TRANSCRIPTS: ATLANTA GEORGIAN

  • Monday, 28th April 1913 10,000 Throng Morgue to See Body of Victim

      The Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Coroner's Jury inspects remains and scene of tragedy, then waits until Wednesday Lying on a slab in the chapel of the Bloomfied undertaking establishment, with the white throat bearing the red marks of the rope that strangled her, the body of Mary Phagan was viewed by thousands this morning. No such gathering of the morbidly curious has ever before been seen in Atlanta. More people were attracted than by any crime in the history of the city. The crowds came in droves, and a steady procession passed before the slab on which
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 12-Year-Old Girl Sobs Her Love for Slain Child

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 "I'd help lynch the man that killed poor Mary. If they'd let me, I'd like to hold the rope that choked him to death. That's all he deserves. I was playing with Mary only a few days ago. She was my playmate nearly every day. But when I saw her dead body I wouldn't have known her, her face was so bruised and out and swollen. It was horrible. I hope they catch the man that did it."—VERA EPPS, twelve-year-old chum of Mary Phagan. Vera Epps clenched her little hands and anger blazed through
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 3 Youths Seen Leading Along a Reeling Girl

    Edgar L. Sentell, lifelong friend of Mary Phagan, says he saw a man answering this description, walking with the girl after midnight Sunday, a few hours before the body was found. He has identified the man as Arthur Mullinax, who, however, was to-day apparently cleared by an alibi established by his sweetheart. Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 E. S. Skipper Tells Police He Saw Lads Urging Her Down Street Night of Crime. The story of three men leading a weeping, unwilling girl on Forsyth Street Saturday night is being sounded to its depths to-day by Atlanta policemen in their
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Arrested as Girl’s Slayer

      Photograph of Mary Phagan showing her in street dress. JOHN M. GANTT ACCUSED OF THE CRIME; FORMER BOOKKEEPER TAKEN BY POLICE Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 James Milton Gantt, arrested in Marietta for the murder of Mary Phagan, gave to a reporter for The Georgian his story of his actions that led to his arrest. He protested his innocence, and declared he was home in bed at the time the crime is supposed to have been committed. In striking contradiction to this statement is the assertion of Mrs. F. C. Terrell, of 284 East Linden Street, where Gantt
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Body Dragged by Deadly Cord After Terrific Fight

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Stretched full length, face downward on the floor of the basement at the rear of the plant, the body was found. A length of heavy cord or wrapping twine, which had been used by the slayer to strangle the child after he had beaten her to insensibility, was looped around the neck, and a clumsy bandage of cloth, torn from her petticoat, as if to conceal the horrible method of murder swathed the face. The stray end of the cord lay along the child's back between her two heavy braids of dark red hair
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Chief and Sleuths Trace Steps in Slaying of Girl

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 In the room where Mary Phagan was attacked and paid out her young life to the brutality of her assailant, across the floor where her limp form was dragged, down the stairs and down through the square trap-door into the dirty basement where her body was found, Chief of Police Beavers and two detectives trailed, step by step, every move of the girl's murderer to-day. Determined that not a clew should be overlooked in the efforts to fix guilt upon the man or men that took the young girl's life, the Chief and his
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 City Chemist Tests Stains For Blood

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Pieces of wood, the stains on which are believed to be those of the blood of murdered Mary Phagan, are undergoing a chemical examination this afternoon by the city chemist. The discovery of white powder on the factory floor strengthened the belief that a frantic effort had been made to erase the evidences of the crime. The powder resembled very much cleaning preparations that are used. * * * Atlanta Georgian, April 28th 1913, "City Chemist Test Stains for Blood," Leo Frank case newspaper article series
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Gantt Was Infatuated With Girl; at Factory Saturday

      At the right is Miss Ruth Phagan, aunt of Mary Phagan, and in her arms is Miss Ollie Phagan, sister of the victim, whom she is trying to comfort.   Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Gantt was arrested on a warrant sworn out, in Judge Powers' court, charging him with murder. Gantt was last seen before his arrest at 8:45 this morning by Herbert Schiff, assistant superintendent of the factory. A few minutes later he was on a car bound for Marietta. The officers in Marietta were notified by telephone and were on the watch for a man
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Girl and His Landlady Defend Mullinax

        Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Declaring her belief in the absolute innocence of her sweetheart, Arthur Mullinax, in the murder of Mary Phagan, pretty 16-year-old Pearl Robinson made a pathetic figure as she appeared before Chief of Detectives Lanford this afternoon and accounted for the whereabouts of Mullinax Saturday night up until about 10:30 o'clock. With Miss Robinson were Mrs. Emma Rutherford, the landlady of Mullinax, and her two sons, Thomas and James, who took up the moves of Mullinax from the time he left Miss Robinson until the next morning, establishing what appears to be a
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Girl to Be Buried in Marietta To-morrow

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Stepfather and Sister to Accompany Body, But Mother May Not Be Able to Go. The body of murdered Mary Phagan, which has been at the Bloomfield morgue since she was found strangled to death Sunday morning, will be taken to Marietta to-morrow morning at 8:35 o'clock, over the W. & A. Railroad. At noon the funeral services will be held and the body of the child will be laid to rest in the family lot in the Marietta Cemetary. W. J. Coleman, the girl's stepfather, and her sister, Miss Ollie Phagan, will accompany the
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Girl’s Grandfather Vows Vengeance

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Standing with bared head in the doorway of his Marietta home, with tears falling unheeded down his furrowed cheeks, W. J. Phagan cried to heaven for vengeance for the murder of his granddaughter, fourteen-year-old Mary Phagan, and vowed that he would not rest until the murderer had been brought to justice. In a silence unbroken save by the sound of his own sobs and the noise of the gently falling rain, the old man lifted his quavering voice in a passionate plea for the life of the wretch who had lured the little girl
  • Monday, the 28th Day of April-1913, Horrible Mistake, Pleads Arthur Mullinax, Denying Crime, The Atlanta Georgian

      This youth, formerly a street car conductor, is held in connection with the investigation of the slaying of Mary Phagan in the basement of the National Pencil Factory in South Forsyth Street. He stoutly denies any connection with the crime, and declares his arrest as a "horrible mistake." He has accounted for himself, and likely will be released.   Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Arthur Mullinax, identified as the man who was with Mary Phagan at midnight Saturday, a few short hours before her dead body was found, and now a prisoner in solitary confinement at police headquarters,
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 “I Could Trust Mary Anywhere,” Her Weeping Mother Says

    Mary Phagan, 14-year-old daughter of Mrs. J. W. Coleman, 146 Lindsay Street, whose slain body was found in the basement of the National Pencil Factory, 37-39 South Forsyth Street. The girl left her home Saturday morning to go to the factory, where she had been employed, to draw wages due her. She was seen on the streets at midnight Saturday with a strange man. She was not seen alive thereafter. MRS. COLEMAN PROSTRATED BY CHILD'S DEATH Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 "No Working Girl Is Safe," She Sobs, Overcome by Her Sudden Sorrow. Lying on the bed in her
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Incoherent Notes Add to Mystery in Strangling Case

      Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Two mysterious notes—incoherent, misspelled and unintelligible—were found in the cellar of death; Were they written by the girl as she lay in delirium just before the end came, or Were they written by her slayer to throw the police off the track and turn suspicion towards a negro? Here they are: "He said he wood love me laid down like the night witch did it but that long tall black negro did by his sleb." "mama that negro hired down here did this I went to get water and he pushed me down
  • Monday, the 28th Day of April-1913, Lifelong Friend Saw Girl and Man After Midnight, Hearst’s Atlanta Georgian

      Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Edgar L. Sentell, twenty-one years old, a clerk employed in C. J. Kamper's store, and whose home is at 82 Davis Street, was one of the first to give the detectives a hopeful clue to the solution of the hideous mystery. Sentell, a well-known young man, had known Mary Phagan almost all her life. When she was just beginning to think of dolls with never a thought of dreary factories and the tragedies of life, he used to see her playing in the streets of East Point when her folks lived there. She
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Look for Negro to Break Down

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Newt Lee, the negro-night-watchman arrested in connection with the Phagan murder, practically admitted to Detective John Black this afternoon that he knows something of the circumstances surrounding the death of the little girl. The police are confident that Lee will tell all he knows before 6 o'clock. Lee's admission came after he had been "sweated" for two hours by a corps of officers under the direction of Detective John Black, and was wrung from him by a trap which Black set and into which the negro walked. Black said: "Now, Lee, I know that
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Mullinax Blundered in Statement, Say Police

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Mullinax was arrested by detectives late in the afternoon in Bellwood Avenue, near the viaduct, as he was on his way to his boarding house. His positive identification by E. L. Sentell, of 82 Davis Street, a clerk for the Kemper Grocery Company, as the man he saw with the little Phagan girl in Forsyth Street about 12:20 o'clock yesterday morning, and alleged discrepancies in the statement of the prisoner led Chief Beavers and Chief of Detectives Lanford to order him locked in a cell and held on suspicion. Sentell, who knew the dead
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Negro is Not Guilty, Says Factory Head

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Superintendent Leo M. Frank Is Convinced Newt Morris Was Not Implicated. Owing to a delay in receipt of metal shipment part of the plant of the National Pencil Company had been shut down for most of the week and Mary Phagan worked but part of the time. A few minutes after 12 o'clock Saturday she went to the office and drew her pay, which amounted to $1.60. A holiday had been given the employees on Memorial Day and there were but very few about the place. The day watchman left shortly before 11 o'clock,
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Neighbors of Slain Girl Cry for Vengeance

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Slaying of Mary Phagan Arouses Friends of Family to Threats of Violence. "I wouldn't have liked to be held responsible for the fate of the murderer of little Mary Phagan if the men in this neighborhood had got hold of him last night," was the statement to-day of George W. Epps, 246 Fox Street, whose home adjoins that of Mrs. Coleman, mother of the slain girl. By to-day the first hot wave of indignation that cried for the blood of the criminal had had time to subside, but the feeling still ran high in
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Pinkertons Take Up Hunt for Slayer

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Investigate Story of Wife of Employee That She Saw Strange Negro Around Factory. The Pinkerton Detective Agency was brought into the Phagan murder mystery this afternoon when Leo Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil Company's factory, called upon the local representatives and engaged their services. The operatives went to work at once, following out clews already obtained and developing new ones. Their attention was called to the story of Mrs. Arthur White, wife of one of the employees of the factory, who went to the factory to see her husband Saturday. She noticed a
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Playful Girl With Not a Bad Thought

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 "She was just a little, playful girl, without a bad thought in her mind, and she has been made the victim of the blackest crime that can be perpetuated," was the bitter denunciation of the assailant of Mary Phagan by her uncle, D. R. Benton, yesterday. Mary and her mother lived with Mr. Benton at his home near Marietta for several years following the death of Mr. Phagan. Then Mary's mother married J. W. Coleman and the family moved from Marietta to East Point about 1907. Twelve months ago they moved to their little
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Police Question Factory Superintendent

    STRAND OF HAIR CLEW IN KILLING OF PHAGAN GIRL Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Body of Mary Phagan Is Found in Basement of Old Granite Hotel in Forsyth Street—Mute Evidence of Terrible Battle Victim Made for Life WHITE YOUTH AND NEGRO ARE HELD BY THE POLICE After Being Beaten Into Insensibility Child Was Strangled and Dragged With Cord Back and Forth Across Floor—Incoherent Notes a Clew. Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil Company plant, in which Mary Phagan was employed, was taken to police court this morning by Detective Black to tell what he knows in connection
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Slain Girl Modest and Quiet, He Says

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Timekeeper at Pencil Factory Declares Mary Phagan Attended Strictly to Her Work. "She was a quiet and modest little girl," was the tribute paid Mary Phagan to-day by E. F. Holloway, a timekeeper at the National Pencil Company's plant. "I never noticed her talking with any of the employees. She was invariably polite, as though she had been carefully reared in her home. She paid attention strictly to her own work and never was seen conversing with any of the men, so far as I know. "In fact, I don't know that she even
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Soda Clerk Sought in Phagan Mystery

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Weeping Girl Like Mary Phagan Seen Saturday in Company of Soda Jerker. The police late this afternoon began a search for a soda water clerk who was seen talking to a girl answering the description of Mary Phagan Saturday night at 12:10 o'clock, in front of a rooming house at 286 1-2 Whitehall Street. The information was given to the police by L. B. and R. C. King, brothers, who said they passed the Whitehall Street address at that hour and saw the couple. Their attention was called to them, they say, by the
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Story of the Killing as the Meager Facts Reveal It

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 A new turn was given the mystery to-day when strands of blood-matted hair were found in a lathing machine on the second floor of the factory. The discovery made it certain that the crime was committed in the factory by some one who had access to the building, a theory which had been without conclusive support previously. Blood stains leading from the lathe to the door showed the manner in which the fiend had dragged the body of his victim and had taken her to the basement. Appearances indicated that the murderer had sought
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Suspect Gantt Tells His Own Story

      DENIES GUILT BUT IS IDENTIFIED AS MAN SEEN LEADING GIRL Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 The Georgian will pay $500 reward for EXCLUSIVE information leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderer of Mary Phagan. James Milton Gantt, accused of the strangling of Mary Phagan, was brought to Atlanta this afternoon at 4 o'clock from Marietta, where he had been under arrest in the Sheriff's office since forenoon. Fearing a demonstration from the crowd that had been waiting at the Walton Street station for several hours, Detective Hazlett transferred his prisoner from a Marietta car to a
  • Monday, 28th April 1913 Where and With Whom Was Mary Phagan Before End?

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Detectives to-day are using all their resources to learn where Mary Phagan was every minute of Saturday and Saturday night, whom she saw, with whom she talked, and what she said. There are wide blanks in the story of her movements. These must be filled. 12:10 p. m.—Mary Phagan appeared at the National Pencil Factory at ten or fifteen minutes after 12 o'clock noon, Saturday, and drew the pay due her, $1.60. She chatted a few minutes with friends. The manager is sure she then left the building. She told her mother she was
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Bartender Confirms Gantts Statement

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Says Phagan Suspect Left Pair of Shoes In His Place Saturday Evening. Charles W. McGee, of Colonial Hills, a bartender in the saloon of J. P. Hunter at 35 South Forsyth Street, almost directly across from the National Pencil Company plant, corroborated to-day the story told by J. M. Gantt about leaving a pair of shoes in the saloon from Saturday night until Monday morning. "The man I judge to be Gantt from the description came into the saloon, but stayed only a short time," said McGee. "I noticed nothing suspicious about Gantt or
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Charge is Basest of Lies, Declares Gantt

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 John Milton Gantt, the accusation of a terrible crime hanging over him, from his cell at police headquarters, has made to-day a complete denial of any connection with the Mary Phagan murder in the first formal statement to the public since his arrest in Marietta yesterday afternoon. The statement, which was given to a Georgian reporter, was said by Chief Beavers to be substantially the same as that taken by the police department stenographer last night for the use of the city detectives. This remarkable denial, if it is to be given credence, sweeps
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Factory Employee May Be Taken Any Moment

      Gantt reading murder warrant   Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 A sensational arrest will be made in the Mary Phagan murder mystery within a few hours. It will be based on the firm theory of the police and detectives that the strangled girl was never outside the factory of the National Pencil Company from the time she went in there for her pay Saturday noon until her dead and mutilated body was taken to the morgue early Sunday morning. The detectives do not believe that Arthur Mullinax is guilty of the murder. They do not believe that J.
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Factory Head Frank and Watchman Newt Lee are Sweated by Police

    Leo M. Frank. Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Mysterious Action of Officials Gives New and Startling Turn to Hunt for Guilty Man—Attorney Rosser, Barred, Later Admitted to Client. Has the Phagan murder mystery been solved? The police say they know the guilty man. Chief of Detectives Lanford at 2 o'clock this afternoon told The Georgian: "We have evidence in hand which will clear the mystery in the next few hours and satisfy the public." All the afternoon the police have been "sweating" Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the factory where the girl worked, and putting through the "third degree"
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Former Playmates Meet Girl’s Body at Marietta

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 The little town of Marietta, Georgia, where her baby eyes first opened upon the light of day scarcely fourteen years ago, will to-day witness the sorrowful funeral of Mary Phagan, the sweet young girl who was mysteriously murdered in the National Pencil Factory Saturday night and whose body was later found in the basement where it had been dragged by unknown hands. The casket, accompanied by the girl's stricken family—her mother and stepfather, her sister Ollie, 18 years old, and her three brothers, Ben, Charley and Josh, all young boys, left the Union Depot at
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Guilt Will Be Fixed Detectives Declare

    Mrs. J. W. Coleman, below, mother of slain Mary Phagan, and Ollie Phagan, sister of the murdered girl . Mrs. Coleman is prostrated by grief over the crime, and warns all mothers of working girls to watch carefully their loved ones. Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Has the murderer of pretty little Mary Phagan slipped the net that the police most carefully spread for him? Is the author of the crime that shocked the city and State with its terrible brutality still at large? Is the mystery, as baffling in its myriad conflicting elements as it is revolting in
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 I Feel as Though I Could Die, Sobs Mary Phagans Grief-Stricken Sister

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Among all the hearts that are bowed down in sorrow over the murder of Mary Phagan, the 14-year-old factory child found dead in the National Pencil factory Saturday, there is none who feels the suffering and the anguish of the separation so keenly as her sister, Ollie, 18 years old, her companion since childhood. For with her it is the suffering of youth, when the rose-veil of life has been lifted to show its tragic and terrible side in all its fullness for the first time. And it is all the more pitiful for
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Is the Guilty Man Among Those Held?

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Is the murderer of Mary Phagan among the four men who are being held at police headquarters, or is he still at large, either among those still unsuspected or among those who have been severely quizzed by the officers? The men still in custody are: 1—Newt Lee, negro night watchman, who is thought to know much more about the crime than he has told, but who has not been regarded as the perpetrator; 2—Arthur Mullinax, former street car conductor, for whom a strong alibi has been established, and from whom suspicion is shifting; 3—Geron
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Keeper of Rooming House Enters Case

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 J. W. Phillips Thinks Couple Who Asked for Room May Have Been Gantt and Girl. Was the young woman who, in company with a young man, applied to John W. Phillips, keeper of a rooming house at Forsyth and Hunter Streets at about 11 o'clock Saturday night for a room, Mary Phagan, the little girl who was found murdered the following morning? And was Gantt the man with her? Phillips was not positive to-day. He saw the young woman in the morgue at Bloomfield's undertaking establishment, and it is understood he positively identified her
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Loyalty Sends Girl to Defend Mullinax

    Miss Pearl Robinson, sweetheart of Arthur Mullinax, the man questioned by the police in connection with the slaying of Mary Phagan. Her story cleared Mullinax of any suspicion of complicity in the crime which has shocked Atlanta. Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Brave little Pearl Robinson! Her loyalty and devotion to Arthur Mullinax, one of the four men held in connection with the brutal strangling of Mary Phagan, form the only bright feature in a sordid and revolting crime. What did she care for the stares of the groups of people that hung about the detective headquarters when the
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Negro Watchman is Accused by Slain Girl’s Stepfather

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 That Mary Phagan never left the factory after she entered it at 12:15 o'clock Saturday, the day of her murder, and that she was killed and her body dragged into the basement by the negro night watchman, Newt Lee, now in jail, is the firm belief of the child's stepfather, W. J. Coleman, and other members of her family. As for Arthur Mullinax, former street car conductor, held on suspicion, Mr. Coleman told a Georgian reporter he thought him innocent of the crime. He was also very doubtful if J. M. Gantt, ex-bookkeeper for
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Nude Dancers Pictures Upon Factory Walls

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Suggestive Illustrations Clipped From Magazines Pasted Up About Scene of Tragedy. Pictures of Salome dancers in scanty raiment, and of chorus girls in different postures adorned the walls of the National Pencil Company's plant. They had been clipped from a theatrical and prize-fighting magazine. A more melodramatic stage setting for a rendezvous or for the committing of a murder could hardly have been obtained. The building is cut up with partitions, which allow of a person passing about from one part to another without attracting the attention of others. While the main entrance is
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Pastor Prays for Justice at Girls Funeral

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Mother and Aunt of Mary Phagan Swoon at Burial in Marietta This Morning. A thousand persons saw a minister of God raise his hands to heaven to-day and heard him call for divine justice. Before his closed eyes was a little casket, its pure whiteness hid by the banks and banks of beautiful flowers. Within the casket lay the bruised and mutilated body of Mary Phagan, the innocent young victim of one of Atlanta's blackest and most bestial crimes. The spirit of the terrible tragedy filled the air. An aunt of the strangled girl
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Seek Clew in Queer Words in Odd Notes

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Who Would Be the Most Interested in Saying That the Night Watchman Did Not Do It? While the tendency of the police straight through has seemed to be to doubt that Mary Phagan, the murdered girl, really wrote the small notes found beside her body purporting to give a clew to her murderer, the girl's stepfather, W.J. Coleman, thinks it possible that she may have written one of the scrawls. That one is the note written on the little yellow factory slip—so faintly traced it is almost impossible to read it. It is the
  • Tuesday, 29th April 1913 Slayers Hand Print Left On Arm Of Girl

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Hope for apprehension of the slayer of Mary Phagan has come to the police with the discovery of distinct finger prints, stamped in blood on the sleeve of the dead girl's jacket. The discovery was made by a Georgian reporter in the course of a minute inspection of the girl's clothes yesterday evening. The finger prints are on the right arm of the light silk dress. The imprints of two fingers are just below the shoulder, staining purple the lavender of the child's dress and penetrating to the arm, as if they were established
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Boy Sweetheart Says Girl Was to Meet Him Saturday

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday April 30th, 1913 G. W. Epps, Jr., 14 years old, of 248 Fox Street, who lives just around the corner from Mary Phagan, and who was her boy sweetheart, testified before the Coroner's Jury this afternoon that Mary Phagan had asked him to come down by the factory and go home with her a few days ago. She told him, he said, that Mr. Frank had been in the habit of going down to the front door and waiting there until she came out and looked suspicious at her and winked. He was asked: Q. When did
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 City Offers $1,000 as Phagan Case Reward

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 At Special Council Meeting Called by Mayor Only One Man Opposes Action. At a special session of city council to-day, called by Mayor Woodward, to give the city's financial aid to the apprehension of the guilty persons in the Mary Phagan strangling case, $1,000 was appropriated as a reward to the person furnishing information leading to the arrest of the man or men who committed the deed. The appropriation found one opponent in Councilman Thomson, who said the lure of a high award would be likely to result in the arrest and hanging of
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Clock Misses Add Mystery to Phagan Case

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Records Purport to Show Watchman Failed to Register Three Times Saturday Night. What does the National Pencil Factory time clock show? It was the duty of Newt Lee, the negro night watchman, to punch it every half-hour. Records brought to the police station purport to show that Lee three times failed to punch the clock. But Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the factory, told a Georgian reporter Sunday afternoon that Lee had punched the clock regularly and that the clock record was all right. Misses Were Not Consecutive. Accepting the evidence of the records
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Confirms Lee’s Story of Shirt

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Negro Woman Says Man Accused of Phagan Crime Was Not Home Saturday Night. If Newt Lee, the watchman, went home on Saturday night and discarded a bloody, stained shirt, Lorena Townes, the negro woman with whom he boarded, knows it. Lorena says Lee was not home on Saturday night. Detectives found the blood-stained shirt in an old barrel in Lee's room, and around this point has been built the theory that after committing the crime the man went home, changed his shirt, returned to the factory and then telephoned the police. Supporting this belief
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Girl’s Death Laid to Factory Evils

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Working Conditions Here Wrong, Proved by Phagan Crime, Says McKelway. Dr. A. J. McKelway, president pro tem of the Southern Sociological Congress, declared to-day that if factory conditions in Atlanta were what they should be 14-year-old Mary Phagan never would have been slain. "If social conditions, if factory conditions in Atlanta were what they should be here, if children of tender years were not forced to work in shops this frightful tragedy could not have been enacted," he asserted. Dr. McKelway's remarks came in the course of a conversation in which he discussed at
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Great Crowd at Phagan Inquest

    A new photograph of Mary Phagan NEW ARRESTS LIKELY; LEO FRANK STILL HELD; CASE AGAINST NEGRO Atlanta Georgian Wednesday April 30th, 1913 Inquest Into Slaying of Factory Girl Begins, and Flood of New Light Is Expected To Be Thrown on the Tragedy—Lee Maintains His Story. The Phagan inquest began to-day at police headquarters. It seemed likely when this edition of The Georgian went to press that a flood of light would be thrown on the murder mystery before the day was over. Notwithstanding what the police said yesterday—that the mystery had been solved—it does not appear at this time as
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Handwriting of Notes is Identified as Newt Lees

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday April 30th, 1913 F. M. Berry, one of the most important witnesses of the afternoon, identified the handwriting on the notes found near Mary Phagan's body as practically the same as that of Newt Lee, who wrote a test note for the detectives. Mr. Berry said that he had been connected with the Fourth National Bank for 22 years and is at present assistant cashier. During these 22 years he said that he had studied handwriting continually. He was given both notes found by the body of the girl and was asked if they were written by
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Leo Frank’s Friends Denounce Detention

    Leo M. Frank, Superintendent of the National Pencil Company's factory, still held by the police. Frank's lawyer says he has given to the police every detail of his whereabouts to account for his time on Saturday and Sunday. Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil Company and one of the central figures in the sensational murder mystery surrounding the death of little Mary Phagan, is well regarded by a host of friends in Atlanta, who scoff at the idea that he can in any way be implicated in the horrible tragedy. His friends
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Looks Like Frank is Trying to Put Crime on Me, Says Lee

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 A formal statement from Newt Lee, the negro night watchman arrested after he had telephoned the police of the finding of Mary Phagan's mutilated body, was given to the public for the first time to-day. In it he made a sweeping denial of complicity in or knowledge of the crime and said: "It looks like Mr. Frank was trying to put the crime one me." Staggering from the weariness of two days of the "third degree," and bleary-eyed from the persistent attentions of detectives who went to his cell in relays to question him,
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Machinist Tells of Hair Found in Factory Lathe

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday April 30th, 1913 R. P. Barrett, 180 Griffin Street, a machinist at the National Pencil Company, was one of the witnesses of the late afternoon. He was asked: Q. How long have you worked at the National Pencil Company?—A. Seven weeks the last time. I worked there about two years ago. Q. Did you know Mary Phagan?—A. Yes. Q. What did she do?—A. She ran a "tipping" machine. Q. When did you last see her?—A. A week ago Tuesday. Q. Did she work last week?—A. No. Q. You say you worked in the same department with Mary
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Mother Prays That Son May Be Released

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Gantt's Mother, for Whom Mary Phagan Was Named, Weeps for Son. In an easy chair in front of an open fireplace in a little Cobb County farm house, sat an aged mother, with lines of suffering marking her face and her white head bowed in sorrow, praying that her son may be found innocent of the terrible crime for which he is held by the Atlanta police. For two days she sat in the same chair, staring constantly with dry eyes into the embers of the dying fire, seeing in the clouds of smoke
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Net Closing About Lee, Says Lanford

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Chief of Detectives Lanford was confident this morning that he and his department had completed a strong case to present to the Grand Jury for indictment. He said that the evidence against the negro night-watchman at the National Pencil Factory had grown stronger since yesterday. He declared, however, that there still appeared the strongest indications that another person, in all probability a white man, was involved in some manner in the crime. Many puzzling questions have arisen, since the closing of the net around Lee began. The detectives have been utterly unable to trace
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Newt Lee on Stand at Inquest Tells His Side of Phagan Case

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Describes finding of body of slain girl and events at Pencil Factory before and at time of discovery of crime Newt Lee, watchman at the National Pencil Company's factory, who notified the police of the discovery of Mary Phagan's body, told his complete story on the stand at the coroner's inquest to-day. Lee was on the stand for more than an hour and was plied with questions intended to throw light on the tragedy. He replied to questions in a straightforward way, and in detail his story is substantially the same as he has
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Newt Lees Testimony as He Gave It at the Inquest

