The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-03-15
\ GAY OLD DECEIVER
Congressman Breckinridge Lavish
With His Promises.
MOST SENSATIONAL SUIT
Mrs. Julia Breckinridge, Widow OF Gen
eraI Breckenridge, Testifies In Miss
Pollard's Favor.


of the Pollard d-Breckinbridge suit was
rosnmed in the district court yesterday
morning. Miss Pollard was one of the
first TO appear, accompanied by two
+ elderly ladies', and though subjected to
the constant scrutiny of the throng
which filed the courtroom, she seemed
perfectly at ease. Colonel Breckin-
kbridge came late, but was fresh and
n 8smiling.
The case opened with the statement
of LAWYER Calderon Carlisle to the
5S5S Jury, reciting the contrast in the posi-
ftions of the parties in the suit; rehears-
Sipg how Breckenridge took advantage
# of Miss Pollard's yotth when she was
"a schoolgirl of II; that under the promise
4 of marriage after the death of his then
living wife, made before creditable
witnesses, he became the father of her
three children; how he failed to keep
his promise and married another
woman; how she had endeavored to
4 leave him then, but had been persuaded
10 continue his mistress because of her
love for him. During the address the
plaintiff flushed crimson, trembled
violently and buried her face in her
handkerchief. Breckinbridge chatted
unconcernedly with his attorneys
Carlisle said his client did not claim TO
be devoid of fault or blame, but there
was breach of promise, which was the
issue.
He then sketched her life A brill
liant girl of common parentage, aDx-
ious to RISE AS a country girl, unedu-
/ Gated, she met ]. G. Rhodes, a man of
means, not of high relation, who be-
came enamored of her and promised to
educate her if she would marry him.
She signed an agreement to that effect
Afterward, when he was pressing her
for fulfllment of the agreement, she
asked BreckinIidge's counsel. He came,
and at once began to take advantage of
her youth and lack of knowledge of the
world, accomplishing his purpose under
promise of marriage after his wife's
death, and had introduced her as his
promised wife into the first families of
the city.
Attorney Phil Thompson announced
that the defense would reserve its open
ing statement till the conclusion of
plaintiffs testimony. Attorney Wilson
demanded that certain books, one con-
tanning a Christmas card given plaintiff
by defendant, taken by counsel for the
defense, be returned. Defense asked
that the book be more accurately de-
scribed. The court held the description
sufficient. During the colloquy plain
tiff broke into hysterical and inarticu-
late sobs and exclamations.
Mrs. Julia c. Blackburn, widow of the
late Governor Blackburn of Kentucky,
was the first witness. She testified
that in the spring of 1893, in Washing
ton, Colonel Breckenridge brought Miss
Pollard to her and asked her kind care
and protection for the young lady, ad'
ding that as soon as sufficient time had
elapsed after the death of his wife he
intended to marry her, in spite of the
fact that he was old enough to be her
father, being 81 years her senior. AT
another time he told Mrs. Blackburn,
when she chided him for the devotion
of his former wife, that he had discov
cred that Miss Pollard was in love with
him, and as a man of honor felt bound
to marry her. At another time he
asked witness to allay Miss Pollard's
jealousy. Mrs. Blackburn asked him Il
he had given her cause and he declared
on his honor he had not. This was
when he was paying attention to Mrs
Wing of Louisville, whom he subse
que-tly married. Mrs. Blackburn re
lated how ouce Miss Pollard, in he
presence, urged Breckinrldgc to FIX th'
day, Tut he put her off, saying he woul'
fix it later
On cross-examinationM Mrs. Blackburn
said Miss Pollard, on social occasions
bore herself like lady. Asto her feel
ings toward Miss Pollard, she sid sh'
felt sorrow for any woman compelled t
fight her own battles, adding, as sh
turned her flashing eyes on Brecker
ridge, "just the sorrow feel at bein
compelled to appear here, when, If
had the defense of my husband, 1t woul
never have been necessary" In 1s9
Breckenridge called upon witness, h
said at Miss Pollard's request, to corree
reports concerning the latter, and a
serted that there could be no scand;
attached to Miss Pollard's name, sine,
for long time after coming to Wasl
ipeton, she had remained in a conven
Mrs. Fillette, witness stated, had sal
Miss Pollard was forward, taking undr
liberties in the houses of her friend
saving Miss Pollard invited Charles Du
lev Warner to her MRS. Fillette's) hou
without permission. When Miss Pollal
came to tell her of Colonel Brecke
ridges attentions to Miss Wing, MI
Blackburn advised her If she had al
self-respect to drop him. On his ne
visit Colonel Breckenridge deciar
ste-nly, emphatically and frequent
that the stories of his attentions to OF