Vindicated

and he was as versatile as he was talented. His landscapes touched on Impressionism, while his other works blended Realism, classicism and grand manner portrait Sure, Sergeant's novelist friend Henry James said he offered the slightly uncanny spectacle of a talent which, on the threshold of its career, has nothing more to learn. He was famous, sure, but so are his subjects Henry James, Robert Louis Stephenson, President Franklin Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Lady Agnew, just to name a few.

But his most famous painting ended in scandal, nearly ruining him and his news. Virginie Emily Avenio born in New Orleans in eighteen fifty nine, too exceptionally wealthy parents. Spent most of her life in Paris. She wore the finest of dresses and was taught to be a proper young woman. Like most in her social class, she was expected to marry into wealth, but her elegance, beauty, and figure did more than turn heads. They started rumors of loose behavior.

She ignored the rumors and soon married a wealthy banker, Pierre Getroeux. Not long after, the couple welcomed daughter, Louise in eighteen seventy nine. None of that stopped the rumors, though, and word of her affairs made for frequent gossip among the elite. In eighteen eighty four, Sergeant was a young artist making a name for himself. He needed a model worthy of painting for the Paris Salon, the annual art exhibition hosting some of the finest talents in the world.

He knew he had found the right news the minute he met Gatrow. She agreed to sit for him, though she had little patience or discipline for such things. Constantly distracted with social engagements, she complained that the process board her sergeant became equally frustrated with the endless breaks and interruptions. Though he finally finished the life size portrait in time for the eighteen eighty four Paris Salon. He had painted Ghatrow's skin a pale white typical of aristocratic pallor. The

profile of her face gave the impression of assertiveness. Her floor length, deep black gown was sinched at the waist, with a plunging heart neckline that was rather daring for the time, and sleeveless but for a pair of thin jeweled shoulder straps, one of which had slipped to hang loosely over her right arm. Both he and Ghatroux were pleased with the result. The public, however, was not. The pose and attire were overtly sexual for the time and

brought instant scandal. An aristocrat posing for such an erotic painting quickly became the talk of Paris because his depiction defied societal norms. Sergeant found work scarce in France after the exhibit, even after he repainted the draping strap to sit firmly on Gatrow's shoulder. At the urging of his friends, he moved to England and quickly became a success, painting

the most elite in British and American society. Gatrow's reputation took a bit longer to restore, though she hired two different artists to paint her in more conservative clothing and demure poses. The While she was eventually welcomed back into elite's society, she never regained the status she once held. Society had expectations, after all. As it turned out, those expectations were rarely consistent. I'm Lauren Vogelbond. Welcome to American Shadows.

John Pollard returned from a trip with the bad cold. Five days later he died. Twelve year old Madeline took the loss hard, not just because she had been her father's favorite, but because that day, in eighteen seventy six, she lost her family as she had always known it. They owned no property, and despite her father's profession as a lawyer, he left no estate to speak of. Her mother couldn't provide for six children, so she did what many women were forced to do in such circumstances. She

sent the children to live elsewhere. Edward, the oldest, found employment and left to fend for himself. Madeline's older sister, Mary, and the baby Ernest, went to live with an aunt, Rosalie. John and Horatio were sent to an orphanage in Louisville. John's sister in Pittsburgh took Madeline, though she and her husband already had six children of their own. Madeline threw

herself into her school work to lessen the pain. Teachers said she was well behaved and attentive, but seven children to feed and clothe proved hard, and so when she turned sixteen, her aunt sent her back to her mother. It didn't last long, though, her mother sent her away once more, this time to another family member in Lexington. Madeline wanted to pursue her education. She didn't want to end up without skills like her mother, without money, though

even returning to school seemed out of the question. Jobs and pay for women were limited, and young ladies were groomed to become wives, not scholars. While out riding one day, she came across James Rhodes. He was a friend of her uncle's, a much older man with an ash and complexion. Telling of his age and hard life, he asked her to marry him, and she declined. He persisted, though, telling her he'd pay for her education if she accepted. Madeline

