Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1895-09-28
The MURDER CASE.
THE INNOCENT WOnEN
Subjected to a Severe Test
THE 4LLOWS BUILT
Narrow Escape From Death
ANNTERESTING STATEMENT.
AN INTERESTING STATEMENT.
Who Killed Mrs. Pollard2

Mary Alternately and Pokey Barnes
were in good spirits, Saturday. 2Ist
inst. the day following the one set for
their execution. The former was
smiling blandly as she expressed her
satisfaction. Both were loud in their
protestation of innocence.
ii. y. Gregory white, had telegraphed
Capt. Frank W Cunningham as fol-
lows: Can save necks. Try plan sug-
gested." He telegraphed him to come
himself as he did not understand the
plan TO which he referred. Gregory
came, repaired to the Jail, and Mary
Abernathy and Pokey Barnes were
brought in to see him.
He assured them that he could save
their lives. All he required was that
they should tell him where the money
was hidden. If they would tell this he
would go to the Governor and get
them pardoned.
TRYING TO FORCE A CONFESSION.
Gregory watched closely the effect
OF what he said. Pokey responded. de
claring that she knew nothing either
about the murder of Mrs. Pollard or
the money, and she would go the gal
lows with the statement. Mary Abern
athy was equally as positive, and pro-
tested her innocence. God was wit
ness that she was innocent of the
charge upon which she had been con-
victed
The test was severe one end Gregory
finally withdrew. All who heard the
women's replies were confident that
they had strengthened the opinion
that in condemning these people to
death the Juries had made a terrible
mistake
Sheriff Cardoza was much disap-
pointed at not being able to carry all
of the prisoners back TO Lunenburg
Court House for execution and dumb
founded that the Governor had at the
last moment granted reprieve for
Solomon Marable. The galiows upon
which the three were to be executed
had been built, the ropes purchased
and the black-caps secured. 1t was
even asserted that the contract for
digging the graves had been given out
WAITING FOR THE EXECUTION.
There was an expectant crowd at
Lunenburg, Court House awaiting the
execution, and disappointment was
manifest upon the countenances of the
multitude.
Wilson Alternately had arranged his
effects In order to go the court-house
and bid his wife farewell for the last
time. He heard however the day be-
fore that the execution of the women
would not take place.
Ut would have killed Wilson if thev
had hanged me, was the comment of
Mary Alternately. "He would never
have gotten over it " She was seated
in her accustomed place at the iron
gate of the city jail as she made the
remark.
Pokey Barnes has improved percepti
bly, since the day for the execution has
passed.
MARBLES PREDIcAMEEr.
In the jail-yard, Solomon Marable
who looks younger than he did the
first day he was brought to the CITY,
stood looking at the games of the 9th
er prisoners. He came to the iron
gate with a questioning look upon
his countenance. Around his neck
were the beads which the Roman
Catholic priest or the sisters connect
ed with that church had given him
de IS not as lively. as he once was
Inc troubled look as yet remains, and
he listens attentively to all that is said
to him.
In answer to Questions he expressed
his gratlnca5ion at not having to hane
on the zOSn, although the fact thai
there Is no nope of committing his
sentence IN the end causes him tt
realize his predicament.
He is anxious about his wife. and
each day he is in an expectant mooC
looking for a letter from her.
AWAITING HIS wIFE's ARRIVAL.
Time and again, he would say thai
she was making arrangements about
the children In order that she might
| get away, as her mother was Workins
out.
The mystery surrounding the mur
der of Mrs. Pollard has not as vet beer
cleared up, and still every week brings
forth some new developments in one
OF the most remarkable cases of tn,
century.
NOT THE BAvE THOMPSON WANTED.
The Richmond, Va. DIsPArcH pub
hshes a number of affidavits to shov
that David Thompson whom Marabl,
accuses was elsewhere at the time tha
the murder is alleged to have beer
committed, but fails to state that tn,
Thonpson's to which Marabe referred
to, lives at Finney wood
There are two Dave Thompson's on,
Who lives about two miles from For
Mitchell and the other who lives a
finneywood.
The affidavits cited refer to the sol
of William G Thompson and not t
the one who is the half brother of Lu
cius M. Pettus, the "winking man" i
the case.
KILLED coLoRED MAN.
1t is a well-known fact that tn