
bered much about the two interviews if it
were not for the shorthand notes.
Judge Wilson wanted particularly to know
whether there was anything said by Miss
Pollard in the direction of or suggesting
hat this was sham and deception that was
being practiced.
Major Moore answered: "There was
not"
"What was his (Breckinridge's) manner
when he made these declarations to you
about marrying Miss Pollard?"
"Quiet."
II want to know whether on that occa-
sion her manner did not indicate satisfac-
ton and qualification at the promise of mar
riage?"
Major Moore said "Her manner indi-
Gated satisfaction and qualification"
DR.. G. B. Schaeffer, deputy coroner Of
stand as an expert in handwriting to exam-
inc the letter which Breckinridge says he
received from Miss Pollard in 1884 and
which caused him to call on her at Wes-
leyan college in Cincinnati the week that
intimate relations began.
Miss Pollard read this letter on the stand
and pronounced it forgery, land no one
knows better than that man there" she
.aid, indicating Col. Breckinridge, ''that it
was not written by me-"
This letter has never been made public.
Judge Wilson examined DR.. Schaeffer care
fully as to his knowledge of handwriting,
and after an hours questioning Mr.. Wilson
said he was satisfied DR.. Schaeffer did not
have the necessary qualifications of an ex-
pert, but Judge Bradley thought otherwise
and allowed the witness to remain on the
stand.
Major Butterworth handed DR.. Sehaeffer
he letter purporting TO be to Col. Brock
nridge from Miss Pollard, which she claims
is forgery; another letter eigned w. c. P.
B., and bundle of Miss Pollard's letters
o old man Rodes. DR.. Schaeffer said he
had examined all of these yesterday.
"Now DOCTOR" said Butterw0rtb, "hav-
ing compared these carefully a. you state,
can you say whether this letter here, one
Of Miss Pollsrd's acknowledged epi.tles,
vas written by the same person As this, the
letter claiDed to be forged?"
%Yes, ,ir, they were written in the same
handwriting"
"Now, doctor, hand you . Christmas
card which was taken from a work of
Washington Irving. Can you state whether
the writing on it, Compliments Of W. S.
B. has been written more than five years."
This is the card which the defense claims
MISS Pollard slipped into volume of Irv-
ing at St. Joseph's founding asylum while
she was there getting up evidence last
December to prove her claim that she was
at the asylum in 1885 and gave birth to .
baby there. Judge Wilson objected, and it
was modified, DR.. Schaeffer being asked
how long ago the writing had been done.
The witness answered that it looked ~
though it had been written not more than
three or four years ago. This was the ut
terest limit and it might have been written
within three or four months.
A number of questions were then asked
the witness for the purpose Of showing
whether or no DR.. Schaeffer might not have
been Influenced by large fee to make his
testimony fit the theory Of the defence.
DIR. Shaeffer, on cross-examination, ad-
mitted that sometimes handwriting was 20
well initiated that experts were deceived, in
under confederation was alleged to be .
forgery.
Judge Wilson pointed out tha. the word
"July" was very different in the penman-
ship employed from other words in Miss
Pollard's letters, which DR.. Shaeffer admit
ted. Mr.. Wilson wanted to know how the
witness had overlooked the glaring dissimi-
larity.
DR.. Shaeffef answered that he probably
examined the word but its difference from
the other words had mot struck him and be
made no note Of it.
Ed B. Hay, member Of the Washington
bar, was sworn - an expert ia handwriting.
He had seen many Thousands of handwrit-
ings and compared them, he said. He had
made their comparison special ftudy. Mr..
Hay was shown the alleged forged letter,
and the letter written BY Miss Pollard to
school friend, Wessie Brown, and he ssil
they we're, in his opinion. written by the
same person.
A blackboard was produced and Mr.. Hay
wrote On it some words in the slIeeed
forged letter and some Of the words in the
other lettsra to show the sipilazity. Jedge
Wilson inquired infinitely. - be did Of Dr..