wanted to become a writer. Rhodes expected her to become a teacher upon her return, and of course take care of him in his old age. Feeling that this might be her only option, and thinking she could either repay him or outlive him, she reluctantly agreed in three At seventeen, she went to study at the Notre Dame Convent. When the other girls heard she had made an agreement to marry a man old enough to be her grandfather, they were less than kind, forcing her to transfer to wesleyan

female college in Cincinnati. She wrote in her journal that she felt should die of pain thinking of her impending marriage to the lecherous Roads, and that somehow she had to get herself out from under such a deal. The arrangement weighed heavily on her mind, even when she received a telegram informing her that her sister Rosalie had fallen

ill with consumption. After boarding the last train home, a man approached her, asking if they had ever met before, Though she doubted such a meeting had ever taken place, she recognized him instantly, Colonel William Campbell Preston Breckenridge. Her father had spoken highly of him, and young Madeline had idolized Breckenridge. Almost as much as she had her father, twenty years her senior. He was the son of a prominent minister, grandson of a senator, and first cousin to

Vice President John Breckenridge. He had his own political aspirations and currently served as a member of the House of Representatives. He also lived in Lexington and was returning home. Madeline was enthralled. On the trip home. The two talked about their family. His first wife had died and he had remarried. He and his wife, Issa, had three children. She told him about her father and education. She listened intently as he talked about his law practice and his stance on

civil rights. Occasionally he took cases defending freed black men. As a minister's son, he dedicated himself to preserving family values and morals. For a short time after the Civil War, had even held a job, Madeline could only dream of the editor of the Lexington Observer. The two parted ways after that. Madeline stayed in Kentucky until her sister's death

and funeral. The meeting with her Idol had made a deep impression, though, and once she returned to school, she talked quite a bit about meeting Breckinridge sinsing a crush. Her classmates kitted her, often addressing her as Madeline Vivian Enridged Pollard. Once she had settled back into her studies, letters from Rhodes poured in in his mind. She had been away at school long enough and the time had come for her to either repay him or marry him.

Thinking Breckinridge might offer her legal advice, she wrote to him explaining her situation. He not only replied, he also offered to meet her while in Cincinnati on business. He arrived not long after and asked if she'd like to attend a concert with him. They could discuss her situation beforehand. She quickly agreed. He didn't take her to the concert hall, however, Instead he brought her to a remote location where he attempted to kiss her. She resisted, and he took her

back to the school. Before he left, he pressed ten dollars into her hand. Though bewildered, she took the money. He then told her why his conduct that evening had not been improper. It's not clear what, if anything she said in respe bunts. One thing is clear, though they briefly discussed her deal with Rhodes. If she wanted to know how to resolve the situation, she would need to meet him at the public library the next morning. Though he hadn't acted exactly like a husband and gentleman, she

thought maybe he had misunderstood her too. Thinking about Rhodes again gave her all the courage she needed. Breckinridge was a powerful man, a lawyer, and he was still her idol, so she agreed to meet with him the next morning. He was waiting for her when she arrived, but they didn't go inside to talk. There was a change of plans. He told her they could speak more openly at a friend's home. Thinking of who might overhear her story, she left with him. They were welcomed inside and sat in

the parlor. Not long after they arrived, a woman entered informing him that the upstairs room was ready. Madeline refused. Breckenridge made her another offer, transfer to Sayer Institute in Lexington and he'd take care of Rhodes. She could live in a small cottage instead of a dormitory, all expenses paid. Of course, clearly he was offering the same deal she had made with Rhodes, only with a more comfortable residence, and without the marriage, she would be his mistress in

exchange for her studies. Once she finished school, she would be free to live her life. She considered her options, and, having some attraction to Breckenridge, decided to accept. He made good on his word, and she made good on hers. Over the next few months, he visited her frequently, and by the summer of eighteen eighty four, she was pregnant. She did her best to conceal the pregnancy while at school, lasting until February of eight five. Breckenridge aid for her

to return to Cincinnati and the Norwood Foundling Asylum. Asylums at the time housed not only people considered to have mental illnesses, but other illnesses as well, and women who had fallen from society fallen meaning did become pregnant out of wedlock. Breckenridge had her registered as Louise Wilson to protect her reputation, but was more likely protecting his own. On May nine, with only two midwives by her side,

