Salacious Scandal of the Gilded Age: The Breckinridge-Pollard Affair

In 1893 a sensational trial in the District of Columbia pitted a young woman against a powerful US Congressman. The salacious allegations captivated the nation, and went to the very heart of the power structure of the Gilded age. The Breckinridge-Pollard affair is nearly forgotten today, but at the time it was, as a contemporary account of the trial explained, “The Most Noted Breach of Promise suit in the history of court records.”
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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[@michaelshort7472]

My Dad's grandmother went through this in 1900. She had a child and took the father to Federal court for breach of promise. It was a bench trial (no jury) and the case was called three times, and when the defendant never showed, the judge ruled in her favor. The child involved was my grandmother, who died in 1938 so I never knew her. My great-grandmother however, actually lived with us for a time. I never discovered all this until long after she was gone, and read about it in the copies of the local paper at the time. The name of the defendant was never mentioned, only my great-grandmother's name. I had to go to the courthouse and dig out the account of the trial from 1900! It made for fascinating reading, and made history come alive, much as The History Guy does!

[@genaa6651]

Kudos to your great grandma

[@varschnitzschnur8795]

I noticed the defendant never came to court, and it was only after the third failure to show up that the judge decided the case in her favor.

[@nancywhitehead219]

Times change, but political cover ups never do.

[@jliller]

Times change, but men of power (political or otherwise) using that power to get sex never ends.

[@george2113]

​@@jlillerI feel confident that women in power will abuse that power equally

[@jliller]

@@george2113 Some women will certainly abuse power, but I think propensity for abuse - especially the likelihood of using power for sexual conquest - is disproportionately a male trait.

[@ThomasEJohnson]

Politicians haven’t changed much.

[@HM2SGT]

*The names and dates change, but the sensationalistic melodramatic soap operatic story remains the same*

[@acmelka]

The only thing that has changed is that outrageous conduct by politicians used to be disqualifying, now it is a prerequisite

[@xjAlbert]

Seems applicable to characters seeking office today. So glad Miss Pollard found happiness across the Atlantic after years of abuse in the United States.

[@auspiciouscloud8786]

Not to mention all those Disney lovers…. 😉🤨 (I wonder how many children get preg in that ring)

[@orbyfan]

"He Denies Everything"--to quote a major figure in a political sex scandal from 70 years later, "Well, he would say that now, wouldn't he?"

[@ghowell13]

"What does the word 'is' mean?" I'll never forget that😂

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

I could tell from the outset that Breckinridge was a POS. Also, $15,000 to Pollard in that day was an absolute fortune: Good for her!(even though she never got it, but via karma, she lived her best life, while the other reaped his reward.) But, I must confess, hearing the lurid and salacious testimony has forever tainted my tender sensibilities. THG: You ROCK!

[@Milkman4279]

$50,000

[@tugboat2]

@@Milkman4279She sued for $50,000 but was only awarded $15,000 (which she never received). Well, at least, she was vindicated of his breach of promise.

[@user-gi8pk9uc7q]

@@tugboat2 Of course not, paying her would be admitting he did something wrong!

[@doggedout]

Love how someone described her as "an Adventuress" as an insult, when modern ears would hear it as - kind of cool. Then, she moves to Europe and becomes "and Adventuress" by the modern definition: A women who goes on adventures.

[@Packhorse-bh8qn]

@doggedout "Love how someone described her as "an Adventuress" as an insult, " You might want to look up the word, "euphemism".

[@donovangray4246]

It's funny how a woman can be seduced and then called a "fallen woman" without the man having any responsibility for that name at all. A woman can not ruin her reputation all by herself.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

That was the double-standard that was challenged in this case.

[@memyselfandi8544]

It’s by design. The ruling class does evil and that’s that.

[@velisvideos6208]

In a way it is a backhanded compliment. Women are obviously more sensible and responsible than men. There never was a fallen man.

[@memyselfandi8544]

The masonic ruling class in a nutshell.

[@memyselfandi8544]

@@velisvideos6208 Adam was a fallen man the moment he listened to his wife, Eve. It’s been like that ever since. Wokeism for example.

[@dennisud]

I was a student in Kentucky back in the 70s and they never said a thing about this scandal! Breckenridge was a huge politician there, and I can see why they would have buried it deep in history! Glad you covered this one!