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Newt Lee, the negro night watchman, was questioned as follows: Q. What is your name? A. Newt Lee. Q. Where do you live? A.  Rear of 40 Henry Street. Q. What do you do? A. Night watchman at the National Pencil Company. Q. What kind of work do you do? A. Watch and sweep up the first floor. Q. What time do you go to work? At what time? A. Six o'clock. If it is not quite 6 o'clock I go around and see if the windows are down. If it is at 6
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Policeman Says Body Was Dragged From Elevator

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 R. M. Lasseter , the policeman on the morning watch past the pencil factory, was called at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. He was questioned as follows: Q. Were you in the pencil factory Saturday night or Sunday morning?—A. I was there at 4:45 Sunday morning. Q. What did you find?—A. A parasol. Q. Where did you find it?—A. At the bottom of the elevator shaft. I found there also a big ball of red wrapping twine that never had been opened. (Here the witness was shown the cord that had strangled the girl
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Reward of $1,000 Urged by Mayor

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Brown Offers $200 for Capture of Slayer—C. C. Jones Also Gives $100. Governor Joseph M. Brown to-day offered a reward of $200 for the apprehension and conviction of the murderer of little Mary Phagan and Mayor James G. Woodward issued a call for a special meeting of Council for tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock, urging a $1,000 reward. Governor Brown's decision was reached on receipt of the following letter from Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey: "From the best information obtainable, it is my belief that the circumstances surrounding the death of little Miss Mary Phagan
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Sergeant Brown Tells His Story of Finding of Body

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday April 30th, 1913 Sergeant R. J. Brown, the second witness at the inquest, corroborated Anderson's story of the finding of the body. Brown, who was in charge of the morning watch, was one of the four men who answered the call of the negro night watchman, Newt Lee. Brown was interrogated as follows: "How did you get to the factory?" "Call Officer Anderson answered the phone call, and Anderson, Sergeant Dobbs, myself and a man named Rogers—we call him ‘Boots'—went in Mr. Rogers' car to the factory." "Who met you when you got there?" "We got to
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Sisters New Story Likely to Clear Gantt as Suspect

    A photographic study of the victim in the strangling mystery showing the sad expression in her eyes. Another picture of the Phagan girl in a studious pose. The child was strikingly pretty and the pictures here shown are from photographs prized by grief-stricken relatives in Marietta. Mary Phagan and her young aunt, Mattie Phagan, who was one of the girl's best friends and is heart-broken over the tragedy. Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 F. C. Terrell, 284 East Linden Avenue, told a Georgian reporter to-day that his wife had declared to him that she did not tell the truth
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Tells Jury He Saw Girl and Mullinax Together

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday April 30th, 1913 Edgar L. Sentell, the man who identified Mullinax as being the man he saw with Mary Phagan Saturday night was the first witness to take the stand when the coroner's jury convened at 2:30 o'clock. The witness said that he worked at Kamper's grocery store, starting to work there last Thursday. He was questioned as follows: Q. How late did you work Saturday night? A. To about 10:30 o'clock. Q. What is your work? A. I drive a wagon. Q. What time did you get in with your wagon Saturday night? A. About 9:30
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Tells of Watchman Lee Explaining the Notes

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday April 30th, 1913 Sergeant L. S. Dobbs was the third witness. He said he answered the call to the pencil company plant Sunday morning. Q.—Did you find an umbrella? A.—No. Lassiter did. Q.—Did you find the notes there? A.—One of them. He then identified the two notes. Q.—Were you at the plant when Lassiter found the umbrella? A.—No; he found them about 7 o'clock. Q.—Where did you find the body? A.—About 150 feet from the elevator shaft. Q.—Did you examine the body? "Yes. When I turned the body over I found the face full of dirt, and
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Went Down Scuttle Hole on Ladder to Reach Body

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday April 30th, 1913 Previous to Watchman Newt Lee's testimony, three police officers, who were called to the pencil factory when Mary Phagan's body was found, testified. Their testimony, with the exception of such parts as were unfit to print, follows: W. T. Anderson, police call officer on duty Sunday morning, was first witness. "We went over in an automobile to the pencil factory and the negro took us into the cellar where the body was found," he said. Anderson told of the location of the scuttle hole, from which a ladder led to the basement, and of
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Witness Saw Slain Girl and Man at Factory Door

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday April 30th, 1913 J. G. Spier followed Newt Lee on the stand. He lives at Cartersville, Georgia Q. Were you about the National Pencil Company plant? A. Yes, sir; we walked over to the Terminal station from the Kimball House. I was with a friend. I left the Terminal station at 10 minutes of 4, then walked back there, going back Forsyth Street. I passed the pencil factory about 10 minutes after 4 o'clock. I noticed a young girl and a young man, a Jew of about 25, talking. Q. Were they excited? A. My impression was
  • Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Writing Test Points to Negro

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Experts Declare Note Written by Lee Resembles That Found Near Slain Girl. Handwriting experts said to-day that they were able to determine a resemblance between the handwriting of Newt Lee, the negro watchman in the National Pencil factory, and that in the mysterious notes found by the body of Mary Phagan in the basement of the factory. They were of the opinion that the negro wrote both notes, as they asserted that many of the peculiarities in the handwriting of Lee were found in the messages that lay in the dirty basement. The Georgian
  • Thursday, 1st May 1913 State Enters Phagan Case; Frank and Lee are Taken to Tower

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 1st, 1913 Watchman and Frank Go on Witness Stand This Afternoon—Dorsey, Dissatisfied, May Call Special Session of Grand Jury To-morrow. Coroner Donohuoo late to-day issued a commitment against Leo M. Frank, superintendent at the National Pencil Company, and Newt Lee, night watchman, charging them with being suspected in connection with the death of Mary Phagan and remanding them to the custody of the sheriff. They were later taken to the Tower. Arthur Mullinaux , held since Sunday, was released. Frank's commitment read as follows: To Jailor: You are hereby required to take into custody the person
  • Thursday, 1st May 1913 Terminal Official Certain He Saw Girl

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 1st, 1913 O. H. Clark, in charge of the check room at the Terminal Station, is convinced that the girl who created a scene there last week, when the man she was with attempted to board a train, was Mary Phagan. Clark came out to-day with a story that substantiates, in part at least, the story told by the two station guards who watched the couple's peculiar actions. Clark asserts that the incident occurred on Saturday rather than Friday, and the man, when he finally abandoned his trip at the girl's expostulations, went to the check
  • Friday, 2nd May 1913 Dorsey Puts Own Sleuths Onto Phagan Slaying Case

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 2nd, 1913 200 Witnesses To Be Called When Inquest Into Slaying of Factory Girl Is Resumed Next Monday—Detectives Are Busy. Coroner Declares Inquiry Will Not Be Made Hastily—Every Clew To Be Probed Thoroughly. Lee and Frank Are in Tower. Grand Jury Meets, but Considers Only Routine Matters—Was No Truth in Report That Militia Had Been Ordered to Mobilize. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey this afternoon engaged private detectives to run down clews which have not as yet been fully developed by the men already working on the Phagan case. The detectives are to investigate certain phases
  • Friday, 2nd May 1913 Police Still Puzzled by Mystery of Phagan Case

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 2nd, 1913 200 Witnesses To Be Called When Inquest Into Slaying of Factory Girl Is Resumed Next Monday—Felder to Aid State. The exact facts in the Phagan case as this edition of The Georgian goes to press can be stated as follows: First. The Coroner's inquest is not yet ended. It has been adjourned until Monday afternoon next; and until it is ended the State is not likely to take hold of the case except in so far as Solicitor General Dorsey may deem it necessary to acquaint himself with facts that may aid him when
  • Saturday, 3rd May 1913 Analysis of Blood Stains May Solve Phagan Mystery

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 3rd, 1913 Three Former Employees at Pencil Factory Are Summoned to Testify. Expected That Frank and Watchman Will Be Questioned Further. It was reported to-day that three young women, former employees of the National Pencil Factory, will be important witnesses for the Coroner's jury in the Phagan case on Monday. Dr. Claude Smith, city bacteriologist, was asked by the police to-day to make a chemical analysis of the bloodstains on the shirt found in the back yard of the home of Lee. The garment was given to Dr. Smith by Detective Rosser. The detectives are hopeful
  • Sunday, 4th May 1913 Dr. John E. White Writes on the Phagan Case

    Dr. John E. White Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 4th, 1913 Draws a Lesson From the Shocking Occurrence of a Week Ago, and Urges Confidence in the Courage of the Law. By DR. JOHN E. WHITE. Pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Atlanta. The proper study of mankind is man, but the conditions for this study are only occasionally favorable. Dressed up in his everyday clothes, thinking his ordinary thoughts, and his human impulses suppressed to the requirements of conventional life, a man throws very little light on the problem of humanity. The individual exhibits mankind neither at its best
  • Sunday, 4th May 1913 Gov. Brown on the Phagan Case

    Let the Law Take Its Course, He Says ‘Guilty Will Be Punished, Innocent Free' Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 4th, 1913 I desire to commend, with all the emphasis at my command, the Hearst newspapers' timely suggestion to the people of Atlanta and Georgian that they remember the sanctity and majesty of the law of the land, and the sure operation of justice through the courts, in contemplating a recent horrible and unspeakable murder in our midst. I desire to offer the Hearst newspapers a word of praise in that they—leading newspapers of the South—while being brave enough to print the
  • Sunday, 4th May 1913 Grand Jury to Take Up Phagan Case To-morrow

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 4th, 1913 The uncertainty that has marked every phase in the case of Mary Phagan probably will be somewhat removed when the new Fulton County Grand Jury for the May term of the Superior Court meets to-morrow. Definite action by that body is anticipated after the Coroner's jury, which also resumes its sessions to-morrow, has reached a decision. The action, it is believed, will be the result of the efforts of a small army of private detectives retained by the authority of Solicitor General Dorsey. The number of the detectives could not be determined, but it
  • Sunday, 4th May 1913 Old Police Reporter Analyzes Mystery Phagan Case Solution Far Off, He Says

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 4th, 1913 Problem of Slaying in Pencil Factory One That Never May Be Cleared, Declares Crime Expert. BY AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. Perhaps as many of the great murder mysteries of history have been solved through the efforts of police reporters—men assigned by newspapers to "cover" criminal cases—as have been solved by detectives. At any rate the police will always admit that police reporters have had a large part in unraveling the knotty problems. In a case of this sort the police reporter's analysis is particularly good, for he is simply seeking the truth. He, unlike
  • Sunday, 4th May 1913 Slayer of Mary Phagan May Still be at Large

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 4th, 1913 The mystery of the death of pretty Mary Phagan enters upon its second week to-day with the police authorities admitting that they are still without a conclusive solution. So far as the public has been permitted to learn, the detectives are not even certain that they have in custody the person or persons responsible for her death. In the light of present developments, the police believe that no more arrests will be made, but they admit that the entrance of another theory might entirely change the aspect of the case. The detectives base their
  • Monday, 5th May 1913 Coroners Jury Likely to Hold Both Prisoners

      Hugh Dorsey, Solicitor General, on left, and Judge W. D. Ellis. The former is hard at work on the Phagan case. The latter has charged the Grand Jury to probe the slaying thoroughly.   Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 5th, 1913 In the following story will be found the developments in the Phagan case up to the time the inquest was resumed Monday afternoon: It is said, but without authority, that a great deal of very important evidence has been accumulated, but that it will not be presented at the Coroner's inquest. Instead, it will go directly into the hands
  • Monday, 5th May 1913 Crowds at Phagan Inquest

        Grand Jury Instructed to Probe Deeply Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 5th, 1913 Evidence Secured by Detectives May Not Be Presented at Coroner's Inquest—Lee and Frank to Testify. Many Other Witnesses Are Ready. The Phagan inquest began at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at police headquarters. There was a great throng of witnesses in attendance. A large force of police was on hand to keep the crowd of curiosity seekers in order. Frank and Lee were taken from the Tower to police headquarters in charge of Deputy Sheriff Minor. A small crowd congregated about the jail in anticipation of the transfer
  • Monday, 5th May 1913 Frank on Witness Stand

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 5th, 1913 Makes Statement Under Oath; Nervous, But Replies Quickly Phagan Inquest, Starting Late Monday Afternoon, Attracts Throng—200 Girls and Women Summoned As Witnesses, at Police Station. The Coroner's inquest into the Phagan mystery did not really begin until 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon, instead of 2 o'clock, the hour set for the hearing. Leo M. Frank and Newt Lee left the jail in charge of Chief of Police Beavers, Detectives Lanford and Starnes and entered the patrol wagon for the trip to police headquarters. A curious crowd waited around the jail doorway to get a
  • Monday, 5th May 1913 Judge Charges Grand Jury to Go Deeply Into Phagan Mystery

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 5th, 1913 Judge Ellis, in his charge to the May Grand Jury, took up the Mary Phagan case. The address is published in full in this issue of The Georgian. What Judge Ellis said specifically about the Phagan case follows: The Mary Phagan case calls for your immediate and vigorous attention. The power of the State is behind you. What appears to be an awful crime has been committed, and the welfare of the community, the good name of Atlanta, public justice and the majesty of the law demand at the hands of this Grand Jury
  • Monday, 5th May 1913 Judge W. D. Ellis Charges Grand Jury to Probe into Phagan Slaying Mystery

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 5th, 1913 Urges Enforcement of Laws Regulating Locker Clubs and Against Sunday Tippling, Questionable Houses and Carrying Concealed Weapons Judge W. D. Ellis, of the Superior Court, delivered the following address to the new Grand Jury, and touched upon the Phagan case: "Under our system of judicial procedure, we have in the Superior Court of this county six terms each year. Grand juries are drawn and impaneled at each term, but the duties of making investigations into matters of a general nature, such as the inspection of the offices, the books, papers and records of the
  • Monday, 5th May 1913 Phagan Girl’s Body Exhumed

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 5th, 1913 The reason for the delay in beginning the Coroner's inquest was that Coroner Donehoo was in Marietta up to 2:30 o'clock. The body of Mary Phagan was exhumed by direction of the Coroner who went to Marietta for the purpose. An examination of the contents of the stomach will be made for the purpose of determining whether the child had been poisoned before she was attacked on the day of her death. It will probably be several days before this examination can be completed. The examination was done very quietly, and few people in
  • Tuesday, 6th May 1913 Bowen Still Held by Houston Police in the Phagan Case

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 Atlanta Police Do Not Believe He is Implicated in Tragedy—Letters From Women and 50 Photographs of Girls Found in Prisoners Trunk. The Atlanta police and State officials say they place little importance in the arrest of Paul P. Bowen, the former Atlanta youth who is being held by the Houston authorities. In Bowen's trunk was found a mass of clippings telling of the Phagan killing, and at least 50 photographs of girls and young women. Several times while he was being questioned, Bowen is said to have contradicted himself. Bowen stoutly maintains his innocence.
  • Tuesday, 6th May 1913 Brother Declares Bowen Left Georgia in August

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 Paul P. Bowen, arrested in Houston, Texas, on suspicion of complicity in the murder of Mary Phagan, could not have been connected with the Atlanta mystery, according to members of his family here. Albert Bowen, a brother, said Paul Bowen has been in the West since last August, when he went to Arkansas to work for the Rock Island Railraod. He has never been back to Georgia since, he declared, but has spent the time in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. On April 21, Albert Bowen declared, he received a letter from Paul written at
  • Tuesday, 6th May 1913 Frank’s Testimony Fails to Lift Veil of Mystery

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 Factory Superintendent's Statements on the Witness Stand Considered Distinctly Favorable to Him. Leo M. Frank's testimony before the Coroner's inquest threw no new light upon the Phagan case. Indeed, if it did anything it strengthend the belief in the minds of many persons that the mystery is far from solved. Frank's testimony was distinctly favorable to him. He was on the witness stand for several hours. He answered every question in a straight-forward manner. He was not more nervous than any other man in the room. He never halted for a word to make
  • Tuesday, 6th May 1913 How Frank Spent Day of Tragedy

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 Factory Superintendent Explains Every Hour of the Saturday Phagan Girl Was Slain. Here is told how Frank passed the whole day of the Saturday when Mary Phagan was killed. The following is taken from Frank's testimony: 7 o'clock a. m.—Arose, and dressed at home. 8—Left home for factory. 8:20—Arrived at factory. 8:50 or 9—M. D. Darley and others entered there. 10—Went over to office of Sig Montag, factory manager, on Nelson Street. 11—Went back to the factory office. 12—Stenographer and office boy left him alone in office. 12:10 p. m.—Mary Phagan came for her
  • Tuesday, 6th May 1913 Newest Clews in Phagan Case Not Yet Public

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 Body of Slain Girl Exhumed and Bloodstains on Factory Floor Analyzed. NEW THEORY ANNOUNCED Solicitor Believes Victim May Have Been Thrown, Still Alive, Down Elevator Shaft. Solicitor General Dorsey, Chief of Detectives Lanford, Chief of Police Beavers, and all men working under them in the Phagan case seem thoroughly satisfied with the progress they are making in the great mystery. They are actively engaged in many unknown directions—as they say, "piling up evidence to strengthen the case." What evidence the officials have other than that which has already been made public they refuse to
  • Tuesday, 6th May 1913 Phagan Case and the Solicitor Generals Power Under Law—Dorsey Hasnt Encroached on Coroner

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 By A GEORGIA LAWYER. It is absurd to say, as some people have been saying in Atlanta of late, that Solicitor General Dorsey "has taken the Phagan case from the Coroner," or has "butted in" on the Coroner's business in some way. It would be equally sensible to say that the commanding general in a battle had "butted in" on a captain's business, when, as the battle progressed, the general gave directions of one sort and another to the captain as to its conduct. The truth of the matter is, Solicitor General Dorsey has
  • Wednesday, 7th May 1913 Employe of Lunch Stand Near Pencil Factory is Trailed to Alabama

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 7th, 1913 Detectives Figure Strangling Was a Typical Mediterranean Crime—Solicitor Dorsey Grills Watchman Lee in Effort to Get New Points. A new and sensational interpretation was given the Phagan mystery Wednesday afternoon when it was revealed that Pinkerton detectives are trailing a Greek now missing who was employed in a restaurant near the National Pencil factory before the crime was committed. The reasons that the city detectives give for the adoption of the new theory are: The slaying of Mary Phagan was not a negro crime, as the only negro who has been suspected in the
  • Wednesday, 7th May 1913 Lee is Quizzed by Dorsey for New Evidence

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 7th, 1913 Important Light is Trown on Case Also by Girl Companion of Mary Phagan. With new evidence in hand, Solicitor Dorsey went to the jail at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon to question Newt Lee, the night watchman, exhaustively. He plied the negro with questions for forty-five minutes. Before closeting himself with the negro the Solicitor said he had never questioned Lee himself, and he hoped to leave the jail late today with valuable information. Detective Rosser was reported to have found a 14-year-old girl who had important information bearing on the case. This girl was
  • Wednesday, 7th May 1913 Phagan Girls Body Again Exhumed for Finger-Print Clews

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 7th, 1913 Third Time Unfortunate Victim's Remains Have Been Exhumed—Dorsey Says Officials Are Not Looking for Finger Prints, but Other Clews. The body of Mary Phagan was exhumed early Wednesday for the second time in two days. The unofficial explanation is that the exhumation is made for the purpose of making a microscopic and minute examination of every wound on the body for finger prints and other clews as well. Solicitor Dorsey let it be known that the police are not working on the idea that the finger prints would be helpful in solving the mystery,
  • Wednesday, 7th May 1913 Solicitor Dorsey Orders Body Exhumed in the Hope of Getting New Evidence

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 7th, 1913 Inquest, To Be Resumed Thursday, Will Bring Out Important Facts Not Yet Made Public—Medical Experts To Be Called by Coroner. New mystery was added to the Mary Phagan case on Wednesday, when the authorities for some reason not yet disclosed, did not follow out the order given by Solicitor Dorsey for the exhumation of the remains. It was said by Solicitor Dorsey that he had given this order in the hope that new clews might be discovered. A difference of opinion as to the advisability of the exhumation evidently has arisen, but the officials
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Another Clew in Phagan Case is Worthless

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Pinkertons Find No Foundation for Report of Lunch Room Helper's Disappearance. Harry Scott, of the Pinkertons, said Thursday that the information obtained by his agency to the effect that a Greek helper in a restaurant had disappeared following the killing of Mary Phagan had proved baseless so far as he was able to determine. "It was a blind clew," he said. "We were unable to find that any one was missing from the restaurant. Neither were we able to locate the supposedly missing person in Anniston, Ala., where our information said he was." In
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Black Testifies Quinn Denied Visiting Factory

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 John Black, city detective, followed Scott. Q. Tell about the shirt.—A. Sergeant Bullard and I went out to the rear of 40 Henry Street and searched Newt Lee's room. Q. What did you find?—A. Lots of things. Q. Tell about finding the shirt?—A. We found it in the bottom of an old barrel. Q. Was the shirt on the top or in the bottom of the barrel?—A. In the bottom. Q. When was this?—A. On Wednesday after the murder. Q. Did you see the shirt Lee wore Sunday morning?—A. Yes. Q. What kind was
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Boots Rogers Tells How Body Was Found

    "Boots" Rogers, former county policeman who drove the police to the Pencil Factory when the first news of the Phagan slaying reached headquarters. Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 W. W. Rogers was the first witness. He lives at 104 McDonough Road, and operates an automobile for himself. He said he took a party of officers to the National Pencil plant at five minutes past 3 o'clock Sunday morning, April 27. He corroborated statements of officers regarding the finding of Mary Phagan's body and the notes beside it, and of the body being face downward. Q. Who telephoned Frank of
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Didnt See Girl Late Saturday, He Admits

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Man Who Said Mary Phagan Passed His Place Testifies He Was Wrong. J. L. Watkins, who testified that he saw Mary Phagan Saturday afternoon, April 26, between 4 and 5 o'clock, was called to the witness stand. He was accompanied to the inquest by a girl, Daisy Brown, who he said was the girl he mistook for Mary Phagan. He said he became convinced of his mistake when detectives came out to his place and had Daisy Brown to dress as she was Saturday afternoon. Then he discovered, he said, that she was the
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Frank Answers Questions Nervously When Recalled

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Frank was slightly nervous when he was answering the questions. He was asked: Q. What kind of an elevator floor have you in the factory on the office floor?—A. A solid sliding door. Q. Where was the elevator Friday night and Saturday?—A. I didn't notice it. Q. What protection would there be from a person from falling into the shaft if the door was open?—A. There is a bar across the shaft. Q. Where was the elevator Saturday?—A. I did not notice it. Q. Where was it Sunday?—A. On the office floor. Gave Tape
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Frank of Nervous Nature; Says Superintendent Aide

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 The inquest was resumed at 2:40. Only a small crowd was present. Miss Hattie Hall, stenographer for the Pencil Company, was called. She said she had been connected with the company since December 4. From a pile of papers taken from the factory records, Miss Hall identified a number that were written by herself. She said she did not think she could identify Frank's writing. Miss Hall selected eight letters that she had written. She said she didn't know how long it had taken her to write the letters. Miss Hall looked at the
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Girl Employe on Fourth Floor of Factory Saturday

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Miss Corinthia Hall, one of the employees at the National Pencil factory, was a witness. She lives near Kirkwood, at 19 Weatherby Street, and has worked at the factory for three years. She knew Mary Phagan. Miss Hall was at the factory at 11:45 Saturday, April 26. She went to get another girl's coat. She went to the fourth floor and stopped in at the office and asked Mr. Frank if she could go to the fourth floor. She was accompanied by a young woman who had recently married and whose coat they were
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Grand Jury to Sift the Evidence in the Phagan Case Within the Next Few Days

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Late this afternoon the police and detectives engaged on the Phagan case said they were satisfied with the progress being made before the Coroner's Jury. Apparently all other clews have been abandoned, and the present line of police activity would seem to center around Lee and Frank. Whatever evidence the police have they refuse to disclose. The entire mystery will be taken up by the Grand Jury within the next few days. * * * Atlanta Georgian, May 8th 1913, "Grand Jury to Sift the Evidence in the Phagan Case Within the Next Few
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Inquest Scene is Dramatic in its Tenseness

    Miss Hattie Hall, Superintendent Leo M. Frank's stenographer, who testified to-day at the Phagan inquest. Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Crowd in Small, Smoke-Filled Room Breathlessly Follows the Phagan Slaying Inquiry. FATHER WEEPS SILENTLY Jurors, Officials and Detectives Manifest Intense Interest in Replies of Witnesses. In a small, crowded and smoke-filled room at police  headquarters, Coroner Donehoo on Thursday morning began what it is thought will be the last session of the jury impaneled to inquire into the death of Mary Phagan, strangled to death in the basement of the National Pencil Factory April 26. The situation was tense
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Lee Repeats His Private Conversation With Frank

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Newt Lee followed Black on the stand. Q. Tell the jury of your conversation with Frank in private—A. I was in the room and he came in. I said, Mr. Frank, it is mighty hard to be sitting here handcuffed. He said he thought I was innocent, and I said I didn't know anything except finding the body. "Yes," Mr. Frank said, "and you keep that up we will both go to hell!" I told him that if she had been killed in the basement I would have known it, and he said, "Don't
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Leo Frank is Again Quizzed by Coroner

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Newt Lee Called to Stand for Further Examination—Coroner Will Put Case in Hands of Jury by 7 o'clock, It is Predicted. Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil Factory, and Newt Lee, night watchman, both of whom are being held in connection with inquiry into the death of Mary Phagan, were recalled to the witness stand late Thursday afternoon at the inquest. Frank was given a more searching examination as to movements on the day of the tragedy than he underwent his first day on the stand and an apparent endeavor was made
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Pinkerton Detective Tells of Call From Factory Head

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Harry Scott, the Pinkerton detective who has been working on the case since the day of the crime, took the stand when Schiff concluded his testimony. Scott testified that Frank called him up Sunday afternoon before there was any talk of his arrest and asked the Pinkertons to begin work on the case and find the slayer. Scott testified as follows: Q. How are you interested in the Phagan case?—A. I was retained by the National Pencil Company to find the guilty man. Q. Who retained you?—A. I received a call from Mr. Frank
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Police Still Withhold Evidence; Frank To Be Examined on New Lines

    Luther Z. Rosser, attorney for Leo M. Frank, who was one of the interested listeners to the testimony presented Thursday at the Coroner's inquest into the death of Mary Phagan. Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Witnesses Are Quizzed in Detail, but Nothing Important Brought Out. Officials Say They Are Satisfied With Case as It Is Being Developed. Whatever evidence the police officials may have directly to connect any of the suspects with the killing of Mary Phagan, it was not produced at the early session of the Coroner's inquest Thursday. What this evidence is the officials refuse to say—except
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Quinn, Foreman Over Slain Girl, Tells of Seeing Frank

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 L. A. Quinn, foreman of the department of the pencil factory in which Mary Phagan worked, testified as follows: Q. What is your business?—A. Machinist. Q. Did you know Mary Phagan?—A. Yes. Q. What is your department?—A. Metal department. Q. What department was she in?—A. Same. Q. When did you see Mary Phagan last?—A. The Monday before the murder. Q. Do you know her associates?—A. I know some who talked with her—girls. Q. Any boys in that department?—A. Henry Smith and John Ramey. Q. Were they thrown together?—A. All were working in the same
  • Thursday, 8th May 1913 Stenographer in Factory Office on Witness Stand

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Miss Hattie Hall, the stenographer who worked at the National Pencil Factory Saturday morning, April 26, testified as follows: She lives at 69 Luckie Street and works for the National Pencil Company, in Montag Bros.' office. Saturday morning, April 26, she went to Montag Bros.' office on Nelson Street, arriving there at approximately 8 o'clock. She left there between 10:30 and 11. She had talked with Frank over the phone several times during the morning. "The regular stenographer at the plant was off, I think on account of sickness," she said, "and I went
  • Friday, 9th May 1913 Best Detective in America Now is on Case, Says Dorsey

