The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-10
CELEBRATED CASE BEGUN.
Evidence That Congressman Breck-
inridge Agreed TO Marry Made
line Pollard
He Married Another Woman and
She Asks for Heavy
Damages.
The First Day Of the Trial Makes q lad
showing for the Noted
Kentuohtan.

WAaHNoroS. March g.-Ths hearing Of
ths Pollard -Brsckinridgo suit was resumed
in the district oouu this morning. Miss
Pollard was the nTsl 20 spposr Aeoompan-
led By two elderly ladies. Though sub
iectsd 30 the constant sorutiny Of she
throng which hiied thu eourt room. abe
seemed perfectly At sAss. Col. Breekin-
ridge came late. but fresh and smiling.
The case opened with ths statsmsnt OF
Lawyer Caldsron Carlisle 20 the jury, re-
citing the contrast In the positions OF the
parties 20 the suit. TsheaTsinR how Breok-
inridgs took advantage Of Mas Pollard's
youth, when shs Was school girl Of II;
that under the promise Of marriage after
the death OF his then living wife. made
before credible witnssses he bseame the
father Of her three children; how be failed
20 kssp the promise. and married another
woman; aow she endeavored 10 leave him
then. bat had been persuaded 10 continue
his mistress. because OF her love for him.
Daring the address the plaintiff flushed
crimson, hsmbled violently and buried
her face in her hAndksrohisf Breohin-
ridge ohatted unconesrnedlv with bis at
tornsys. Carlisle said his eliont did not
claim TO be devoid OF fault or blams. bat
there was breach Of promise. which was
the issue.
He then skstched her life. brilliant
girl Of common parentaGe she vas anxious
20 rise. As country girl and unsducated
she met J. G. Rhodes, a man Of means not
Of high stsnding. who became enamored Of
her. aud promised 20 edueats her IL she
would marry him. She signed an agree
msnt 10 that effect. Afterwards, when be
pressed her for the fulhllment OF the agree
mont she asked Breokinridae's counsel.
lie came and 40 ones began taking advan-
tage Of her youth And lack Of knoWledge Of
the world; accomplished his purpose under
promise OF marriage, after bis uifs's death.
and had introduced her as his promised
wife into the first families in the oity.
Then Alto ney Phil thompson announced
that the dsfenss would reserve the opening
statement till the conclusion Of plaintiffs
testimony. Attorney Wilson demanded
that certain books one containing q
Christmas card gives the plaintiff By the
defendant. taken By counsel for the de-
Tense, be returned. lhs defsnae asked
that the books be moe accurately de-
scFibsd, but the court held the description
sufficient. During the oolloquy the plain
tf broke into hysterieal and inaFticulats
sobs and ordinations.
Mrs. Julia {. blackburn, widow Of the
late Gov. Blackburn, OF kentucky, vas the
hfst witness she testified that in the
SD ing OF 1888 Ia Washington, Col Brsck-
inTidge brouRht Miss Pollard 10 her and
asked her kind care aud pToisetion for the
younR lady adding that as soon AZ a SUN
Client time had elapsed after the death Of
his wife be Intended marrying her, In spite
Of She fact that he was old enough 10 Be
her father. being thiTty-one years her
senior. Al another time he sold Mrs.
blackburn, when she ohided him for fol-
getting tbs devotion Of hia former wife,
be had discovered that Miss Pollard
was in love with him and a. a man OF
honor, felt bound 90 marry her.
Al another time he asked witness 20 allay
Miss Pollard's jsaloasy. Mira Blackburn
asked him II be had gwen her csuse and he
declared on his honor be had not. This
was when he was paying attention 20 Mrs.
Wing. of Louisville. whom be subsequently,
ma ried. Mrs. Blackburn related how Miss
Pollard ones in her presence urged Brsck-
infidge 20 nE day. but he vut her of. say
inR be would nx II later.
On cross examination Mrs Blaokburn
said Miss Pollard. on social occasions. bore
herself like q ladT. As 90 her feeling
row for any woman compelled 90 fight her
own battles. adding az she turned her
flashing eyes on Breckinriige. lust such
sorrow as feel a. being compelled 20 ap-
pear here. when. had l the defense of
husband. 10 would never have been neces-
sarT."
Mrs. Blackburn said that in 1892 Brsckin-
ridge called upon witness, hs said al Miss
| Pollard's request. to correct reports con
oerning the latter. aud asserted that there
could be no esandal attached 10 Miss Poi
| lard's name sinoa. for long time after
/ coming 30 Washington she had remained
| in . convent. Mrs. Fillette. witness stated.
had said Miss Pollard was forward. taking
! undue liberties ia the houses Of her friends.
saying that Miss Pollard invited Charles
Il - -
house without permission. When Miss
| Pollard came 20 tell her OF Col. Breckin
ridges attentions 90 Mrs. Wing. Mrs.
blackburn advised her. u she had anT self.
respect. 20 drop him. On his neIt visit
Col BrsckinrldGs deolsred stsrnlv. en-
attentions 10 other women Was the NOsk Of
miserable gossips. Mrs blackburn eK-
tended Mrs. Pollard more protection than
she otherwise would because Breekinridgs
asked her. and she believed him gentle
man.
After the noon recess Miss Pollard was
decidedly cheerful, smiling a. she talked
with her lawyers
Major Moore. chief OF police Of the Dis
triot Of Columbia. took the stand. lie his1
met Miss Pollard. accompanied hv Brsck-
inrldge, in his ofnce. May H. 1898. lie said.
The door was suddenly thrown open: Col.
BfeckinTidge came in. followed By lady.
He said he might have 60 ask nv protsc-
tlon. na the lhuY thHoA ened lla lito. Hhe
demanded that he should promise 90 marry
her aud seemed excited She demanded
that he name the day. lie Ramsd May 81.
1888 aud said he would marry then II prov
idence spared hia life.
Witness warned Miss Pollard that she
must not make threats against Col. Brsok-
inridgs's life. ss the police would deal With
her. May II. in witnesses once. Breckin-
ridge said the LADY was delicate through re-
lationa With him; thai she VAS going 10 New
York 90 prepare Tor the event anu he in
tended TO marry her. he asked me 90 wit
ness his LIBERALIZATION. We three clasged
hands ia Was "a impressive acene." said
the major. Miss Pollard had drawn from
her bosom a revolver. decla ing that n shs
had occasion she would use 4, upon herself
aud him"
a. the beginning 81 the eross-sxamins-
tion Mr.. Thompson said. Did she say be
nsvsr ssducsd hetP" whereuIon hiss Pol
lard ofied: NO" shfilly. aud her lawyers
and frisnds devoted themselves 20 quieting
her, which they We able % do with diii-
culII. mo, At that time," vas Aoore'a
answer.
NEw YoRK, March 9.-Nearly seven thous-
aud persons are nov on strike IN Paterson.