A Child Born

A group of unjustly imprisoned black women and a man wait in prison for retrial.

We called at the city jail Thursday, 2nd instant and learned that a girl baby had been ushered into the work between the hours of 2 and 3 o'clock January 1st, 1896. Mary Abernathy was doing well. Pokey had installed herself as nurse.
Both have been removed to a room adjoining where every comfort consistent with their unfortunate condition is given them.
We had received a letter from the wife of Solomon Marable. As we gazed through the iron grating, we saw him with pan in hand hungrily devouring the dinner which had been served him in common with the other prisoners.
Later he came to the iron gate and leaned up against it, we read to him the missive which conveyed to him the news of home.
He said, he had written to his wife three days before.
Enquiring at the oyster-house of J. T. Montgomery, 1509 E. Franklin ST., elicited the fact that David James Thompson had been there and he had made threats against Solomon Marable and the Editor of the Planet. He bought three gallons of oysters and had them sent to Murphy's Hotel.
Messers. "Jack" Steward, Braxton Harris, and John Atkinson heard what he said and Wm. Smith carried the oysters to him at Murphy's Hotel. He was spare build with sandy mustache, wore a light coat and a brown derby
The fact that David James Thompson had been to this city and in the presence of witnesses declared that he would kill Solomon Marable and Editor Mitchell on sight has created a profound sensation.
It is another startling development in this truly remarkable case and emphazies in a way that nothing else could have done the declaration that the prisoners would not be safe if conveyed to Lunenburg County without military escort.
MR. WISE'S LETTER.
Hon George D. Wise has written to Judge W. H. Mann asking him to join with him in a request to Judge Orgain to postpone the consideration of these cases until the February term of the court as Mary Abernathy is unable to travel, and to remove her would endanger her life.
As to whether he will grant this request is an open question.
The January term of the Lunenburg County Court begins on the 18th.
It will be remembered that the plea of Mary Barnes was dismissed by the Supreme Court upon motion of her counsel. This prevents the County Court from exercising any jurisdiction over her and upon the result a the trial of Pokey Barnes and Mary Abernathy will to a great extent depend her future.
THEIR RIGHTS IN THE PREMISES.
With a fair and impartial jury, there would be no doubt of the result of the trial. Tbe prisoners are clearly entitled to a change of venue, that is the trial of the case at some other place, but it is doubtful that Judge Orgain will dare go contrary to the sentiment of the county and grant such a request.
Desperate efforts have been and are being made to manufacture testimony against these innocent people.
A STUBBORN FIGHT AHEAD.
In the coming trial every inch of the ground will be hotly contested and neither time nor money will be spared to secure that justice to which every citizen is entitled.
We have been creditably informed that the prisoners will be safely conducted to Lunenburg C. H. and the trial allowed to take place. Should they be convicted, no trouble will ensue, but should they be acquitted, they would be lynched. Steps have been taken to meet this anomalous condition of affairs.
Gov. O'Ferrell, since his special message to the legislature has taken no further action in the premises. The legislature will convene again Monday, but it is evident that it will do nothing.

“A Child Born,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 17, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1679.