The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-01-02
POLLARD.
History Of the Fatal Article.
HANNA'S ACCOUNT.

r AlDtUlJ vi tuO L Gttti liGiolC'
HANNA'S ACCOUNT.
LAST HOURS OF THE DECEASED.
The initial No. Of the Southern Opinion,
under its new management wv. D. Chester
man s Coz, has made its appearance with
attractive contents. J. M. Hanna, Mr..
Pollard's associate and intimate friend, con-
tributes long and circumstantial account
Of the killing Of the late editor Of the pa
per, with many facts hitherto unpublished,
from which we extract the following inte-
resting history Of the "fatal article y:
Says Mr.. Hanna: ,.:-z gzr q
was at dinner at the Ballard House on
q day the week previous, when gentle
man who sat ct the same table with me re-
marked, !" Did you hear of the elopement? %
had not, and asked of him to whom he
referred. The gentleman then named the
parties, and related all the facts within his
knowledge.
Dinner over, I returned to the office. Mr.
Pollard was not there; he had gone to his
residence, on the Grove road, but note
from him lay on my. desk. It's contents
were an urgent request to visit him at his
house that evening, as he had some impor-
tant items for communication to me. l
visited him. | met him alone in my own
room, as he seemed anxious that the SER
wants should not overhear anything that
might pass between US. He had some
notes in his hand, and when spoke Of the
case had heard at the Ballard House, he
remarked quickly: "Yes, have heard all
about it, too and want you to take the
address of this gentleman; go to him, get
all the facts, aId prepare an article upon
tin the old style, remember" This was
q phrase of his, used when he wished any
thing written in peculiarly witty or sar-
castle vein. He then gaye me the notes he
held in his hand. ''1~
'rs l suggested that possibly it would be best
to suppress names, as the parties stood
high, and trouble might ensue. He angered
ct once, and replied: "The papers don't
keep my name out when / get into diff
Guilty why should I suppress the names of
these persons Ny family is as good as
theirs. No., put the names in full; I'm
responsible for what goes in my paper"
Here the conversation dropped, or passed
to other subjects. We came into the city
together the next morning in. a few hours
thereafter the article was written and in
the hands of the printers. That night |
was again at his residence, and heard the
proof read. Again l suggested that as the
name occurred in but one place.it might be
omitted without injury to the interest or
point of the article. He declined nor do
think he altered or erased single word,
but, on the contrary, expressed entire salts
faction with it.
AS the week drew to its close the alleged
elopement was the town topic in certain
circles, and grew in exaggeration. 1t was
hinted abroad that the Southern Opinion
was preparing to ventilate the matter. On
Wednesday late, or early Thursday morn
ing, friend of the Grant family visited
the Opinion office. Mr.. Pollard was at his
country house was alone. This gentle
man inquired whether such an article,
based on the rumor afloat, was to appear in
the next issue. l told him | believed there
would be publication. He inquired
further whether such publication could not
be suppressed, saying, Really, this is
very dreadful! you are doing family q
very great wrong; besides, there is not one
particle of truth in the report"
lie then recounted the circumstances of
the young lady's going away. told him
was powerless to stop the publication of the
smallest paragraph after it was once in
type that Mr. Pollard was editor, pro-
prietor, and chief censor.
"Then," said he, I" is there no way in
which it can be stopped /? Is there any
pecuniary consideration which would in
duce you to forego the publication ?"
With that the gentleman, on his own re-
sponsibility, as l have understood, offered
to fill the space occupied by the article with
an advertisement for which he would pay
one hundred dollars down. l told him /
had no authority to negotiate; that he must
see Mr.. Pollard. "Then, where can Mr..
Pollard be found l must see him OF
once," was his reply; and receiving his ad-
dress, he took carriage and went out to
the Grove-road residence. What consulta-
ton took place at that interview 1 never
heard, except through third party but
as am the relater of facts within my own
knowledge only l omit even the substance.
There were several subsequent interviews,
however, between this gentleman and Mr.
Pollard.
The paper was usually put to press on
Thursdays at 4 P. NJ. but on the afternoon
Of this day, when the forms were on the
press, received orders from Mr.. Pollard to
hold them back until Friday morning.
Late on Thursday evening there was an
other interview between the gentleman re-
presenting the Grant family and Mr.. Pol
lard, in the presence of the writer. The
conversation again, as before, hinged on the
possibility Of suppressing the publication.
The intermediator at last, rising with i'm
patience, said with emphasis, "Mr. Pol
lard, is there no way by which this can
be prevented? l am friend of the
family, am acting as such, and do assure
you, upon the honor Of gentleman,
that the reports concerning its mem
bers are false-utterly y false" Mr.. Pollard,
rising, walked the floor Of his sGnctetm,
then resumed his seat, and replied GAS
for any pecuniary considerations that may
be offered me, that is purely q matter of
business. publish my paper to sell. If
Mr.. Grant, or you as his representative,
Wish to purchase this edition of my paper,
l will sell it to you or will sell half in
terest in my paper, or l will sell it entire !;
for I have wished for some time to form an
other newspaper association in New York
city. But as for selling my principle, that
will never do; there is not money enough
to buy me-" The gentleman remained 81
lent, and Mr.. Pollard resumed: Or, if /
publish this article, this am willing to do !:
/ will open my columns to Mr.. Grant, and