[@bernardhargraves527]

The 1870s?

[@lesterpossum4088]

Seven years after the scandal, Theodore Dreiser wrote Sister Carrie; about a similar young woman “lead down the primrose path.” But Carrie’s self-worth prevails while her married lover’s life falls apart. Though scorned by moralists at the time, Carrie, like Madeleine Pollard, showed how modern public opinion could shift.

[@blue04mx53]

A Breach of promise suit seems like a really silly thing. But, then the way "History Guy' explains it it seems like it was one of the few ways women could seek justice at the time. Plus, the children being discarded and sent to asylums as if they were furniture is downright scary.

[@erinobrien8793]

As well as wives if they were deemed “unruly and uncontrollable”.

[@nousernamesarevalid]

Marriage arrangements were different in the past. A failed engagement could ruin a woman’s life back then.

[@cremebrulee4759]

​@@nousernamesarevalidyes. Women were dependent on men to take care of them. Without a man, a woman became either a burden on the family, or a burden on society. Spinsters with no family to care for them would do things like take in washing to try to survive.

[@Packhorse-bh8qn]

@blue04mx53 "A Breech of promise suit seems like a really silly thing" A.. pants of promise.. suit? What kind of haberdashery is this?

[@jabbermocky4520]

He had all the power. She was doomed the moment she became his mistress. Yes, the children were disposed of by their father. Pollard had no choice but to surrender them for slaughter. She was very brave to bring the suit later. But she was irreparably "broken" the first time he touched her. He broke her, deliberately, that's why. Just because he could.

[@johnwriter8234]

As a retired US Coast Guard veteran, I appreciate your display of the USCG Officers hat !!

[@hbrws813]

Fascinating. I had never heard this story.

[@kevinobrien2311]

fascinating scandal of yesteryear, rescued from its current state of obscurity -- a specialty of The History Guy -- Thanks, Lance!

[@mikey-wl2jt]

Love how this case is what destroyed his political career and not, yanno, taking up arms against the union

[@jliller]

Kentucky and West Virginia didn't join the Confederacy, and many of their residents have regretted that decision ever since.

[@SirenScorpio]

​@@jliller that's crazy... They're mad because the state didn't chose the wrong side🙆🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️ & I bet the saltiness of that is deep-seated and passed down by generations. 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

[@shelzp7272]

@jlillee Puh-leeze! WV broke off from Virginia in 1863 (during the middle of the Civil War) because the population didn’t want to be part of Virginia.

[@jliller]

@@shelzp7272 West Virginia's separation during the war was mostly an issue of longstanding state political issues. Also, while the western part of the new state was mostly Unionist, the eastern parts near the Virginia border sent a lot of men into the Confederate armies. Guess where the first Confederate memorial was erected. Richmond, Virginia? Charleston, South Carolina? Nope: Romney, West Virginia.

[@feiorn]

Good on her for living what sounds like her best life after the trial!

[@I-am-awayTOM]

This channel adds value to KZbin.

[@jec1ny]

Very interesting on a subject I knew little about. It prompted me to look up the legal history of "breach of promise" as I wanted to know when the law died out. To my astonishment, it has not completely died. Breach of promise remains an actionable civil offense in a number of American states. While such suits are rare, they do still occur.

[@jchapman8248]

The opening pic of Kentucky Congressman William P. Breckinridge reminds me of the actor Monty Wooley (1888-1963).

[@jec1ny]

Monty Wooley's personal life would also have been quite scandalous had it become public knowledge during his lifetime. Happily, times have changed.

[@puckhockey4733]

I know that most history is about war, so how could you NOT feature it, but I really appreciate your histories of things other than wars. Thanks for this!

[@goodun2974]

Considering Breckinridge's predilection for getting Pollard out of her corset, perhaps his punishment should have been putting him into one for a day or two!

[@lauralafauve5520]

My favorite piece so far. A change in society brought about by a wronged woman and her lawyers.

[@user-rn5ks8sf5x]

A tale as old as mankind. Hubris destroys fool.

[@f3xpmartian]

Though outwardly Mr. Breckinridge seemed a nice gentleman. His actions proved he was rotten in the core....

[@goodun2974]

They say that if you want to test a man's character, give him power. Anyway, it's not what people do in public that counts, it's what they do when they think no one is watching.