    Miss Nellie Pettis, at top, who testified against Frank at the inquest. At the bottom, Mrs. Lillie Pettis, her sister-in-law, former employee at the pencil factory. Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 9th, 1913 Solicitor Dorsey Says He Has Secured Powerful Aid in Search for Slayer of Girl—Woman Says She Heard Screams in Pencil Factory. Shelby Smith, chairman of the Fulton commission, declared Friday afternoon that the board would back Solicitor Dorsey in any and all expense he might incur in the state's exhaustive investigation into the Phagan murder mystery. Smith said; "We have instructed Dorsey to obtain the best possible detective
  • Saturday, 10th May 1913 Guard of Secrecy is Thrown About Phagan Search by Solicitor

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 10th, 1913 Names of Witnesses Withheld by Dorsey to Prevent "Manufacturers of Public Opinion" Getting in Touch with Them—Satisfied with Progress. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey declared Saturday afternoon that he was very well satisfied with the progress made in the investigation of the Phagan murder mystery and made the significant remark that he would not reveal the names of new witnesses so that manufacturers of public opinion could not get to them. The Solicitor held a conference with Dr. H. F. Harris, of the State Board of Health, who examined the girl's body. Dr. Harris
  • Sunday, 11th May 1913 Caught Frank With Girl in Park, He Says

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 11th, 1913 Robert T. House, a Special Policeman, Gives New Evidence to City Detectives. In the evidence obtained Saturday in the Mary Phagan case, one piece that the detectives regard as the most important bore on Frank's alleged conduct when he was in company with a young girl in Druid Hills Park. The new evidence came from Robert F. House, a special policeman, who is in the employ of the Druid Hills Land Company. House declared that he had ejected a man from the park at one time from whom he obtained damaging admissions. House visited
  • Sunday, 11th May 1913 Frank is Awaiting Action of the Grand Jury Calmly

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 11th, 1913 Leo M. Frank, calmly and without any apparent fear or apprehension, is awaiting the decision of the 24 men who will determine this week whether or not an indictment shall be returned against him in connection with the killing of Mary Phagan. Yesterday—which was very much like the other days that he has been confined in the Tower—he read, said a few words now and then to the guards, greeted members of his family as they came to see him and discussed various subjects with them in a quiet, matter-of-fact manner, not at all
  • Sunday, 11th May 1913 Mary Phagans Death Only Assured Fact Developed

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 11th, 1913 BY JAMES. B. NEVIN. Mary Phagan is dead. She was murdered. Leo Frank, and Newt Lee are in jail, upon the findings of a Coroner's jury, held as suspects for investigation by the Grand Jury. Here is a case of cause and effect involving the most elusive series of connecting events that ever came under my observation of criminals and crime, through fifteen years of varied newspaper experience in a number of American cities. It is not my purpose here to try this case. Such comments as I may set down are personal merely.
  • Sunday, 11th May 1913 Weak Evidence Against Men in Phagan Slaying

    Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey, in a characteristic pose, examining a witness. On Solicitor Dorsey is placed dependence for the solving of the puzzling Phagan slaying case. He is making every effort to unravel the mystery. NO REAL SOLUTION OF PHAGAN SLAYING MYSTERY EVIDENCE AGAINST MEN NOW HELD IN BAFFLING CASE WEAK, SAYS OLD POLICE REPORTER Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 11th, 1913 Detectives in Coroner's Jury Probe Admit They Have Nothing on Which to Convict Anyone in Mysterious Tragedy of Atlanta. TESTIMONY BROUGHT OUT NO INCRIMINATING POINTS BY AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. The most sensational testimony offered at the Coroner's inquest
  • Monday, 12th May 1913 Burns Called into Phagan Mystery; On Way From Europe

    Leo M. Frank, the pencil factory superintendent, held in the Phagan mystery, in a new photograph. Mrs. Frank yesterday visited her husband in the Tower, where he is a prisoner pending the action of the Grand Jury. Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 12th, 1913 Famous American Detective Cables He Will Return Immediately In Response to Col. Felder's Plea For His Services to Capture Slayer. William J. Burns, the world-famed detective, probably will take charge of the Phagan case. The man who unearthed the dynamite outrages and brought the McNamara brothers to justice, will in all probability come to Atlanta within the
  • Monday, 12th May 1913 Phagan Case is Delayed

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 12th, 1913 Not Likely to Go to Grand Jury This Week More Time Taken to Strengthen Evidence Evidence in the Phagan case may not be presented to the Grand Jury this week. This was the intimation given by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey Monday morning, as he began the process of elimination of the unimportant matter contained in the great mass of evidence collected by the Coroner's jury and police officials. The postponement of its presentation to the Grand Jury is to permit the collection in systematic form of all the essential details of the evidence.
  • Tuesday, 13th May 1913 Frank’s Life in Tower

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 13th, 1913 Of the many prisoners confined in the Tower, Leo M. Frank stands far above them all as the central figure in the public eye while the exhaustive investigation into the death of Mary Phagan continues. Hundreds of curious persons apply daily at the prison in a futile effort to see the man now being held in the Phagan mystery. The jailers are beset with thousands of questions pertaining to his life during the two weeks that he has spent behind the bars. Only Frank's attorney, his immediate relatives and a few friends have been
  • Tuesday, 13th May 1913 Mother Thinks Police Are Doing Their Best

    Mary Phagan's mother, Fannie Phagan Coleman (center), with her family in Atlanta, 1902. She holds Mary (right) and another child. Mary Phagan's older sister, Ollie Mae, stands at front left. Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 13th, 1913 Mrs. J. W. Coleman, mother of little 14-year-old Mary Phagan, prostrated with grief for sixteen days following the tragic slaying of her child, took up her household duties Tuesday for the first time, resigned to the calamity that has befallen her home, and relying on the law to avenge the death of her child. "It was such a beautiful morning," said Mrs. Coleman to
  • Tuesday, 13th May 1913 New Theory is Offered in Phagan Mystery

    Solicitor Dorsey in his office; a snapshot of the Phagan case prosecutor taken by a Georgian photographer. Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 13th, 1913 Detectives Not Centering All Their Efforts on Frank and Lee Now. Detectives in Phagan mystery are not centering all their efforts upon Frank and Lee. New theories have been advanced, new clews examined and every possible theory is being investigated. It was because of these rumors on the streets to-day that a report was spread that an entirely new lead was being followed by Solicitor Dorsey that might eliminate both Frank and Lee. Solicitor Dorsey paid very
  • Wednesday, 14th May 1913 Friends Say Franks Actions Point to Innocence

    A young Leo Frank (top center) and friends enjoy a day at the beach in New York. Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 14th, 1913 If Leo M. Frank is guilty of any connection with the murder of Mary Phagan, his actions in the Tower belie the time-honored theories of the greatest criminologists the world has ever produced, visitors to the prisoner declare. Famous psychologists, working on the supposition that the great weight of guilt upon the mind of a murderer will, if given time, finally overbalance the calm exterior with which he faces his accusers, have made excellent use of what
  • Wednesday, 14th May 1913 Secret Hunt by Burns in Mystery is Likely

    William J. Burns Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 14th, 1913 Probably Will Not Reveal Presence in City as He Investigates Phagan Case. Colonel Thomas B. Felder said Wednesday that Detective William J. Burns had not arrived, as yet, in New York from his European trip, but that as soon as he did he undoubtedly would start at once for Atlanta to work upon the Mary Phagan strangling mystery. Colonel Felder is acquainted with the day and the hour on which the famous sleuth will reach this city, but for the purposes of the investigation he is withholding the information. "There was
  • Thursday, 15th May 1913 Burns Investigator Will Probe Slaying

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 15th, 1913 Noted Detective, Himself, to Take Up Case June 1—One of His Experts Coming Soon. Colonel Thomas B. Felder, noted Atlanta lawyer, Thursday issued the positive statement that William J. Burns would take charge of the Phagan investigation immediately upon his return from Europe, June 1. In the meantime a criminal investigator will be sent from the Burns Agency's New York office to prosecute the investigation. Colonel Felder gave out the following dispatch received from Raymond J. Burns, son of William J. Burns, in New York, which tells of the father's determination to take up
  • Friday, 16th May 1913 $1,000 Offered Burns to Take Phagan Case

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 16th, 1913 Subscriptions From Persons Who Withhold Names Increases the Fund—Other Rewards. The fund inaugurated to bring W. J. Burns, the renowned detective, to Atlanta to clear the Phagan mystery was augmented Friday by contributions which bring the total close to the thousand mark. More than six substantial subscriptions from persons who asked that their names be withheld have been received. The fund thus far made public is: The Georgian, $100. The Constitution, $100. Homer George, $10. The Georgian will be glad to receive contributions to the Burns' fund, and repeats its offer of $500 reward,
  • Friday, 16th May 1913 Burns Hunt for Phagan Slayer Begun

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 16th, 1913 Skilled Aide of Famous Detective Arrives in Atlanta—Keeps Identity Secret. Contributions for a fund to bring W. J. Burns, the great detective, to Atlanta in the Phagan case follow: The Georgian ……………$100 The Constitution ………..  100 Homer George …………..   10 More than six substantial subscriptions from persons who asked that their names be kept secret have been added to the above. The Burns investigation into the Phagan murder mystery began Friday. William J. Burns, who personally will conduct the case some time shortly after his arrival from Europe on June 1, cabled his orders
  • Friday, 16th May 1913 Secret Probe Began by Burns Agent into the Phagan Mystery

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 16th, 1913 Investigator for Great Detective Believed To Be in City Hunting Phagan Slayer—Will Be on Same Plane as Pinkertons—State Won't Aid. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey said Friday that William J. Burns and his assistants would work on the Phagan case under the same conditions as the Pinkertons, namely, that while he would welcome any information from them, they would receive none from his office. Mr. Dorsey issued the following statement: "Mr. Burns is welcome. We are delighted to have aid in arriving at the truth no matter from what source it comes. However, Mr.
  • Saturday, 17th May 1913 New Phagan Witnesses Have Been Found

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 17th, 1913 Solicitor General Dorsey Declares Work of His Greatest Detective Has Been Completed. WELCOMES AID OF BURNS IN CLEARING UP MYSTERY Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey said Saturday that his "greatest detective in America" would not figure again in the Phagan investigation, and that it was extremely doubtful whether he would be recalled to testify at the trial. "He has finished his investigation," said the Solicitor, "and we have no further need for him. A detective is one thing and a witness is another. His investigation led us to witnesses. It is not necessary for him,
  • Sunday, 18th May 1913 Burns, Called in as Last Resort, Faces Cold Trail in Baffling Phagan Case

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 18th, 1913 World's Most Famous Detective Must Disregard All Theories Advanced Thus Far and Must Evolve His Own Solution of the Mysterious Slaying. By AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. Can William J. Burns solve the Phagan mystery? I certainly hope so, as does everybody else who would like to see the guilty person in this extraordinary case brought to justice. Unless Burns and his assistants are successful, I fear we shall never know who actually committed the crime. In my article in The Sunday American on May 4, I said: "At present, on the evidence now before
  • Sunday, 18th May 1913 Burns Sleuth Makes Report in Phagan Case

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 18th, 1913 Progress of Investigation Into Girl's Slaying Very Rapid, Declares Felder. After 24 hours on the scene of the Phagan muder, the head of the department of criminal investigation of the Burns Detective Agency made his first report to his client, Thomas B. Felder, last night. The report was so satisfactory that Colonel Felder announced more had been accomplished in the 24 hours than in any week of the investigation before the arrival of the Burns detective. The fund to secure the services of William J. Burns and defray the expenses of the investigation of
  • Sunday, 18th May 1913 Greeks Add to Fund to Solve Phagan Case

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 18th, 1913 No people in Atlanta have been more anxious than the Greeks to see the murderer of little Mary Phagan brought to justice. A letter received by Colonel Thomas B. Felder yesterday enclosed a check for $25 from the Greek community to be added to the Burns fund, and carried with it a fervent wish that the mystery be cleared. The letter follows: I beg to enclose check for twenty-five dollars, which represents the proceeds of a spontaneous contribution of the members of the Greek Community, to the "Burns Fund." The Greeks of Atlanta wish
  • Monday, 19th May 1913 Burns Agent Outlines Phagan Theory

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 19th, 1913 Famous Detective's Aid, C. W. Tobie, Issues First Statement on Work in Slaying Case. C. W. Tobie, manager of the criminal department of the W. J. Burns Detective Agency, Monday made public his theory of the murder of Mary Phagan. For the first time the man who is representing Burns in Atlanta's greatest mystery until the noted detective arrived consented to see reporters. Tobie's theory is that Mary Phagan was murdered inside the National Pencil plant, by some one familiar with the premises, and that her body was dragged to the basement for purposes
  • Monday, 19th May 1913 Burns Eager to Solve Phagan Case

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 19th, 1913 Famous Detective Expected to Arrive From Europe and Start Work Before June 1. STARTLING NEW EVIDENCE IS REPORTED DISCOVERED Important Revelation Looked For To-day—Search Being Pushed With Renewed Vigor. Colonel Thomas B. Felder announced Monday morning that he had received word from William J. Burns that he would arrive in America before June 1 and would probably be on the scene of the Phagan slaying before that date. Colonel Felder said the great detective had taken an unusual interest in the Phagan mystery and he would not be surprised to hear from him in
  • Tuesday, 20th May 1913 Cases Ready Against Lee and Leo Frank

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 20th, 1913 Solicitor General Dorsey Declares All Evidence Will Go to the Grand Jury Friday. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey announced Tuesday morning that the State's case against Leo M. Frank and Newt Lee in connection with the Phagan murder, would go to the Grand Jury Friday of this week. He said that he could anticipate no new arrest or development that would make it necessary to change this plan. Mrs. Jane F. Carr, 251 Ponce De-Leon Avenue, in an open letter, asked every woman in Atlanta to contribute to the fund to employ the Burns
  • Wednesday, 21st May 1913 T. B. Felder Repudiates Report of Activity for Frank

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 21st, 1913 Stories That He Was Retained by Prisoner's Friends Silly, He Declares. Mystery piles up upon mystery in the Phagan case. Colonel Thomas B. Felder was asked Wednesday afternoon by The Georgian to reply to rumors circulating on the street, all making the general charge that he had been retained by friends of Leo Frank, prisoner in the Phagan case, and that his object in bringing the great detective, William J. Burns, here, was not to aid the prosecution. Colonel Felder said: "Any stories to that effect are silly and ridiculous—if nothing worse. Anybody who
  • Thursday, 22nd May 1913 Grand Jury Wont Hear Leo Frank or Lee

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 22nd, 1913 Understood That Cases Will Be Brought Separately, With One Accused as Accomplice. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey announced Thursday afternoon that he was prepared to go before the Grand Jury Friday morning with his strongest evidence in the case of Leo M. Frank and Newt Lee, held in connection with the murder of Mary Phagan. Although Mr. Dorsey would not discuss the form in which the cases would be presented, it was reliably stated they would be heard separately and the charge against one would be that he was an accessory to the fact.
  • Friday, 23rd May 1913 Dictograph Record Used Against Felder

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 23rd, 1913 The Georgian on Wednesday published an exclusive story that Colonel Thomas B. Felder was involved in the Phagan murder case in a manner that would at least require a very explicit explanation. Developments Friday would seem to indicate that the police officials intend to bring the whole matter before the Grand Jury for a thorough investigation of Felder's attitude for attempted bribery. He is accused by A. S. Colyar, Jr., of offering G. C. February , Chief Clerk to Newport Lanford, $1,000 for an affidavit made by J. W. Coleman and wife denying that
  • Friday, 23rd May 1913 Felder Denies Phagan Bribe; Calls Colyar Crook and Liar

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 23rd, 1913 Colonel Felder late this afternoon issued this statement: "The first development in this case was a visit from Colyar, at which he told me that the police were framing up on me, Dorsey and The Constitution. He said the police had affidavits to show that we were working in the interest of Leo Frank, and that large sums of money had been paid us and that I had been paid by an uncle of the accused man in New York." "Colyar also told me that he had proof of the corruption of Lanford and
  • Friday, 23rd May 1913 Felder Denies Phagan Bribery; Dictograph Record Used Against Felder

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 23rd, 1913 Affidavits and an alleged dictograph record made public Friday afternoon, accuse Colonel Thomas B. Felder of offering to G. C. February , a bribe of $1,000 for possession of police records of the Phagan case. These affidavits and the dictograph record are sworn to by A. S. Colyar, Jr., of Nashville, and February, who is stenographer to Newport Lanford, Chief of the Atlanta Detective Department. The Georgian on Wednesday published the fact that there were rumors on the streets that connected the name of Colonel Felder with the Phagan case in a sinister way.
  • Friday, 23rd May 1913 Frank Feeling Fine But Will Not Discuss His Case

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 23rd, 1913 Leo Frank was seen this morning by a reporter for the first time since he was put in jail. He absolutely refused to talk on the Mary Phagan murder mystery, saying he had been advised not to say a word. "What do you know about the affidavit, charging that on the night of the murder of Mary Phagan you called Mrs. Nina Famby on the telephone and tried to engage a room for yourself and a young girl?" "I will not talk," said Frank. "I have been cautioned not to say one word." "Do
  • Friday, 23rd May 1913 Here is Affidavit Charging Bribery

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 23rd, 1913 Here is an affidavit in possession of the police sworn today Lanford's secretary, G. C. Febuary and A. S. Colyar detailing the conversation alleged to have taken place Monday night in Colonel Felder's office: State of Georgia, County of Fulton—Personally appeared before me, a notary public in and for the above State and County, A. S. Colyar and G. C. Febuary, who being duly sworn, deposes and says, "We met Mr. Felder in his office Monday night at 8 o'clock p. m., and Mr. Felder said, ‘I know who killed Mary Phagan. I have
  • Friday, 23rd May 1913 Indictment of Both Lee and Frank is Asked

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 23rd, 1913 Great Mass of Evidence Carefully Prepared by Solicitor Submitted to Grand Jury. CRIME STUDIED 3 HOURS, ADJOURNS TILL SATURDAY Utmost Care Taken to Insure Secrecy at the Investigation, Diagram Studied. The Phagan case is now in the process of investigation by the Fulton County Grand Jury. Two bills for indictment of Leo M. Frank and Newt Lee, for the murder of Mary Phagan, were presented before that tribunal at its session Friday morning by Solicitor Dorsey. A host of witnesses gave their testimony. The torn and blood-stained clothing of the slain girl also was
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Beavers Says He Will Seek Indictments

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 "Gang of Vice Promoters Have Been After Me," Declares Police Chief. Chief of Police J. L. Beavers, in answering the turmoil of accusations of graft and frame-ups which have been cast at himself and Detective Chief Lanford, declared the whole to be the result of a plot of gangsters which has been working against him ever since he closed up the Tenderloin section of Atlanta. "This whole proposition is a fight against me by a gang of vice promoters," declared Chief Beavers. "Tom Felder is the leader of it and C. C. Jones is
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Blease Ironic in Comments on Felder Trap

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 COLUMBIA, S. C., May 24.—When asked for a comment upon the Felder dictograph story, Governor Blease dictated the following: I do not see that it is necessary for me to give out any interview or to have anything to say. It is not inside of my State and I do not suppose anybody that knows Tom Felder would be surprised if he is guilty, or if this is a scheme worked up by him to get a little cheap notoriety and advertisement. However, I presume that the members of the Atlanta Bar will immediately
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Colyar Called Convict and Insane

    A. S. Colyar, who figures in the dictograph sensation. Records show he has been confined in two insane asylums and numerous prisons. His operations are alleged to extend from New York to Mexico. He is a member of a prominent Tennessee family. His exploits with the dictograph have created a big sensation in the Phagan case. Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 Records Show He Has Been Confined in Numerous Prisons and Twice in Asylum. Who is A. S. Colyar? The records show that Colyar was once confined in the Middle Tennessee Insane Asylum, and that more recently he was
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Colyar Held for Forgery

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 A. S. Colyar, Jr., author of the alleged dictographing of Mayor Woodward and Colonel Thomas B. Felder, was placed under arrest Saturday afternoon at the request of Chief of Police Edward Connors of Knoxville, Tenn., on the charge of forgery. The arrest came on a capias from the Criminal Court of Knoxville. Upon receipt of the request from Connors, Police Chief Beavers ordered Colyar's arrest. Colyar was located at the corner of Forsyth and Marietta Streets by Detectives Chewning and Norris and taken to the police station. He was taken to Beavers' office and
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Dictograph Catches Mayor in Net

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 Sensational dictograph conversations, in which Mayor James G. Woodward, Charles C. Jones, former Tenderloin proprietor and present owner of the Rex saloon; E. O. Miles, a private detective; A. S. Colyar, accuser of Colonel T. B. Felder, and Chief Lanford's clerk, February , all figure, are made public by The Atlanta Georgian to-day. The conversations, all reported by a dictograph installed at the Williams House, in the same room and by the same man who figured to the "trapping" of Felder, tend to throw new and startling light on the alleged plot to "get"
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Dictograph Record Alleged Bribe Offer

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday , May 24th, 1913 Here follows, in part, the alleged dictograph record of the conversation that took place in a room in the Williams House Wednesday afternoon between Colonel Thomas B. Felder, G. C. Febuary and A. S. Colyar. Febuary: Let me understand you. You want this Coleman afdavit and all other Phagan afdavits that I can get hold of. Felder: Yes. Colyar told me that he was to have the evidence that would get those two chiefs out of commission, the Phagan papers and the Coleman afdavit. Now what have you got? Febuary: I haven't got these
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Felder Charges Police Plot to Shield Slayer

    G. C. Febuary Lanford's clerk, who alleges bribery offer; Febuary alleges that Felder offered $1,000 for police records. He is a modest, unassuming young man, in whom Lanford and Beavers have complete confidence. Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 Colonel Thomas B. Felder entered into an explicit and detailed denial to The Georgian of all the charges of attempted bribery contained in the affidavits signed by G. C. Febuary, secretary to Chief of Detectives Lanford, and A. S. Colyar, a private detective with spectacular career. Colonel Felder declared the alleged dictograph record of conversation he is alleged to have had
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Felders Fight is to Get Chief and Lanford Out of Office

    Burns showing how a dictograph can be concealed in a wall. The arrow points to the dictograph. The great detective holding a dictograph ready to place it to collect evidence. Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 Chief of Detectives Newport A. Lanford said Saturday that the whole sinister significance of the charges brought against Colonel Thomas B. Felder lay in the fact that the forces of evil in the city had been steadily laboring for the downfall of himself and Chief Beavers ever since the city was cleaned up and the disreputable resorts put out of business. He declared that
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Frame-Up Aimed at Burns Men, Says Tobie

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 Denouncing A. S. Colyar as an "eagle-beaked crook," W. C. Tobie, the Burns detective who is here making an investigation of the Phagan case, declared on Saturday that the charges of bribery and double-dealing brought against Felder were a frame-up concocted by the Pinkerton Detective Agency and the Atlanta Police Department, with these three ends in view: To discredit the Burns Agency. To drive the Burns Agency from the State of Georgia. To discredit Colonel Felder because he employed Burns men. Tobie charges also that Colyar was used as the "capper" in the frame-up.
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Jones Attacks Beavers and Charges Police Crookedness

    A. S. Colyar, who figures in the dictograph sensation. Records show he has been confined in two insane asylums and numerous prisons. His operations are alleged to extend from New York to Mexico. He is a member of a prominent Tennessee family. Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 The following conversation occurred in room No. 31, at Williams House No. 2, 34-36 N. Forsyth Street, Atlanta, Georgia, Wednesday evening, between 8 and 9 o'clock, between C. C. Jones, E. O. Miles and A. S. Colyar: Colyar—It has been very warm to-day, hasn't it? Miles—Yes, it has. I asked Mr. Felder
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Mayor Admits Dictograph is Correct

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 Denies, However, That He Ever Offered Money During Course of Conversation Recorded. Mayor Woodward Saturday admitted that the dictograph record of his conversation in the room of the mysterious Colyar was correct. After reading the report in The Georgian, he said: "This is not as strong as the conversation I told you I had before I knew they had a dictograph on me. "I did not offer them any money, but I will say now that I will subscribe to a fund that might unearth any graft in any city department. But I haven't
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Miles Says He Had Mayor Go to Room

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 Wanted Woodward to See Just What Sort of a Crook Colyar Was, He Declares. Edward O. Miles, a private detective, assumes the responsibility for the presence of Mayor Woodward at the Williams House, resulting in the dictographing of the Chief Executive of Atlanta. He also says it was at his suggestion Colonel Thomas B. Felder discontinued even his acquaintance with A. S. Colyar, the wild-eyed investigator from Tennessee. Miles' statement to a Georgian reporter follows: "Colonel Felder had already been to see Colyar and he asked me to go and see what he had;
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Plot on Life of Beavers Told by Colyar

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 But He Fails to Produce Man to Prove Charge, as He Promised. A. S. Colyar, Jr. failed entirely to produce the "mysterious man" whom he declared had been hired to "shoot to death" Chief of Police J. L. Beavers. When Colyar gave the sensational information of the conspiracy to kill the police official he declared that he would bring to police headquarters the man who had been secured to commit the deed; that this person would make affidavit to bear out the plot charges, and would swear also that he had been promised immunity
  • Saturday, 24th May 1913 Strangulation Charge is in Indictments

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 24th, 1913 True Bills Already Drawn by Solicitor Against Frank and Lee. The Grand Jury resumed Saturday morning the Phagan murder case with indictments against Leo M. Frank and Newt Lee charging strangulation. While nothing definite could be learned, it was confidently expected at the office of the Solicitor Saturday morning the case of Frank might be completed during the day. Only a few more witnesses were to be called. It was learned, and these could tell what they knew in a few hours. The indictments are the first of the kind to have been drawn
  • Sunday, 25th May 1913 Attorney, in Long Statement, Claims Dictograph Records Against Him Padded

    Colonel Thomas B. Felder in an earnest attitude, as he denies charges of attempted bribery and sourges Atlanta's police officials. Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Colonel Thomas B. Felder Saturday night issued an exhaustive statement denying once more that he had offered a bribe of $1,000 to Chief Lanford's clerk, G. C. February , for evidence involving his superiors; charging that the dictograph records of his conversations with February and A. S. Colyar were padded; denouncing Colyar as a proved crook and ex-convict, and charging wholesale corruption in the police department, particularly against Beavers and Lanford. He said he
  • Sunday, 25th May 1913 Colyar Arrest Proper End to Plot of Crook

    Mayor James G. Woodward, of Atlanta, accused by dictograph in conversation in A. S. Colyar's room at the Williams House, denies that he offered money to secure evidence of corruption against police and detective departments. Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Woodward Brands Dictograph Trap Scheme to Make Him "Goat" Against Beavers. Mayor Woodward declared Saturday night that the sensational dictograph records were merely the "froth of a plot of a ‘dirty gang,'" and too unworthy and ridiculous to require any official action from him. "I think the matter reached its proper culmination when the dirty old crook Colyar, seemingly
  • Sunday, 25th May 1913 Colyar, Held as Forger, is Freed on Bond; Long Crime Record Charged

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Athens Judge Tells Colonel Felder That Dictograph ‘Trapper' Is Under Suspended Sentence in Georgia. Knoxville Complaint To Be Pressed. A. S. Colyar, soldier of fortune, who plotted the destruction, by means of the dictograph, of Colonel T. B. Felder and Mayor Woodward, last night was released under bond from the city prison. The charge of forgery on which he was arrested, he declared, was trumped up in order to take him from Atlanta, and was brought, he says, by Felder or his friends. Colyar was arrested at Marietta and Forsyth Streets Saturday afternoon by
  • Sunday, 25th May 1913 Dorsey to Present Graft Charges if They Stand Up

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Hugh M. Dorsey, Solicitor General, made it plain last night that if investigation develops the fact that there is anything in the charges of graft and corruption in the police department, or that Colonel Felder attempted to bribe public officials to secure evidence in the Phagan case, he most assuredly would present the matter to the Grand Jury. He said, however, that he does not think the charges and counter charges would amount to anything when sifted to the final analysis, other than a controversy between the city detectives and the man who brought
  • Sunday, 25th May 1913 Ill Indict Gang, Says Beavers

