The Predicament of the Helpless
October 5, 1895
Summary
The Planet discusses the process that three black women have had to go through since being wrongfully accused of a murder.
Transcription
Mary Abernathy, Pokey Barnes and Mary Barnes are innocent, and yet they while away the time in imprisonment.
No one can fully realize the anxiety of Mary Abernathy and Pokey Barnes.
Imagine that you hear the sheriff coming who is to lead you to the gallows to die for a crime which you never committed.
Realize if you can how you would feel were you to see him enter the narrow hall-way, come to the iron gate as if to open it, look upon you with that hard, cold look, as if to say “I have come for you,” and what would be the sensation that would permeate your frame?
Yet this is what took place in the jail of this city. Between doubt and fear stood these two people.
They were in the hands of strangers, kind-hearted Christian women had called and afforded them consolation. Lawyers were at work upon their cases, but they knew that it was a hard fight with the chances against them. This was the predicament of poor Aunt Mary Abernathy and bright-eyed but tear-stained Pokey Barnes.
They have had a remarkable experience. With Solomon Marable accusing them, they have been met by his confession, which was in turn followed by his plea for forgiveness.
God was in the case, a providence has manifested itself, and every week brings some surprising changes in this truly celebrated case.
But cheer up, Aunt Mary, the same God that you have trusted in so implicitly is able to save. He has touched the hearts, the minds, the consciences of the Supreme Court Judges, and he has exercised his power upon the Chief Executive of this great commonwealth.
Cry no more, Pokey, the dawn is nigh at hand. Your troubles in this case, let us hope, will soon be over and the waves of trouble will dash harmlessly at your feet.
It has been a fearful strain upon these two penniless, defenseless women.
And poor Mary Barnes, the mother of Pokey. Her helplessness is pitiable. It was thought that reason would forsake its throne in her case would forsake its throne in her case. “Poor Pokey! Poor Pokey! Poor Pokey! And I here in the penitentiary.” TO realize the terrible pitiable significance of those words, one would have to see her as we see her.
But Mary Barnes, look to Jesus Your skinned ankles, tearful countenance, pleading condition will awaken sympathy and the “prayers of the righteous” saith the scriptures, “availeth much.”
We shall continue the agitation, the able attorneys will continue the agitation, the able attorneys will continue the work and a favorable decision is confidently expected from the courts of earth. Lynch-law must go!
No one can fully realize the anxiety of Mary Abernathy and Pokey Barnes.
Imagine that you hear the sheriff coming who is to lead you to the gallows to die for a crime which you never committed.
Realize if you can how you would feel were you to see him enter the narrow hall-way, come to the iron gate as if to open it, look upon you with that hard, cold look, as if to say “I have come for you,” and what would be the sensation that would permeate your frame?
Yet this is what took place in the jail of this city. Between doubt and fear stood these two people.
They were in the hands of strangers, kind-hearted Christian women had called and afforded them consolation. Lawyers were at work upon their cases, but they knew that it was a hard fight with the chances against them. This was the predicament of poor Aunt Mary Abernathy and bright-eyed but tear-stained Pokey Barnes.
They have had a remarkable experience. With Solomon Marable accusing them, they have been met by his confession, which was in turn followed by his plea for forgiveness.
God was in the case, a providence has manifested itself, and every week brings some surprising changes in this truly celebrated case.
But cheer up, Aunt Mary, the same God that you have trusted in so implicitly is able to save. He has touched the hearts, the minds, the consciences of the Supreme Court Judges, and he has exercised his power upon the Chief Executive of this great commonwealth.
Cry no more, Pokey, the dawn is nigh at hand. Your troubles in this case, let us hope, will soon be over and the waves of trouble will dash harmlessly at your feet.
It has been a fearful strain upon these two penniless, defenseless women.
And poor Mary Barnes, the mother of Pokey. Her helplessness is pitiable. It was thought that reason would forsake its throne in her case would forsake its throne in her case. “Poor Pokey! Poor Pokey! Poor Pokey! And I here in the penitentiary.” TO realize the terrible pitiable significance of those words, one would have to see her as we see her.
But Mary Barnes, look to Jesus Your skinned ankles, tearful countenance, pleading condition will awaken sympathy and the “prayers of the righteous” saith the scriptures, “availeth much.”
We shall continue the agitation, the able attorneys will continue the agitation, the able attorneys will continue the work and a favorable decision is confidently expected from the courts of earth. Lynch-law must go!
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cord Fox
Citation
“The Predicament of the Helpless,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1467.