[@Dulcimertunes]

And immoral

[@jliller]

@@goodun2974 A lot of people fail that test even without having any real power. Entitlement is everywhere.

[@corvid...]

Another great episode on a matter I would never have known about. I am always grateful for the chance to remember some piece of history that deserves to be remembered

[@charmcitytoe]

I'm not sure if it offers comfort or not; that my old hometown was just as insane 73 years before I would be born. What a show that must have been! Great stuff! 💯

[@reefsroost696]

This is just one case that was written down to become part of history. You have to think there have been many that were not written about.

[@thomaslance5428]

I'm really surprised they ruled in her favor. The entire time I was expecting, despite the evidence, that the men would find for Breckenridge.

[@k.c1126]

That would have made them look too bad. I think Pollard's age mattered. She was literally young enough to be his daughter. Even in the paternalistic society of the time that was a very bad look.

[@frankgulla2335]

Dear THG, you do find the most interesting and educational moments in history that I am unaware of. Thank you.

[@johnfun3394]

Politicians and their games and the regular people that pay the price. We will never learn.Thanks

[@juliebarnett9812]

Hallelujah!!! He lost! She won! I salute her.

[@nhmooytis7058]

❤ History Guy! No matter the topic he makes it fascinating.

[@jvinson4181]

I was so worried that he wouldn't be found guilty! Great topic, rhank you!

[@rickyusa1000]

There's no pirates in this story but a story about powerful men and "Fallen" women is just as good!

[@user-oh2hs6jh5x]

Welcome to Monday! You know what to do.

[@I-am-awayTOM]

Too funny!

[@eliscanfield3913]

Good for her!!

[@stevenmiller2427]

He was a lawyer and a politician wherefore not among the most honest of people.

[@danstotland6386]

Libel and pure tripe. May your Family doctor represent you in your next trial (or divorce)!

[@jliller]

We have a legal system that inherently rewards lying.

[@marvwatkins7029]

I do like The History Guy bow tie!

[@user-rb2wh1xh9r]

What a perfect story! Timely and riveting.

[@stephenwoods4118]

Great story thank you, I love the Robin hood mug on the top of your bookshelf, time to rewatch 12 o'Clock high.

[@deniseconsultant1538]

A job well done thank you

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Back in the Saddle Again Naturally

[@HM2SGT]

_yer slowin' down in yer old age_

[@petarnovakovich240]

I always enjoy these.

[@pamelas1002]

Too bad she never collected her judgement. 😔

[@danstotland6386]

But he lost the next election.

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you History Guy

[@1st1anarkissed]

Wow, Pollard deserves a stamp. Breckinridge would have gotten along well today.

[@bernardhargraves527]

She was an adulteress

[@mysterbear]

Great story, well narrated, and with a satisfying conclusion. 🙏🏾

[@Dulcimertunes]

Must have been heartbreaking to give up her two babies

[@johnsmartin1473]

and the good girl won.... how often did that happen? (rhetorical)

[@J3AD]

love the videos. great chunks of history, keep up the great work

[@BasicDrumming]

I appreciate you and thank you for making content.

[@Cbabilon675]

I'm curious to find out if he's the same general breckenridge, who is in charge of the confederate forces at the battle of stones river in murfreesboro tennessee. That is a Civil War battle that is worth remembering. Considering more people died per minute danette, gettysburg.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

No- that was his cousin, former US Vice President John C Breckinridge

[@danstotland6386]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Zounds ! there is an echo in the house.

[@JohnMyers1970]

Ah… there is nothing new under the sun…

[@wolfychicago]

This is a superb channel. Thank you!

[@Ivy_1057]

Very interesting! Thank you!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Hey History Guy🤓 the Honey 🍯 who is spending the weekend with me right now is named Breckenridge ! Get out of my head Hi Guy 🤓 the Mystical Connection continues!

[@kellybasham3113]

Love your videos

[@steveshoemaker6347]

What a deal way back when......Thank THG🎀

[@stuartriefe1740]

Well, I managed to get in the door on time. Maybe I’ll earn extra credit. Greetings to all my fellow classmates from central Connecticut! Now let’s settle down and learn!

[@casparcoaster1936]

much obliged!!

[@davidcolin6519]

Another marvellous story, marvellously told. i try very hard to teach my children history in memorable ways, but am no patch on you.