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Declares He Will Die Fighting ‘Foes of Reform' Felder Denies Bribe Charges and Scores Police Chief Sees Conspiracy to Overthrow His Rule and Calls Felder Leader in the Plot Chief of Police James L. Beavers Saturday night gave to The Sunday American a sensational statement in reply to Colonel T. B. Felder's accusations against him and the police department, and declared that he would go before the Grand Jury, and seek to indict Felder and all others implicated in the "conspiracy" against him. He made it very plain that if there were men "higher
  • Sunday, 25th May 1913 Long Criminal Record of Colyar is Cited

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, May 25th, 1913 A deluge of statements and affidavits tending to connect him with criminal operations all over the United States and Mexico, and showing that he has served time in half a dozen penitentiaries and been an inmate of a number of insane asylums, poured in Saturday upon the head of A. S. Colyar, the man who has stirred the city with his dictograph plots and his graft and bribery accusations involving Colonel Thomas B. Felder, Mayor James G. Woodward and others. Twenty-four hours after Colyar fired his first shot he was in jail. He was
  • Monday, 26th May 1913 Accuses Tobie of Kidnaping Attempt

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 26th, 1913 Topeka, Kans., Chief Wires Beavers That Burns Detective Was Not Convicted. That the local police authorities are tracing the past record of C. W. Tobie, the Burns operative investigating the Phagan case, came definitely into light Monday morning when Police Chief Beavers received a telegram from the Chief of Police of Topeka, Kans., regarding the detective. The telegram was in answer to one sent by Beavers some days ago to Topeka asking for Tobie's police record there. The answer stated that while Tobie had been involved in a kidnaping case in Topeka, that he
  • Monday, 26th May 1913 Evidence Against Frank Conclusive, Say Police

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 26th, 1913 Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford Monday announced that the mystery of the Mary Phagan tragedy is solved, as nearly as is possible without the absolute, direct testimony of eyewitnesses, and expressed himself as perfectly satisfied with the evidence now in hand. Accompanying this statement comes the authoritative announcement that the great strangling crime will be placed on Leo M. Frank, now under indictment on the charge of murder, and that Newt Lee, the suspected negro night watchman of the National Pencil Factory, will not be indicted. Lee will be held in jail until the
  • Monday, 26th May 1913 Lay Bribery Effort to Franks Friends

    Mrs. Nina Fomby, woman who made affidavit that Leo M. Frank had telephoned to her on the day of Mary Phagan's death trying to get a room for himself and a girl. Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 26th, 1913 Chief of Detectives Lanford was given two papers Monday accusing friends of Leo M. Frank of attempting to bribe a man and a woman to swear that they saw Mary Phagan at 10:30 Saturday night, April 26, at a soda fountain at Marietta and Forsyth Streets. These papers were given Lanford by A. S. Colyar, whose entrance into the Phagan case has
  • Monday, 26th May 1913 Mason Blocks Attempt to Oust Chief

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 26th, 1913 Police Board Minority as Anxious to Overthrow Chairman as Beavers and Lanford. Well informed politicians declared Monday that any efforts to remove Chief of Police Beavers and Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford were doomed to failure because of the support of the two officers by Carlos Mason, chairman of the Police Board, and his supporters. Despite rumors of changes of line-up on account of developments of the last few days, all indications are that, if the issue of removing Beavers and Lanford is made, the relative strength of the two old factions will remain
  • Monday, 26th May 1913 Mayor Eager to Bring Back Tenderloin, Declares Chief

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 26th, 1913 Chief of Police James L. Beavers issued a statement Monday forenoon defying his accusers to prove that he had been guilty of any act of moral turpitude as Chief of Police or as a citizen. He characterized the attack by Colonel Thomas B. Felder merely as an effort to detract attention from his own (Felder's) actions. Referring to A. S. Colyar, in his sweeping denial of the charges that have been made against the police department, he made the pertinent observation, "that it many times required a crook to turn up another crook." "I
  • Monday, 26th May 1913 Mayor Gives Out Sizzling Reply to Chief Beavers

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 26th, 1913 Mayor James G. Woodward Monday gave out a sizzling interview in reply to Police Chief Beavers' accusations, which he concluded with this statement: "If Beavers and Lanford authorized February . ‘a trusted man,' to go out and tell lies about corruption in the department in an effort to trap somebody, they are unworthy to hold the places they occupy, and the sooner they are put out the better it will be for the police department and the city. "February has proved that he is not fit to serve in the police department in any
  • Monday, 26th May 1913 Pinkerton Man Says Frank is Guilty

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 26th, 1913 Pencil Factory Owners Told Him Not to Shield Superintendent, Scott Declares. Harry Scott, assistant superintendent of the Pinkertons, announced Monday his belief that Leo M. Frank was responsible for the slaying of 14-year-old Mary Phagan April 26. He added that his agency had been working on this theory from the time its services were engaged by officials of the National Pencil Company, two days after the crime. Scott previously had said the Pinkertons were on the case to find the guilty man, even though it might be Frank. His latest statement is believed to
  • Monday, 26th May 1913 Will Take Charge of Graft to Grand Jury for Vindication

    Thomas B. Felder, and his expansive smile. This photograph was taken before Chief Beavers started out to make him prove his charges. What sort of a smile will Felder wear when Beavers gets through with him? Atlanta Georgian Monday, May 26th, 1913 Chief of Police Beavers and Chief of Detectives Lanford both stated emphatically Monday that they intended to go to the full limit of the law in making Thomas B. Felder prove his charges of graft in the police department. Both Beavers and Lanford will take the matter before the Grand Jury, and they will take other action in
  • Tuesday, 27th May 1913 Burns Man Quits Case; Declares He Is Opposed

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 27th, 1913 C. W. Tobie, chief criminal investigator for the Burns Detective Agency, formally withdrew from the Phagan investigation Tuesday morning. The calling off of the Burns forces was announced by Dan P. Lehon, superintendent of the Southern branch, after Tobie had stated explicitly that he would not withdraw from the case. Colonel Thomas B. Felder, who brought the Burns detectives into the Phagan case, would make no statement relative to their withdrawal but announced that it did not mean the end of his investigation or connection with the case. Tobie made up his mind last
  • Tuesday, 27th May 1913 Felder Aide Offers Vice List to Chief

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 27th, 1913 Attorney Carl Hutcheson Accuse Beavers of Permitting Unlawful Houses to Operate. GAMBLER'S PLOT, SAYS LANFORD IN HOT REPLY Detective Head Declares "Ring" Is Trying to Fix Charge of Bribery Against Him. Ignoring the fresh volley of charges made by Carl Hutcheson, an attorney, who offers to cite resorts which are allowed to operate by the city police. Chief Beavers Tuesday morning reiterated his declaration that the entire matter would be laid bare before the Grand Jury for decision. Detective Chief Lanford revealed another angle of the warfare when he declared that the fight being
  • Tuesday, 27th May 1913 State Faces Big Task in Trial of Frank as Slayer

    Luther Z. Rosser, who is leading attorney of counsel for the defense of Leo M. Frank, indicted for the murder of Mary Phagan at the National Pencil factory. Mr. Rosser, as usual, is playing a game of silence. He has not indicated his line of defense. Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 27th, 1913 What will be the defense of Leo M. Frank when he is called upon next month to answer to the charge of strangling little Mary Phagan? With the confident announcement of the police Monday that they had completed a case against the factory superintendent that was as conclusive
  • Tuesday, 27th May 1913 Suspicion Turned to Conley; Accused by Factory Foreman

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 27th, 1913 Negro, Whose Story That He Wrote Notes at Frank's Dictation Is Generally Disbelieved, Was Often Drunk. Mrs. White Can Not Identify Him. Suspicion in the Phagan case was Tuesday morning turned full-flare upon James Conley, the negro whose unexpected assertion last week that he had written the notes found beside the body of Mary Phagan, at the dictation of Leo M. Frank, was followed by a speedy indictment of the pencil factory superintendent. In the opinion of E. F. Holloway, timekeeper and foreman in the factory, Conley is the guilty man. Careful study of
  • Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Chief Beavers to Renew His Vice War

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 28th, 1913 Declares That He Will "Clean Out" Disorderly Places When Hutcheson Furnishes List. Renewed crusades to clean out vice in Atlanta have been precipitated by the publication Tuesday of an open letter to Chief of Police Beavers by Carl Hutcheson, an Atlanta attorney. Chief Beavers called up Hutcheson with a demand for his information, asking names, addresses and character of occupants, and declared Wednesday that he would proceed to clean up if the requested information was furnished. Hutcheson is now preparing a list of the places which he declared are immoral and told the chief
  • Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Conley Says Frank Took Him to Plant on Day of Slaying

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 28th, 1913 Negro Sweeper in New Affidavit Denies His Former Testimony and Makes Startling Assertions; Now Declares He Wrote Notes Saturday. James Conley, negro sweeper, in an affidavit made Wednesday, said that he was lying when he said he went to the National Pencil Factory on Friday. He said that he made the statement that it was Friday when Frank (as he says) told him to write the death notes, because he was afraid he would be accused of the murder of Mary Phagan if he told the truth. He said he felt that if he
  • Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Conley Was in Factory on Day of Slaying

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 28th, 1913 Police Secure Admission From Negro Sweeper During Examination for Phagan Clews. Admission that he was in the National Pencil factory on the day of the murder of Mary Phagan was gained from James Conley, the negro sweeper on whom suspicion has turned, after cross-examination by detectives at police headquarters. The negro, who became the center of attention with his amazing story that Leo Frank had told him to write the death notes, changed his narrative again to-day. Confronted by E. F. Holloway, a foreman in the plant, he admitted having been in the factory
  • Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Woman Writes in Defense of Leo M. Frank

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, May 28th, 1913 Mrs. Rebecca Brannon Declares Her Belief in Innocence of Factory Superintendent. Mrs. Rebecca C. Brannon, 356 Forest Avenue, a well known Atlanta woman, has written a letter to The Georgian in defense of Leo M. Frank. Mrs. Brannon, in her communication, avows a strong belief in the pencil factory superintendent's innocence, and denounces the hardships which the law has thrust upon him. In line with its policy to present all sides of the Phagan case, The Georgian herewith prints Mrs. Brannon's letter: In the name of God, humanity, and justice, I beg the public
  • Thursday, 29th May 1913 Burns Joins in Hunt for Phagan Slayer

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 29th, 1913 All Evidence Gathered by His Operatives Sent to the Noted Detective. James Conley, the negro sweeper at the National Pencil Factory who has turned suspicion on himself with a maze of contradictory statements, was put through a gruelling third degree examination at police headquarters this afternoon. Pinkerton Detective Harry Scott said as the grilling began before Chief Beavers and Chief Lanford that he expected to glean important information. Scott had interviewed factory employees and was convinced that there were many things to be cleared up before the negro's second affidavit, on which the police
  • Thursday, 29th May 1913 Conley Re-enacts in Plant Part He Says He Took in Slaying

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 29th, 1913 With Detectives Looking On, Negro Shows How He Carried Girl's Body to Basement at Direction, as He Swear, of His Employer, Leo Frank. As a sensational climax to the confession of his part of the Mary Phagan tragedy, Jim Conley, negro sweeper, was taken to the National encil Factory Friday afternoon, where he enacted by movement every detail of the event that took place in the building of mystery after the death of the little girl. With the detectives noting every sentence that fell from the ready lips of the negro, Conley started from
  • Thursday, 29th May 1913 Felder Bribery Charge Expected

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 29th, 1913 Believed Beavers Will Try to Have Grand Jury Consider Accusations Against Attorney. That bribery charges against Colonel Thomas B. Felder and others will be placed before the Fulton County Grand Jury by police officials, was the indication when G. C. February, secretary of Chief of Detectives Lanford, and the person alleged to have been offered $1,000 in bribe money, secured a subpena Thursday afternoon for A. S. Colyar, Jr., to appear before Solicitor General Dorsey and give testimony Friday morning. The subpena formally summoned Colyar, who was the author of the dictographing of Felder
  • Thursday, 29th May 1913 Negro Conleys Affidavit Lays Bare Slaying

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 29th, 1913 Swears Frank Told Him Girl Had Hit Her Head Against Something. The Georgian in it second Extra published exclusively the first REAL confession of James Conley, the negro sweeper at the National Pencil Factory, regarding the part he played in the Mary Phagan mystery. The Georgian has dealt in no haphazard guesses as to the negro Conley's testimony to the police and in giving prominence to his statements desires to say that it must not be taken as final until it is examined at the trial of Frank. Atlanta, Georgia, April 29, 1913. On
  • Thursday, 29th May 1913 Ready to Indict Conley as an Accomplice

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, May 29th, 1913 Dorsey Ready to Act if Negro Sticks to Latest Story Accusing Frank. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey announced that if Conley persisted in his story he would take steps to have him indicted as an accessory after the fact and bring him to trial on this charge. Conley was Friday afternoon removed to the Tower, on an order signed by Judge Roan. Conley's startling tale came late Thursday afternoon after he had been under a merciless sweating for nearly three hours. Noting the signs of weakening, Detective Harry Scott and Chief Lanford shot question
  • Friday, 30th May 1913 Negro Conley Now Says He Helped to Carry Away Body

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 30th, 1913 Chief of Detectives Lanford admitted Friday morning that Jim Conley, under the rack of the third degree, had made the astounding confession that he had assisted Leo M. Frank in disposing of the body of the murdered Mary Phagan. His new statement is believed to contain even more startling admissions than have not yet been made public. If the negro sweeper is to be believed after his long series of deceits and lies, this forms the most damaging evidence that has been brought against Frank since suspicion was first pointed in his direction a
  • Saturday, 31st May 1913 Conley Star Actor in Dramatic Third Degree

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 31st, 1913 In all the grim annals of Atlanta's criminal history an illiterate negro, Jim Conley, stands out to-day the principal figure in one of the most remarkable and dramatically impressive "third degrees" ever administered by the city police. A chief of police, ordinarily stolid and unmoved, and chief of detectives and members of his force, a Pinkerton operative—all men in daily touch with every sort of crime and evil—hung with tensest interest on each word as it came from the lips of the negro, and watched, as wide-eyed as any tyro in man-hunting, the negro's
  • Saturday, 31st May 1913 Plan to Confront Conley and Frank for New Admission

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 31st, 1913 Police Hope Meeting Will Prove Whether Negro Will Stick to Latest Story Under Eyes of the Man He Accuses—Ready to Pay Penalty. A determined effort is being made by the police department to bring Leo M. Frank face to face with his accuser, Jim Conley, the negro sweeper. The detectives wish to learn how Conley will go through the ordeal of confronting the man he accuses of directing the disposal of the body of Mary Phagan, and dictating the notes that were found her body. They desire also to give Frank an opportunity to
  • Saturday, 31st May 1913 Silence of Conley Put to End by Georgian

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 31st, 1913 That The Georgian played a conspicuous part in obtaining the latest and most important confession from Jim Conley, the negro sweeper, in which he admitted his complicity in the crime, was the declaration of Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford late Friday afternoon. Chief Lanford, in telling of the cross-examination of Conley on Thursday afternoon which resulted in his confession, said that Conley for a long time persisted in maintaining that he knew no more of the crime than what which he had related previously. After several hours of futile questioning the chief showed him
  • Saturday, 31st May 1913 Special Session of Grand Jury Called

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, May 31st, 1913 Will Reconvene Next Tuesday for Routine Business Only, Declares Foreman Beck. Lewis H. Beck, foreman of the Fulton County Grand Jury, which has been called to meet in special session at 10 o'clock next Thursday morning, said Saturday afternoon that the Grand Jury positively would not take up either the Phagan case or the Felder-Beavers row. The purpose of the special session, Mr. Beck said, was to appoint certain committee. Mr. Beck went a step furthere and said the Grand Jury had been called for no other purpose except to appoint these committees and
  • Sunday, 1st June 1913 Confession of Conley Makes No Changes in States Case

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June 1st, 1913 Negro Will Be Used as Material Evidence Against Frank, Says Solicitor Dorsey LEE LIKELY TO BE FREED Sweeper Sticks to Story Accusing Head of Pencil Factory of Phagan Slaying. The startling confessions by Jim Conley of the part he played in the Phagan murder mystery have not changed the State's case in any of its essential features, according to an announcement from Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey, at the close of a long examination of the negro yesterday. Stormed at for several hours by the Solicitor and the city detectives, Conley's story was unchanged
  • Sunday, 1st June 1913 Conley is Unwittingly Friend of Frank, Says Old Police Reporter

      Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June 1st, 1913 By AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. Developments came thick and fast during the past week, and one is able to approach consideration of the Phagan case to-day with more assurance and ease of mind than heretofore. Distinctly have the clouds lifted, so I think, from about Leo Frank, and if not yet are they "in the deep bosom of the ocean buried," they have, nevertheless I take it, served to let a measure of the sunshine in. Leo Frank, snatching eagerly at that faltering ray of blessed and thrice-welcome light, may thank the negro
  • Sunday, 1st June 1913 Conleys Story Cinches Case Against Frank, Says Lanford

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June 1st, 1913 ‘He Has Told the Whole Truth—There's Not a Lawyer Who Can Shake Him,' Asserts Chief. Jim Conley has told the whole truth—there's not a shadow of a doubt about it. We feel perfectly satisfied now with the case against Frank. If we had the least suspicion that his story were false, we could not feel satisfied—we would be puzzled and worried just as much as when the crime was first committed. Conley's evidence cinches the case against Frank. He will go on the witness stand in the trial of Frank and tell his story
  • Sunday, 1st June 1913 Dorseys Grill Fails to Make Conley Admit Hand in Killing

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June, 1st, 1913 Does Not Deviate In Least From Detailed Story Despite Traps to Snare Him FRANK APPEARS PLEASED Prisoner Tells His Friends That Sweeper's Affidavit Is Good News to Him A gruelling cross-examination of Jim Conley, confessed accessory in the murder of Mary Phagan, in an effort to break down his charges against Leo M. Frank as the actual slayer of the little girl, was made by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey late Saturday afternoon. Before the rapid-fire questioning, in which every imaginable snare was set to entrap him, the negro did not deviate one iota
  • Sunday, 1st June 1913 Today is Mary Phagans Birthday; Mother Tells of Party She Planned

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June 1st, 1913 Parents Intended to Give Child Happy Surprise—Now They Will Strew Flowers on Her Grave in Marietta Churchyard. By MIGNON HALL. This will be the saddest Sunday with Mary Phagan's family since that fatal Sunday just five weeks ago when the little girl's body was found hidden away in the basement of the National Pencil factory. For to-day is Mary's birthday, and it had been planned by her mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Coleman, that they would give her a party. If she had lived it would have been celebrated last night
  • Monday, 2nd June 1913 5 to Testify Frank Was at Home at Hour Negro Says He Aided

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, June 2nd, 1913 Defense to Cite Discrepancies in Time to Disprove Conley's Affidavit—Sheriff Denies Friends of Superintendent Approached Sweeper in Cell. After a two-hour grilling by Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey Minola McKnight, a negro woman about 21 years old, was taken to police headquarters and is held under suspicion in connection with the murder of Mary Phagan. She is believed to have made sensational disclosures to the solicitor. At the police station she was in hysteria, shouting: "I am going to hang, but I didn't do it." * * * Five persons will be prepared to testify
  • Monday, 2nd June 1913 Beavers to Talk Over the Felder Row With Dorsey

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, June 2nd, 1913 Dictograph conversations and alleged bribery charges will be discussed by Chief of Police Beavers and Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey at a conference to be held to-day. Chief Beavers is ready to have every one who had anything to do with the graft charges called before the Grand Jury, and if conspiracy can be proven it is very probable there will be indictments. However, it is all up to Solicitor General Dorsey just what will be done. It is thought that, owing to the present state of the Phagan case, the dictographers will not be
  • Monday, 2nd June 1913 Negro Cook at Home Where Frank Lived Held by the Police

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, June 2nd, 1913 Woman Questioned by Dorsey, Becomes Hysterical; Solicitor Refuses to Tell Whether She Gave Important Information; Alibi for Defense. Minola Mcknight, the negro cook in the household of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Selig, 68 Georgia Avenue, with whom Leo M. Frank lived, was put through the severest sort of grilling in the office of Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey Monday in an effort to break down Frank's alibi which tends to show that he was at home about the time James Conley swore the notes found by Mary Phagan's body were written. The negro woman grew
  • Tuesday, the 3rd of June, 1913, Bitter Fight Certain in Trial of Leo Frank

        Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, June 3rd, 1913 Defense Prepares to Show Glaring Discrepancies in Affidavit of James Conley. "Developments of a startling nature may be expected from day to day in the Phagan case," said Chief of Detectives Lanford Tuesday morning. "They may be expected right up to the date that the trial of Leo Frank begins. "That we feel we practically have a conclusive case against the factory superintendent does not mean that we are resting in our labors to the slightest extent. We are a little more at rest in our minds, that is all. "The detectives
  • Tuesday, 3rd June 1913 Felder Says He Will Lay Bare Startling Police Graft Plans

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, June 3rd, 1913 Attorney Ready to Go Before Grand Jury, but Has Not Been Called; Hutcheson Summoned in the Airing of the Dictograph Controversy. Colonel Thomas B. Felder appeared before the Grand Jury Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock, prepared, he said, to substantiate every charge he had made against the police department and its heads, and promising to open the eyes of the city to a condition of affairs that was startling in the extreme. "I have not been served with a subpena to go before the Grand Jury," Colonel Felder said, "but Mr. Hutcheson has been,
  • Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Cooks Sensational Affidavit

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, June 4th, 1913 Says She Heard Frank's Wife Tell Mother Frank Had Threatened Suicide Incoherent Statement by Employee of Frank Household That Must Not Be Taken as Legal Evidence Until Heard and Corroborated in Court. Another sensational but strangely incoherent affidavit in the Mary Phagan mystery was made public this afternoon when the police gave out what purports to be a startling statement sworn to by Minola McKnight, negro cook in the Frank household, who was grilled for two hours at police headquarters Tuesday. The statement quotes the McKnight woman as declaring that she overheard Mrs. Leo
  • Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Fain Named in Vice Quiz as Resort Visitor

    Mayor James G. Woodward (left), leaving Grand Jury room after testifying in vice probe; Thomas B. Felder (middle), who exonerates Beavers of graft charges but declares war on Lanford; Carl Hutcheson (right), who gave Grand Jury list of "houses in our midst." Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, June 4th, 1913 Police Commissioner Accused Before Grand Jury of Brawl in Disorderly House. As a climax of revelations made before the Grand Jury in its probe of vice conditions in Atlanta, Police Commissioner William F. Fain was named as the central figure in a carousal said to have been held in a house on
  • Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Franks Cook Was Counted Upon as Defense Witness

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, June 4th, 1913 While police activities have been turned to this line of investigation, the negro sweeper, Jim Conley, has been given a rest. Chief of Detectives Lanford stated that the negro would be quizzed no more. Cook Counted on by Defense. "If he has not told the whole truth," said the Chief, "he will send for me within the next few days, I believe." The cook is one of the five witnesses upon whom the defense has relied to prove that Frank returned home for luncheon at 1:20 o'clock the Saturday afternoon of the murder and
  • Thursday, 5th June 1913 Challenges Felder to Prove His Charge

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, June 5th, 1913 Attorney Reiterates Graft Accusations Following Lanford's Defiance—Offers More Proof. Newport A. Lanford, Chief of Detectives, issued a statement Thursday morning defying Colonel Thomas B. Felder, or anyone, to substantiate the charge of graft made against him and his department in the Grand Jury's probe of vice conditions and alleged corruption in the detective and police departments. "I defy Felder, or anyone, to prove to the Grand Jury that a penny of graft has ever gone into the detective department, and I defy him to substantiate one of his blackmailing utterances against me. He can't
  • Thursday, 5th June 1913 Cook Repudiates Entire Affidavit Police Possess

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, June 5th, 1913 Utter repudiation of the affidavits which she was alleged to have sworn to incriminating conversations in the home of Leo M. Frank, indicted for the slaying of Mary Phagan, was made Thursday by Minola McKnight, negro cook for the accused factory superintendent and his wife's parents. The woman denies absolutely every statement attributed to her by the police, and denies that she even signed the paper made public by the police. The Georgian presented the McKnight affidavit to its readers with the distinct admonition that it must not be accepted as credible evidence until
  • Thursday, 5th June 1913 I Know My Husband is Innocent, Asserts Wife of Leo M. Frank

    Portrait of Lucille Selig Frank Atlanta Georgian Thursday, June 5th, 1913 Following the complete denial by Minola McKnight, cook in the household of Leo M. Frank, of the statements she is alleged to have made in the sensational police affidavit given out Wednesday, Mrs. Leo M. Frank Thursday made her first public statement on the Mary Phagan mystery. Mrs. Frank makes an eloquently pathetic defense of her husband and attacks Solicitor General Dorsey's methods in the securing of evidence, charging torture and a deliberate determination to distort facts. Mrs. Frank denies absolutely that her husband in any way demeaned himself
  • Thursday, 5th June 1913 Mother Here to Aid Frank in Trial

    Atlanta Georgian Thursday, June 5th, 1913 With the time when Leo M. Frank will go on trial for the murder of Mary Phagan rapidly approaching, perhaps no greater reinforcement to the accused pencil factory superintendent in facing his ordeal has been made than that in the person of his mother, who is now in Atlanta at the Selig home. Mrs. Frank came on from Brooklyn, where she makes her home, and where Frank himself formerly resided. She will remain until after the trial. A woman of considerable age, Mrs. Frank has shown wonderful bravery in coming to share her son's
  • Thursday, 5th June 1913 New Conley Confession Reported to Jury

    George Gentry, operator of the dictograph, alleged to have trapped Colonel T. B. Felder and Mayor Woodward. Gentry now is missing. Atlanta Georgian Thursday, June 5th, 1913 Probers Question Colyar and Febuary About Alleged Admissions by Negro. Chief Lanford, in discussing the near-fight between himself and Attorney Felder in Solicitor Dorsey's office Thursday morning, characterized his opponent as all bluff. "Felder is a coward and void of all truth," declared Chief Lanford. "If I had been left with him alone for one minute I would have showed the rascal up. I wouldn't have cared if he had a dozen pistols.
  • Friday, 6th June 1913 Chief Says Law Balks His War on Vice

    L. H. Beck, foreman of Fulton County Grand Jury that is investigating vice conditions in Atlanta, the Felder bribery charges and the famous dictograph row. Mr. Beck is the one who launched the probe of reports that vice exists here. Atlanta Georgian Friday, June 6th, 1913 Resort in Spring Street Flourishes While Injunction Prevents Police Interference It became known Friday that Chief of Police James L. Beavers made the startling charge before the vice investigating Grand Jury that the courts of the State of Georgia made it impossible for him to close the most notorious resort that had ever operated
  • Friday, 6th June 1913 Report Negro Found Who Saw Phagan Attack

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, June 6th, 1913 St. Louis, June 6.—That a negro, who is alleged to have said he witnessed the murder of Mary Phagan in Atlanta, is under arrest in Cairo, Ill., and is about to be returned to Atlanta by a Pinkerton detective, was the information brought into St. Louis today by a passenger who declared he overheard a conversation betwene the detective and an attorney in the case who were on the train en route to Cairo. According to the passenger, the negro has admitted that he was in Atlanta with a show at the time of
  • Saturday, 7th June 1913 Defense Bends Efforts to Prove Conley Slayer

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, June 7th, 1913 The defense of Leo Frank against the charge of murdering Mary Phagan will be more than a mere attempt to clear Frank's skirts. It will seek directly to fix upon James Conley, negro, full and complete responsibility for the crime. Despite the secretiveness and the silence of Frank's attorneys, it has been ascertained with a reasonable degree of authority that the foregoing is the program of the defense, and that the defense believes itself abundantly prepared to take care of itself along that line. An ironclad alibi, covering all the time cited in the
  • Saturday, 7th June 1913 Defense Digs Deep to Show Conley is Phagan Girl Slayer

