Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-01
HEAR THE OTHER SIDE
Another Review Of The Pollard Muf'
der Case.
ARE THE WOMEN GUILTY?
4 Fort Mitchell Citizen Goes over Inc
Whole Ground.
80 DANGER OF LfNCHiN"'
MINT the Coroner's Inquest DeNe'-
oped-Narabie's Confession-'"e
Ricbmond Military and Their Cri-
cism-corroborative Testimony.
40 DANGER OF LfN''"'

vour correspondence relating 10 the fol-
lard murder, and not having seen line
from any citizen OF the immediate
vicinity in which the murder was COM
mitted. deem 1t my duty as one OF the
first 10 reach the scene Of the muroer
and as one perfectly familiar with the case
from the beginning to the end' 10 give
n few facts az seen from the STANDPOINT
of a citizen. As stated. the writer was
one of the first TO reach the scene OF
she murder, and 1t would have
required only few moments 10
convince any man of ordinary per-
cep,ion beyond the shadow OF DOUBT
that the chops. hacks, and bruises
on the face and head Of the dead were
The work of woman
An examination of the house revealing
The fact that bunch of keys had been
taken from the bottom corner OF GER
tain drawer and four or FIVE trunks and
chests unlocked, their contents examined
such articles as were desired appropriated
all trunks and chests reclosed. and the
keys replaced, would have said 10 any
detective in unmistakable language mat
this is the work of some person VINO
IS perfectly familiar with all the sur
roundings."
MARY ALTERNATELY.
Mary Alternately. the last person seen
IN the company OF the deceased, was the
first witness examined by the Coroners
Jury, which was empanellel about mid
night after the evening of the murder.
The murder was committed about ;
O'Clock. In answer 10 the question.
whether or not she had seen any suspi-
cious person about the place that day,
she replied under oath that she had seen
no one that day. good. bad. or indif-
ferent," and emphasized this statement by
repeating ii. and Shaping her hands to-
gether as she did so.
Ii is an old adage that children and
FOOLS tell the truth" From little col
ored cir, who lived in the neighb0rhood.
and who. IL was learned had spent the
day at Mary Abernathys house, Consta-
Die T.. A. Clements and the writer had
learned that upon the return Of Mary
Alternately from Mr.. Polards house late
in the afternoon of the day of the murder
her little daughter Mary remarked:
Mamma look like she been fighting"
We also learned from the girl that
Mary had said 10 her husband. Wilson
Alternately. Il saw that man going down
the fence" Her husband asked what
mann" She answered. that tall man"
Her husband then replied, that was
Solomon"
Both Mary and her husband denied this
conversation under oath, but on cross
examination mot In the presence OF each
other each admitted TO be true every
word. as stated by the colored girl.
Why did they deny having seen Solo
mon? At this time lie was not even sus-
pected of being implicated in the murder.
This IS given as only one Of the many
circumstances tending 10 implicate the
two women in the murder.
AS TO THE DANGER Or LYNCHING.
Reports as to the danger of mob vio-
lence in the case, have been grossly
exaggerated. On this point the writer
claims TO be as we'll posted as any one
else, and here emphaticaily state, that
since the prisoners were landed in Jail
there had not been, at any time with one
single exception, which will be alluded
10 later. the slightest danger Of their
being lynched.
Solomon Marable, the last one Of the
three murderers captured. was caught at
Five Forks, in Mecklenburg county, about
seventeen miles from the scene of the
murder. He was brought back by private
conveyance the entire distance TO the
pace Of the murder by the posse that
had been in pursuit Of him for two days
of a large number of the most daring.
fearless. and determined men Of three
counties. II any lynching was TO be done
these men who had spent sleepless nights,
and travelled hundreds of miles. and free
ly spent their money TO capture the tiends
certainly would have had the work to
do. Yet, after delivering the prisoner in
10 the hands of the officers of the
law, they quietly went to their homes
10
became frightened and carried the priso-
hers TO Jail during the night,
but this fright was caused by the gather
Ing OF persons who had not been
IN the chase, and were not posted as to
the intention of the majority and who
bave since assured the writer that they
pnly came to Team what course had been
decided upon and to lend their assistance
II needed. 1t would have been an easy
matter at many times to have lynched
The murderers, and the bare fact that
they were not so dealt with is positive
proof that that course was not the intent
Of the citizens the many exaggerated
reports to the contrary notwithstand-
Ing.
The writer assured the Sheriff that only
he 0he Sheriff and two deputies were
needed TO bring the prisoners from Pc
1ersburg and safely land them in Lunen-
burg Jail for trial. He also assured the
military while they were on the trip to
Iunenburg (as one who knew whereof he
spoke that there was not the slightest
danger of violence at the hands OF the
citizens. and at various times during the
trial he endeavored 10 impress il upon
the military that the Commonwealth
would be allowed every opportunity TO
punish the guilty parties All of this the
sequel has proved TO have been true.
WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE.
= After the conviction the Judge was as.
sured that the prisoners would be just
as safe from mob violence in the Lunen-
burg jail as at any other place IN the
United States; that the people only de.
manded that the prisoners be safely Kept
and not allowed to be turned loose upon
the community again before the day OF
execution.
From the hour OF his capture. on every
occasion. Solomon Marable implicated the
TWO women, Mary Alternately and Pokey
Barnes. In the murder Of Mrs Pollard.
IL Is true he differed IN his several state
ments as 10 the manner In which the
murder was committed, but he stead
tasty adhered TO his first declaration as
20 the persons engaged I'm tho act until
Thursday evening, the 18th OF July Zone
month 10 a day after he was captured).
At this time Solomon had been tried and
convicted. Mary Alternately had also been
tried and convicted. partly on the test-
mony OF Solomon. corroborated by many
circumstances. And let II be added right
here that II Solomon Marabie has ever
told the truth In his life Tin the opinion
Of the writer he did so In his testimony
3n the trial OF Mary Alternately Being