Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-21

minister. Col Breckenridge was graduated
from Center College of Danville. KY, in the
class of 1870. Among his classmates are ex-
Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson of Illinois,
Boyd Winchester ex-mnister to SwitZer-
land; Z. T. Crittenden. ex-governor of Mis-
souri,. and Senator Blackburn. He gradu-
ated from the Louisville (kyD Law School
in 1857 and practiced law until september
1860 when he joined the confederate army
as a captain under the command of Gen.
John IL Morgan. He rose to the rank or
colonel. and commanded the 9th Kentucky
Cavalry until 1865, when he surrendered to
Gen Sherman in Georgia He was in COM
mand of the guard for President Jefferson
Davis and his cabinet until that body sepa-
rated.
On his return to Lexington, KY, he-was
for two years editor of the Lexington OD-
server and Reporter.
A prominent figure in national politics for
more than thirty years, and for two decades
a representative in Congress from the ia
nous Henry Clay or Ashland district of
Kentucky. Col. W. c. p Breckenridge met
defeat in seeking public Office after he had
been sued for $50 900 for breach of promise
by Madeline Pollard. with whom it was said
he became infatuated while she
school girl in the blue grass state.
Col. Breckenridge first became famous as
an orator in, 1869 through the speeches he
made in support of the question of admit
ting negro testimony in courts of justice
He was the first southern democratic poll
tician to favor admitting negro testimony
in courts of justice
He was elected to Congress in 1884. and
served five terms in succession. -.s-. ..-a =. q
Lately Col. Breckenridge had devoted HIM
self to the practice of criminal law, attain
ing reputation for success second to none
in the south. An orator of rare gifts, he has
been able to sway juries with his eloquence.
In Congress Col. Breckenridge served on
the ways and means committee for four
terms. He was the sound money demo-
Gratis and republicans candidate for Con-
gress in the seventh congressional district
of Kentucky in 1895, but was defeated by E.
e. Settle, who dropped dead before his term
expired.
It was while he was still in Congress that
the famous Pollard action was begun in
Washington. Owing to the prominence of
Col. Breckenridge, the case attracted the
deepest interest The trial. which resulted
favorably to Miss Pollard, was replete with
exciting incidents, and was filed with rev.
Citations of a remarkable relationship be-
tween the. aged representative and the
pretty young girl, who said she had been his
protege for great many years.
Nothing daunted by the effect of the Pol
lard suit, and the decision of the court
against him. he attempted again to run for
Congress. 1t was then that the women of
the blue erase country entered the fray, and
after one of the most memorable campaigns
the state haG known Breckenridge was de-
feated for nomination in his home district.
No trained politician could have conducted a
more vigorous telling battle against an
opponent than did the Kentucky women
against Breckenridge.
Public prayer meetings were held that the
people might pray for the defeat of the
man. circulars We're issued by the mothers
wives and sisters of voters calling upon the
men to help in the fight of virtue against
vice" and to redeem the fair name of our
city and district
Col. Breckinridge'S friends called his fight
for Congress "a campaign of vindication -
They did not realize, however, the extent to
which the women would WELD influence
upon the voters. MISUNDERSTANDING clubs
We're organized in all parts of the district.
When the primary returns were finally re-
ceived and it seen that Breckenridge
| had been defeated the joy of the women
knew no bounds. They were thrown into a
delirium of excitement and joy
This defeat marked the close of Brock
| inridge's public life. although in the cam
| paign of 1896 he bottled the regular demo-
cratic ticket and advocated the nomination
| and Vice President Afterward he took a
prominent part in the campaign, and was
| mentioned for the Senate, but nothing ever
came of the movement.
| Col. Breckenridge took his defeat for
| Congress after tiIe Pollard suit bitterly He
did not attempt to defend himself on the
stump.
Col. Breckenridge retired from politics
after 1896 and became the editor of the
Lexington Morning Herald. 1t is said he
| refused a salary of $4,000 from New York
paper to become its editor.