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, June 7th, 1913 Getting New Evidence to Show Negro Was Located in Factory—Theory Explains Mystery of Staple Pulled From Back Door of Basement. The defense of Leo Frank against the charge of murdering Mary Phagan will be more than a mere attempt to clear Frank's skirts of the crime. It will seek directly to fix upon James Conley, negro, full and complete responsibility for the crime. Despite the secretiveness and the silence of Frank's attorneys, it has been ascertained with a reasonable degree of authority that the foregoing is the program of the defense, and that the
  • Saturday, 7th June 1913 Mrs. Frank Attacks Solicitor H. M. Dorsey in a New Statement

    Atlanta Georgian Saturday, June 7th, 1913 Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey refused late Saturday afternoon to make reply to the reiterated accusations of Mrs. Leo M. Frank that "torture chamber" methods were made use of by the state to secure evidence from witnesses. "I havn't had time to read Mrs. Frank's statement fully," declared Mr. Dorsey, "and even though I did read it, I do not know that I would reply to it." Mrs. Frank's second letter was made public Saturday morning and is as follows: Atlanta Georgia, June 7, 1913. Editor Atlanta Georgian: I think fairness to Mr. Frank requires
  • Sunday, 8th June 1913 Fair Play Alone Can Find Truth in Phagan Puzzle, Declares Old Reporter

    Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June 8th, 1913 Average Atlantan Believes Frank is Guilty, but That Little Real Evidence Has Yet Pointed to Him as Slayer. Stirring Defense by Wife and Attack on Solicitor Dorsey Are Two Striking Features of Week's Progress in Case. by AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. I have thought a good deal during the past week about a fine young newspaper man I used to know some fifteen years ago, and particularly of the last thing he said to me before he died. He was a Georgian, too. We had been college mates and fraternity mates, and all that
  • Monday, 9th June 1913 Foreman Tells Why He Holds Conley Guilty

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, June 9th, 1913 R. P. Barrett, in Letter to Georgian, Gives Reasons for Suspecting Negro of Crime. R. P. Barrett, foreman of the metal department at the National Pencil Factory, in a letter to The Georgian Monday, gives his reasons for believing that Jim Conley, negro sweeper at the plant, attacked and strangled Mary Phagan. It was Barrett who found the strands of hair on the lathing machine in his department. This is supposed to be where the girl was thrown against the machine in her struggles. Later Barrett testified positively that the blood stains in the
  • Monday, 9th June 1913 Rosser Asks Grand Jury Grill for Conley

    The Atlanta Georgian June 9, 1913 Luther Z. Rosser, chief of counsel for Leo M. Frank, issued the first public statement Tuesday that he has made since the arrest of the factory superintendent six weeks ago on the suspicion of being the murderer of Mary Phagan. He took occasion to point out many of the absurdities in the stories of the negro Jim Conley, and paid his respects in a forcible manner both to Chief of Detectives Lanford and Colonel Thomas B. Felder, who have been accusing each other of trying to protect Frank. Mr. Rosser explained the violation of
  • Tuesday, 10th June 1913 Eyewitness to Phagan Slaying Sought

    Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, June 10th, 1913 Story That Companion of Conley Saw Him Strike Down Girl Opens New Clews. Jim Conley, whose sensational story has made him an accessory after the fact in the murder of Mary Phagan, is sticking closely to the details he unfolded in his remarkable affidavit, according to his attorney, William M. Smith. Mr. Smith said Tuesday morning that Conley has varied in no essential particular from the original tale of his part in the disposal of the body of the strangled girl, under the direction of Leo Frank. To Mr. Smith and others who have
  • Tuesday, 10th June 1913 Indictment of Felder and Fain Asked

    The Atlanta Georgian June 10, 1913 Assistant Solicitor E. A. Stephens virtually admitted this afternoon that Police Commissioner W. P. Fain had been indicted. There was a division of the vote, it was said, but the majority was for indictment. With blank bills of indictment against Attorney Thomas B. Felder and Police Commissioner W. P. Fain under consideration, the vice probe by the Fulton County Grand Jury took a sensational turn Tuesday. Two witnesses told of disorder and rowdyism in a house at 40 East Harris Street, in which the Police Commissioner was said to have been involved. The disorder,
  • Wednesday, 11th June 1913 Asks Beavers to Investigate Affidavit

    The Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, June 11, 1913 Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford telegraphed Chief of Police Beavers in Washington, D. C., Wednesday morning to investigate the origin of the affidavit bearing the signature of George M. Gentry in connection with the dictograph plot. The detective chief asked Chief Beavers to find Jeannette Henning, the notary in the national capital who swore Gentry to his statement, and ascertain if the stenographer signed the affidavit which was brought to Atlanta by Detective E. O. Miles. The telegram asked that a minute investigation of the statement be made and the conditions under which
  • Wednesday, 11th June 1913 Felder Returns Phagan Fund to Givers

    The Atlanta Georgian June 11, 1913 Attorney Explains Disposition of Money Subscribed to Secure Burns' Services. Colonel Thomas B. Felder Wednesday issued an itemized statement of the funds subscribed by Atlanta citizens, to secure the employment of the Burns Detective Agency to investigate the Phagan mystery, to show that these funds had been returned to the donors. According to Mr. Felder's statement, but $102 was actually subscribed. This amount was placed in the hands of Curtis N. Anderson, a member and treasurer of the law firm of Felder, Anderson, Dillon & Whitman. In a letetr to Colonel Felder, dated June
  • Wednesday, 11th June 1913 Plot Exposed, Says Felder, But Lanford Doubts Affidavit

    The Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, June 11, 1913 In New Sworn Statement Gentry Declares He Came to Realize He Was Dealing with "Bunch of Crooks"—Charges Lanford and Beavers Names Were Inserted. That the dictograph conversations in which it was plotted to trap Colonel Thomas B. Felder, Mayor Woodward and C. C. Jones were padded and altered in meaning is the sensational charge brought back to Atlanta in an affidavit sworn to by George M. Gentry, who fled to Washington after the conversations, in their alleged garbled form, had been offered for publication by A. S. Colyar, Jr., and printed. Gentry's charges
  • Wednesday, 11th June 1913 Police Hold Conley By Courts Order

    Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, June 11th, 1913 Judge Roan Gives Suspect Chance to Show Why He Should Not Be Released. The Phagan case took a queer turn Wednesday afternoon when Judge Roan, apparently stirred by Luther Z. Rosser's araignment of the way Jim Conley has been "petted" by the police, issued notice to suspects in the mystery that they will be given opportunity Friday to show cause why the negro should not be released from custody as a suspect. However, the move is strictly legal in character, Conley, through his attorney, W. M. Smith, having signed a written statement to stay
  • Thursday, 12th June 1913 Face Conley and Frank, Lanford Urges

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, June 12, 1913 Detective Chief Ready to Have Accuser Confront Prisoner Before Grand Jury. New sensations are expected in the Phagan mystery Friday morning when the petition of Solicitor Dorsey for the revocation of the order holding James Conley as a material witness is heard before Judge L. S. Roan. Luther Z. Rosser, attorney for Leo Frank, will be afforded his first opportunity formally to present his reasons for the holding of James Conley, not only as a material witness in the baffling murder mystery, but as an actual suspect. While it is not anticipated that
  • Friday, 13th June 1913 Judge Roan to Decide Conleys Jail Fate

    Atlanta Georgian Friday, June 13th, 1913 Chief of Detectives Lanford Receives No Order to Take the Negro Sweeper to Court. A more explicit accusation of murder against Jim Conley, negro sweeper at the National Pencil Factory, than has yet been made since his name has been connected with the Phagan mystery, was expected Friday morning when Luther Z. Rosser, attorney for Leo Frank, was to appear before Judge L. S. Roan to combat Solicitor Dorsey's move to keep Conley at the police station and away from the tower. The probability that Conley, accuser, and Frank, accused, would be brought face
  • Friday, 13th June 1913 Negro Freed But Jailed Again On Suspicion

      The Atlanta Georgian Friday, June 13, 1913 Rosser Declares ‘Gibbering Statements' Point Out Sweeper as Guilty of Slaying. James Conley, self-confessed accessory after the fact in the murder of Mary Phagan, Friday was discharged by Judge L. S. Roan entirely from the custody of the State on the petition of Solicitor Dorsey. Technically free, Conley was at once rearrested and held by the police on suspicion in the murder mystery. The action of Judge Roan constituted a victory for Solicitor Dorsey, who was fighting to prevent the authorities returning Conley to the Tower, from which he had been taken
  • Saturday, 14th June 1913 Sheriff Mangum Near End, Says Lawyer Smith

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, June 14, 1913 Attorney for Conley Injects Politics Into Dispute Over Negro's Place of Confinement. William M. Smith, counsel for James Conley, confessed accessory after the fact in the killing of Mary Phagan, in a statement Saturday sought to make a political issue out of his controversy with Sheriff Mangum over the alleged treatment Conley received while in the Tower. Attorney Smith employed references to his own previous statement that the jail was five stories high; was divided into four wings with seventeen cell blocks distributed over five floors, to discredit Sheriff Mangum's characterization of the
  • Saturday, 14th June 1913 State Takes Advantage of Points Known

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, June 14, 1913 With certain of the strong defenses of Leo M. Frank exposed by the preliminary battle over the custody of the negro Conley, the prosecution in the Phagan murder mystery went to work on the case to-day with its first definite idea of the sort of a stronghold it must assault. It was assured that the accused man's lawyers would not rest with fighting suspicion away from Frank, but would seek to fasten the guilt so firmly upon Conley that Frank not only would be acquitted, but that he would be cleared of every
  • Monday, 16th June 1913 Colyar Returns Promising Sensation

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, June 16, 1913 A. S. Colyar is in Atlanta again, promising to spring some more sensations. The investigator who engineered the dictographing of Thomas B. Felder and Mayor Woodward has been in Washington. He sent a letter to Atlanta before him, saying he objected to being made a goat. It is believed Colyar saw George M. Gentry while in Washington and got from him an affidavit. This is said to be much the same as the one printed admitting that the dictograph records had been padded, as charged in Gentry's recent affidavit, but that the general
  • Monday, 16th June 1913 Dorsey Aide Says Frank Is Fast In Net

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, June 16, 1913 Attorney Hooper Declares State Is Prepared for Any Move the Defense May Make. Frank A. Hooper, the well-known criminal lawyer who has been engaged to assist Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey in the trial of Leo M. Frank for the alleged murder of Mary Phagan, said Monday that the case was complete and was ready for presentation in court at any time. Mr. Hooper asserted that the attorneys interested in the prosecution had investigated every angle of the mystery so thoroughly and fortified themselves against any defense that Frank will present, that practically
  • Tuesday, 17th June 1913 Sensations in Phagan Case at Hand

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, June 17, 1913 Out-of-Town Trips Believed To Be of Great Importance—Defense Has Strong Evidence. Frank A. Hooper, associate counsel with Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey in the prosecution of the Phagan murder mystery, left Atlanta Monday for a trip to Indianapolis. Attorney Hooper was the third man closely connected with the Phagan case to leave town within a space of three days. Colonel Thomas B. Felder, who took an active part in the hunt for the slayer of Mary Phagan until the dictograph controversy arose, left Sunday, saying that he was going to Cincinnati. He said
  • Wednesday, 18th June 1913 Rush Plans for Trial of Leo Frank

    The Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, June 18, 1913 Extensive Preparations Made to Accommodate Great Crowd Expected at Hearing. When twelve books of evidence of more than 100 pages each were turned over to the Solicitor's office Wednesday morning by his stenographers, Assistant Solicitor General E. A. Stephens announced the State could now go to trial on 48 hours' notice. No evidence would be introduced, he said, except by witnesses who had already been questioned by the Solicitor. To bring out the salient points in the evidence of each witness, the Solicitor plans to question them from the books. They will be
  • Thursday, 19th June 1913 Blow Aimed at Formby Story

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, June 19, 1913 DEFENSE HAS WITNESSES TO REFUTE WOMAN Learns Identity of Other Persons in Home on Night of the Phagan Slaying. That the defense in the trial of Leo M. Frank will be able, if it wishes, to produce three or four witnesses who will testify that the affidavit of Mrs. Mima Formby is untrue was discovered Thursday when the identity of the other persons in the house of Mrs. Formby, 400 Piedmont Avenue, the night of April 26, when Mary Phagan was murdered, was learned. It was from Mrs. Formby that the detectives obtained
  • Friday, 20th June 1913 Frank Trial Will Not Be Long One

    The Atlanta Georgian Friday, June 20, 1913 Few Witnesses of the Scores Examined Will Be Called When Case Is Heard. That the trial of Leo M. Frank will take a much shorter time that is generally thought was indicated in a statement by Judge L. S. Roan. The judge said the greatest difficulty and almost as great a length of time would be consumed in drawing a jury as in the hearing of the case. He said the actual taking of evidence might not consume more than a day. Judge Roan intimated that he expected neither side to introduce the
  • Saturday, 21st June 1913 Justice Aim in Phagan Case, Says Hooper

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, June 21, 1913 I have not been employed in the case to prosecute Leo M. Frank, but to help find and convict the murderer of Mary Phagan. If the trial proves we are wrong, we will begin work on another angle. We have but one object and idea. It is that justice and the law be vindicated. We are, however, convinced we have a strong case against the accused. FRANK A. HOOPER, Attorney. Mrs. Mina Formby and her sensational affidavit will not be used by the State in the trial of Leo M. Frank, according to
  • Sunday, 22nd June 1913 Arnold to Aid Frank

    Reuben Arnold, noted Atlanta lawyer, who in a statement to The Sunday American says he will help defend Leo M. Frank, accused of slaying Mary Phagan. The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June 22, 1913 Declares Prisoner is Innocent Has Studied Case Deeply, He Says Noted Lawyer, in Statement to Sunday American, Tells Why He Has Decided to Take Up the Defense of the Accused Man. Negro Conley, in New Interview, Asserts He Is Eager to Face Leo M. Frank in Court and Repeat Story of Alleged Part in Crime. Positive confirmation of the report that he would be one of counsel
  • Sunday, 22nd June 1913 Jurors, Not Newspapers, To Return Frank Verdict, Declares Old Reporter

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June 22, 1913 Writer Declares He Has Only Worked for Fair Trial and Fair Play—Race Question Is No Issue in Phagan Case—Rosser Not Writer. By AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. There were few developments in the Phagan case last week that to my mind were worth considering seriously or that threw new light upon the mystery. Perhaps it was because of this that a good many people wrote letters to "The Old Police Reporter"—some commending my articles, others condemning them; but in every case indicating clearly that the interest has not lessened. I observe that some of
  • Monday, 23rd June 1913 State Ready for Frank Trial on June 30

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, June 23, 1913 Defense Has Announced Its Case Is Complete and Judge Roan Is Free. Prosecuting Attorney Hugh M. Dorsey announced for the State Monday morning that the trial of Leo M. Frank would be placed on the calendar for the week of June 30. The defense had announced that its case was completed and no continuance would be asked unless some unforeseen contingency arose. The trial judge, L. S. Roan, will have the most to say about the date for the trial. He intimated he would be ready on this date and would personally make
  • Monday, 23rd June 1913 Venire of 72 for Frank Jury Is Drawn

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, June 23, 1913 Negro Conley Sticks to Affidavit Story When Again Cross-Examined by Dorsey. The first official action of the court in preparing for the trial of Leo M. Frank for the murder of Mary Phagan was taken Monday afternoon when Judge L. S. Roan impaneled 72 men, from whom a jury to hear the case will be sought. June 30 was agreed to by Judge Roan for the opening of the case. If a postponement is desired it will now have to be asked for in open court. As yet Judge Roan said he had
  • Tuesday, 24th June 1913 Both Sides Called in Conference by Judge; Trial Set for July 28

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, June 24, 1913 Dorsey, Beavers and Lanford Summoned to Appear June 30 With All Affidavits They Have Secured Relative to the Phagan Slaying Case. Just before the conference with both sides in the Frank case started Judge Roan intimated strongly that he would set the case for July 14 or July 28 and hold it in some more commodious court room than the one in which he sits on the fourth floor of the Thrower building. Judge Roan's personal inclination leans to a date in July, and it is not likely that the State or defense
  • Wednesday, 25th June 1913 Conley, Put on Grill, Sticks Story

    The Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, June 25, 1913 Police Resume Questioning of the Negro Sweeper Who Accuses Leo Frank. Puzzled by several of the statements of Jim Conley in regard to his part in the happenings the day that Mary Phagan was killed, the police have resumed the questioning from which the negro had been free since he was taken to the police station by the detectives. One point that has not been cleared up is why Conley saw every one else that went into or left the factory and yet failed to see Mary Phagan. Conley, on Sunday, was confronted
  • Thursday, 26th June 1913 Stover Girl Will Star in Frank Trial

    Judge L.S. Roan, who will preside at trial of alleged slayer of Mary Phagan. The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, June 26, 1913 State, However, Must Prove She Entered Factory Before Mary Phagan. With the selection of the court room made Thursday, all is virtually in readiness for the trial of Leo M. Frank, accused of strangling Mary Phagan. The venire of jurymen has been selected and July 28 is fixed as the date, and both sides have announced they are ready to go into court. A definite decision was reached by Judge L. S. Roan to hold the trial on the
  • Friday, 27th June 1913 Lanford and Felder Are Held for Libel

    The Atlanta Georgian Friday, June 27, 1913 Grand Jury Indicts Lawyer and Head of Detectives for Attacks on Each Other. Three indictments charging criminal libel were returned Friday by the Grand Jury against Colonel Thomas B. Felder, the Atlanta attorney, and Newport Lanford, Chief of Detectives, who accused each other of most everything in the category after the famous dictograph episode. There are two bills against Felder and one against Lanford. The two men will be placed under bond and will be tried in the Fulton County courts under the misdemeanor act for unlawfully and maliciously accusing each other, according
  • Friday, 27th June 1913 New Frank Evidence Held by Dorsey

    The Atlanta Georgian Friday, June 27, 1913 Solicitor Closely Guards Data of Which City Detectives Have No Knowledge. New activity was injected into the Phagan case Friday when James Conley, negro sweeper at the National Pencil Factory, was removed secretly from his cell in police station and closely questioned by Frank Hooper, who will aid Solicitor Dorsey in the prosecution of Leo Frank. The move was surrounded with the utmost secrecy. The negro was taken from his cell by Detective Starnes, and behind locked doors questioned anew in the room used by the Police Commissioners. He had been in for
  • Saturday, 28th June 1913 Gov. Slaton Takes Oath Simply

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, June 28, 1913 With the simplest ceremonies in the history of the State, marked by the absence of all military display and red tape, John Marshall Slaton becomes Governor of the State of Georgia in the hall of the House of Representatives of the State Capitol Saturday at 12 o'clock noon, succeeding Governor Joseph M. Brown. The joint committee on inaugural arrangements selected from the memberships of the Senate and the House has conformed to the expressed desires of Governor-elect Slaton in preparing for his induction into office, and there is none of the pomp and
  • Saturday, 28th June 1913 State Secures New Phagan Evidence

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, June 28, 1913 * Conley's Admission Strengthens Rumor That He Saw Child Just Before Slaying. Frank A. Hooper, associated with Solicitor Dorsey in the prosecution of Leo M. Frank on the charge of strangling Mary Phagan, admitted Saturday that Jim Conley, negro sweeper at the National Pencil Factory, had made important additions to the story of his part in the murder mystery and had told of circumstances on the day of the crime which he had revealed in none of his previous statements. A persistent report that Conley had made the startling admission that he had
  • Sunday, 29th June 1913 Brilliant Legal Battle Is Sure as Hooper And Arnold Clash in Trial of Leo Frank

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June 29, 1913 * * Alternate headline from another page is shown in brackets above. By An Old Police Reporter. As deplorable as the Phagan case is in all its melancholy details, it already is evident enough that there will come of it eventually much that the community may be thankful for. In the first place, Atlanta and Georgia, and incidentally the entire South will have learned a good lesson in law and order, justice and fair play, and to that extent may be the better prepared for the next case of the kind that comes
  • Sunday, 29th June 1913 Many Experts to Take Stand in Frank Trial

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June 29, 1913 Great Array of Finger-Print and Blood-Stain Students Will Give Their Views. The trial of Leo M. Frank will bring forth the most prominent array of criminal and medical experts ever grouped in a Southern court room. This became known Saturday when Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey began making preparations to have the skilled investigators who have worked in the Phagan case return to Atlanta for the trial, July 28. The defense has not been idle and is prepared to have an expert on almost every conceivable angle to introduce in rebuttal. Fingerprint experts were
  • Monday, 30th June 1913 Conley Tale Is Hope of Defense

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, June 30, 1913 DEFENSE PLANS TO TEAR DOWN CONLEY TALE* * This headline appeared on Page 3 of the Georgian. Expect to Prove Frank Innocent By Discrediting Negro's Story Of Phagan Crime. Warned that the State is basing practically all of its expectations of sending Leo M. Frank to the gallows on the dramatic story told by Jim Conley, the defense this week is completing the collection of a strong line of evidence with which it is planned utterly to discredit the negro's statements and his testimony in court. Conley again has insisted on confronting Frank.
  • Tuesday, 1st July 1913 Colyar Indicted as Libeler of Col. Felder

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 1, 1913 Grand Jury Develops Sensational Sequel to Famous Dictograph Scandal. A. S. Colyar, Jr., dictographer of Colonel Thomas B. Felder, Mayor Woodward and C. C. Jones, was indicted by the Grand Jury on the charge of criminal libel Tuesday forenoon. Colyar is the man who sought to trap Colonel Felder by means of the dictograph into offering a bribe of $1,000 for certain affidavits in the Phagan case in the possession of the police. The dictograph records as furnished an afternoon newspaper by Colyar contained the offer. Colonel Felder swore the records were padded.
  • Tuesday, 1st July 1913 Colyar Not Indicted On Charge of Libel

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 1, 1913 The Fulton County Grand Jury returned no bill against A. S. Colyar, Jr., Tuesday forenoon on the charge of criminal libel.  Colyar came into prominence a few weeks ago by dictographing Colonel Thomas B. Felder, Mayor Woodward and C. C. Jones in Williams House No. 2. Colyar is the man who sought to trap Colonel Felder by means of the dictograph into offering a bribe of $1,000 for certain affidavits in the Phagan case in the possession of the police. The dictograph records as furnished an afternoon newspaper by Colyar contained the offer.
  • Tuesday, 1st July 1913 Frank Is Willing for State to Grill Him

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 1, 1913 Accused Man Declares He's Anxious Even for Prosecution to Cross-Examine. Surpassing in interest any of the other testimony at the trial of Leo M. Frank will be the story related on the stand by the accused man himself. That Frank will make a detailed statement of his movements on the day that Mary Phagan was murdered is regarded as one of the certainties of the trial. It was learned Wednesday that Frank was desirous of going even further than this by being sworn and submitting to a cross-examination by the attorneys for the
  • Tuesday, 1st July 1913 May Indict Conley as Slayer

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 1, 1913 Grand Jury Reported as Seriously Considering Connection of Negro With the Crime. A well founded rumor Tuesday was to the effect that the Grand Jury had Jim Conley's connection with the Mary Phagan murder mystery under serious consideration with a view of finding an indictment against the negro on the charge of causing the death of the little factory girl. Announcement was made after the close of Tuesday's session that the present Grand Jury would hold its last session Wednesday, and it was reported that if action were not taken on Conley's case
  • Tuesday, 1st July 1913 May Indict Conley in Phagan Case

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 1, 1913 JURY LIKELY TO GO OVER DORSEY'S HEAD Indictment of Negro Sweeper Would Be Severe Blow to Prosecution of Frank. That the Fulton County Grand Jury will go over the head of Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey and indict Jim Conley, the negro sweeper, for the murder of Mary Phagan, in connection with Leo M. Frank, was a probability which came to light Tuesday. While the report was not verified, its origin was such as to throw a bomb into the camp of the prosecution, as it will mean the indictment of the star
  • Tuesday, 1st July 1913 “No” Bill Is Returned Against A. S. Colyar

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 1, 1913 Grand Jury Declines to Indict Colyar for Reply to Attack of Colonel Felder charging A. S. Colyar, of Nashville, with libel, the Fulton county grand jury at its session on Tuesda ymorning refused to indict the Tennessean, returning a "no bill" in the case. Mr. Colyar has been in the limelight recently as a principal in the sensational dictograph episode, and has been engaged in a heated controversy with Colonel Thomas B. Felder. The Tennessean was charged specifically with libelling Mr. Felder in a card published over his signature in The Journal of
  • Wednesday, 2nd July 1913 Findings in Probe are Guarded

    The Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, July 2, 1913 No Indication Given of Results of Investigation of Reports of Disorderly Houses. The result of the Grand Jury's sensational vice probe of a few weeks ago will be made known Wednesday when the presentments are returned to Superior Judge W. D. Ellis, who two months ago charged that an extensive investigation be made. Save when an indictment was returned against Police Commissioner W. P. Fain, which charged him with keeping a disorderly house and beating one of the women inmates, no inkling of the general trend of the probe got beyond the closed
  • Thursday, 3rd July 1913 Attempt by Colyar To Disbar Felder Is Halted; Tries Again

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 3, 1913 A petition filed Tuesday with the Clerk of the Superior Court by A. S. Colyar, Jr., asking for the disbarment of Colonel Thomas B. Felder from the practice of law in Georgia, has been withdrawn by Colyar on information that he first must submit his petition to the court for the determination of whether his grounds are sufficient to warrant an investigation and trial by jury. Colyar said Wednesday he would apply for a rule nisi. Until this is done there can be no action on his petition. The petition includes as reasons
  • Thursday, 3rd July 1913 Writ Sought In Move to Free Negro Lee

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 3, 1913 Attorney for Watchman Declares Client Knows Nothing of the Actual Crime. Bernard L. Chappell, attorney for Newt Lee, negro night watchman at the pencile factory, held in the Phagan case, stated Thursday morning that he would swear out a writ of habeas corpus for the release of the negro. Attorney Chappell stated that he had come to the conclusion that there was nothing the negro knew about the crime except finding the body, and that the State had no right to keep him without some charge or as a material witness. Lee was
  • Friday, 4th July 1913 New Testimony Lays Crime to Conley

    The Atlanta Georgian Friday, July 4, 1913 Frank Defense Locates Witness Who Points to the Negro Sweeper as Slayer. A new witness, said to have the most damaging evidence yet produced against Jim Conley, the negro sweeper in the National Pencil factory, entered the Phagan case Thursday and made an affidavit, the contents fo which are carefully guarded by attorneys for Leo M. Frank, charged with causing the death of the factory girl. The identity of the witness is as much a secret as the exact nature of his testimony. It was learned, though, that the affidavit was made in
  • Saturday, 5th July 1913 Application for Lee’s Release Delayed

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 5, 1913 Watchman's Lawyer Says He Will Await Return of Dorsey Before Filing Habeas Corpus. On account of the absence form the city of Prosecuting Attorney Hugh M. Dorsey, Bernard L. Chappell, attorney for Newt Lee, announced Saturday that he would not file a writ of habeas corpus until Monday. He claims in the petition for the release of the negro that Lee is being held unlawfully and without any charge against him. Solicitor Dorsey left for his country place at Valdosta, Georgia, Saturday morning. He will return Monday. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey will
  • Saturday, 5th July 1913 Drop Ninth in Police Scandal

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 5, 1913 Charges Preferred Against Another Patrolman and Suspension Is Near. Atlanta's police scandal was revived Saturday by the preferring of charges against another member of the police force. His suspension by Chief of Police James L. Beavers is expected to follow within a few hours. The subject of the accusations is the ninth policeman involved in the scandal. Chief Beavers would not make public the man's name until formal order of suspension was made. The charges against the majority of the policemen are they they frequented the notorious negro resort in the rear of
  • Saturday, 5th July 1913 Liberty for Newt Lee Sought

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 5, 1913 Writ to Free Watchman From the Tower Will Be Filed—State to Oppose Liberation. The prosecution will fight an entirely new angle in the Phagan case Saturday morning when Barnard L. Chappell, attorney for Newt Lee, the negro night watchman, files a writ of habeas corpus for the release of the negro from the Tower, where he is being held without any charge against him. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey will ask the courts to hold the negro as a material witness for the State, or may charge him with being an accessory. He
  • Saturday, 5th July 1913 Unbiased in the Flanders Case, Says Slaton