she gave birth to a baby girl. Having spent months alone without so much as a visit from Breckinridge, Madeline decided to give up the child and break off the affair with his reputation to protect. It wasn't like he could demand she repay him. He wrote back, begging her not to leave. He swore that he loved her and that if she'd give up the child, and if he were ever free from his marriage, he would marry her. He swore he'd protect her and properly take care of

their future children. He told her that if she ended the relationship, any chance of finishing her education would be lost. Without higher education, she wouldn't be able to support herself as a woman. Her opportunities were few. He wasn't wrong. She could be a cook, made or seamstress, but none of those jobs paid enough to support oneself. There were factory jobs, but the pay wasn't much better and working conditions were often deplorable. Teachers earned the most, but still

not enough money to live on their own. Breckinridge wrote more letters, perfecting his love. She believed him and returned to Kentucky to finish her studies. The affair picked up where it had left off, except this time she felt he would eventually marry her. She wrote in her journal that had won her love and that she remained faithful to him. Obedient, in all ways, though he kept her in the shadows. She told herself that he treated her well and that she wanted for nothing except to end

the secrecy. She often lamented that they could not be together. He told her that as a man of faith that God, he could never leave his wife. He told her to be patient, that whenever his wife died, he would marry her. Now one could argue that Madeline had to know that at this point he wasn't a man of moral standing, and that he might be asking her to wait decades, perhaps the rest of her life. Yet she agreed. Madeline

became pregnant again in seven. This time Breckenridge moved her to Washington, d c. In February of eight, she gave birth to a son. The only person by her side was the midwife hired to care for her. Once again, she gave up the child. He wrote her a letter afterward, telling her to hold on that one day did Mary. When his political career cook him to Washington, he visited her often, but still kept her a secret, and when he returned home she made friends with the wives of

several politicians. Years passed with him visiting her frequently. Then in Issa Breckinridge died. Madeline had waited eight years for this. The time had come for her turn to be his wife. Of course, he assured her that they had announced the engagement after a short and proper morning period. When June of e arrived, Madeleine grew tired of waiting. Breckenridge reminded her that in polite society, he was still in mourning.

For weeks, the two argued. In the end, he asked her to be patient just a little while longer, and she relented. In July, Madeleine visited her friend Julia Churchill Blackburn. As the wife of a former governor, Julia was part of an elite circle. Madeline was excited should be included among the Washington elite once she was married. She couldn't

refrain from telling Julia and a few other friends. When a reporter for the Washington Post heard about the engagement, Madeline thought she needed to make a formal announcement before the press discovered the trail of Breckinridge's visits while he had still been married. That's when the next telegram arrived, not to her, but to the press. Breckenridge had heard about the reporter's intent to publish their engagement and was denying any involvement with her. Furious, Madeline wrote him a

scathing letter and waited for his response. His reply didn't arrive by telegram or letter, though she read it in the paper. The next day, Breckinridge had announced his engagement to Kentucky socialite Louise Scott Wing It was a short engagement. He married his new fiance two days later. The truth stung. Madeline had never truly intend to marry her. She had been a mistress and meant nothing more than that. Now, in her mid twenties, she felt she had given up

her youth. Society looked upon mistresses as fallen and ruined women. The opportunity to marry with dignity was gone, as was her reputation. Women in her situation had no recourse except to fade away. Anything they said would be construed as bitter in the eyes of society. Certain women were predators out to prey on good men. People would point at her and talk behind her, back to her face, did tell her she had gotten what she deserved. That part

was true enough. She was partly at fault and would accept the consequences, but Breckinridge was going to take his share in the mess too, and Madeleine knew exactly how to do it. Things were about to get ugly. It happened over a meal. Breckenridge and his new bride were enjoying dinner at the Cochrane Hotel in d C on August twelfth, EIGHTEE, when an aid from the U. S.

