Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-03-12
T0-DAY'S TELEGRAPHr VIEWS.
The Breckinridge-pollard Case.

~AShIN1IO u. u, Mar. =
parties to the suit Of Miss Pollard
against Congressman Breckenridge for
breach of promise were in the court this
morning when Mr.. Carlisle opened the
proceedings by stating that there was a
preliminary matter that should be
cleared up before the proceedings be-
gan. He referred to the production of
the four volumes of Washington Irving
over which there was so much mystic
rious sparring between the opposing
counsel or Friday. Mr.. Carlisle said
that on Saturday the books were filed
under an agreement that they should
be kept sealed and not examined I'M
less under an order Of the court. Mr..
Carlisle said he had entered into no
such agreement. Major Butterworth,
for the defence, said he understood that
the books were to be produced subject
TO further Identification. The books,
he said, had not been sufficiently iden-
tilted. After some further talk Judge
Bradley said it appeared that these
books were evidently part of the depo-
sition of Sister Augustine, of Cincinnati,
and as such were subject to inspection
by both sides.
Major Butterworth then brought up
the matter Of the dispositions taken by
the plaintiff in Lexington the day be.
fore the trial began and to the adj
mission of which as evidence the de-
fence objected on the ground that they
were irregular. The first OF these was
that ofSarah Guess.
"Ah," said Col. Breckenridge, loudly,
when the title of this deposition vas
read. Miss Pollard turned around,
caught Col. Breckinridge's eye, and an
swered his exclamation by a curling of
the upper lip that was half smile, half
warning. Col. Breckenridge apparent
ly did not see the look.
Mr.. Shelby for the defense stated the
objections to the admission of the depo-
sition. His main objection, he said,
was that it vas irregular. The notice
had not been properly served. 1t was
served at 6 o'clock on the evening of
March 6, two days before the opening
OF the trial, thus making it a physical
impossibility for the defendant to &C
cept notice or to authorize any other
person to accept notice for him.
Mr.. Carlisle said he was somewhat
astonished as the lack of frankness on
the part of Mr.. Shelby. Mr.. Shelby
had neglected to say that notice was
served on the defendant q week ago
last Saturday to take the deposition on
the following Monday, March 5. An
affidavit setting forth this statement Of
Mr.. Carlisle was made by the sheriff
of Fayette county, KY.
The reading of the affidavit caused
much amusement. The sheriff went to
fully a dozen men in Lexington with
the request to each in urn that he take
the deposition, but each gave an ex-
cuse. Finally the sheriff had to 60 to
the State capitol aud have a notary
public appointed to take the deposi-
ton.
Mr.. Carlisle said that under the
circumstances the notice for taking the
dispositions was suficient-it was owing
to the obstruction of defendants
sci that service was delayed.
The first witness was a smooth-faced
young man named Claude de Ia Roche
Francis, who said he lived in New
York, but spent most of his time in
| Europe. He had net Miss Pollard at
the house Of Mrs. Thomas, % Lafayette
Square, and also at her house, No. 1917
II street, in this city. He had called
there frequently, two or three times a
week. He had met Col. Breckenridge
there. Col. Breckenridge and Miss
Pollard usually sat in the drawing
room, nearly always together on a sofa.
Mr.. Breckinridge's manner towards
Miss Pollard was extremely paternal
and very kind-very affectionate also.
Miss Pollard manner towards Mr.
Breckenridge was n of respect, defer
ence and affection. Mr.. Francis told
of his introduction to Col. Breckin-
ridge. Miss Pollard and Col. Breckin-
ridge were standing at the door of the
drawing room at % Lafayette Square,
and he came suddenly on item. He
excused himself, and Miss Pollard in
troduced them. The witness stepped
out in the hallway and overheard a
conversation between Colonel Brock
inridge and Miss Pollard. Colonel
Breckenridge asked Miss Pollard
how long she had known Mr.. Francis;
if he came to the house frequently, and
finally if he knew of their engagement.
Miss Pollard had told witness of her
engagement to Col. Breckenridge, and
said so. Col. Breckenridge expressed
regret that Mr.. Francis had seen them
at the house of Mrs. Covarrubias, of the