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 5, 1913 New Governor Declares He Will Take Action After Hearing All Sides. Governor Slaton has formed no opinion in the famous McNaughton-Mattie Flanders murder case, and says he will make no decision until he has heard all sides. The new Governor says he has not talked to the former Governor about the case. He will hear, he said, all arguments without prejudice. It is known that the hopes of McNaughton's friends for commutation of sentence, if not pardon, have been greatly strengthened now that Governor Slaton is in the executive office. The statement, made
  • Sunday, 6th July 1913 Application to Release Lee is Ready to File

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 6, 1913 Negro's Lawyer Says He Will Offer Habeas Corpus When Solicitor Dorsey Returns. On account of the absence from the city of Prosecuting Attorney Hugh M. Dosey , Bernard L. Chappell, attorney for Newt Lee, announced Saturday that he would not file a writ of habeas corpus until Monday. He claims in the petition for the release of the negro that Lee is being held unlawfully and without any charge against him. Solicitor Dorsey left for his country place at Valdosta, Georgia, Saturady morning. He will return Monday. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey will
  • Sunday, 6th July 1913 New Move in Phagan Case by Solicitor

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 6, 1913 Dorsey Will Endeavor to Force Defense to Disclose Their Documentary Evidence. ACT IS COUNTERSTROKE Frank's Attorneys Said to Have Affidavits Exonerating Frank and Indicating Conley's Guilt. A sensational turn in the Phagan murder mystery, according to one of the attorneys for the defense, will develop next week when Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey issues a subpena duces tecum on Attorneys Luther Z. Rosser and Reuben Arnold, citing them to produce all the affidavits they have secured that bear on the crime. The movement is in the nature of a counterstroke to block the
  • Sunday, 6th July 1913 Phagan Case Centers on Conley; Negro Lone Hope of Both Sides

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 6, 1913 *Editor's Note: See insert article, "Decisions Which May Aid Defense of Frank", at the conclusion of this post. Frank Expects Freedom by Breaking Down Accuser's Testimony, and State a Conviction by Establishing Truth of Statements. BY AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. The developments in the Phagan case have been of late highly significant and interesting. During the past week, it became evident that the very heart and soul of both the prosecution and the defense is to center largely about the negro, James Conley. He is at once apparently the hope and the despair
  • Monday, 7th July 1913 Lee’s Attorney is Ready for Writ Fight

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, July 7, 1913 Habeas Corpus Move to Free Negro in Phagan Case Due to Start Monday. Habeas corpus proceedings in behalf of Newt Lee, negro night watchman at the National Pencil Factory, were promised Monday by the negro's attorney, Bernard L. Chappell. Settlement of this phase of the Phagan murder mystery will determine definitely the status of the negro. It is known that the State regards Lee as a material witness in building up its case against Frank. The attitude of Mr. Chappell is that his client knows no more about crime than he already has
  • Monday, 7th July 1913 Operations of Slavers in Hotels Bared

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, July 7, 1913 Victim Tells Beavers Names of Women and Man Engaged in Traffic in Girls. A new and sensational expose of vice conditions said to be prevalent in Atlanta was made Monday morning by Hattie Smith, a pretty 17-year-old girl, who was arrested in a hotel which was raided Sunday night. If the statements of the Smith girl, who made a confession of her own guilt to the Chief, are true, Atlanta is in the clutches of one of the best organized vice systems in existence. Certain downtown hotels, the girl claims, are the rendezvous
  • Tuesday, 8th July 1913 Attitude of Defense Secret

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 8, 1913 Attorneys for Accused Man Can Keep Him From Facing Accuser if They Wish. That Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil Factory, and James Conley, Frank's accuser in the Mary Phagan murder mystery, would be brought face to face Tuesday was the strong possibility presented by the contemplated application for a writ of habeas corpus in behalf of Newt Lee, negro night watchman at the factory. The plan of bringing Conley and Frank together may meet an insurmountable obstacle when it comes to getting the permission of Frank's attorneys. The law allows
  • Tuesday, 8th July 1913 Girl Tells of Life in Slavers’ Hands

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 8, 1913 Hattie Smith Warns Young Women of Atlanta Against the Wiles of Procurers. The startling expose of vice conditions by Hattie Smith, the prety 17-year-old girl, one of the alleged victims of the "system," resulted Tuesday in an aggressive war n the downtown hotels. Chief Beavers declared he would stamp out vice if he had to detail a special officer at every one of the hotels in question. Several additional arrests will be made before noon, it is believed. The Smith girls repeated her story with many additional details of the "system" which is
  • Tuesday, 8th July 1913 Grants Right to Demand Lee’s Freedom

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 8, 1913 Negro's Counsel Secures Chance to Argue for Habeas Corpus Writ Wednesday. Reuben R. Arnold, of counsel for Leo M. Frank, communicated with Sheriff Mangum Tuesday afternoon directing him under no circumstances to permit the removal of Frank to appear Wednesday as a witness in the habeas corpus hearing to free Newt Lee. "There is no law on earth to bring Frank to court under an order as a witness," said Arnold. Attorney Rosser, chief of counsel, was absent from the city Tuesday. Attorney C. J. Graham, of the firm of Graham & Campbell,
  • Tuesday, 8th July 1913 Police Hunt Principals in Expose

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 8, 1913 Search Records of Guests for the Leaders of System Named by Girl Victim. A general rounding up of hotel registers by detectives for the identification of notorious men and women added the latest sensation in the vice investigation instituted following the startling disclosures of Hattie Smith, the pretty 17-year-old girl, who claims to be the victim of the "system." The first move was made Tuesday morning when the manager of the Cumberland Hotel was subpenaed to appear in Police Court with his register that afternoon. The register will be examined by the Smith
  • Tuesday, 8th July 1913 Refused by Brown, Mangham Now Asks Slaton for Pardon

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 8, 1913 The Prison Commission again has taken up the application of J. J. Mangham for a pardon. A recommendation is expected to be made to Governor Slaton in the next day or two. Mangham is the Griffin cotton mill man given four years for embezzlement and one year on a misdemeanor charge. The application came up some time ago and was sent to Governor Brown by the commission without any recommendation. The Governor returned it with the statement that the board should make a recommendation. That great influence will be brought to bear on
  • Tuesday, 8th July 1913 State Sure Lee Will Not Be Released

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 8, 1913 Dorsey Confident That Move, Which May Confront Frank With Conley, Is Futile. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey said Tuesday he was confident the State would be able to defeat any attempt to get Newt Lee out of the Tower, where he has been confined since April 27, first as a suspect in the Mary Phagan murder case and later as a material witness. He said he had advised Lee's attorney not to take the action, as the negro was regarded as an important witness in making a complete chain of evidence against Leo
  • Wednesday, 9th July 1913 Girl Springs Sensation in Phagan Case

    The Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, July 9, 1913 PART OF PAY ENVELOPE FOUND Discovered Shortly After Tragedy by Detectives, but Find Was Kept Secret. *Editor's Note: The following headlines also appeared: (Night Edition): NEW PHAGAN EVIDENCE FOUND PART OF PAY ENVELOPE HELD BY POLICE (Extra Final Edition): PHAGAN PAY ENVELOPE FOUND Two sensational developments marked the Phagan case Wednesday. One was the testimony of Miss Mattie Smith, an employee of the National Pencil factory, that she had seen a negro sitting on the first floor of the factory betwen 9 and 10 o'clock, at a time when Conley had denied being
  • Wednesday, 9th July 1913 New Evidence in Phagan Case Found

    The Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, July 9, 1913 iGrl Called to Tell of Negro She Saw in Pencil Factory—Lee Stays in Jail. A sensation in the Phagan murder mystery developed Wednesday afternoon when Solicitor Dorsey summoned Miss Mattie Smith under a special subpena to question her in regard to a negro she saw in the National Pencil Factory the morning of the Saturday that Mary Phagan was murdered. Miss Smith told a Georgian reporter that she saw a negro there that morning and believed it was between 9 and 10 o'clock. She thought she might be asked to identify Conley. If
  • Wednesday, 9th July 1913 Sensations in Story of Girl Victim

    The Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, July 9, 1913 Accused Prisoners in White Slave Inquiry Held for Higher Court. That sufficient evidence had been produced in court to make a case against one of the city's most prominent business men was the statement of Recorder Broyles Wednesday afternoon at the trial of the persons involved in the latest vice scandal. Lena Barnhardt, alleged white sliver and procuress, was bound over to the higher court under a bond of $500. Hattie Smith, who claimed in court to be a white slave victim of the Barnhardt woman, was placed under $100 bond for the
  • Thursday, 10th July 1913 Beavers in Speech Warns Policemen to Keep Out of Dives

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 10, 1913 Chief of Police Beavers caused a stir Thursday morning when he went before the day watch and addressed the men on their conduct. His talk resulted from the recent scandal in which several policemen were found guilty of visiting a resort in the rear of 127 Auburn Avenue. "Any man who hangs around a negro dive has no place on the police force of Atlanta," the Chief said, addressing the men. "If you get positive evidence that any of your brother officers are engaged in discreditable practices and frequenting disreputable places, it is
  • Thursday, 10th July 1913 Beavers’ War on Vice is Lauded by Women

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 10, 1913 Georgia Suffragists Adopt Resolution Indorsing Chief's Course in Atlanta. Chief of Police Beavers' fight against vice was enthusiastically indorsed at the Thursday morning session of the convention of the Georgia Woman Suffrage Association. The following resolution, introduced by Mrs. Margaret T. McWhorter, was adopted: The Georgia Woman Suffrage Association realizes the high civic ideals which actuate Chief of Police James L. Beavers, of Atlanta, and we wish to place ourselves on record as indorsing every move which he has taken for good government and clean morals, and especially do we commend his action
  • Thursday, 10th July 1913 Chief Expects Arrests in Vice Probe

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 10, 1913 MEN NAMED BY GIRL ARE SOUGHT Chief Beavers Declares New and Startling Arrests Are Near. Alleged Procuress Held With the principals in the sensational vice case, Hattie Smith, a 17-year-old girl victim; Mrs. Lena Barnhart, a flashily-dressed woman, alleged white slave procuress; Lige Murray, negro ally, and Clyde Cox, the youth who was arrested in the hotel raid, all bound over to the higher courts, the police Thursday turned the full flare of a searching investigation directly on the hotels and alleged immoral resorts, with the result that new arrests and startling developments
  • Thursday, 10th July 1913 Says Conley Confessed Slaying

      The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 10, 1913 *Editor's Note: Articles with the titles "Tells of Conley Confession" and "Says Conley Confessed" also appeared in other editions of the Georgian. NEGRO MADE BOAST OF KILLING A GIRL, AGENT DECLARES Attorneys for Leo Frank Will Put Main Reliance of Defense on the Startling Affidavit Made by William H. Mincey and Now in Their Possession. That Jim Conley, negro sweeper at the National Pencil Factory, made a virtual confession to him that he attacked and killed Mary Phagan is the startling allegation made in an affidavit by William H. Mincey, until recently
  • Friday, 11th July 1913 Girl Tells Police Startling Story of Vice Ring

    The Atlanta Georgian Friday, July 11, 1913 THREE NEW VICE WAR ARRESTS Man Prisoner Declares He Will Bare the Whole System if Brought to Trial. As a result of statements made to Chief Beavers Friday morning by Hattie Smith, the young girl who has been held for the Grand Jury in connection with the vice war, Detective Rosser at noon arrested three persons—two men and a woman—who were named by the Smith girl as contributing to her downfall and being involved in her white slavery charges. The persons under arrest are Paul Estes, 52 Queen Street; Hoyt Monroe, Edgewood, and
  • Friday, 11th July 1913 Mincey’s Story Jolts Police to Activity

    The Atlanta Georgian Friday, July 11, 1913 *Editor's Note: The following column ran in the final edition of the Georgian with the title "Georgian's Story Stirs Officials to Action," and contains the following bracketed text in lieu of the first two paragraphs and preceding sub-headline. [Mincey Affidavit Leads to Another Cross-Examination of Phagan Case Suspect. [As a result of the publication by The Georgian exclusively Thursday of the sensational affidavit of W.H. Mincey, the insurance agent, which declared that Jim Conley had confessed on the afternoon of the Phagan murder, that he had killed a little girl, the negro sweeper
  • Friday, 11th July 1913 Slaying Charge for Conley Is Expected

    The Atlanta Georgian Friday, July 11, 1913 Speedy Indictment of Negro Is Likely Following Publication of Mincey Affidavit. The speedy indictment of Jim Conley on the charge of murdering Mary Phagan was the strong possibility discussed in court circles Friday following the sensational turn given the strangling mystery by The Georgian's publication Thursday of the accusation of William H. Mincey, an insurance solicitor, that he had heard the negro boast on the afternoon of the crime of killing a girl. For nearly two months a self-confessed accessory after the fact of the murder of the little factory girl, Conley has
  • Saturday, 12th July 1913 Conley Kept on Grill 4 Hours

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 12, 1913 After Gruelling Third Degree, Officials Refuse to Deny or Affirm Negro Confessed. Habeas corpus proceedings to release Newt Lee collapsed in the court of Judge Ellis Saturday morning. By agreement, Bernard L. Chappell, representing Lee, withdrew his application for a habeas corpus; Solicitor Dorsey promised to present a bill against Lee as a suspect in the Phagan murder case, with the expectation that a "no bill" would be returned. This appeared satisfactory to the attorneys for Lee, as well as to the State. Luther Z. Rosser, Reuben R. Arnold and Herbert J. Haas,
  • Saturday, 12th July 1913 Dragnet for ‘Slavers’ Is Set

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 12, 1913 Arrest of Additional Men Named by Girl Victim of the "Ring" Due Soon. With rapid-fire developments featuring the day's investigation of the "vice ring" said to exist in Atlanta, Chief of Police Beavers announced at noon that he is accumulating new evidence through which he hopes to be able soon to break up the gang. The new evidence, he intimtaed , is startling, and is expected to result in arrests of several men and women within 24 hours. The principal developments of the day, through which Chief Beavers is obtaining his new evidence
  • Saturday, 12th July 1913 Five Caught in Beavers’ Vice Net

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 12, 1913 *Editor's Note: The second part of this article is not available. Police, Spurred by Chief, Raid Boarding House—Additional Arrests Due Soon. As the result of the increased activity by the detective and police departments, following the grilling given the detectives Friday afternoon by Chief Beavers, five new arrests were made by a squad of officers shortly after noon Saturday, in a raid on a boarding house at No. 164 1-2 Peters Street. The persons under arrest gave their names as Lulu Bell, Maud Wilson, Mrs. Lee Berkstein and L.W. Berkstein. Effie Drummond, a 22-year-old
  • Saturday, 12th July 1913 Parents Are Blamed for ‘Slavery’

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 12, 1913 *Editor's Note: The second portion of this article is not available. Acting Recorder Sends Girls to Reform School and Binds Two Men Over. Probe into vice conditions resulted in a startling climax Saturday afternoon when Acting Recorder Preston sentenced two girls, Corinne Wilson and Dora Rothstein to the Cincinnati Reform School and bound over two men, W.W. Suttles and C.A. Dollar, under $200 bond each, making eight vice cases tried Saturday, with the prospect of five more trials for Monday. The trial was featured by the statements of the Acting Recorder, who declared
  • Saturday, 12th July 1913 Says Women Heard Conley Confession

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 12, 1913 *Editor's Note: This article also ran with the headlines "Says Women Overheard Conley Confess" and "Says Women Heard Conley Confess" in the Final and Home Editions, respectively. The headline used here is from the Night Edition. AFFIDAVITS SUPPORT MINCEY STORY Attorney Leavitt Declares Tale That Negro Admitted Killing Girl Will Stand Test. That several negro women overheard Jim Conley when he ran the insurance agent, Mincey, away with the alleged statement that he had just killed a girl and didn't want to kill any one else, and that the affidavits from the women
  • Sunday, 13th July 1913 Affidavits to Back Mincey Story Found

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 13, 1913 Attorney Leavitt Declares Tale That Conley Admitted Killing Girl Will Stand Test. NEWT LEE STILL HELD IN JAIL Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey Promises to Present a Bill Against Him as Suspect. That several negro women overheard Jim Conley when he ran the insurance agent, Mincey, away with the alleged statement that he had just killed a girl and didn't want to kill anyone else, and that the affidavits from the women are in the hands of the attorneys for the defense, was stated Saturday by Attorney J.H. Leavitt, who aided in obtaining the
  • Sunday, 13th July 1913 Indictment of Conley Puzzle for Grand Jury

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 13, 1913 *Editor's Note: Some text is blurred in the original document, and illegible text is marked by "". The text box insert is transcribed at the bottom of this post. Old Police Reporter Declares True Bill Against Negro Might Alter Entire Frank Prosecution. RULES OF EVIDENCE CITED Mincey Affidavit May Have Important Bearing on Defense of Pencil Factory Manager. By An Old Police Reporter. Persistent rumors have been abroad of late that the present Grand Jury may indict James Conley for the murder of Mary Phagan. This is interesting, for if the Grand Jury
  • Sunday, 13th July 1913 Seek Negro Who Says He Was Eye-Witness to Phagan Murder

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 13, 1913 Fugitive, Reported to Have Been Traced to Birmingham, Declares That He Witnessed the Attack on the Girl Slain in the Pencil Plant. LAYS CRIME TO BLACK WITH WHOM HE HAD GAMBLED Loser at Dice, He Declares, Planned to Rob Victim as She Came From Getting Pay—Tried to Prevent the Crime and, Failing, Fled. Report that a negro who has declared that he witnessed the attack by another negro upon Mary Phagan, which resulted in her death in the National Pencil Factory on the afternoon of April 26, has been apprehended in Birmingham, became
  • Monday, 14th July 1913 Girl Bares New Vice System

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, July 14, 1913 Young Woman From the Country Says She Was Lured to Resort on Peters Street. Raid Frees Victim of Alleged Gang From a Resort on Peters Street. Five White Men and Dozen Negroes Arrested in Raid Are Convicted in Court. *Editor's Note: This article was also published under the headlines "Police Hunt Vice Band's Leader" and "17 Caught in Vice Drag Fined," the latter article containing the following six paragraphs in brackets. The sub-headlines for each article are listed above in the same order. There is also a continuation of the article on a
  • Monday, 14th July 1913 Mincey’s Own Story

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, July 14, 1913 *Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the Night Edition under the headline "Mincey Tells of Confession." Tells How Conley Confessed Killing Girl ‘I AM SEEKING ONLY TO DO MY DUTY FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE' The Georgian Secures Remarkable Statement From Chief Witness for Defense in the Trial of Frank. Declares Belief in Conley's Guilt. On Thursday, July 10, The Georgian published the exclusive story of an affidavit in the possession of the lawyers for Leo M. Frank, accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, made by W.H. Mincey, an insurance agent, the
  • Monday, 14th July 1913 Prosecution Attacks Mincey’s Affidavit

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, July 14, 1913 MRS. CRAWFORD BEGINS FIGHT FOR HER FREEDOM STATE STILL CONFIDENT OF CASE Story of Negro Who Says He Was Eyewitness of Slaying Disbelieved by Solicitor. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey and Attorney Frank A. Hooper, engaged in the prosecution of Leo M. Frank, were induced Monday to break the silence they have maintained grilling the negro Jim Conley last week. They made their first public comments on the sensational developments of the last few days in the Phagan murder mystery. Both declared emphatically that neither the affidavit of W. H. Mincey, insurance solicitor,
  • Monday, 14th July 1913 Vice Pickets Posted at Hotels

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, July 14, 1913 Revocation of License Will Be Asked if Law Is Violated. Girl Sentenced. The vice inquiry Monday morning resulted in a close surveillance of hotels which, it is alleged, harbor young girls for immoral purposes. If the law is violated, the police authorities say, the police committee of Council will be requested to revoke the license of the hotel involved. Chief Beavers has detailed men to watch for violations of the law following information given by Corinne Wilson and Dora Rosthstein , sentenced to the Reform School Saturday afternoon. The new information, it is
  • Tuesday, 15th July 1913 Holloway Corroborates Mincey’s Affidavit

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 15, 1913 RECALLS HE WAS TOLD STORY OF CONLEY Watchman Remembers of Visit of Witness to Factory on Day of Crime. Further corroboration of several of the important details in the remarkable affidavit of W.H. Mincey, insurance agent and teacher, who swore he heard Jim Conley confess killing a girl, came Tuesday in a statement by E.F. Holloway, day watchman at the National Pencil Factory. Holloway substantiated in every particular the story of Mincey's visit to the factory the Tuesday following the crime and recalled the general trend of the conversation, which was practically as
  • Tuesday, 15th July 1913 Police Close 2 Rooming Houses

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 15, 1913 Chief Beavers Opens Real Fight on Doubtful Places—Several Under Watch. Active steps against doubtful rooming and boarding houses were taken by Chief of Police Beavers Tuesday morning. He declared that he intends to close every "shady" rooming house in the city against which he can obtain evidence. He intimated that he has the addresses of a number of boarding houses where, it is alleged, young girls and men visit and where the roomers are in reality inmates of the place, and his campaign is to be directed especially against these. They will be
  • Tuesday, 15th July 1913 White Men Fined in War on Negro Dives

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 15, 1913 A crusade against white men frequenting negro dives has been started by Recorder Nash Broyles. He fined three men, who gave their names as Kirk, Smith and Little and A.B. Arnold, of Macon, who forfeited $50.75. The five white men were arrested in a raid on a place at 76 Chestnut street, early Sunday morning. Helen Lester, who runs the dive, was held for the higher courts in bonds of $500. "The mingling of whites and blacks does more to stir up race trouble than anything else," declared the Recorder. * * *
  • Tuesday, 15th July 1913 Woodward Aids Chief in Vice Crusade

    The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 15, 1913 Mayor Woodward entered the fight which Chief Beavers is waging against vice in Atlanta Tuesday when he told of a negro dive and blind tiger which he said had been reported to him Tuesday morning by a man whose name he refuses to make public. This man, Mayor Woodward declared, had told him he had seen policemen passing through an alley in the direction of the blind tiger, though none of them had actually been seen to enter the place. Chief Beavers ordered an investigation. Captain Poole has been given particular instructions to
  • Wednesday, 16th July 1913 Dorsey Adds Startling Evidence

    The Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, July 16, 1913 *Editor's Note: This article also ran in the Final (Box Score) Edition under the headline "State Finds New Frank Evidence." Solicitor Declares Prosecution's Plans Are Unchanged—Doesn't Expect Conley Indictment. That affidavits as sensational and direct against Leo M. Frank, accused of murdering Mary Phagan, as the Mincey statement was against the negro, Jim Conley, are in the hands of the State and will be substantiated by witnesses at the trial, July 28, was admitted by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey Wednesday morning. The Solicitor and Frank A. Hooper, associated with him in the
  • Wednesday, 16th July 1913 State to Fight Move to Indict Jim Conley

    The Atlanta Georgian Wednesday, July 16, 1913 Grand Jury Foreman Admits That Action Against the Negro Is Considered. The reported proposal by some of the members of the Grand Jury to meet for an investigation of Jim Conley's connection with the murder of Mary Phagan has precipitated a sharp struggle in which Solicitor Dorsey has declared himself bitterly opposed to any action looking toward the indictment of the negro as a principal in the crime or even as an accessory after the fact, as the negro admits himself to be. The fight has resolved itself into a contest to determine
  • Thursday, 17th July 1913 Dorsey Blocked Indictment of Conley

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 17, 1913 *Editor's Note: This article ran in other editions of the Georgian with slight variations in the headline. GRAND JURY AGREED NOT TO ACT Solicitor Bitterly Opposes Plan of New Body to Reconsider Slaying Case. That the most strenuous opposition of Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey was all that prevented the last Grand Jury from reopening its investigation of the Phagan mystery with a view of indicting the negro Jim Conley became known Thursday. It was admitted by persons acquainted with the events in the Grand Jury room that the Solicitor's determined stand only
  • Thursday, 17th July 1913 Mayor and Broyles in War of Words

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 17, 1913 WOODWARD SCORED BY BROYLES "Can't Convince Ignorant Man He's Mistaken," Says Judge, Quoting Epictetus. WHAT BROYLES THINKS OF THE MAYOR. He's ignorant. He's a menace to civilization. He knows as much law as a boy does political economy. WHAT WOODWARD THINKS OF RECORDER. He's a petty czar. My office is bigger than his. If he wants to run my office, let him come up and give me orders. "Do not argue with an ignorant man, for you can never convince him he is wrong." Recorder Nash R. Broyles, quoting Mr. Epictetus, the late
  • Thursday, 17th July 1913 Mayor Asked to Probe Action of Police

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 17, 1913 Declaring that police officers placed him under arrest while he was attempting to convey a woman in the throes of an epileptic fit to a hospital and forced him to be the companion to a negro in riding in the patrol wagon to the police station, Mongin F. Smith, vice president and secretary of the Eagle Stamp Works, Thursday afternoon carried a trenchant complaint of police stupidity to Mayor Woodward for investigation. "The young woman whom we were endeavoring to place in a hospital was Miss Mabel Parker, a performer at the Old
  • Thursday, 17th July 1913 Woodward Enemy to Society, Says Recorder Broyles

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 17, 1913 *Editor's Note: Some words in the middle of this article are missing due to scanning blur near a page fold. Recorder Replies to Mayor's Charges of "Czar-Like" Police Court and Scores Him Severely "KNOWS MUCH LAW AS HOG DOES ECONOMY," HE SAYS The Judge Says, "Never Argue With an Ignorant Man, for You Can't Convince Him He's Wrong" Recorder Nash R. Broyles, in replying to Mayor James G. Woodward's criticism of his heavy sentences, quotes the philosopher who says, "Do not argue with an ignorant man, for you can never convince him that
  • Thursday, 17th July 1913 Youth Accused in Vice Ring on Trial

    The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, July 17, 1913 Joe North, Alleged White Slaver, Declines to Talk Before Hearing in Recorder's Court. Joe North, alleged white slaver, arrested on the statement of Effie Drummond, a young woman who told the police he lured her into a rooming house, will be tried before Recorder Nash Broyles at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon and every effort made to get from him the names of other persons in the "vice ring," to which Chief of Police James L. Beavers says North owes allegiance. North was arrested Wednesday night after a search of very nearly a week.
  • Friday, 18th July 1913 Detectives Working to Discredit Mincey

    The Atlanta Georgian Friday, July 18, 1913 POLICE HALT GRILLING OF CONLEY Detective Bent on Questioning Negro Is Barred From Cell by Chief Lanford. With Pinkerton detectives taking the trail in search of W.H. Mincey, whose startling accusations against Jim Conley stirred the police department and won the negro another "sweating" from Solicitor Dorsey, the Mincey affidavit Friday became the storm center about which the prosecution and defense in the Frank case waged their battle. Despite the degree of indifference with which the detectives and prosecuting officials affected to look upon the remarkable statements of Mincey, it became known Friday
  • Friday, 18th July 1913 Woodward-Broyles Breach Widens

    The Atlanta Georgian Friday, July 18, 1913 REVERSAL OF VERDICTS IS DENIED BY JUDGE Apologizes Also to Porcine Family for Likening Woodward's Legal Knowledge to Theirs. Recorder Nash Broyles penned a polite note of apology to the whole hog family Friday. With the same hand he picked up the cudgels with which again to belabor his honor, Mayor Woodward. The Mayor, quoth the recorder, was the author of a ridiculous and absurd falsehood and it was a regrettable libel upon Mr.Hog to have to submit to a comparison with Atlanta's Mayor. As for the Mayor, he declared he was tired
  • Saturday, 19th July 1913 Dorsey Resists Move to Indict Jim Conley