[@-.Steven]

Very interesting!

[@MrOhmikey]

Great story Mr. Geiger. Especially appropriate in light of today's sad circus

[@stephen-ng]

Scandals like this would be career ending, if promiscuity had been reigned in and curtailed immediately when it reared its head in the 1960s.

[@katieandkevinsears7724]

Just another career politician doing what they do.

[@davidcolin6519]

@@katieandkevinsears7724 The difference is that Trump isn't a career politician. At least career politicians understand the basics of Constitutional Law. Not knowing even that has meant that trump has trampled over it, and the GOP, incapable of standing up to him, have allowed him to do so. in much the same way as Boris Johnson's premiership of the UK has led to the anihilation of rules of precedednce there, Trump's behaviour has ensured that US governance will be for ever weaker. To be absolutely clear, Trump is not "just anoither career politician" he is a fundamental threat to the USA and its Constitution. This has been 45 years in the making, but it all traces back to Reagan and his devil-may-care attitude to the truth.

[@russcrawford3310]

@@davidcolin6519 - I understand what you say, and I think my disagreement starts with Trump not understanding the Constitution, he does, how else could he abuse it so well? ..

[@moralreality7328]

The charges levied by the "progressive" party are clearly timed to obstruct his re-election. The "crimes" were dug up and sat on until his re-election was announced. What we are witnessing is an attempted legal assassination of a presidential candidate. I'm not claiming the things he's being charged with didn't happen. However, the rule of law is being applied unequally, and the justice department is being wielded as a political tool. All politicians are liars seeking power and money. The less power we give them, the better as they're clearly imperfect.

[@stephen-ng]

I wonder if this Breckenridge was related to the Charles Breckenridge who headed up that disastrous embassy rescue mission to Tehran in 1979.

[@mtroanoke]

You're thinking of Charlie Beckwith

[@TVGUY333]

Timely, indeed.

[@leoscheibelhut940]

As an ex-Confederate officer, Breckenridge should never have been allowed to serve in government much less Congress. Allowing ex-Confederates to vote again was perhaps reasonable but allowing them into government aided the Lost Cause lie. Separately, Breckenridge was a cad and bounder.

[@richardmalcolm1457]

Interestingly, Breckinridge ended up as one of the most outspoken advocates for racial equality in the South.

[@brianpendergast2894]

And Also a Scoundrel

[@joshuabekel9700]

Look up the later life of William Mahone ("the hero of the crater").

[@MarinCipollina]

It's just as bad now.. We have JAN 06 insurrectionist and democracy hating supporters of the criminally fascist orange nazi serving in congress today.

[@drdr76]

...and that's exactly why we have this current b.s.. The South wasn't punished enough.

[@Chris-ut6eq]

Good history story that I'd never heard before, thank you. FYI, the music at the end overpowers your voice. I'd recommend changing the mix so your voice is on top of a much lower background sound.

[@broadwaybaby348]

I understand that the Speaker of the House appeared on the steps of the court house to denounce the case.

[@Wextopher]

.... condemned to repeat it.... ugh!

[@nigelmcconnell1909]

Another informative story from the bearded age

[@jerrylee7898]

Being from Kentucky, I found this fascinating.

[@TheCosmicGuy0111]

Nice

[@lindakay9552]

That's kinda creepy. I had a 3rd great grandfather, born 1807 Kentucky. John Preston Campbell. Tall, strong, long grey hair and beard, blue eyes. Confederate soldier. 😮

[@lp-xl9ld]

The more things change...

[@bronwynecg]

Good morning! 👋🏽 😊

[@user-qt7nq5xl1m]

Scandalous just scandalous

[@slowturtle6745]

How to make a political statement without making a political statement.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

None intended on my part...

[@williamromine5715]

In the town I live in is a street named Breckinridge, but I am pretty sure it was not so named in honor of him.

[@robertalpy]

You would think that a breach of promise suit would be too low a priority for The Supreme Court, but it was a member of the legislature she was filing against and he was likely powerful enough to get all the lower courts to pass it over. It's the only reason I can think of such a suit winding up on the Supreme Courts docket.

[@FlaviusTheGrumpyCat]

Good for Pollard. Considering the age gap I can't find any fault with her for having an affair with a Confederate veteran. He obviously had coercive control over her considering how he decided where she went and what happened to their children.

