News Observer Chronicle

IN FAVOR OF MISS POLLARD.

THE JURY GIVES HER A VERDICT OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS

Col. Breckinridge Receives the Announcement with His Usual Composure—a Motion for a New Trial.

By Southern Associated Press.

Washington, April 14.—The jury in the suit of Madeline Pollard against Col. Breckinridge for $50,000 damages for breach of promise of marriage has rendered a verdict for Miss Pollard, fixing the amount of damages at $15,000.

The case was given to the jury at 3:07 this afternoon. Judge Bradley remained in his chair for a few minutes after the jury went out, and then he walked around to the Attorney's room, where he waited for the jury. The court room rapidly cleared, only about a hundred men remaining to secure good seats where the jury returned.

During the hour and a half that the jury were out people began gathering about the court house but most of them went away when told by the knowing ones that there could hardly be a verdict for many hours. At half past four the jury men informed the bailiffs who had them in charge, that they had agreed. Judge Bradley was advised immediately and in that mysterious manner in which news flies about the court house, a hundred people knew it as quickly as the judge, and flocked into the court-room in his wake. A minute later, at 4:35, the jury filed slowly in, flanked by the bailiffs. Almost immediately behind them came Col. Breckinridge easy and debonnaire as usual, with Col. Phil. Thompson, Desha Breckinridge and Mr. McKinney, of his counsel. While Judge Bradley waited for Miss Pollard's counsel to appear, the big room was as quiet and still as a church during a funeral service.

At 4.40 Calderon Carlisle, Miss Pollard's attorney, entered hastily looking somewhat surprised at the jurymen sitting quietly in their seats. He had hardly sat down when Clerk Hodges called the roll of the jury. Then he put the usual question: "Gentlemen of the jury have you agreed upon a verdict?" Foreman Cole, the oldest man of the twelve, rose slowly and answered: "We have agreed upon a verdict and find for the plaintiff." "In what amount of damages?" asked the clerk. "Fifteen thousand dollars," was the answer.

There was not a sound in the room. Judge Bradley had taken occasion to warn the spectators just before the verdict was rendered that demonstrations of approval or disapproval from the spectators would not be tolerated, and every man there heeded the warning.

Col. Breckinridge had sat leaning forward during the colloquy between the foreman and the clerk and when the verdict was announced he did not change color or manifest any signs of nervousness. When Foreman Cole announced the amount of damages Col. Breckinridge turned to Col. Thompson and asked "How much?" When the foreman had sat down Col. Breckenridge rose quickly to his feet and asked in his usual musical voice: "If your honor please, within what time can a notice for a new trial be filed?" "Within four days," said Judge Bradley. "Your honor," said Mr. McKinney, who had started to address the court when Col. Breckenridge asked his question, "We give notice of an intention to file a motion for a new trial."

Judge Bradley bowed, and then turning to the jury thanked them for their faithful services and discharged them for the term. The crowd filed out slowly, followed a few minutes later by the defendant and his friends. They walked across the court house square to Mr. McKinney's office, where Mrs. Breckenridge was in waiting, and 15 minutes later husband and wife entered the waiting open carriage and were driven along F street, one of the principal business streets in Washington, where department clerks and shoppers were eagerly buying papers containing the verdict. The barouche stopped at a big grocery store, where Mrs. Breckinridge gave some orders. Col. Breckinridge stood in the doorway calmly surveying the crowds of passersby, and laughed as a little newsboy pushed an 'Extra' in his face. He bought the paper and re-entering the carriage with his wife, drove to their home.

In Calderon Carlisle's office Miss Pollard was holding an ovation. Mr. Carlisle had skipped nimbly out of the court room and gone to tell his client the verdict. She did not break down and cry, but expressed her joy in repeated handshakes with her friends. Her brother closed the door of the room to keep out the rush. Mr. Carlisle said that Miss Pollard did not care to talk. "She has kept herself as much in the background as possible," he said "Not only from our desire, but from her own, I think it is desirable that she should say nothing so soon after the close of the trial."

Col. Breckinridge also declined to talk, but he promised that he might have something to say within a day or two.

HOW THE JURY DECIDED

Immediately after the jury retired, Mr. Cole was elected foreman. A ballot was taken which resulted 11 to 1 in favor of the plaintiff. Some time was spent in bringing the one juror over, and then the question of damages was taken up. One juror was in favor of giving the plaintiff the full amount claimed, $50,000, and the juror who voted for the defendant thought merely nominal damage, one cent should be given. It was finally decided that each juror should write down an amount and the average was taken, resulting in the award of $15,000.
The jury awarded Miss Pollard damages fixed the amount at $15,000. Our own view has been that she is a person without shame, and that though Mr. Breckenridge deserves to suffer for his evil life, she ought not to be awarded such a sum of money.