Marshal's office walked up to their table. After confirming Breckenridge's identity, he introduced himself and handed over an envelope full of legal papers. Acting as though it were nothing. The colonel showed the papers to his wife, Madeline was suing him for breach of promise to the tune of fifty thousand dollars today that would be a cool one and a half million. Such lawsuits weren't uncommon then, you see, without jobs or pay that could equal a male counterpart, a

woman's primary job was to marry. It was drilled into her from childhood to become a proper wife, hopefully to a wealthy suitor who could best care for her and their children. But with these lawsuits came gandal. Society and juries alike assumed that such cases happened because the woman ruined herself before marriage, ruined, meaning that she was no longer chased. While men were expected to have pre marital relations,

women were not. Instead of going off into the shadows, Madeleine admitted to having a nine year affair with Breckinridge, starting when she was seventeen. She argued that he took advantage of her youth and promised her marriage. In return. He painted her as a willful predator. She had boldly seduced him. Not long afterward, it had become clear to him that she was out for his money and status. She had done this before, he later told the press, in fact, had been tricked into rescuing her from a

similar situation. Therefore, he couldn't have ruined her. She was already ruined and hardly the marrying kind. While the major newspapers didn't carry Madeleine's reply, small upstarts did. Six hundred thousand people opened the Sunday edition of the World Tabloid to read her side of the story. She put the details of their entire affair out into the open. Breckinridge, a married man who claimed to uphold morality, had seduced her, had fathered two children and kept her in the pregnancies

a secret from his wife and children at home. Without a job or financial support, she couldn't keep her children, and Breckinridge wanted nothing to do with them. Illegitimate children were a hot topic in the late eighteen hundreds, with cases of abandoned and murdered newborns on the rise. In September, Madeline moved into a House of Mercy for fallen Women, where she told the press about her plans to devote

her life to charity. Living with nuns and doing charity work didn't exactly come across as a woman out for money. Breckinridge continued to say that she was a bitter, scorned woman. Madeline spun it differently, though she wanted to shed light on the reason why women became ruined in the first place, double standards. A month later, Breckenridge had a friend send his secretary to gain Madeline's confidence in the hopes should say or do something he could use against her. The

plan failed, Madeline refused to discuss the matter. On February nine, Madeleine and her attorney, Calderon Carlisle, arrived at the courthouse for depositions. No one knew where the money came from to pay such a high profile lawyer, or even why he had taken on such a case, and frankly, no

one thought the case would go to trial. When the city Hall doors opened on March eighth of Breckinridge had tried to settle out of court, but Madeleine held firm that if she were going to be publicly humiliated and scorned for her actions, he deserved the heat as well. The courtroom was packed with spectators, members of Congress, some

well known actors, and the press. When Breckinridge told the courtroom that he hardly knew Madeline, Carlyle presented a stack of love letters and telegrams dating back nine years that told otherwise changing tactics. Breckenridge's lawyers insisted their client had felt trapped in the relationship and feared blackmail, that he was not a willing participant. Carlyle called upon several witnesses, including the women who had attended Madeline's first birth. He

had certainly been willing enough, the lawyer pointed out. Breckinridge questioned the patrimony of the child, but with a nine year affair and a second child, no one was buying his story. Meanwhile, poor Louise was having a breakdown. Everything Breckenridge had presented himself to be was unraveling. She began to question what really had transpired between her husband and Madeline. Humiliated and hurt, she came physically ill. Over the next

several days, Carlyle presented a steady stream of witnesses. One of the most prominent was Julia Blackburne. She had witnessed Breckinridge with Madeline not long before his engagement announcement to Louise. When all the witnesses had given their testimony, the defense realized they were in trouble of losing what should have been an easy case. Women rarely won at breach of promise suit, especially ones against married men. The case didn't

look much better in the public eye either. The testimony coupled with the tabloid article didn't favor their client. He certainly wasn't the family man with upstanding morals. All the evidence had done more to discredit Breckinridge than Madeleine. The defense hadn't planned on such a strong presentation and stuck with the line that started with that their client was the victim. At one point they tried to shame matt And with her behavior, calling her a fallen woman and

