The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-23
The Women Convicted Of Hrs. POllard'S
Eurder on insufficient Evidence.
The SUPPOSED WHITE NAN IN THE CASE
The Military Officers Who Attended the
Trial VIII Join In n Report to the Gov
ernor in Behalf of the women
Mary Barnes Husband Fled TO
Richmond - strong Freju-
dice in the County.

command Of Major J. H. Deroyshire, Who
went TO Lunenburg Courthouse at the be-
ginning OF the trial TO protect the pris-
oners from mob-law. returned home Sun
day afternoon. having.in custody Solomon
Marable, Mary Alternately, and PoAey
Barnes. the three negroes sentenced TO
hang for the murder Of Mrs Pollard.
A very large crowd assembled at the
depot TO see them arrive, and they were
gazed on by many curious eyes as they
passed through the throng. heavily ironed,
I'm charge OF Deputy Sheriff Bagley. They
were hurried out Of the coach into the
patrol wagon.
The prisoners appeared to be much
frightened either from Apprehension OF
bodily danger, or on account on tl,il
strange surroundings. a crowd OF perhaps
a thousand people surrounded the jan az
the shacklcd prisoners were marched
through a dOuhle-iine OF soldiers into tne
jail-yard where they were received by
Sergeant Charles II. Eppcs and his Dep
uty, II. Claiborne Eppes They seemed
greatly relieved when they were saieiy
behind the bars. and expressed them
selves as being highly pleased at getting
into q place where they need nave no
fears of violence al the hands OF the
Lunenburg people.
The negro women appear to be very ig-
nor nt and protest tLeir innocence 10
1HrY u,D 30 oous-fL.
Owing to the fact that these negroes
were tried without any counsel FOR d.
fence. there was strong doubt IN the
mind OF the Richmond public as 10 their
guilt and his has been decpened almost
into conviction with the return or the
military who were present az the tiai.
The only evidence against Mary Aper-
rathv and POkcy Barnes. who were sem
fenced TO be hanged. and against Mary
Barnes who was sentenced To the rfnltcnr
tiary, was that Of solomon Marable, VINO
was sentenced 20 hang on his own confess
sion, and who contradicted time and again
his own statements. made under oath,
concerning the completely Of the others.
The prisoners were marched from the
jail to the cOurt-hOusa daily under MILF
tary escort. and Captain Cunningham and
others who heard an the evidence, are OF
the opinion that the evidence was insiii-
Gent 20 convict the women OF the crime
While the officers in command are
careful In their criticisms of the court
and the jury, they are satisfied that the
desire OF the people for vengeance, ana
the demand OF public opinion caused inc
conviction OF the negro women, and that
II they had been represented by counsel
they would have been released.
IHr ffrIit
The sheriff. who was anxious 10 have
the troops in the beginning made things
oisalreeahlc FOR the military when De
found that his constituents were not
favorable 10 their presence. and Their
presence was resented IN numerous litt-
ways by the people.
These. and many other episides. are told
10y the men who we're on DUTY with the
military. 20 show the spirit Of the people
IN regard 20 the murder, and their dee
termination 70 wreak vengeance on the
prisoners with their own hands, IN the
opportunity permitted. and 20 secure
heavy penalties from the court. ~ they
p. - 10. ..fIa ..r.t..r -I .I-Nt.
ORIG. ~ APPOINTED.
Attempts were even made 10 sound the
officers or the battalion. 90 see IL the strict
vigilance over the prisoners could not be
relaxed, and there was a difference be-
tween the officer in command and the
sheriff as TO who should have the keys
Of the jail at night.
Captain Cunningham was approached
by citizens OF the county, who made tho
proposition that solomon Marable should
ne turned over 10 them that they might
eXtort a confession from him as 10 the
hiding-piace of the money stolen from
the Pollard residence the day of the muir
der. When the officer told them that DE
would not consider any such proposition
further than 20 report IL TO the Court,
they proposed that he should make tne
proposition 20 the court. judge organ.
who is "a hieh-t0ned lurist, would not have
listened 20 such proposition. but 10
goes Co show the condition OF affairs where
the murder was committed.
Solomon Aaraole stated TO Captain
Cunningham one day that he desired 90
make "A statement 10 the court be re-
ported the ucgrO's wish 20 Judge organ.
ana grand jury was summoned 90 take
his statement. Marahle stated before
this jury that the women were not inn
piicated with him in the murder. but
when he was carried 10 the court ne
returned to his original evidence. making
them his accomplices in the crime.
He made a number of statements, both
IIIIf s. %
courtroom, an OF which were at variance
with the others. and yet it was solely on
his evidence that they were convicted
and sentenced 20 DE hung.
WHITE MAN II TIE CASE.
A very interesting feature OF the trial
which has not yet been fully explained,
was the supposed white man ln the case
MIR Pollard. the husband OF the MURDER
ed woman, was asked IN the presence OF
the Judge. the Commonwealth attorney.
and some OF the military officers, wnie
they were all in the clerks office n hc
ala rCt nave diihculty on the day or
the murder with some white man. ne re-
piled that be did. and related the cir
cumsiances Of an alteration he bad with
"a man named Thomas or Thompson,
about his passing through POilards land.
IL was suggested by the officer present
that Alarahle De asked while ln JAN the
question point blank. "WhO was the white
man with you at the time OF the muir
dcrl'
and Dc promptly reslied that 81 was Mr.
Thomas. Later be called the name Ihom-
asOn.
Before the grand jury however ne de-
MED all knowledge of Mr.. Thomson be-
ing there. In his evidence in the court
room. he made reference 10 white man
and then for some reason hcsitatcd
4 juror spoke 10 the judge. ana told
him that some one in the crowd was
making signs and winking az the witness.
Judge organ then had the courtroom
cleared bat the prisoner could NOT Zoe
brought back 10 the subject again. TIE
name Of the man who was prompting
MaraOle IS not known.
THE PRsoNfE NuMIDNTrD.
These and other episodes made the i'm
preston and formed the belief in the
minds OF the Richmond military tnat
.iarablc Mas under some lntlmi iailns IN
fuence. and that the White man com
pllcify IN the deed was being covered up
by citizens of the county
The white man referred TO- 10 Is SAID,
has disappeared from the scene
The officers whom / interviewed ycstcr-
day were inclined 90 De reticcnt and loatn
u express an opinion, necaus' or theif
official connection with the tial, but the
above facts. gathered from several
sources Indicate the spirit OF the people
of Lunenhurg and the condition 81 affairs
at the trial They We're all especially
complimentary 20 Judge organ, Common
Wcalth's Attorney Nebiett and his assist
ant. Mr. Bernard FOR there fairness and
honesty OF purpose In the trial.
Among the facts critically commented
on was that out Of nineteen men drawn
as Jurors i'm a case Of such not0riety. six
teen were found who had not formed an
N Is understood that the officers who