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 19, 1913 GRAND JURY SPLIT BY LATEST MOVE Public Opinion Forces Consideration of Move to Indict Conley for Phagan Slaying. Solicitor Dorsey is fighting vigorously the movement in the Grand Jury to indict Jim Conley Monday for the murder of Mary Phagan, despite the bombardment of letters from many citizens and by the sentiment of some of its own members. It is for the consideration of these letters and petitions, asking the reopening of the Phagan matter, that the meeting has been called. That it will result in the indictment of the negro is thought
  • Saturday, 19th July 1913 Natural Crank, Mayor’s Shot at Broyles

    The Atlanta Georgian Saturday, July 19, 1913 "Dyspeptic, Fanatic, Stoneheart, Monomaniac" Are Other Terms in "Final" Retort. Mayor Woodward Saturday said he was finally dismissing Recorder Nash R. Broyles from his mind with the statement: "He is a natural dyspeptic, crank and a fanatic. If he ever had a heart it was turned to stone. Therefore, it is natural that he should become a monomaniac over the subject of using his czar-like authority in his own petty sphere. I don't care anything more about him." Mayor Woodward again went over the head of Recorder Broyles Friday when he reduced the
  • Sunday, 20th July 1913 Attorney for Conley Makes a Statement

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 20, 1913 "Not Necessary to Indict Negro to Close His Mouth," Declares William Smith. William M. Smith, attorney for Jim Conley, the negro now being held as a material witness in the Phagan murder case and whose indictment for complicity in the crime will be considered by the Grand Jury Monday, brought to the office of The Sunday American Saturday night a statement in behalf of his client. In a letter accompanying the statement, Mr. Smith conveyed a doubt as to whether this newspaper would print what he had to say. The attorney's statement in
  • Sunday, 20th July 1913 Counsel of Frank Says Dorsey Has Sought to Hide Facts

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 20, 1913 Attorneys Rosser and Arnold, in a Statement to the Press, Make Bitter Attack on Solicitor for His Conduct of Phagan Case. Call Attention to Secrecy Maintained by Prosecution, and Declare Action of State's Attorney Has Inflamed Public Opinion. Luther Z. Rosser and Reuben R. Arnold, attorneys for Leo M. Frank, who will be tried July 29 on the charge of killing Mary Phagan, joined Saturday in a bitter attack upon the policy of Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey, whose procedure in the case, they said, had inflamed public opinion and had placed the Solicitor
  • Sunday, 20th July 1913 Dorsey Fights Movement to Indict Conley

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 20, 1913 Solicitor Is Bombarded With Letters to Proceed Against Negro as Slayer of Mary Phagan. THE GRAND JURY IS CALLED Hottest Battle of Famous Case To Be Waged Behind Closed Doors of Inquisitory Body. Solicitor Dorsey is fighting vigorously the movement in the Grand Jury to indict Jim Conley Monday for the murder of Mary Phagan, despite the bambardment of letters from many citizens and by the sentiment of some of its own members. It is for the consideration of these letters and petitions, asking the reopening of the Phagan matter, that the meeting
  • Sunday, 20th July 1913 Mincey Ready to Tell Story to Grand Jury

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 20, 1913 Man Who Says He Heard Negro Confess Now Is at Rising Fawn, Georgia W.H. Mincey, the school teacher who made an affidavit declaring Jim Conley confessed to him on the afternoon of the murder of Mary Phagan that he killed a girl, will appear before the Grand Jury to repeat his startling story when that tribunal convenes Monday to consider the Phagan matter, it was reported Saturday night. Mincey, who is now at Rising Fawn, Georgia, has expressed his willingness to come to Atlanta for this purpose. His evidence, which has proved the
  • Sunday, 20th July 1913 Mincey Story Declared Vital To Both Sides in Frank Case

    The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, July 20, 1913 By AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. The most important and interesting development of the week in the Phagan case was the Mincey affidavit, directing suspicion more surely in the direction of James Conley than ever before, if the affidavit is that of a credible witness. If what Mincey says is true—if his evidence can be made to "stand up" in court—then he is far and away not only the most important witness yet discovered, but his testimony will serve to clear up the mysterious Phagan case in its most obscure phases. Solicitor General Hugh
  • Monday, 21st July 1913 Doctor And Girl Are Taken On Vice Charge

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, July 21, 1913 Dr. M. W. Lewis, a prominent physician of Carrollton, was arrested Monday morning and placed under $1,000 bond on a charge of disorderly conduct. He is charged with registering as man and wife at the Hotel Scoville, on Mitchell street, with Miss Effie McColman, who is held as a witness in the case. The trial will be held before Recorder Broyles Tuesday afternoon. The arrest was deloyed until the physician had finished a difficult operation at a sanitarium. According to the charges, Dr. Lewis arrived in Atlanta Monday morning with Miss McColman, registering
  • Monday, 21st July 1913 Four Women Caught In Vice Net Escape From Martha Home

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, July 21, 1913 Four young women, three of whom had been caught in Chief Beavers' vice dragnet last week, escaped from the Martha Home during chapel exercises Sunday night. The women were Effie Drummond, who after being caught in a raid on Mrs. Lula Bell's place at Peters and Fair streets, declared she was a minister's daughter from North Carolina, and had been the victim of a white slaver; Maude Doughetry, apprehended at the same house; Beatrice Renfro, companion of A.N. Trippe, a Whitehall street clerk, arrested on complaint of Tripp'e wife, and Myrtle Bell, who
  • Monday, 21st July 1913 Grand Jury Meets to Consider Conley Case

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, July 21, 1913 Protest of Solicitor Will Be Heeded Foreman Declares Inquisitorial Body Will Not Ride "Roughshod" Over Dorsey. With Solicitor Dorsey reaffirming his certainty that Jim Conley will not be indicted before the tral of Leo M. Frank and declaring that he will fight with all his vigor any movement in that direction, the Grand Jury members gathered in the Thrower Building Monday morning in response to the call of Foreman Beatie to decide whether they will reopen their investigation of the Phagan murder mystery. A strong probability that no action would be taken during
  • Monday, 21st July 1913 Protest of Solicitor Dorsey Wins

    The Atlanta Georgian Monday, July 21, 1913 Presents Evidence Showing Indictment of Negro Would Hinder Frank Prosecution. Here are the important developments of Monday in the Phagan case: The decision of the Grand Jury of Fulton County not to bring at this time an indictment against James Conley. The information that there is a strong probability of another postponement of the trial of Leo M. Frank. The Grand Jury's refusal to reopen its investigation of the Phagan murder mystery was a decided victory for the Solicitor after that body had overridden his request that no session be called to take
  • Tuesday, 22nd July 1913 Defense Asks Ruling on Delaying Frank Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 22, 1913 Hearing of Crawford Case May Conflict Conference Planned to Decide Which Shall Take Precedence. Ready to Draw Venire. Reuben R. Arnold, of counsel for Leo M. Frank, announced Tuesday that he proposed to seek a conference of the attorneys in the Frank case and in the Crawford will hearing to determine which case should be postponed next Monday, the date set for the beginning of the trial of Frank on the charge of slaying Mary Phagan. Mr. Arnold, Luther Z. Rosser, chief of counsel for Frank, both also are attorneys in the Crawford will case, and
  • Tuesday, 22nd July 1913 Grand Jury Defers Action on Conley

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 22nd, 1913 TALK OF POSTPONING FRANK TRIAL TILL FALL Protest of Solicitor Dorsey Wins Presents Evidence Showing Indictment of Negro Would Hinder Frank Prosecution. Here are the important developments of Monday in the Phagan case: The decision of the Grand Jury of Fulton County not to bring at this time an indictment against James Conley. The information that there is a strong probability of another postponement of the trial of Leo M. Frank. The Grand Jury's refusal to reopen its investigation of the Phagan murder mystery was a decided victory for the Solicitor after that body had overridden
  • Tuesday, 22nd July 1913 Story of Phagan Case by Chapters

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 22nd, 1913 Slaying of Factory Girl, South's Most Baffling Crime Mystery, Reviewed in Detail. CHAPTER I. Will the veil of mystery be lifted when the curtain rises next Monday on another scene in Atlanta's darkest tragedy? A vast audience, shocked by the horror of Mary Phagan's fate on a Saturday of last April and held through the succeeding weeks in the thrall of the baffling crime drama, in keen suspense awaits this question's answer. Will Fulton County's Solicitor General be able to point his finger at Leo M. Frank and exclaim, "That is the man who strangled Mary
  • Wednesday, 23rd July 1913 Conley is Confronted with Lee Dorsey Grills Negroes in Same Cell at Jail

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 23rd, 1913 TRACE FOUND HERE OF NEGRO SAID TO HAVE SEEN PHAGAN SLAYING Sister of Will Green Tells Police He Slept at Home at Hour Girl Was Slain; Jim Conley, Factory Sweeer Again Grilled. The two negro principals in the Phagan case—Newt Lee and Jim Conley—were put on the grill together in the cell of the former in the county jail by Solicitor Dorsey and his assistant, Frank G. Hooper, late Wednesday afternoon. Present at the cross-examination were J. M. Gantt, former pencil factory employee, and Detectives Starnes and Campbell, the officers who have had charge of Conley
  • Wednesday, 23rd July 1913 Lanford Ridicules Bludgeon Evidence

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 23rd, 1913 Scouts New ‘Proof' of Defense Detective Chief Scoffs at Claim of Evidence That Club Used by Negro Was Found. Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford Wednesday morning ridiculed the story that the defense of Leo M. Frank has in its possession a bloody club, alleged to have been found by two Pinkerton detectives on May 10 in the National Pencil Factory, and with which, it is reported, the defense will contend Mary Phagan was slain by James Conley, the negro sweeper. Asserting that he knows nothing whatever of the alleged bloody club, Chief Lanford declared that, if
  • Wednesday, 23rd July 1913 Second Chapter in Phagan Mystery

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 23rd, 1913 The Discovery of the Body of the Slain Factory Girl and Start of Hunt for Slayer. CHAPTER II. His heart pounding in superstitious fright, Newt Lee, the night watchman, forced himself to approach the strange object on the pile of debris in the pencil factory basement. A step nearer and he could make out what appeared to be a human foot. He recoiled and was on the point of precipitate flight. But he must look closer, he thought. Perhaps, after all, it was only the ghastly prank of some of the factory employees who had manufactured
  • Thursday, 24th July 1913 Frank Trial Delay up to Roan

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 24th, 1913 STATE READY AND WILL FIGHT A DELAY Solicitor Disappointed When Court Fails to Draw Jury Panels at Time Planned. With the belief growing that a serious effort is being made to delay the trial of Leo Frank, set for next Monday, Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey Thursday renewed his protest against further postponement in a vigorous statement, declaring the prosecution is ready with a complete case against the National Pencil Company factory head, accused of killing Mary Phagan. The trial date rests entirely with Judge Roan, who is in Covington. The drawing of the jury venire
  • Thursday, 24th July 1913 Let the Frank Trial Go On

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 24th, 1913 Leo Frank should be placed on trial Monday for the murder of Mary Phagan. The crime was committed April 26; Frank was arrested April 28; he was indicted Mary 23 and his trial set for June 30. At the suggestion of the judge in whose court the trial is to take place, a postponement was agreed on, and the date of the trial moved up to July 28. Now attempts are being made to secure another postponement. The only reason given to the public is that the weather is hot and it would be disagreeable to
  • Thursday, 24th July 1913 Third Chapter in Phagan Mystery

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 24th, 1913 Arrests of Suspects in the Factory Slaying. Sensation as Leo Frank, Manager Was Taken Into Custody. CHAPTER III. Everything that occurred, trivial or important, during those first few days after the body of little Mary Phagan was discovered in the pencil factory basement took on a dramatic aspect. The people were keyed to so high a pitch by the revolting crime that for for a time it seemed to require only a spark to fire them to violent deeds. Let a strange person so much as appear at the police station to confer with Chief of
  • Thursday, 24th July 1913 Veneir is Drawn to Try Leo M. Frank Monday

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 24th, 1913 JUDGE ANNOUNCES HE IS READY TO TRY CASE; 144 MEN EMPANELLED Says He Has Not Even Been Asked for Postponement, and Sees No Reason Why Trial Should Not Begin On Date Fixed. Jim Conley, the negro sweeper of the National Pencil Factory, was taken from the police station late Thursday afternoon by Detectives Starnes and Campbell to verify certain of his statements and to point out certain witnesses, who, he told the detectives, would be able to refute the affidavit of W. H. Mincey by showing that he was not at the point where Mincey swears
  • Friday, 25th July 1913 Witnesses for Frank Called

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 25th, 1913 Despite Judge's Statement All Is In Readiness, Move for Postponement Is Expected. Despite the fact that Superior Judge L. S. Roan stated everything was in readiness for the trial of Leo M. Frank next Monday, that State's Attorney Hugh M. Dorsey has announced he will fight a delay, and that the defense actually commenced summoning witnesses, the impression still prevailed Friday that a motion for continuance would be made by the defense when the case is opened. Attorneys Luther Rosser and Reuben R. Arnold, declined flatly to say whether they would permit the trial to proceed
  • Saturday, 26th July 1913 Chapter 5 in Phagan Case

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 26th, 1913 The Negro Conley's Confession That He Was Frank's Accomplice and Events Leading Up to Trial. Chapter VI. "He (Leo Frank) told me that he had picked up a girl back there and had let her fall, and that her head had hit against something—he didn't what it was—and for me to move her, and I hollered and told him the girl was dead." With this startling accusation Jim Conley introduced his third confession. Under the rack of a merciless third degree, continued through the long afternoon of May 29, he weakened or became desperate toward the
  • Saturday, 26th July 1913 Pinkerton Chief Scored by Lanford

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 26th, 1913 Says Pierce Broke His Promise Detective Head Also Asserts Phagan Evidence Private Sleuth Unearthed Was Plant. Chief of Detectives Lanford roundly scored H. B. Pierce, head of the Pinkerton Detective Agency in Atlanta, Saturday for what he termed questionable procedure in connection with the Phagan murder investigation. When application was made by the agency for permission to operate in Atlanta and the matter was under consideration by the Police Board, the promise was made that the Pinkerton's would work in harmony with the city detective department and would co-operate in the apprehension of criminals. This promise,
  • Saturday, 26th July 1913 Present New Evidence Against Frank

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 26th, 1913 Both Sides Hide Vital Phagan Facts State's Prosecutor Shrouds Identity and Stories of Scores of Witnesses in Secrecy. Prosecution and defense continued their preparations for the Frank trial Saturday, the last-hour hurry of interviewing new witnesses and gathering up the stray ends of evidence giving a fair promise that the trial will start as scheduled next Monday forenoon. That Solicitor Dorsey has nearly a score of important witnesses whose testimony has been carefully guarded from the defense and the general public is well known. These witnesses have come to his office from time to time, and
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Brewster Denies Aiding Dorsey in Phagan Case

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 Colonel P. H. Brewster has written The Georgian a letter correcting a statement in The Sunday American. The letter quotes the report that Colonel Brewster had aided Mr. Dorsey, and proceeds: "Where such information could have been obtained I can not understand, since it is absolutely false. "I have had nothing whatever to do with the Frank case. My advice has not been even sought as to any question involved in the case, nor have I volunteered it, and I have prepared no briefs on any phase of the case. Mr. Dorsey, the
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Defense Claims Conley and Lee Prepared Notes

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 Theory Is That Watchman Surprised Sweeper Attempting to Dispose of Body and Entered Into Pact. An amazing chain of evidence, laying bare the mystery of the two notes found beside the body of Mary Phagan, which have proved the most baffling of all the facts connected with the girl's murder, came to light as in the possession of the defense Saturday. According to the theory of the defense, Conley murdered the girl and was unexpectedly discovered with her body in the basement of the pencil factory by Newt Lee; that the night watchman
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Every Bit of Evidence Against Frank Sifted and Tested, Declares Solicitor

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 Solicitor-General Hugh Dorsey, who will prosecute the case against Leo M. Frank, last night gave the Sunday American the following statement: Without going into the merit of the State's case against Leo M. Frank, charged with the murder of little Mary Phagan, the possibility of a mistake having been made is very remote. To say why the State believes Frank to be guilty of this murder would be hurtful, and lay before the defense the evidence we have so carefully guarded. We have employed only the fairest methods and have accepted no evidence
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Frank Fights for Life Monday

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 Dorsey Ready to Avenge Mary Phagan Mystery of Months Is Still Unsolved Most Bitter Legal Battle in History of Atlanta Courts Is Expected—Case Will Probably Last for Weeks. After three months of mystery in the death of Mary Phagan, a climax is at hand more tense, more dramatic, more breathlessly interesting to Atlanta and all Georgia than any situation of fiction. Leo M. Frank, employer of the little girl whose tragic death, April 26, stirred a State, will be brought to trial Monday on the charge that he killed her. Frank's trial is
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Frank Watches Closely as the Men Who are to Decide Fate are Picked

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 This newspaper article is a continuation from the first page of an Atlanta Georgian newspaper. The first page is missing from our archives. If any readers know where to obtain the first part of this article, we would appreciate any help! Thank you! Mary Phagan by strangulation. This was followed by the request of the defense that the State's witnesses be called, sworn and put under the rule. The prosecution opened by announcing its readiness to go on with the trial and called the list of witnesses. Bailiffs brought them down from the
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Phagan Case of Peculiar And Enthralling Interest

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 As Leo Frank faces to-day the ordeal decreed by law that for man's life, man's life shall pay, interest in his case that has held Atlanta, Georgia and the South enthralled for three months has diminished not a whit since the Sunday morning the body of the little factory girl was found. Wise judges of news, men who are paid thousands of dollars each year for their knowledge of the fickleness of the public, men who can time to the second the period when interest dies in one thing before the public eye
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Pinkerton Men Brand Lanford Charges False

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 Emphatic denial of the charges by Chief of Detectives Lanford that he had kept bad faith with the city department in connection with the investigation of the murder of Mary Phagan was made by H. B. Pierce, superintendent of the Pinkerton Detective Agency in Atlanta, Saturday night. Chief Lanford's accusations against the Pinkerton official were mainly that he had withheld evidence from the city police, especially the bloodstained stick and the pay envelope of the Phagan girl, both of which were found by Pinkerton operatives on the first floor of the factory and
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Prominent Atlantans Named On Frank Trial Jury Venire

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 The venire of 144 men from which twelve will be selected to decide the fate of Leo M. Frank is considered to be one of the most representative ever drawn from a petit jury box in Fulton County. Prominent among the prospective jurors are Joel Hurt, Dr. E. L. Connally and J. W. Alexander, capitalists: David Woodward, president of the Woodward Lumber Company; George Law, of Law Brothers; R. F. Shedden, of the Mutual Life Insurance Company; Thomas D. Meador, vice president of the Lowry National Bank, and Edwin F. Johnson, advertising man.
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Public Demands Frank Trial To-morrow

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 Old Police Reporter Sees No Cause for Delay Either Side Asking Postponement Will Reveal Weakness, as Time Has Been Given for Preparation. Conley Is Center of Interest. Defense Must Break Story of Negro or Face Difficult Situation. State Will Base Case on Chain of Circumstantial Evidence. By AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. The defense in the case of Leo Frank would have made a mistake, if current street comment counts for anything, had it decided to move for a continuance of the case to-morrow. Indeed, the fact that the defense even was suspected of
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 State Bolsters Conley

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 Solves Discrepancies of Time Mistaken Identity To Be Plea Leo M. Frank Goes to Trial for the Slaying of Mary Phagan Monday, With Both Prosecution and the Defense Confident. All Preparations Are Made for Big Crowds—Judge Roan to Be on Bench, Despite Recent Illness—Bitter Battle Expected. Leo M. Frank will go on trial for his life to-morrow forenoon. With the beginning of the great legal battle, hardly more than 24 hours distant, it has been learned that the prosecution has overcome to its own satisfaction the greatest obstacle with which it has been
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Trial to Surpass in Interest Any in Fulton County History

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 No murder trial in Fulton County ever has approached the spectacular interest which is in prospect in the Frank case from the first, sharp skirmish between the opposing attorneys, through the long, bitter legal battle, and to the final pleas of the prosecution and the defense. The presence of Luther Z. Rosser and Reuben R. Arnold in the brilliant array of legal talent at once made certain that the trial would be out of the ordinary. Neither has the reputation of making a half-hearted fight when there is anything at stake. This time
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Venire Whipped Into Shape Rapidly; Negro Is Eligible

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 Within a minute or two after Deputy Sheriff Plennie Minor had called the court to order the examination process was applied to the venire panel of 144 men. From each panel of twelve one or more men were excused after being asked the formal questions and furnished a sufficient reason to bar them. J. H. Jones, Deputy Clerk, called the names. F. W. Stone, No. 82 East Linden street, was excused on account of illness. R. F. Shedden was refused on an excuse of military exemption. Only one man was excused from the
  • Sunday, 27th July 1913 Work of Choosing Jury for Trial of Frank Difficult

    Atlanta Georgian (Hearst's Sunday American)July 27th, 1913 Veniremen Searchingly Examined by Both State and Defense Slightest Objection Used to Disqualify—Attorneys Shrewdly Gauge Candidates from Every Angle. In the selection of the twelve men to comprise the jury which will try Leo M. Frank for the murder of Mary Phagan, one of the bitterest contests of the great legal battle which begins Monday is anticipated. That counsel for both the defense and State will probe deep into the character of each of the men drawn from the venire of 144 who take the stand for examination for jury service in this
  • Monday, 28th July 1913 Frank, Feeling Tiptop, Smiling and Confident, is Up Long Before Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 28th, 1913 Frank was escorted from the Tower to the courthouse shortly after 6 o'clock in the morning, nearly three hours before the trial was schedule to begin. This was done to avoid the curious crowd which it was expected would be about the courthouse and thronging the corridors at 9 o'clock. Frank was up and dressed and freshly shaven when Deputy Sheriff Plennie Miner appeared before his cell at the early hour. "How are you feeling this morning Mr. Frank?" the deputy inquired. "Tip top, only, I'm mighty hungry," replied Frank. Exhibiting the same poised confidence that
  • Monday, 28th July 1913 Frank Jury

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 28th, 1913 Here is the Frank jury complete: A. H. Henslee, 74 Oak street; salesman. F. V. L. Smith, 481 Cherokee avenue, manufacturer's agent. J. F. Higdon, 108 Ormewood avenue. F. E. Winburn, 213 Lucile avenue, claim agent. A. L. Wisbey, 31 Hood street, cashier of the Buckeye Oil Company. W. M. Jeffries, a real estate man, with offices at 318 Empire building. Marcellus Johemming, 161 James street, a machine shop foreman with offices at 281 Marietta street. M. L. Woodward, cashier King Hardware Company, 182 Park avenue. J. T. Osburn, an optician for A. K. Hawkes, was
  • Monday, 28th July 1913 Jury Complete to Try Frank

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 28th, 1913 Wife Helps Prisoner Pick Men to Try Him All in Readiness for Real Trial to Begin After Short Recess Events on the opening day of the trial of Leo M. Frank, accused of the slaying of Mary Phagan in the National Pencil Factory, moved with such unexpected swiftness that it was apparent that the trial proper would be under way and the first witnesses called before the close of the first day's session. The jury had been completed by the time recess was taken at 1:30. After a few preliminary clashes between the opposing attorneys which
  • Monday, 28th July 1913 Mary Phagan’s Mother Testifies

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 28th, 1913 Newt Lee Repeats His Story in Court Room Negro Watchman Swears Frank Acted Oddly Day of Crime Here are the important developments in the trial of Leo M. Frank for the murder of Mary Phagan. Jury chosen at 1:30 p. m. Mrs. Coleman, girl's mother, takes stand after recess, at 3:15, and tells of Mary leaving for the factory 11:45 a. m. on April 26. George W. Epps, boy companion of Mary Phagan, repeats his story that he had an engagement to meet her on the afternoon of the fatal day. Newt Lee, night watchman at
  • Tuesday, 29th July 1913 After Rosser’s Fierce Grilling All Negro, Newt Lee, Asked for Was Chew or Bacca-AnyKind

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 29th, 1913 He Looks Like a Negro, He Talks Like a Negro, and He Has the Will and the Manner of Darkies in Old-Time Slavery Days—Was on the Stand Three Hours Tuesday Morning "All I wanted was a chew of ‘bacca. Yes, sir, dat was all," said Newt Lee after he had testified for three hours Tuesday morning at the Frank trial, had answered question upon question, had experienced all the exquisite delights of a real cross-examination. "I can't say I was tired. Naw, sir, not ‘zactly that I jes' needed the ‘bacca. Soon as I left the
  • Tuesday, 29th July 1913 Defense Wins Point After Fierce Lawyers’ Clash

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 29th, 1913 STATE TRIES TO SHOW GIRL WAS STRANGLED ON THE SECOND FLOOR Here are Tuesday's important developments in the trial of Leo M. Frank on the charge of murdering Mary Phagan in the National Pencil Factory, Saturday, April 26. Newt Lee, negro night watchman at the pencil factory, leaves the stand after four hours and forty minutes of examination and cross-examination with the essential points of his story unshaken. Efforts to discredit the negro's story result only in showing several discrepancies in the story he told before the Coroner's jury and his testimony on the stand at
  • Tuesday, 29th July 1913 Lee’s Quaint Answers Rob Leo Frank’s Trial of All Signs of Rancor

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 29th, 1913 By L. F. Woodruff A page was ripped from a story of Harris Dickson. "Old Reliable" was paraded in the life in as somber a setting as was ever conceived and the temper of the audience that is following the fortunes of Leo Frank through his struggle for life and liberty was revealed. Some sinister things have been said of the spirit of Atlanta in reference to the trial of the pencil factory superintendent as the slayer of Mary Phagan. It was whispered once that the law would not be allowed to take its course, but
  • Tuesday, 29th July 1913 Tragedy, Ages Old, Lurks in Commonplace Court Setting

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 29th, 1913 Outwardly Quiet and Singularly Lacking in Excitement, Frank Trial is Enactment of Grim Drama. By JAMES B. NEVIN. One of the most commonplace things in the world—crime—is riveting the attention of Atlanta and Georgia to-day. Crime is almost as commonplace as death—and yet death, in a thousand ways, never is commonplace at all. If I were a stranger in Atlanta and should walk into the courthouse where Leo Frank is being tried for the murder of Mary Phagan, doubtless I should be utterly astounded to discover what I had walked into. That pale-faced, slight, boyish-looking party
  • Wednesday, 30th July 1913 Defense Plans Sensation, Line of Queries Indicates

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 30th, 1913 That a sensation is be sprung by the defense by the production of the mysteriously missing ribbon and flowers from the hat of the murdered girl was repeatedly indicated by Attorney Rosser's line of questioning Tuesday and the afternoon before. Beginning with Mrs. J. W. Coleman, mother of Mary Phagan, the attorney for Frank interrogated every witness who saw the girl alive or dead that day in regard to the ribbon and flowers. Mrs. Coleman said that the ribbon and flowers were on the hat when Mary left home. Newt Lee said that he had seen
  • Wednesday, 30th July 1913 Flashes of Tragedy Pierce Legal Tilts at Frank Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 30th, 1913 By O. B. KEELER. The trouble is, plain human emotions won't stick at concert pitch all the time. And so the Frank trial, after the first twenty minutes, say, becomes much like any other trial. Except in the flashes. You get into the courtroom with some formality. At once you are in the midst of order. It is rather ponderous, made-to-order order. But it is order. Officials stalk about, walking on the balls of their feet, like pussy cats. But they do not purr. They request you to be seated. You must not stand up; you
  • Wednesday, 30th July 1913 Frank’s Mother Pitiful Figure of the Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 30th, 1913 Defendant Perfect in Poise, His Wife Picture of Contemptuous Confidence. By L. F. WOODRUFF. Arm akimbo; glasses firmly set, changing position seldom, Leo M. Frank sits through his trial with his thoughts in Kamchatka, Terra del Fuego, or the Antipodes, so far as the spectators in the courtroom can judge. He may realize that if the twelve men he faces decide that he is guilty of the murder of Mary Phagan, the decree of earthly court will be that his sole hope of the future will be an appeal to the Court on High. His mind
  • Wednesday, 30th July 1913 Gantt Has Startling Evidence; Dorsey Promises New Testimony Against Frank

