The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-03-22
BRECKINRIDGE'S DEFENSE
\ MIL PLEAD MISS POLLARD's PRE-
vIoUs BAD CHARACTER.
Tho Long Continued Illicit Relations Are
Fully Admitted by the Defendant
He Pleads Blackmail and
Threats Of Violence.

Congress had taken recess osten-
siblv to sail down the Potomac on an
aycursion and witness the trial of some
bie guns at Indian Head, but the trial
progressing in the circuit court held
greater charms for many than on a
government gunboat. Gray heads
and bald heads were in majority in
y Judge Bradley's court, but the specta-
' tors were disappointed by one of the
least sensational days of the trial, al
though they heard the defense of Col.
onel Breckenridge outlined by his law
partner and attorney, Col. John J,
Shelby, and the last words Of Madeline
Pollard's story. They then slumbered
through the reading of long deposi-
ton.
The defense will be partly explana-
ton; denial that Colonel Breckenridge
seduced Madeline Pollard, that she
gave birth to child at the Norwood
convent; a eXpltl alton that she
trapped him into promise to marry
her on the mutual understo nding that
the promise was only a device by
which she was to withdraw from his
life and be able to break off her rela>
tions with Mrs. Blackburn. The long
continued illicit relations between the
two are admitted without excuse or
palliation, except q reference to the
Inherent weakness of human nature,
but the orators spokesman represents
that he was often anxious to break
them off, but was always inveigled in
continuance by the young woman;
that she followed" him, demanded
money from him and compelled his
promise to marry her under threats
several times repeated and empha>
sized by a display of pistols, More~
over. it is promished to be shown that
Miss Pollard's early life had not been
one of virtue before the silver-tonSued
orator crossed her path. This in SUBJ
stance is the defense, but it has many
branches and side issues.
Colonel Breckenridge and his right
hand man, Attorney Ben Butterworth,
were late in arriving in the courtroom,
not appearing until after the roll call
OF Jurors and until after Miss Pollard,
with face very pale, but apparently
composed, had waited several minutes
in her seat. The two gray heads OF
the defendant and his leading lawyer
were bent together in brief consulta-
ton as Miss Pollard walked around to
the witness stand. Her face showed
lines of worry and sleepless night as
faced the audience the fourth day.
Then Mr. Buttorworth began by in
curing if Miss Pollard had che con
tract with James Rhodes; to which
she replied that the contract had been
given 10 Rhodes. There never had
been settlement between 1885; she
had given him a note for three times
the amount he had advanced for her
schooling. 81 have never paid
Mr. Rhodes because l never
had any money to pay anybody
anything" she said. The corresponds
dence had continued after she came
to Washington. Mrs. Mary Logan had
not recognized her when they first met
in CINCINNATI, but had before they
had parted. Miss Pollard was going
on to explain about that meeting
when Mr., Butter worth cautioned hel
that she must not wander from the
subject, protesting that he was anx
ious to treat her with perfect fairness
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Rutterworth,'
she replied, Il know you, treat me
fairly and l am very grateful. am sc
full of things | want to tell you can
not keep them back"
There was a short little tilt between
Lawyers Butterworth and Wilson Owe
the answering of questions after this
which Judge Brady answered oy de
claring that the witness was moi
Obliged to answer question just in
the form desired by the examiner.
Back to the Autobiography in the
New York World came Mr.. Butter
worth. Objection was made by Mr.
Wilson that it had been threshec
over to wearinsss and the same opln
ion was held by the Judge,
What was the fact about your
adopting the name of Breckenridge?
asked Mr.. Butterworth.
"Whep | first used the name, Mr.
Breckenridge and talked it over. ii
said might use the name, and | hat
nv card plate made with it in 1889 o.
1902 was the answer in explanation
of the statement in the newspaper
article. II am very weary this morn
ing and hardly able to go on" Never
theless, the plaintiff continued 10 "
mistress of the situation, for when gh'
had been asked about the trunk sh'
had at DR.. Streets in Cincinnati, dur
ing her first confinement, and Mr.
Butter worth read from his manu-
script, she insisted that he should Civ
her undivided attention before sh
would continue. Great stress ha
been laid by the defense upon the de
scription of this trunk which seems Il
be important in their case.
That's all, Miss Pollard, SAD Mr
Butterworth to the surprise OF IN
court. The plaintiff in black and 9i i
ter Ellis disappeared through a sld
door, her attorneys remarking ina
they had no questions for her. ThelI
said Mr.. Carlisle, The plaintiff rest
her case here"
The plaintiff had been under cross
fire for two days and over, durln
which time every phase OF her cas-
had been reviewed from every light
but her attorneys did not consider
necessary to strengthen or explain an
7 of her statements by redirect exam
nation Thew had in reserve OJue