The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-12-09
THE POLLARDs.
AN UNHAPPY FAMILY.

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concludes, we hope, the series Of tragedies
which has attended this unhappy family
and which, perhaps, has no parallel in
any other christian country Rarely have
bright talents, rich gifts OF intellectual and
physical superiority, proved of so little
avail to shield their possessors from mis-
fortune, the ill-will of their fellow men
and some dire calamity. as in the cases o.
the several children of Major Richard Pol
lard, of Alta Vista, Nelson county, Virgin
ia. He was gallant gentleman who had
served with distinction in the navy, and
had filled Offices of responsibility in the
Government Marrying daughter of old
Mr.. Rives, the father of those eminent Vir
ginians, William G. Rives and Alexander
Rives, Major Pollard settled at beautiful
place in the Green Mountains, in Nelson
county, Va, and, in the. progress Of time
aided by the taste, intelligence and energy
of his lady, surrounded himself with every
comfort ard luxury heart or taste could de-
sire. There was in the days of old Major
Pollard no pleasanter place of resort, where
the hospitality was more genial and more
graceful, than at Alta Vista. A large fam
lily of uncommonly bright, handsome aud
precocous children grew up around Mrs.
| Pollard, who devoted her exclusive atten-
ton and fine intelligence to their educa-
ton. in this, too, she was assisted by
the Rev. Mr.. Brown, o clergyman from
Massachusetts,, and profound scholar
who, being without church, accepted the
Office of tutor in the family. The young
Pollards, therefore, enjoyed peculiar advan.
tages of education-of both intellectual and
moral training. They were all endowed
with remarkably quick and bright faculties,
and learned everything to which their
minds were applied with wonderful rapidi-
ty. And yet it was obvious to the associ-
ates oftle younger Pol!ards that there was
screw loose in their moral organization !;
| that a certain wilfullness, and passionate
| ness, q contempt for popular opinion and
disregard of the rights and feelings of 9TH
ers, and an excessive egot!sm, were charac-
teristics Of their intercourse with their fell
lows.
Such qualities as these were rendered
the more dangerous when blended with
such bright talents and personal attrac-
tions. When, therefore, tha young Pol
lards were released from the control and
vigilant care of their parents and left to de-
pend upon their OWE Judgment and self-di-
| rection, the weak points in their characters
were displayed in many forms and acts
which drew upon them much censure, con-
demnation and popular disfavor.N z e ~
The FIRST of them to suffer the penalty Of
his quick and domineering temper and ego
tism, was Henry Pollard, who was a leu
tenant in the army. At the age Of twenty
five he was stationed at one of the posts
in the western part Of this State. One
day it happened that violent discussion
occurred at the mess table of young Pol
lard's regiment, between captain, who
was Northern man, and Pollard, who
was fiery champion of Southern institu-
Northern officer to which Pollard took ex-
ception, demanding that the Northerner
should retract the words he had uttered,
and in the presence of al before whom
they were spoken. This was refused, and
meeting was fixed for the next. morning.
The ball of his antagonist pierced young
Pollard's neck. He fell and died in the
arms Of his surgeon. This was in 1884.
The next unhappy incident in the history
of the family was that tragical aud scandal
Gus affair of Mrs. Virginia Myers, who was
the elder of the Misses Pollards, and had
married at an early agea gentleman Of very
high standing and wealth in the oity of
Richmond, Virginia.
Miss Pollard was young woman Of bril-
liant beauty, intelligence, grace and ele-
gance. Singularly enough, shortly after
her marriage, she was detected in an In
trisue with vulgar snob and vender of lot
cry tickets. named Hoyt. The letters
which passed between them land hers were
exceedingly brilliant and fervent in style
and ideas) left no doubts as to the charac-
ter of their relations. Mr.. Myers, her
husband, deemed it his duty and the only
mode of indicating his honor left to him
to Stay the despoiler of his domestic peace
and happiness. He accordingly proceeded
to the room of Hoyt, and shot him whilst
lying in bed. Hoyt died, and Mrs. Myers
returned to her wretched parents in such
condition as may be better imagined than
described. The charitable world has
thrown the veil Of silence over her early
misstep, has never pierced the obsourity in
which she sought to lose herself, and we
trust a life of propriety and virtue has ex
plated the crime OF her youth and its fear
full consequences. The life of 4. A. Pol
lard, the historian, as he is called, has
been one of constant tumUlt, strife and
fierce conflicts. He has been engaged in
personal difficulties with near relatives and
former friends, with his wives and their
brothers, and with almost every one he has
been brought in contact and intimacy with.
AS journalist and historian, his nature is
betrayed in the sentiments and temper Of
his every production. HIS easy, graceful
and brilliant style, and remarkable fuency
and facility Of elegant composition, have
not served to conceal his hard, selfish, vim
dictive and malignant character his utter
destitution of all kindly, generous and
charitable qualities. No other man of the
South could give utterance to the unmanly
and brutal assaults and reproaches with:
which this vindctive and hint-hearted man
has pursued Jefferson Davis in his great
adversely and misfortune.
OF the younger b. other, recently shot
down in the streets Of Richmond. a faith
full and correct sketch will be found in an
other column. Apparently his killing was
a cowardly assassination, and yet it appears
to be applduded and approved by the peo-
pie. This fact exposes the degree of pop
ular odium which young Pollard had man
aged, with al his talents, to attract to him.
SELF ~
! The fate Of these persons, so much fa-
vored in their parentage, education, and in
all the circumstances Of their life, certainly
supplies ali instructive lesson Of the worth
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