The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-04

What Capt. Wise and Judge flournoy say
About the Pollard Murder.

Captain George D. Wise and Judge
II. W. Flournoy, in response TO the
demand made on them by the newspapers.
yesterday made a written statement con-
corning their visit to Lunenburg to inyes-
tigate the Pollard murder case in That
county.
In response to request for particu-
lars Of their trip, Judge FiOurnoy said
that he and Captain Wise occupied a
peculiar rosition in the case, and that
while they were in a measure the coun-
sci for the negro women in jail IN TINS
city. and would do whatever vas proper
TO secure them a new trial, they were not
employed by the prisoners, but by lot
Of fair-minded citizens. who desired 10
see the fullest justice done. not only TO
the condemned women. but also to the
State of Virginia, and also TO Lunen-
burg county; that the State and county
had been arraigned and that it was their
duty to fully and fairly investigate all
the circumstances and render decision
strictly i'm accordance with the facts.
They do not feel that they are in a
position yet to undertake TO do this The
statement referred to above is as iol-
lows.
I'VE visited the house OF Mr.. Pollard,
the sceNe Of the murder. where we were
kindly received by his nephew, Mr.. Coly,
and his wife, Mr.. Pollard being absent at
Chase City. Mr.. Coly was very frank,
and gave us all the information we asked
for, and afforded every facility for the
examination of the premises and points
around the property which were calcu-
lated to throw any light upon the sub
iect. We spent several hours there ana
were furnished comfortable dinner.
We went from there TO Lunenburg Court
house. across the country. which we
reached about o'clock i'm the afternoon.
We were cordially received by Judge Or
gain and Mr.. Nebiitt. the Common
wealths Attorney. as we'll as by the clerk
of the court. and the people Of the VII
lage generally.
I'VE had full and free conferences with
the Judge and Commemorative Attor-
Ley, in which they gave US the facts
and incidents Of the trial OF the con-
demned people, as far as they could re-
member them at that time They prom
Used TO give us full written statements OF
the testimony over their signatures.
These statements Will be sent 10 us with
i'm the next few days. We ordered COM
plete COPY Of the records of the trials
which the clerk OF the court VIII FUR
nish.
"While we 90 not agree with the judge
and Commonwealth Attorney about
many of their conclusions Of law and
fact we are satisfied they acted with
the highest purpose TO do right.
1--WE think that the women-Mary Aber-
nathy and Mary and Pokey Barnes-are
entitled to new trials. and we shall use
our best efforts 10 secure them.
I'VE found prevailing among the peo-
| pie with whom we talked a very nat
ural spirit of resentment at the criticisms
to which the people of the county have
| been subjected because of these trials.
| We both have a general knowledge Of the
| people of Lunenburg. as we have of other
portions of the State, and we have every
reason to believe that they are as law
abiding as the citizens Of any other
county in Virginia.
Eve believe that some of the people arc
! in a state of abnormal excitement, pro-
duced by the investigation and trial OF
those charged with the murder Of Mrs.
| Pollard, and we think that IL is much
| 10 be deplorcd that the judge did not
change the venue and have them tried
in some other county.
In conclusion, we desire to say that
our purpose is TO investigate these eases
to the very bottom. with the sole view
| OF getting at the truth. and having the
law fairly and impartally administered.
| We do not think that II Is prudent and
! proper to disclose the facts which have
come 10 our knowledge. 10 give our con-
illusions from these facts. or 10 state
what will be our mode Of procedure"