[@user-xo4rx8ov5o]

It's amazing how these hustlers don't accuse anyone on unemployment

[@roberteells5269]

The amount she claimed in the suit was for $50,000, not $15,000. The most interesting point for me is the fact that $50,000 at that time, a little over 100 years ago, is the equivalent of $1 million today… How times change…

[@geegeelast7597]

Her reputation would’ve been ruined. A serious, life ruining thing in those days. His friends possibly supported him, fearing the outing of their own affairs.

[@johnyricco1220]

Can you do an episode of Sarah Althea Hill and her husband David Terry's attempted assassination of a US Supreme Court Justice? Terry was himself a Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court and wrote the state constitution. He is also known for killing Senator David Broderick in a duel over slavery. It's a forgotten episode for some reason. Even history buffs haven't heard of it.

[@George-nt8uw]

Interesting case. I suppose it was dug-up to reflect on a current goings-on. Be careful, however, as this present case is not disputing that the alleged initial contact was not concluded with the customary financial compensation. Note, I said alleged! What is notable is that an alleged second contract with an alleged financial compensation for silence for the protection of privacy and reputation was entered upon and subsequently breached. The party who breached the second contract can and should be liable.

[@vaclav_fejt]

The "breach of promise" did indeed seem silly to me when reading the Chronicles of the Pickwick Club, but I didn't know at the time. Moreover, when that suit led to Mr. Pickwick being imprisoned in a debtor's prison, which was the subject of Dickens' critique. How can you expect a person to pay up when you lock them up, eh?

[@ST-ff1zd]

Kentucky. A strange history.

[@MARKCARTLIDGE-sm3mz]

Interesting as ever.❤

[@bethbartlett5692]

What a Narcissist Personality Disorder the Senator proved to be, he actually thought himself above commitment, above responsibility, and above jurisdiction. Maybe the ruling satisfied her, but, if she were my client, I would have had him back in court: he would pay the settlement to my client or the court system. If I had to do it probono One must "follow through" or it all was a waste of time, money, and efforts. Ethics are worth the actions. Be your positive self and let the Universe deliver your positive experiences. ✨

[@zach7193]

Man, that's something. Feel like it reminds me of a scandal with Grover Cleveland about an illegitimate child. Also remind me of Trump's hush money scandals with Stormy Daniels and other women.

[@dougsfriendskeeter]

Or hunter Biden screwing his brothers widow. Politicians really are the worst

[@bigsarge2085]

👍👍

[@jackmason5278]

Kinda puzzling that a former Confederate officer was thereafter a member of the US Congress. The fourteenth amendment to the Constitution prohibits anyone who'd previously taken an oath to support the Constitution, and subsequently held any military or governmental position within the Confederacy, from holding any federal or state office. Breckinridge must not have taken such an oath.

[@1TakoyakiStore]

I was wondering the same thing. Only thing I can think of is that someone high up on the Union side pardoned him at some point after the war.

[@tomhalla426]

There were a lot of amnesties, so very few former Confederates were still disqualified by 1890

[@MrOhmikey]

apparently it means nothing....

[@tomhalla426]

@@MrOhmikey It was part of the Presidential election of 1876, otherwise known for Rutherfraud Hayes.

[@petarnovakovich240]

Also the ban could be set aside if 2/3 of both houses agree.

[@user-up4td6kh9k]

Born and raised in Georgia and the old confederacy should of never been allowed representatives or senators until 1900...the south would be less ignorant by far...we are still in Germany and Germany is a very cultured and rich country.

[@joerudnik9290]

You’d think that a man who is cheating on his wife would be considered a dissolute character. Hence a ‘fallen man’.😉😉😉

[@JeanBray-cj3lu]

It just shows what powerfull men have been doing for a long, long time. Use and disgard.

[@pinkbeautytwinkle]

She was right to sue him.

[@saraross8396]

The "me too" movement/philandering politicians unsurprisingly reaches far back, I see.

[@helenel4126]

Election to political office seems to make many men think they are irresistable to women.

[@brianpendergast2894]

That's why they always say Get it in Writing!

[@Aromagirl70]

He was a scoundral!!

[@gabs32100]

I so love that she won against all odds, it’s infuriating that the old prick didn't pay her