a predator. Pale and worn from days on trial, she didn't back down. Yes, she told the courtroom she had been involved with a married man and had had two children with him. The pregnancies weren't to trap him, as the defense had said, though Breckinridge had insisted that she give up the children to stay with him. Madeline accepted that there were repercussions regarding her lack of morality, but she wasn't the only one without integrity. Breckinridge had misled

her and should suffer consequences as well. She read out loud one of his very private and revealing letters to the jurors. In a last attempt to sway the court. Breckinridge took the stand, still insisting that he was the victim, a devoted family man until Madeleine seduced him. What was he supposed to do when he finished? Carlyle called three new witnesses to the stand. A typist, the family cook,

and a formerly enslaved woman. All admitted that they had also had affairs with brecken Rich while he was married to his last wife. Members of the courtroom gasped. With that, the prosecution rested its case. The trial resumed on April fourteen, and then the jury foreman read the verdict against all odds Madeline had one Madeleine had done more than when the court case she had cracked open a door to a new age for women, the demand to be treated

equally on moral grounds. The suit shed light on double standards that are still being fought today. One question remained, though, who financed her lawsuit. Her attorney was one of the most expensive around Madeline and afford him, and had essentially been unhoused and without money when Breckenridge married Louise. At first, it might seem that Breckenridge's enemies might have opened their wallets,

except they hadn't. Soon after the verdict, The Evening Star reported that a wealthy Kentucky widow related to one of the politician's former affair partners had paid for part of the expenses. But she wasn't the only wealthy widow. There were two more. One had provided five thousand dollars that's over a hundred and thirty six thousand today. Then there was the daughter of a prominent New York businessman, with

a penchant for righting the wrongs towards ruined women. She and Madeline became lifelong friends and traveled the world together after the case. Also pitching in was Lucy Blount, a wealthy woman and activist for feminist ideals who had committed her time to women's rights. In the end, a group of women had banded together to defeat the men in the court room that had enough of double standards. For most, it wasn't that they approved of Madeleine's affair. She had

simply provided them the opportunity to make themselves heard. And if you're asking why the other women didn't just fund Madeline a new life, then Caroline Fellows Morgan, widow of JP Morgan, said it best to paraphrase, any man claiming such morality and living a double life should not go unscathed, should been the one to fund the majority of the

legal fees. The repercussions didn't stop there, though, When Breckinridge ran for reelection, he lost, and it may not have been the men who made sure his bid failed, because although women didn't have the right to vote, they were able to do something else. They spoke up and thankfully their sons and fathers and husbands did the right thing. They listened. There's more to the story. Stick around after this brief sponsor break to hear all about it. It

was a dream come true. Fresh out of high school in four Olivia to have a land landed her first acting job in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shortly afterward, Warner Brothers signed her with a five year contract for two hundred dollars a week. Jack Warner's studio primarily produced gangster movies with male headliners like Edward Robinson and James Cagney. At the time, Olivia expected her Shakespearean performance would land her serious film roles. What Warner Brothers

gave her were arm candy rolls for the leading men. Still, she accepted them in hopes that she might work her way up. She teamed up with Errol Flynn in Captain Blood, and The New York Times hailed her performance. The two shared dynamic on screen chemistry that thrilled audiences. Flynn admitted to falling in love with Olivia, and she had also fallen for him when he asked her out, though she declined. And you see, Flynn was married and Olivia didn't date

married men. Over the years, Flynn continued to pursue her, and she continued to turn down his advances. Olivia didn't wait for Flynn either. She dated Jimmy Stewart, John Houston, and even Howard Hughes. But there was one other suitor she turned down, a naval lieutenant named John F. Kennedy, Yes that jfk. Per their contracts with Warner, Olivia and Flynn were paired in six more films together. He was happy with the success and the wealth that these leading

roles brought him. Olivia wanted respect as an actor and roles where she was more than just a pretty face with token minds. She appeared in the nineteen thirty six film Anthony Adverse, which earned six Academy Award nominations. That same year, she started alongside Flynn for the box office hit The Charge of the Light Brigade. Despite newspapers and critics commending her performances, it was Flynn who benefited. Warner Brothers tore up his initial contract and gave him a

better deal two thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars per week. Meanwhile, they agreed to raise Olivia's pay to a whole five hundred dollars if she changed her contract from five years to seven. Those had been successful in showcasing stronger acting skills when loaned out to other production companies, Warner Brothers continued to hand her stereotypical roles where she was expected

to play clueless, inept characters. Still people loved her. She portrayed a young woman who fell in love with the artist hired to paint her portrait in ninety seven's Call It a Day, and later a comedy with Betty Davis earned her more acclaim. She teamed up with Flynn again for the Adventures of Robin Hood in eight. The film went on to be one of Hollywood's biggest successes of its day and earned an Academy Award for Best Picture.

