The Lunenburg Case
March 28, 1896
Summary
A reflection and summary of the results of the Lunenburg case, and where it will go in the future.
Transcription
Since the conviction of Solomon Marable in the county court of Prince Edward County there has been grave apprehension as to what will be the fate of the two innocent women.
Before a fair and impartial jury, there would be no question. The defense is ready, if need be, to prove its case. But what kind of jury will be secured ? Is it possible that men, who have heard about the case, formed their opinions, if they have not expressed them, will be selected, placed upon the jury to send innocent womanhood to death? God forbid!
We have noted with some degree of interest the progress of the trial of Solomon Marable. We could not fail to observe the tactics of the counsel for the prosecution, and to an extent the attitude of the counsel for the defense. A confession made under duress and which confession Solomon Marable has since declared to be false was taken as truth and dwelt upon to the detriment of the women.
We have never believed that a fair and impartial jury could be obtained in Lunenburg or any of the adjoining counties. And yet the statement is given to the public that such an analogous condition obtains. But it is the women in whom we are interested. We know that they are innocent. Every movement of theirs demonstrates this fact.
Touching indeed was the effort of Mr. Gregory and Marable's counsel to get him to admit that the first confession was true, and otherwise implicate Mary Abernathy and Pokey Barnes.
He declined so to do, declared that would tell the truth if placed upon witness-stand and that he would declare the women innocent and the white man, Thompson guilty.
The fact that it was held out to him that in this course rested his hope of life was a powerful incentive to him to again commit perjury.
But he told them to go on with the hanging of him. He would lie no more but would tell the truth from this time onward until the end came.
Well, this is a sad case, celebrated it is true but possessing an interest which is as absorbing in its nature as it is remarkable.
We trust that a jury may be secured keeping with the dignity of the Commonwealth. Before such a body, the acquittal of the women is a foregone conclusion.
Mary Abernathy, Pokey Barnes and Mary Barnes are innocent of the murder of Mrs. E. S. Pollard. Solomon Marable declares this to be a fact and evidence which we have secured substantiates the fact and demonstrates that one of the foulest crimes ever perpetuated upon innocent people was about to be visited upon helpless womanhood. Lynch-law must go!
Before a fair and impartial jury, there would be no question. The defense is ready, if need be, to prove its case. But what kind of jury will be secured ? Is it possible that men, who have heard about the case, formed their opinions, if they have not expressed them, will be selected, placed upon the jury to send innocent womanhood to death? God forbid!
We have noted with some degree of interest the progress of the trial of Solomon Marable. We could not fail to observe the tactics of the counsel for the prosecution, and to an extent the attitude of the counsel for the defense. A confession made under duress and which confession Solomon Marable has since declared to be false was taken as truth and dwelt upon to the detriment of the women.
We have never believed that a fair and impartial jury could be obtained in Lunenburg or any of the adjoining counties. And yet the statement is given to the public that such an analogous condition obtains. But it is the women in whom we are interested. We know that they are innocent. Every movement of theirs demonstrates this fact.
Touching indeed was the effort of Mr. Gregory and Marable's counsel to get him to admit that the first confession was true, and otherwise implicate Mary Abernathy and Pokey Barnes.
He declined so to do, declared that would tell the truth if placed upon witness-stand and that he would declare the women innocent and the white man, Thompson guilty.
The fact that it was held out to him that in this course rested his hope of life was a powerful incentive to him to again commit perjury.
But he told them to go on with the hanging of him. He would lie no more but would tell the truth from this time onward until the end came.
Well, this is a sad case, celebrated it is true but possessing an interest which is as absorbing in its nature as it is remarkable.
We trust that a jury may be secured keeping with the dignity of the Commonwealth. Before such a body, the acquittal of the women is a foregone conclusion.
Mary Abernathy, Pokey Barnes and Mary Barnes are innocent of the murder of Mrs. E. S. Pollard. Solomon Marable declares this to be a fact and evidence which we have secured substantiates the fact and demonstrates that one of the foulest crimes ever perpetuated upon innocent people was about to be visited upon helpless womanhood. Lynch-law must go!
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Liam Eynan
Citation
“The Lunenburg Case,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed October 9, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1666.