Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-08

RN WHICH MIS-. llil'N j. DllhAlt a. must
estimable lady. was brutally butchered
in her own yard between the hours Of
4 and o'clock In the afternoon Of that
day as has been proved by sworn and
reputable witnesses, and. whereas, our
people, after earnest effort. succeeded In
capturing and bringing to trial. without
violence to them. the perpetrators Of the
crime; and the said parties having been
given a fair trial under the law. by our
County Court and by four trial juries
selected principally from "A distance OF
about twenty five miles from the scene
of the murder. and composed Of our best
citizens, white and colored. who testified
under oath. that they could give the prls-
oners a fair and impartial trial, and the
said prisOners-viz.: solomon Marable.
Mary Alternately, Pokey Barnes. and
Mary Barnes Ohe first three as principals
In the murder, and the last named as
accessory)-were convicted and SEN
tenoed-the principals 10 be hung. and
the last named. Mary Barnes. to the
penitentary FOR ten years. These prs-
onsrs were convicted upon the confession
OF Solomon Marable, one Of the muir
derers. that he held and choked their
victim, Mrs. Pollard. while Pokey Barnes
and Mary Alternately murdered her with
an old axe that was found with blood on
IL within a few feet OF Mrs. Pollard's
body. Circumstances and the evidence
OF other witnesses so corroborated the
testimony Of Marable that the juries were
satisfied Of the guilt Of the prisoners.
and convicted them. After having been
requested by the Court and the prose-
cutting attorneys several times during the
trial TO give each prisoner the benefit OF
every doubt as to the evidence
il is unreasonable 10 believe that
four iurles Of intelligent citizens.
separately empanelled, under oath. could
SO far err, as 10 condemn three or two
persons 10 death, without sufficient ies-
tlmony after the witnesses for ana
against the prisoners had been examined
by the court, and by the prisoners them
selves I'm their behalf. The judge exam
ined the witnesses FOR the defence. as he
had tried and failed 10 secure counsel TO
defend them. He requested two attor-
neys who were present during the trlal
to defend them. who refused - 10 so.
after one OF them had held 2, conference
with Solomon Marable. who had con-
fessed to being a party 70 the murder.
The prisoners. having thus been trled
and convicted. each one 10y separate
Jury. were taken 10 Richmond Tor saie-
keeping until the day OF execution. Which,
We think. was unnecessary, as we are
sure our people had no idea OF molestng
them after they were satisfied mat tney
were secured and would be properly dealt
with according to law.
And whereas, before the trial Of these
prisoners commenced, our Sheriff. out OF
abundant caution against possible violence
TO the prisoners, requested the presence
OF troops during the trial, 10 which re-
quest there was no opposition on the part
Of our people. but which was plainly evil
don't Htripg Ia trial "a "a
the people were quiet and peacelble and
no desire shown or demonstration made
on the part of the people during the
trial TO do violence TO the prisoners. and
while more troops were called for during
the trial by the officer in command we
understood they were needed to relieve
those already here, some OF whom were
sick and all oyertaxed by constant guard
duty and we understand that the officers
In command stated 10 some OF our citi-
Gems while the trial was in progress that
they though the troops were not needed,
and We believe the officers themselves will
certify that there was no danger during
the trial OF these prisoners OF their being
lynched by the citizens OF the county
And. whereas. after these prisoners were
sent TO Richmond. some OF the press OF
the city, especially the Times published
To the State and country that the women
had been convicted on the evidence OF
Solomon Marable alone. and were not
guilty. and characterized our people. the
juries included. as a lawless mob. seeking
10 execute innocent prisoners on the evil
dence Of Solomon }larabe alone. who
wasn't worthy OF belief on oath.' AL
though by his confession he had
been condemned To death. and In the same
paper Is quoted Solomon Marbles state
ment that "a white man had killed Mrs.
Pollard and had taken him along To
witness the murder. and said paper uses
Marbles statement as basis. II seems.
for an unwarranted attack on our county
and people. and to advertise them a.