The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-03-28
THEY TOOK A new TACK
Th' Defense In III, Brackinridsa Trial
Called In tn, EXp,rtS
WHO WROTE THOSE LETTERS
Two Witnesses Say II Looks Like
Madeline Poliard's Writing.
but She says They're
Away Off.

WASHINGTON. March 27.-The defense
in tho Pollard-Breckinr.dge trial took n
new tack to-day and veniured upon The
troubled sea of expert testimony. Two
witnesses well known in Washington, Dr..
L. NJ. Schalfer, deputy coroner OF the Dis
trict of Columbia. and Edwin L. Hay, an
attorney who is something of a Chauucey
Depew, appeared for the kentucky con-
gresham, and their statements were
directed 10 the support OF the contention
that the hand of Madeline Pollard penned
the black bordered letter written in 1884.
which Sue had most emphat.cally denied
twice on the witness stand. Great stress
is lain by the defense upon the authentl-
city Of this letter, because they think that
IL she can be proven false OH one impor-
tant detail, her whole statement will be
impeached. The signature Of the letter
also goes to support the opening state
ment Of the defense on a minor detail,
that Miss Pollard had adopted at that
time the name of Breckenridge as her
middle name. This letter tho defendant
will fight to get before The jury.
For the first time today the keen cross
examination of Judge Wilson was brought
into play. 1t was first exercised on Major
Moore, chief of police, who was called
back TO disputs some Of Miss Pollard's S
statements regarding two interviews
IN his Office during which Colonel
Breckinridge repeated his promises
10 marry her, and afterward
Mr.. Wilson stirred up such cloud Of
verbal dust around the expert testimony
of DIR. Schaifer that the spectators hardly
knew who;her tho latter purpor;ed to
have come from the plaintiff or the de-
fcndant. Tomorrow bids fair to be a
great day of the trial unless the cross ex-
aiming is too long drawn out. The silver
haired defendant himself will begin his
version of the long intrigue.
Chief Of Police Moore denied that at
either OF the two interviews in his office
between Miss Pollard and Breckenridge
that the latter said anything about Miss
Pollard's children. On cross-examination
during those interviews and it was en-
tirely probable that he had forgotten a
| part of il. He also rcaiiirmed the state
ment made by him when a witness for
Miss Pollard as 10 Breckinridge's promise
| in his presence to marry her. The bear.
ing of the parties was not such as 10 lead
to the belief that this promise of marriage
| was merely scheme between the parties
and not made in good faith.
DR.. L. NJ. Schaffer was called as an cx.
pert in handwriting to testify as TO the LETT
| ter introduced in evidence, authorship of
which Miss Pollard disclaims. After com.
pairing il with several other specimens oi
her admitted chirography, he expressed
the opinion that it was all written by the
same person. He examined the Christmas
cards, said TO have been pressed for nine
years in book in tho Norwood convent
and said the ink Of tho words written OH
it had the appearance of not being over
three or four years old. Defense put in
exception to the acceptance of his testi.
mony on the ground that he was not q
| qualified expert.
| Edwin B. Hay testified that in his opin
ion the alleged forged letter and ,ha,
written to Wessie Brown were written b,
| the samo person,