While the film raised Flynn's status at Warner Brothers, lending him rolls of his choosing, Olivia's roles remained the same, unchallenging ones for her next two films. She was cast as dizzy rich girls. In the film that followed, her role as a love interest once more depressed. Her complaints to Jack Warner went unanswered when MGM wrote a letter to Warner asking them to loan out Olivia for an

upcoming adaptation of a best selling novel. They refused. Olivia had loved the novel and wanted a role in the project. Determined to land the role she wanted, she went to Jack Warner's wife. He relented. Oddly, Olivia didn't want the leading role MGM had her in mind for. She wanted the role of Melanie Hamilton's Scarlett O'Hara's kind hearted and strong friend in Gone with the Wind, Critics saying her praises,

calling her a standout among the star studded cast. The role earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Even with the award, Warner Brothers continued to cast her in the same roles as before. The films were highly successful, catapulting her male counterparts into better and deeper roles, while she remained type cast. She rejected several scripts, landing her

suspensions from the movie studio. The only time Olivia played more difficult roles was when Warner loaned her out In Paramounts Risk hit hold Back the Dawn, she played a small town teacher whose life and sexuality were awakened by a European gigglow. The role earned her another Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Actress. Olivia and Flynn paired up for two more movies. It became obvious to him that

their eighth movie would be their last together. He later said that his last line to her had off screen, meaning, walking through life with you, ma'am has been a very gracious thing. In ninety three, should fulfilled her seven year contract with Warner Brothers, except the studio tacked on six months for the times to decline movies and had been suspended while other actors had accepted similar contract add ons from the studio. Olivia hired an attorney. In ninety three,

California's Supreme Court sided with Olivia. Outraged, Warner Brothers filed an appeal. The studio's attorneys attempted to anger her in court, making her look like an overindulged and thankless star. As the saying went in Hollywood, men were bosses, women were bossy. Jack Warner seethed, we brought her from obscurity to prominence and can show that we made a profit on every picture she has ever been in. One of the studio

attorneys did their best to intimidate her. Is it not true, Mr Haveland, that you failed to show up on set to play roles requested of you, always one to take the high ground, Olivia turned on the charm she was known for. I didn't refuse, she answered politely. I declined. Once more, the courts sided with her, but it came with a cost. Warner Brothers blacklisted her from working in Hollywood and appealed to the California State Supreme Court. Olivia

was just happy the trial was over. Little did she know she had changed Hollywood contracts forever. Co star greats like Clark Gable and her former flame Jimmy Stewart used what became known as the de Haveland Rule to move forward with their own careers. Decades later, Johnny Carson, Courtney Love, and Jay Leno also used the ruling in similar situations, and Warner Brothers couldn't keep Olivia blacklisted for long. She

worked with other studios, winning two more Oscars. In nineteen fifty two, she left Hollywood, moving to Paris when she married Pierre Gallant In She retired from acting in two thousand three. She received a standing ovation as the presenter for the seventy Academy Awards. President George Bush awarded her with the National Medal of Arts in two thousand eight, and in France appointed her a Night of the highest decoration.

Having walked through life with Grace, Olivia to havelland passed away peacefully in her sleep in her parents home on July. She was a hundred and four American Shadows as hosted by Lauren Vogelbaum. This episode was written by Michelle Muto, researched by Ali Steed, and produced by Miranda Hawkins and Trevor Young, with executive producers Aaron Mackey, Alex Williams, and Matt Frederick. To learn more about the show, visit grim

and mil dot com. From more podcast from my Heart Radio at the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. M HM