The Lunenburg Case
October 10, 1896
Summary
A summary of the Lunenburg Case’s resolution.
Transcription
We have reached the termination one of the most celebrated cases in the criminal annals of this country. It has settled many points of law, it has established precedents and rebuked the lynchers and those who advocated their methods.
It has shown that even the machinery of the law in the hands of the mob may serve to work injustice, condemn the innocent to the gallows and inflict needless punishment upon the offspring and relatives of those who have committed no crime.
Mary Abernathy is in this city, a the public can form an intelligent opinion She had committed no crime. She is kind hearted, always ready to do a neighbor a favor. Her sufferngs have been great, but she is free once more.
Pokey Barnes is here also, and no one who has read the testimony will for an instant doubt her innocence. She has suffered much.
The result is a glorious victory and the liberal-minded white and colored people are gratified at the successful termination. The night was dark, but the dawn is glorious. Let us have peace!
It has shown that even the machinery of the law in the hands of the mob may serve to work injustice, condemn the innocent to the gallows and inflict needless punishment upon the offspring and relatives of those who have committed no crime.
Mary Abernathy is in this city, a the public can form an intelligent opinion She had committed no crime. She is kind hearted, always ready to do a neighbor a favor. Her sufferngs have been great, but she is free once more.
Pokey Barnes is here also, and no one who has read the testimony will for an instant doubt her innocence. She has suffered much.
The result is a glorious victory and the liberal-minded white and colored people are gratified at the successful termination. The night was dark, but the dawn is glorious. Let us have peace!
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Liam Eynan
Citation
“The Lunenburg Case,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed September 14, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1594.