The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-03-15
BRECTINRIDGE-POLLARD.
; SENSATIONAL CASE CALLED
FOR TRIAL.
he Court Room Packed With Spectators
Anticipating Sensational Scenes.
Breckenridge Meets the
Case Boldly,

WASHINGTON, March 8. - There
Mas enough of sensation and scandal
ia the trial of Madeline Pollard's
breach of promise suit against Con-
FRESHMAN Breckenridge of Kentucky
ID satisfy even the most expectant of
thA fashionable array of masculine
arHIence which crowded the circuit
court. Witnesses well known to all
Neutrality-suspicious. detailed the secret
history of the life travelled by the
anowy bearded congressman and the
attractive young woman, who, seated
only an arms length. apart, were
magnetic for the curiosity which al
Ways sIgroundS the percentages OF
such a'ease.
Except the hall dozen connected
NTH the case, there were no ladies in
cDurt, but long lines of men, like the
crowds before the box office of a
Theatre, waited outide for the doors to
be opened. These men seemed to
tegard the trial altogether in the
Ktght of theatrical entertainment,
SRarently unconscious of the fact
hat there was an element Of human
tragedy about the affair. Saturday is
Motion day in the circuit court, so the
Washington ,populace will be denied
fftfther opportunity to satisfy its
curiosity until Monday.
N One of the first persons to enter the
court room this morning was Miss
Madeline Pollard.
y This was the first sight of the
plaintiff vouchsated to the scandal
lovers who crowded the court, and for
4 quarter of an hour before the trial
begun she was the target OF all eyes
and the subject of many curious COM
ments. Miss Pollard is an attractive
booking young woman, whose appear
ance would indicate that she had at
tained 80 years, with slender girlish
figure, which was enveloped in long
black ulster. Her face was not very
colorless, with small piquant mouth,
upturned nose, flashing black eyes
And heavy dark brown hair. She
wore a small black bonnet. Two ladies
accompanied her and sat beside her at
HE table with her counsel, directly in
front of the judge. One of
HEM, an elderly lady, dressed in
lpSsck. was one of the sisters
d1,she Episcopaiian house OF etuge in
Nhich Miss Pollard Is sheltered. The
Dtbsr who sat beside the plaintiff, was
a we'll dressed lady of middle age,
who figured as a friend of Miss Pol
ard, but whose identity no one could
Discover. Miss Pollard seemed quite
BIT her ease. Her face was covered
with thin veil which in no way con-
cealed her features. She talked with
her lawyers most of the time, prior to
court hour.
u, Colonel Breckenridge was late in
AGting in his appearance. FINALLY
ia came with small satchel OF do2u-
fnents on his arm, fresh and smiling,
Accompanied by his son Deshe Brock
inridge. The number OF lawyers
made it necessary to have two rows OF
tables, the front line devoted to the
Pollard, and the second row occupied
by the Breckenridge party, so that
HE white haired defendant sat almost
directly back Of his young antagonist,
The trial was really commenced
when Mr.. Calderon Carlisle faced the
Jury, leaning languidly against a Ia,
BILE, and in deliberate conversational
hes outlined the matters which the
|1e plaintiff endeavore1 to prove. He
fontrasted the propositions OF the TWO
parties, one a man of family, OF poI
litical prominence, high in COUNCILS OF
fhe Presbyterian church, famous
throughout the country as an orator;
the other friendless young woman:
Something was said about the legal
aspects of the case. Then he began
10 read the declaration; how Colonel
Breckinridge could have taken ad-
Vantage of Miss Pollard's youth When
pie was girl of II at the wesleyan
female seminary, and then further al
leging that he was the father OF hef
three children, that he had In the
pres ence of q creditable witnesses
promised to marry Ter, having preVl'
ously made the promise to become ner
husband when his wife should Ole;
that he had married instead a Mrs.
Louise Wing, of Louisville; that Miss
Pollard had endeavored to leave MIN
.Sapd make career for herself, out hau
(Hen persuaded to continue as ais
I,Vtstrees because of her love for MIN:
LNuring this reading Miss Pollard
Y hshed crimson. She trembled vlo-
GENTLY and buried her face i'll hand
Ykerchief. Col. Breckenridge chatted
in matter-ot-fact way with his law
|yers.
THAT gentleman, Mr.. Carlisle said,
is the story of my client. She does
not come here saying that she is de-
void of falut or blame, but there IS
promise of marriage and It's Oreach,
the issue of this case"
Next Mr.. Carlisle read the defend
ants answer denying all the material
allegations in the complaint.
Sketching briefly what would be
proven in the case, Mr.. Carlisle sp IKE
OF Miss Pollard as the daughter OF
saddler, brilliant, and always endeav-
Ored to MISE above her station. he
sad that khen she was a young glrl,
John C/KHodes, a man of means, out
not OF high position, was attracted oy
ner charms, offered to educate her II
Ave would marry him, and she,
Nmple country girl, had signed an
agreement to that effect. AtterWard
when Miss Pollard was in trouble De,