Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-11-26
The Wise-Pollard Shooting Affair.".
Geo. D. Wise's Statement.

n. Pollard. lie gives various details of the
affair not heretofore published, some of which
accord with what were understood to be the
facts there on the day of the occurrence. 1t
will be observed, however, that the state
ment studiously avoids any declaration as to
who actually fred the first shot-wLether it
was Mr.. John S. Wise or Mr.. Pollard, though
it is claimed that Mr.. p. drew his weapon
first, in view of his having had previous in
timation of the intention to assault him. AS
the occurrence is likely to undergo n judicial
investigation, the entire facts may then be
brought to light, through testimony of wit
neSses who were in considerable numbers
about the Maltby House at that time -
THE LATE RENCoNTRE IN BALTIMORE,
Richmond, Va, Nov. I6, IS67.-Editor
Enquirer and Examiner =: The telegram
dated Nov. II, of the Associated Press, in.
regard to the recent shooting afFray in Bal.
timOre." having been called to my attention.
feel obliged, IN justice to my relative, j John
8. Wise, aud myself, to make n statement of
the facts connected with that uffray.
In the outset have specially to declare
that my own sole purpose in going to Balti>
more with my relative was to act as his friend
and adviser, and TO take no part in an antici-
pated encounter with +. \. Pollard, except
under circumstances such as would clearly
justify participation in it in the character
mentioned, or in selEdeiense that this pur-
F,6se was not departed from that it was not
the intention Of John s. Wise to use apy
other weapon upon Mr.. Pollard than a stout
cane in appropriate chastisement of the Ian
guage in which his recent reply to General
Wise was cOuched and that Mrs Pollard
was not only not hanging upon his arm at
the time of the shooting, but that she was at
no period Of the encounter in u position of
peril to her life from the use of our firearms.
Mr.. -. Wise, accompanied by myself,
left this city on "Wednesday night last, Gu
route for Baltimore, with the settled but sole
determination of Gaming Pollard at the earliest
possible moments at the most convenient place,
Tor the use of the language employed in the
paper alluded to. We both bore firearms, he
only Derringer pistol with one barrel
These were necessary, but only to be used by
either OF Us under the circumstances already
indicated, aud although events compelled a
departure in form from the original determi-
nation as to the course to be pursued. yet the
spirit of that determination was sternly OBJ,
served throughout, as will clearly appear from
the following narration OF facts which occurred
in Baltimore after our arrival there on Thurs.
day morning.
Having ascertained that Messrs. Wills and
Smith attorneys at law, could furnish informa-
tiOu as to the whereabouts Of Mr. L. \. Pol
lard,we sought those gentlemen aud introduced
ourselves as the son aud nephew of Governor
Wise, OF Virginia. These gentlemen told us
that Mr.. =. boarded at the Maitby House.
and Mr.. Smith added that he was certain that
MIR. Pollard was then in Washington, he
haVin,r n I1y tUn bafnro l.
at his house and learned that fact. Mr..
Smith, though particular to volunteer this
information as to Mr.. Pollard's absence in
Washington, immediately upon our retiring
sent messenger III haste 10 inform HIM
(Pollard) that two Wises were in Baltimore
prepared to shoot him upon sight. This he
acknowledged to me while undef arrest at the
police station. His messenger reached the
MalIby House in advance of us, and commu-
nicated the message sent by MIR. S.
Mr.. i. and this messenger as we were in
formed after the atfray, left the hotel by
back window and went off through an ailey
in the rear. Upon arrival at the hotel John
S. Wise asked to see T.. y. Pollard, and we
were shown into Parior, while n servant
went to inform him that We were in waiting
Mrs. Pollard entered shortly after, and adj
vancing to Mr.. John S. Wise, asked if he de-
sired to see her husband, to which he replied
in the affirmative. She asked many Gues-
tiOns, and from them and her peculiar man
ner we discovered that she felt alarmed on
some account, and wished to detain u.s. His
replies were intended to keep her in iCno>
rance of the affair. She finally stated that
her husband was not in, and would not return
to his hotel before four or FIVE o'clock in the
afternoon, and wanted to know if our busi-
ness was not of such character as to be com.
municated to her. We bowed ourselves from
her presence, returning to the reception
room. While there Mr.. John S. Wise dis.
covered that Mrs i. was watching our move.
ments from the steps, aud we found that q
servant was in mysterious communication
with her. While seated in the reception
room, from which gentlemen pass out into
the street, and looking out through the glass
front, We observed that Mrs =. was standing
at the ladies' entrance anxiously talking to a
gentleman. Mr.. John S. Wise remarked to
me that appearances indicated that these peo-
pie were preparing to produce collision with
arms, and that we must see Mr.. Pollard before
his wife had an opportunity of communicating
with him.
While thus conversing, a servan: approach
cd her, and IN moment left, passing up the
street. She followed soon after We then
walked to the front of the hotel through the
main entrance, and Mr.. John s. Wise, step
ping up TO the gentleman whom we had
observed talking with Mrs. p, and from whom
she had just seperated, asked if he knew
where Mr.. Pollard was. The gentleman with
a wave of the hand, replied, there is Mr.
Pollard" pointing towards Mrs Pollard and
two gentlemen who were approaching the
ladies' entrance. John S. Wise returned at
once where was standing, and we together
stepped out upon the pavement, neither of US
knowing Mr.. Pollard even by sight. Mrs.
Pollard aud one of the gentlemen passed into