Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-03-06
PuKEY BARNES IN HARTFORD
Hundreds Welcome Her to the Capitol
City and Shed Tears When They Hear
Her LeOture-A Collection for
Her Child.

Mrs. Pokey Wormer, the
prisoner arrived in this
city last Thursday at 1905 m. She
was met at the Union Railroad sta
ton by Mr. q. Grant Williams. who
escorted her to the state capitol, where
she saw many sights. She spent n
few minutes in the House of Repre-
sentatives, viewed the historic battle
flags. and the Harriet Bsecaer stowe
statue. At the Senate curt room
she was introduced to Captain vi kins
who Is in charge OF that department.
Before leaving the capitol she e0is
tered. and after a brief stroll throuV b
the capitol grounds and Business,
park. she passes under the soldiers'
memorial arch and visited the Younp
Mems Christian Association building
sitter which she was escorted 10 The
residence Of Mr and Mrs. William
Shields OF Paramount street, and was
their guest during her stay in the cap
ital city.
Mr.. g. Grant Williams engaged
Mrs Wormer TO lecture at the Unior
Baptist Church, February 25th, upor
the Lunenburg murder case He hac
bills in every corner OF the city and
surrounding towns, and before
o elock thursday evening people were
coming from all directions, and at 8 %
M, the church was crowded
Rev. Anderson delivered a brie
opening address, after which q pravel
by brother Epps; then the choir sang
During the singing Mr. q. Gran
Williams escorted Mrs. Pokey Barnes
Wormer to her seat upon the altar
and many who were sitting near Mrs
Pokey were surprised, as they had d,
idea that she was or had been sittin,
so near them.
At 8 O'Clock, Rev. Anderson intro
duced Miss Pokey. The hearty greet,
ing and applause that Miss Bsrne
received was sufficient Co make he
feel happy the remainder Of her DAYS
Miss Barnes stood at the right of III,
altar, attired in q neat fitting, change
able silk gown and wore 4 black fel
hat trimmed with black velvet an.
ostrich plumes.
In her opening remarks she said =
Brethren and sisters, I am Poke
Barnes OF L1nenburg County, Virgin
10, whom you have read SO mucl
about At this point she was inter
rupted By people talking, and afte
waiting several minutes, she said
r'When you all get through 1 ar
ready" and from that moment no on
else interrupted.
She told of the many hardships sh
had to endure, the several escape
from being lynched, how the enRr
mob was disappointed. how Go
shielded her in an open field and ken
the bowling mob from seeing her, on
she had been shown her grave, tn
scaffold and coffin. how she was save
several times from the gallows upon
writ OF error secured by her counse
through the untiring efforts OF this
noble hero and q walking angel upo
earth, the Hon John MitchelI. ],
God bless himi At this point In
church shook with applause.
She told how she fell into a cree
and was wet from head to foot an
put in Jail with only one blanket I
sleep upon and cover with wore hans
cuffs go long that when they were tai
en- OF they had to be- broken with q
AK, too rusty to be unlocked, She tol
OF her 3hild who was in Virginia, 40
that she would not be surprised |
hear that it had been lynched
} She told how Solomon Murab
wanted to tell the truth, but & whit
mans pistol forced him to lie. St
says, sne would ike to see her hon
bat dAres not go back. Miss Barn,
, lectured nearly two hours. She spoil
plain and distinctly so that ever
body could hear every word, And
look over the audience, one won
have thought that it Was a funeral o
casion as men. women and childre
were crying in every part of IL
. church
She thanked the people of Hartfor
for their prayers ard financial assis
: ance. She said that she had nothir
to pay them with, but God would r,
: pay them all. He had remained vii
her through the sixth trouble and d
not forsAke her in the seventh, AT
that while she remained upon cart
1t would be God first and John Mite
ell next
. In conclusion, she said that she W.
not an educated lecturer and did d
have any d. D's., or M. DIS. to h
name, but she was simply Pck'
Barnes. S. common sense), al
: and the Hon. John Mitchell. Jr wou
tell it al at Germsnia Hail, this cit
on March 25th She told everyboS
: to 60 and hear him, and that hs was
! hero and an angel.
Rev. Anderson sugRe sted that a &C
: lection be taken up to defray the 9
a penses Of Miss Barnes child 90 pla
! of safety. $l270 was raised and Civ,
I to her. rfA tAaf =
; Miss Barnes called on Mr. J. o. TIA
lor Friday morning as he was sick al
: could not be present. He had pray
I 50 hard and so often that the Lune
burg prisoners might be free that vi
: Barnes said that abe must see broth
q ]. o. Taylor before she left on the ]
{ | 40 q. m. train for New York. She "
pleased with her trip, and has ma
invitations to come agaiR.
q A. Z. WALKER