His Wife Writes
June 20, 1896
Summary
George Wise, counsel for the defense, is optimistic about the Lunenburg Appeal, while Marable continues to state the innocence of the prisoners.
Transcription
Hon. George D. Wise has written a letter to Judge Samuel F. Coleman asking him to nane a day for the hearing of the appeal in the ease Mary Abernathy. He wrote to Judge Mann also, and has received a reply stating that any place, Richmond included, would be agreeable to him and at any time.
WHAT HE MAY DECIDE.
Judge Coleman may decide to hear the application for a writ of error and the argument for a new trial at the same time and place. Should he conclude not to do so he will issue a writ of error and supersedeas, which will stay the execution and then argument will heard at some later day.
Should he decline to either issue the writ or grant a new trial, application will be made to the Supreme Court of Appeals now in session at Wythecille. This body will no doubt grant the writ of error and supersedeas and may defer argument in the case until the session of that court at Staunton or Richmond.
…
There is no more confident person in the United States with reference to this case, than is Ex-Congressman George D. Wise, the senior counsel in this case. He has gone over the record carefully and it took much time to do it.
He called in a stenographer and thereby facilitated the work. At no stage of this celebrated case has he been more enthusiastic, and he declares that the errors at Farmville will make a reversal, a foregone conclusion. His opinion in this matter is shared by his associates.
Solomon Marable reiterates his oft expressed statement that the white man, David James Thompson, killed Mrs. Lucy Jane Pollard, forced him to assist him and put the innocent women in it.
WILL SPEAK FROM THE GALLOWS.
He says that he will make this statement from the gallows. His execution will take place unless some unforeseen effort is made, on Friday, July 1896 in the jail-yard at Farmville, Va.
Pokey Barnes is living in quiet retirement in this city. Her statement will appear in the Planet of June 27th, with pictures illustrating the terrible experiences which she so graphically narrates.
The Pokey Barnes of twelve month ago is a very different looking individual from the one of to-day. Photographer J. C. Farley made a life like photograph of her and it will appear the next issue of the Planet.
WHAT HE MAY DECIDE.
Judge Coleman may decide to hear the application for a writ of error and the argument for a new trial at the same time and place. Should he conclude not to do so he will issue a writ of error and supersedeas, which will stay the execution and then argument will heard at some later day.
Should he decline to either issue the writ or grant a new trial, application will be made to the Supreme Court of Appeals now in session at Wythecille. This body will no doubt grant the writ of error and supersedeas and may defer argument in the case until the session of that court at Staunton or Richmond.
…
There is no more confident person in the United States with reference to this case, than is Ex-Congressman George D. Wise, the senior counsel in this case. He has gone over the record carefully and it took much time to do it.
He called in a stenographer and thereby facilitated the work. At no stage of this celebrated case has he been more enthusiastic, and he declares that the errors at Farmville will make a reversal, a foregone conclusion. His opinion in this matter is shared by his associates.
Solomon Marable reiterates his oft expressed statement that the white man, David James Thompson, killed Mrs. Lucy Jane Pollard, forced him to assist him and put the innocent women in it.
WILL SPEAK FROM THE GALLOWS.
He says that he will make this statement from the gallows. His execution will take place unless some unforeseen effort is made, on Friday, July 1896 in the jail-yard at Farmville, Va.
Pokey Barnes is living in quiet retirement in this city. Her statement will appear in the Planet of June 27th, with pictures illustrating the terrible experiences which she so graphically narrates.
The Pokey Barnes of twelve month ago is a very different looking individual from the one of to-day. Photographer J. C. Farley made a life like photograph of her and it will appear the next issue of the Planet.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Liam Eynan
Citation
“His Wife Writes,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed August 13, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1633.