Their Pitiable Condition
August 3, 1895
Summary
Three black women are serving their ten year sentence in jail, despite solid evidence proving their innocence.
Transcription
The conviction and sentencing to death of Mary Abernathy and Pokey Barnes and the incarceration in the penitentiary of Mary Barnes to remain ten years, all of whom have been proven to be innocent is the sensation of the hour.
Solomon Marable, the pliant tool, now tells the whole story. It is a significant fact that he has not wavered in his statement relative to the white man whom he charges with having killed Mrs. Lucy Pollard.
It is evident that he did not commit the crime unassisted. There were footprints of two people near the scene of the murder.
One was that of Marable. The convicted man declares that the other was David Thompson, a white man who forced him to assist in the perpetration of the crime.
If Thompson is guilty, he should be punished.
We are in favor of hanging the murderers of poor Mrs. Pollard.
But how can the state atone for the injury inflicted upon the unfortunate Mary Abernathy and the self-possessed Pokey Barnes. Both proved that they were elsewhere when the crime was committed. Both demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that they did not commit the murder.
And tottering, trembling, suffering Mary Barnes.
It was indeed a sad sight as we saw her come through the ponderous gates of the Virginia penitentiary, shed tears over the photograph of her unfortunate daughter, and murmur “Poor Pokey! Poor Pokey! Poor Pokey!” She was about being overcome, asserted her innocence, and in mournful tones said: “And I here in the penitentiary.” It was a sad sight – one that will haunt us to our grave.
Mr. Pollard himself had established for her an alibi for she was working with him at the time she was charged with committing the murder.
Equally as sad was the sobbing of Pokey Barnes when she was shown the picture of her poor old mother, taken in her penitentiary garb.
Ah, let us draw the curtain here. It won’t be always thus.
A reckoning day will yet come.
Truly spoke Mary Abernathy when she said that “I never believed that God would let me hang for a crime I never committed.”
We can see her face as it lighted up with an announcement of her faith.
Things will yet change. The liberal minded white citizens have been aroused, and injustice has been made to stand back.
But let the defenseless colored women take hope. A change will take place.
As for us we shall continue our labors in behalf of our oppressed people. Richmond is aroused, and regardless of race or color the cry for justice and fair-play has gone forth. Lynch-law must go!
Solomon Marable, the pliant tool, now tells the whole story. It is a significant fact that he has not wavered in his statement relative to the white man whom he charges with having killed Mrs. Lucy Pollard.
It is evident that he did not commit the crime unassisted. There were footprints of two people near the scene of the murder.
One was that of Marable. The convicted man declares that the other was David Thompson, a white man who forced him to assist in the perpetration of the crime.
If Thompson is guilty, he should be punished.
We are in favor of hanging the murderers of poor Mrs. Pollard.
But how can the state atone for the injury inflicted upon the unfortunate Mary Abernathy and the self-possessed Pokey Barnes. Both proved that they were elsewhere when the crime was committed. Both demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that they did not commit the murder.
And tottering, trembling, suffering Mary Barnes.
It was indeed a sad sight as we saw her come through the ponderous gates of the Virginia penitentiary, shed tears over the photograph of her unfortunate daughter, and murmur “Poor Pokey! Poor Pokey! Poor Pokey!” She was about being overcome, asserted her innocence, and in mournful tones said: “And I here in the penitentiary.” It was a sad sight – one that will haunt us to our grave.
Mr. Pollard himself had established for her an alibi for she was working with him at the time she was charged with committing the murder.
Equally as sad was the sobbing of Pokey Barnes when she was shown the picture of her poor old mother, taken in her penitentiary garb.
Ah, let us draw the curtain here. It won’t be always thus.
A reckoning day will yet come.
Truly spoke Mary Abernathy when she said that “I never believed that God would let me hang for a crime I never committed.”
We can see her face as it lighted up with an announcement of her faith.
Things will yet change. The liberal minded white citizens have been aroused, and injustice has been made to stand back.
But let the defenseless colored women take hope. A change will take place.
As for us we shall continue our labors in behalf of our oppressed people. Richmond is aroused, and regardless of race or color the cry for justice and fair-play has gone forth. Lynch-law must go!
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cord Fox
Citation
“Their Pitiable Condition,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1441.