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 30th, 1913 STATE ADDS NEW LINK TO EVIDENCE CHAIN BY BOOTS ROGERS' STORY Sensational testimony by J. M. Gantt, discharged pencil factory employee, was promised Wednesday by Solicitor Dorsey and Frank A. Hooper, who is assisting him. They admitted that Gantt had testimony that had never before been published and would be one of the State's most material and direct witnesses. The defense has heard that Gantt will testify he saw Frank and Conley together on the day of the crime. Gantt was expected to follow Grace Hicks on the stand. The State added another link in the
  • Wednesday, 30th July 1913 Rosser’s Examination of Lee Just a Shot in Dark; Hoped to Start Quarry

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 30th, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. If Mr. Luther Z. Rosser's bite is one-half so dangerous as his growl undoubtedly is disconcerting and awe-inspiring, there will be little save shreds and patches of the prosecution left when the State comes eventually to sum up its case against Leo Frank. Rosser's examination of Newt Lee was one of the most nerve racking and interesting I ever listened to. It reminded me much of a big mastiff worrying and teasing a huge brown rat, and grimly bent eventually upon the rat's utter annihilation. A witness up against one of Rosser's
  • Thursday, 31st July 1913 Collapse of Testimony of Black and Hix Girl’s Story Big Aid to Frank

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 31st, 1913 Although the State's witnesses were on the stand all of Wednesday the day was distinctly favorable for Frank, partly because nothing distinctly unfavorable was developed against him—the burden of proof being upon the State—but most largely because of two other factors, the utter collapse of the testimony of one of the State's star witnesses, City Detective John Black, and the testimony in favor of Frank that was given by another of the State's witnesses, Miss Grace Hix, a 16-year-old factory employee. Girl Helps Frank. Miss Hix testified that the strands of hair found on the lathing
  • Thursday, 31st July 1913 Crimson Trail Leads Crowd to Courtroom Sidewalk

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 31st, 1913 By L. F. WOODRUFF. The sun's heat is broiling. No man can stand it without suffering. And still men stand, not one man, but scores of them, on a blistered pavement gazing on a red brick building as unsightly as a gorgon's head and look at nothing by the hour. They are led there by a trail of crimson, and they are held there by the carmine charm that—since Cain committed his deed of fratricide—has made murder the deed that the law most severely punishes and has made it the act that most interests man. Go
  • Thursday, 31st July 1913 Holloway Accused by Solicitor Dorsey of Entrapping State

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 31st, 1913 Here are the important developments of Thursday in the trial of Leo M. Frank: Harry Scott, Pinkerton detective, is accused of having "trapped" the prosecution by Solicitor Dorsey, when he testifies that Frank was not nervous when he first saw him. He is fiercely grilled by the defense after having testified to finding blood spots on the second floor, wiped over with a white substance. He testifies in addition that Herbert Haas, attorney for Frank, asked him to give him reports on his investigations before he gave them to the police and that he refused. He
  • Thursday, 31st July 1913 Red Bandanna, a Jackknife and Plennie Minor Preserve Order

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 31st, 1913 He Raps With the Barlow Blade and Waves the Oriflamed Kerchief Judiciously. Plennie Minor, chief deputy sheriff, has a man's sized job on his hands and he handles it with the aid of a red bandanna handkerchief and a pocketknife. More formidable armament has been invented, but the oriflammed kerchief and the barlow blade are all that Plennie Miner requires to perform a duty that many would deem arduous, all of which shows that the deputy sheriff is a man of resource and ability. It is his job to keep order in Judge Roan's courtroom, while
  • Thursday, 31st July 1913 Scott Trapped Us, Dorsey Charges; Pinkerton Man Is Also Attacked by the Defense

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 31st, 1913 FRANK NOT IN OFFICE JUST AFTER 12 ON DAY OF SLAYING, SAYS GIRL The deliberate charge that he had been "trapped" by Pinkerton Detective Harry Scott was made by Solicitor Dorsey at the trial of Leo M. Frank Thursday. Scott played a curious part in the trial, being attacked by both sides. He was given the same fiery baptism that annihilated City Detective Black the day before, but he passed through the ordeal in much better shape than his brother detective. Scott left the stand at 11 o'clock and Miss Monteen Stover was called. The Stover
  • Thursday, 31st July 1913 State Balloon Soars When Dorsey, Roiled, Cries ‘Plant’

    Atlanta GeorgianJuly 31st, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. Poor John Black! With this unwitting assistance of the Solicitor General and the assistance of Luther Rosser, he furnished all the "punch" there was in Wednesday's story of the Frank trial. Black evidently was undertaking to tell the truth, and was unwilling to tell more or less than the truth, but that didn't help matters much, so far as the State was concerned. When Solicitor Dorsey exclaimed "plant!"—which means nothing more than "faked" or "framed up" evidence for the benefit of the defense—I glanced rapidly at Rosser. I saw precisely what I
  • Friday, 1st August 1913 Conley Takes Stand Saturday

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 1st, 1913 Lawyers Wrangle Over Frank's Nervousness DORSEY WINS POINT AS ROSSER BATTLES TO DEFEND ACCUSED Jim Conley, accuser of Leo Frank, will take the stand Saturday morning, according to all indications Friday, to repeat the remarkable story he told concerning his part in the disposition of the body of Mary Phagan and undergo the merciless grilling of the defense. Solicitor General Dorsey said that he expected to have his case completed by Saturday night and police, believing he will call the negro to-morrow, had him shaved and cleaned up and in readiness for his appearance. Regardless of
  • Friday, 1st August 1913 Defense Not Helped by Witnesses Accused of Entrapping the State

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 1st, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. Has the State succeeded in thoroughly establishing the fact that little Mary Phagan's tragic death was effected on the second floor of the National Pencil Factory, in Forsyth street? It has not, of course—but it has set up by competent evidence a number of suspicious circumstances, which, if properly sustained later along, will prove damaging in the extreme to Leo Frank. Unless these circumstances, trivial in some aspects, are braced up and backed up, however, by other much stronger circumstances, they will give the jury, in all probability, little concern in arriving
  • Friday, 1st August 1913 Dorsey Unafraid as He Faces Champions of the Atlanta Bar

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 1st, 1913 Up Against a Hard Proposition Youthful Solicitor Is Fighting Valiantly to Win Case. By L. F. WOODRUFF. Georgia's law's most supreme penalty faces Leo Frank. A reputation that they can not be beaten must be sustained by Luther Rosser and Reuben Arnold. Atlanta's detective department's future is swaying on the issue of the Frank trial. But there is a man with probably as much at stake as any of the hundreds who crowd Judge Roan's courtroom, with the exception of Frank, and he is accepting the ordeal, though he realizes it, as calmly as a person
  • Friday, 1st August 1913 Girl Slain After Frank Left Factory, Believed to be Defense Theory

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 1st, 1913 Was Mary Phagan killed at or very near the time she entered the National Pencil Factory April 26 to get her pay envelope or was she merely attacked at this time and murdered later? The line of questioning pursued by Luther Rosser in his cross-examination of two of the State's witnesses Thursday afternoon indicated this will be one of the questions the jurors will have to settle before they will be able to determine the innocence or guilt of Leo M. Frank. Rosser was most persistent in his interrogation both of William A. Gheesling embalmer, and
  • Friday, 1st August 1913 Sherlocks, Lupins and Lecoqs See Frank Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 1st, 1913 There are enough "hists," "aha's" and those other exclamations that mark a true detective besides the badge on his left suspender to fill a whole volume of Gaborieau thrillers at the Frank trial. A stranger whirled from the Terminal Station to Judge Roan's courtroom would be convinced before he had been in that temple of justice five minutes that all Atlanta earns its living following clews, and that if Sherlock Holmes was made a material being he could beat Jim Woodward for Mayor by 8,000 votes. Ever since the body of Mary Phagan was found, practically
  • Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Defense Threatens a Mistrial

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 2nd, 1913 Newspaper on Judge's Desk Causes Protest DR. HURT UNDER FIRE OF DEFENSE, HITS A DR. HARRIS TESTIMONY A genuine sensation was sprung at the trial of Leo M. Frank Saturday morning when Luther Rosser and Reuben Arnold, attorneys for the defense, asked the State to consent to a new trial on the ground that Judge Roan had allowed the jury to catch a glimpse of a headline in the first extra of The Georgian. Judge Roan had laid the paper on the stand in front of him, and, according to the defense, the headline across the
  • Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Frank Juror’s Life One Grand, Sweet SongNot

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 2nd, 1913 O. B. Keeler. The juror's life is not unmixed with care. Look him over next time you attend the Frank trial. Size up his little job. Weigh his responsibility. Consider his problems. And then, if seeking employment, go out and sign a contract to make little ones out of big ones. It's a more satisfactory way of earning $2 a day. The juror's business is to collect evidence by the earful, sift the same, separate the true from the false, and make it into a verdict as between the Stat of Georgia and Leo Frank. On
  • Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Roan Holding Scales of Justice With Steady Hand

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 2nd, 1913 By L. F. WOODRUFF. Emotion's entire gamut is daily run on the screen of faces watching the Frank trial. A student of facial expression can find anything he seeks by watching the throng of spectators a half hour. A glance at one man may show a sneer of hate as bitter as gall. His neighbor in the next seat will probably be smiling in amused content as if her were witnessing the antics of his favorite comedian. Looking to the left he may see fear as vividly depicted on a countenance as trapped felon has ever
  • Saturday, 2nd August 1913 State Hopes Dr. Harris Fixed Fact That Frank Had Chance to Kill Girl

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 2nd, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. The testimony of Dr. Roy Harris, chairman of the State Board of Health, and one of the most learned and approved physicians in Georgia, was dramatic, both in its substance and in the manner of its delivery Friday. It was not calculated to help Leo Frank—and it did not. The exhibition of a portion of the contents of the dead girl's stomach, for the purpose of approximating the time of her death, held breathless the packed courthouse—and the fainting of the physician during the progress of his testimony gave a final touch
  • Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Will 5 Ounces of Cabbage Help Convict Leo M. Frank?

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 2nd, 1913 Are five and half ounces of cabbage to be the principal factor in sending a man to the gibbet? If the prosecution is warranted in its belief in the vital and incriminating importance of the testimony of Dr. H. F. Harris, director of the State Board of Health, this is exactly the outcome to be expected in the trial of Leo M. Frank, charged with the murder of little Mary Phagan. It remains, however, for the State to show explicitly just how the sensational statements made last Friday afternoon by medical expert any more clearly connect
  • Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Conley to Bring Frank Case Crisis

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 3rd, 1913 Negro's Testimony Now Supremely Important Both Sides Stake Their All on His Evidence STATE FORGES CHAIN TO TAX ALL THE INGENUITY OF DEFENSES LEGAL ARRAY First Week of Battle Has Fixed the Time Almost Exactly According to Theory of the Solicitor—Doctors' Testimony His Important Bearing. BY AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. There are two tenable theories of the manner in which little Mary Phagan met her tragic death in the National Pencil Factory on Saturday, April 26. Either she was murdered by Leo Frank, as charged in the indictment, or she was murdered by James Conley, the
  • Sunday, 3rd August 1913 First Week of Frank Trial Ends With Both Sides Sure of Victory

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 3rd, 1913 Solicitor Dorsey Indicates That Real Sensation Will Be Developed for State in Closing Days of Famous Mary Phagan Mystery Case. ANOTHER WEEK OF ORDEAL IN THE HEAT IS EXPECTED Routing of Detective Black and Surprise in the Testimony of Pinkerton Agent Gives the Defense Principal Points Scored—Newt Lee Hurts. Slow and tedious, almost without frills, full of bitter squabbles between lawyers, made memorable by oppressive heat, the first week of Leo Frank's trial on the charge that he killed Mary Phagan, the little factory girl, has drawn to an end. With the close of the week
  • Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Leo Frank’s Eyes Show Intense Interest in Every Phase of Case

    Courtroom Studies of Leo Frank: Three typical poses of the defendant in the famous Phagan case are show, while in the upper left of the picture is a study of Luther Rosser, his leading counsel. Here is what a study of Frank's face reveals: His face is immovable, except, perhaps, for the eyes. But fixity of countenance does not always go with unconcern. In this case it is a part of the man's nature. Immobility is the essential part of his physiognomy. It is the immobility of the business man given to calculation, of the gambler, of the person given
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Boiled Cabbage Brings Hypothetical Question Stage in Frank’s Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 4th, 1913 By JAMS B. NEVIN. When a prospective juryman is on his voir dire in a given criminal case, he is asked if his mind is perfectly impartial between the State and the accused. If he answers yes, he is competent to try the case, so far as that is concerned. If he answers no, he is rejected. How many people in Atlanta and Georgia, having heard part of the testimony in the Frank case, still feel themselves to be perfectly impartial between the State and the accused? How many people, having heard part of the evidence,
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Conley’s Story In Detail; Women Barred By Judge

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 4th, 1913 There was a murmur of excitement following the calling of Jim Conley; there was a wait of several minutes, officers having just left the police station with the negro a minute or two before he was called. Judge Roan impatiently ordered the Sheriff to bring in the witness. A number of spectators who were crowded up too close to the jury box were moved back by the court deputies. "The Sheriff hasn't got Jim Conley," said Attorney Rosser, after a statement from Deputy Sheriff Plennie Miner. "Mr. Starnes will bring him in," returned Solicitor Dorsey. "See
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Dorsey Tries to Prove Frank Had Chance to Kill Girl

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 4th, 1913 NEGRO SPRINGS NEW SENSATION, ADDING TO STORY.James Conley, the negro sweeper in the National Pencil Factory, was called to the stand in the trial of Leo M. Frank, whom he accuses of the murder of Mary Phagan, at 10:15 Monday; under the skillful questioning of Solicitor Dorsey began the recitation of his sensational story.The negro was taken to the court in Chief Beavers' automobile and was accompanied by his lawyer, W.M. Smith. It was learned for the first time Monday that Conley would swear that he saw Mary Phagan enter the factory just before Monteen Stover,
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Dramatic Moment of Trial Comes as Negro Takes Stand

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 4th, 1913 L. O. Grice, a stenographer in the offices of the Atlanta and West Point Railroad, was the first witness called. He said that he saw Frank on Sunday morning after the murder and Frank attracted his attention by his undue nervousness. Grice said he was on the way to the Terminal Station when he bought an "extra" stating that a murder had been committed at the National Pencil Factory. He said he stopped by the pencil factory and saw eight men on the inside of the building. "Did any of these men attract your particular attention?"
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Envy Not the Juror! His Lot, Mostly, Is Monotony

        Atlanta Georgian August 4th, 1913 By L. F. WOODRUFF. A policeman's life is not a merry one. The thought was expressed and event set to music in those dim days of the distant past when people heard the lyrics and listened to the charming lilts of Gilbert and Sullivan opera instead of centering their attentions on a winsome young woman with a record in the divorce courts and not much else in either ability or raiment. Gilbert and Sullivan, now being tradition, can be considered authorities. Wherefore the thought is repeated that a policeman's life is not a
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Frank Calm and Jurors Tense While Jim Conley Tells His Ghastly Tale

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 4th, 1913 During the long wait for Conley to appear, Frank, his loyal wife and his no less loyal mother gave no sign of fear. Accuser and accused were about to face each other, a dramatic situation which the authorities had sought to bring about since the negro made his third affidavit charging Frank with the terrible crime. If Frank at last were on the edge of a breakdown his calm, untroubled features were most deceiving at this time. He seemed no more concerned than when John Black, floundering and helpless on the stand, was making as good
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Frank Witness Nearly Killed By a Mad Dog

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 4th, 1913 Deputy Sheriff W. W. ("Boots") Rogers, witness for the State in the Frank trial, is taking the Pasteur treatment at the State Capitol Monday after being bitten half a dozen times on the right ankle by a rabid dog that pulled him from his motorcycle at Henderson's crossing, on Capitol avenue, Sunday night about 11 o'clock. After a battle of more than fifteen minutes Rogers finally drove the dog away, and though his right leg was badly torn and lacerated, rode the two miles from the crossing to Grady Hospital. When he arrived at the hospital
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Jim Conley’s Story as Matter of Fact as if it Were of His Day’s Work

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 4th, 1913 By O. B. Keeler. Jim Conley, hewer of wood and drawer of water. On the witness stand at the Frank trial this morning, Jim unfolded a tale whose lightest word—you know the rest. It was a story that flexed attention to the breaking point: a story that whitened knuckles and pressed finger nails into palms; a story that absorbed the usual courtroom stir and rustle, and froze the hearers into lines upon lines of straining faces. And Jim Conley told that story as he might have told the story of a day's work at well-digging, or
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Jurors Strain Forward to Catch Conley Story; Frank’s Interest Mild

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 4th, 1913 Dramatic in its very glibness and unconcern, Conley's story, if it failed to shake or disturb Leo Frank, at least had a wonderful impression upon each member of the jury. Conley told of seeing Mary Phagan enter the factory. This was the first time he had admitted to this, so far as the public had known. Frank showed only a mild interest, but the jurors strained forward in their seats. Conley told of hearing the footsteps from his vantage point on the first floor of two persons coming out of Frank's office. Frank still exhibited no
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Ordeal is Borne with Reserve by Franks

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 4th, 1913 Wife and Mother of the Accused Pencil Factory Superintendent Sit Calmly Through Trial. By TARLETON COLLIER Women are brought into a court room, as all the world knows, for one of two purposes. Their presence may have a moral effect in softening the heart of a juror, particularly if they be young, pretty or wistful of countenance. Or they may be there on the affectionate mission of cheering and encouraging a beloved defendant. Two women sat with Leo Frank through all the hot, weary days of last week. Their object was the one or the other.
  • Monday, 4th August 1913 Rosser’s Grilling of Negro Leads to Hot Clashes by Lawyers

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 4th, 1913 A bitter, determined cross-examination of Jim Conley by Luther Rosser was marked by a prolonged battle between counsel for the defense and State over the method of questioning the negro. The defense won a complete victory, Judge Roan ruling that the accuser of Leo Frank could be cross-examined on any subject the prisoner's lawyers saw fit. In the course of this legal tilt Luther Rosser said: "I am going after him (referring to Conley) and I am going to jump on him with both feet." Turning to counsel for the State he added significantly: "And I
  • Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Conleys Charge Turns Frank Trial Into Fight To Worse Than Death

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 5th, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. Black and sinister, depressing in its every aspect and horrible in its gloom, the testimony of Jim Conley in the Frank case was given to the court and the jury under direct examination Monday. The shadow of the negro had loomed like a frightful cloud over the courtroom for days—the negro himself came into the case Monday. And he came into it in an awful and unspeakably sensational way! The public was prepared for most that Conley said—it was not quite prepared for all he said. The State, in its direct examination
  • Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Many Discrepancies To Be Bridged in Conleys Stories

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 5th, 1913 The defense of Leo Frank will bring out vividly before the jury Tuesday that the striking feature of Jim Conley's dramatic recital on the stand Monday was that it differed not only from the first two affidavits signed by the negro, which he later repudiated in large part, but it also conflicted in several particulars with the last sensational affidavit in which he charged Leo Frank with the killing of the girl and related that he (Conley) disposed of the body and wrote the notes that were found at its side at Frank's direction. As a
  • Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Mrs. Frank Breaks Down in Court

        Atlanta Georgian August 5th, 1913 Judge, Favoring Defense, Reserves Decision as to Striking Out Testimony CONLEY CONTINUES TO WITHSTAND FIERCE ATTACKS OF ROSSER Reuben Arnold created a sensation at the opening of Tuesday afternoon's session of the Frank trial by making a motion that all of the revolting testimony concerning Leo Frank's alleged conduct before the day of Mary Phagan's murder be stricken out of the records. He also demanded that all of Jim Conley's testimony in reference to watching at the door at Frank's direction be expunged except the time he claims he watched on the day
  • Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Rosser Goes Fiercely After Jim Conley

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 5th, 1913 The determined onslaught against Jim Conley, his string of affidavits and the story he told before the Frank jury had its real beginning Monday afternoon. Luther Rosser, starting with the avowed purpose of breaking down the negro's story and forcing from the negro's lips a story more incriminating to himself than any he had uttered, went deeply into Conley's past history, his home life, his prison record and everything that directly or remotely might have a bearing on the solution of the murder mystery. Before taking up the events of the day that Mary Phagan was
  • Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Traditions of the South Upset; White Mans Life Hangs on Negros Word

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 5th, 1913 By L.F. WOODRUFF. Sinister as a cloud, as raven as a night unaided by moon, planet or satellite, Jim Conley is to-day the most talked-of man in Georgia. His black skin has not been whitened by the emancipation proclamation. The record of his race for regarding an oath as it regards a drink of gin, something to be swallowed, remains unattacked. But Georgia is to-day listening to the words of Jim Conley with breathless interest. His every syllable has ten thousand of eager interpreters. His facial expression is watched as keenly as he answers the questions
  • Wednesday, 6th August 1913 Accuser of Conley is Ready to Testify

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 6th, 1913 Deplores Newspaper Publicity, but Poses Merrily for the Camera Brigade. W. H. Mincey, the school teacher and insurance solicitor who made an affidavit that Jim Conley confessed to him that he had already killed a girl that day and didn't want to kill anyone else, was the center of attention for the crowd on the outside of the courthouse Wednesday mornin. While deploring newspaper publicity, he readily agreed to pose for a group of newspaper photographers, assuming many poses, some of which were rather grotesque. He followed this with implicit instructions to the photographer that his
  • Wednesday, 6th August 1913 Can Jury Obey if Told to Forget Base Charge?

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 6th, 1913 By James B. Nevin. "Gentlemen of the jury, having heard from James Conley, the blackest, most damning story ever told in Atlanta by one human being against another, having sat there and listened as he smudged with unspeakable scandal the defendant in this case, Leo Frank, although it is irrelevant, immaterial, and has nothing to do with this case, you will kindly forget it, being on your oaths as jurymen to consider the evidence declared competent!" And the jury, being like most other juries, in one way or another, and having heard all the things as
  • Wednesday, 6th August 1913 Conley Swears Frank Hid Purse

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 6th, 1913 Sweeper's Grilling Ends After 151/2 Hours, His Main Story Unshaken MYSTERY OF GIRL'S MESH BAG EXPLAINED BY NEGRO ON STAND That Mary Phagan's silver-plated mesh bag, mysteriously missing since the girl's bruised and lifeless body was found the morning of April 27, was in Leo Frank's office a few minutes after the attack and later was placed in the safe in Frank's office was the startling statement made by the negro Conley Wednesday in the course of his re-direct examination by Solicitor Dorsey. At 11:10 the negro left the stand after being questioned for fifteen and
  • Wednesday, 6th August 1913 Crowd Set in Its Opinions

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 6th, 1913 By O. B. KEELER. The impression persists that courtroom crowds are made up in the main of two classes, as follows: (1) People who take it for granted that any person being tried on any charge in any court is guilty, and then some. (2) People who are constitutionally incapable of believing anybody is guilty of anything whatever. That is one powerful impression gained at the Frank trial. It is an impression sticking out pointedly in the wake of the Thaw trial, and the Nan Patterson trial, and the Beatty trial, and the Hyde trial. All
  • Wednesday, 6th August 1913 Dorsey Accomplishes Aim Despite Big Odds

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 6th, 1913 By L. F. WOODRUFF. Practically the entire case on which the State of Georgia bases its claim on the life of Leo Frank to pay for that life taken from Mary Phagan is before the jury. Most of the remaining evidence of importance, which the Solicitor General may introduce merely will be rebuttal to testimony, presented by Frank's counsel. Whether the evidence presented is strong enough to convict is a question for the jury to decide. Whether the testimony introduced by the defense will be convincing enough to cause the reasonable doubt which the law says
  • Wednesday, 6th August 1913 Judge Will Rule on Evidence Attacked by Defense at 2 P.M.

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 6th, 1913 As soon as court opened Mr. Rosser asked the judge if he was ready to hear argument on the proposition to eliminate parts of Conley testimony. He said he was prepared to support his motion with authorities. Judge Roan replied that he would postpone this decision until 2 o'clock. Solicitor Dorsey declared that he had witnesses he expects to put on the stand Wednesday morning to substantiate the part of the negro's testimony in dispute. He said: "I just want the court to understand that I am going to do this." Judge Roan replied: "I'll give
  • Thursday, 7th August 1913 Jim Conley, the Ebony Chevalier of Crime, is Darktowns Own Hero

    This shows the Solicitor in an argument at the Frank trial. Atlanta GeorgianAugust 7th, 1913 By James B. Nevin Now that James Conley has been dismissed from the Frank trial, now that he has stood safely the fire of Mr. Rosser's most exhaustive grilling, what of him? If Frank is convicted, Conley subsequently will be convicted, no doubt, of being an accessory after the fact of Mary Phagan's murder—and that will mean three years, at most, in the penitentiary. After that—when the Frank trial, more or less, has been forgotten—Conley will be a liberty to come back amongst the people
  • Thursday, 7th August 1913 Roans Ruling Heavy Blow to Defense

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 7th, 1913 Judge Roan administered a severe blow to the defense Wednesday when he ruled that all of Conley's story should stand, although portions of it, he acknowledged, would have been inadmissible had objection been made at the time the testimony was offered. Judge to Rule as Case Proceeds. It was a particularly difficult allegation to combat. Unlike many allegations, it was exactly as hard to fight in the event it was false as in case it was founded on fact. Judge Roan said in regard to the testimony of Dalton that he did not know what it
  • Thursday, 7th August 1913 State Ends Case Against Frank

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 7th, 1913 Dalton Corroborates Jim Conley's Story DR. CHILDS IS CALLED BY DEFENSE TO REBUT DR. HARRIS' EVIDENCE With the cross-examination of Dr. H. F. Harris, the State Thursday afternoon rested its case against Leo M. Frank accused of the murder of Mary Phagan. Dr. L. W. Childs was called by the defense as its first witness to rebut the testimony of Dr. Harris. The mysterious C. B. Dalton, who was expected to make sensational revelations of incidents in which Leo Frank was alleged to have participated in the National Pencil Factory, proved a very tame and commonplace
  • Thursday, 7th August 1913 Trial as Varied as Vaudeville Exhibition

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 7th, 1913 Every Change in Chromatic Scale Rung—All Georgia Types Seen in Court. By L. F. Woodruff. Every change in the chromatic scale has been rung in the Frank trial. With the single exception of the skyrocket oratory that will mark the last stage of the trial, everything that has ever been done in the trial of a criminal case has been enacted in the fight to fix on the superintendent of the National Pencil Factory the guilt of the murder of Mary Phagan. There has been comedy. There has been tragedy. There has been periods as dull
  • Thursday, 7th August 1913 Trial Experts Conflict on Time of Girls Death

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 7th, 1913 Here is a sample of the testimony of Dr. Harris, for the State, given Wednesday afternoon, and conflicting evidence given for the defense by Dr. Childs on Thursday: Dr. Harris said: "I want to state that the amount of secretive juice in this stomach was considerably less than would have collected in an hour. The hydrochloride acid had not been in long enough to become free. The amount of confined hydrochloric was 32 degrees. In a normal stomach, the amount would have been 55 or 60 degrees. It was just about the amount one would have
  • Friday, 8th August 1913 Bits of Circumstantial Evidence, as Viewed by State, Strands in Rope

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 8th, 1913 By O. B. KEELER. They call it a chain that the State has forged, or has tried to forge, to hold Leo Frank to the murder of Mary Phagan. But isn't it a rope? A chain, you know, is as strong as its weakest link. Take one link out, and the chain comes apart. With a rope, it's different. Strand after strand might be cut or broken, and the rope still holds a certain weight. Then might come a time when the cutting of one more strand would cause the rope to break. The point is,
  • Friday, 8th August 1913 Scott Put Conleys Story in Strange Light

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 8th, 1913 Harry Scott, of the Pinkerton agency, showed up the "confessions" of Conley in a peculiar light when he was called to the stand by the Frank defense Thursday afternoon. The detective, questioned by Luther Rosser, told the jury that Conley, when he "had told everything," when he had accused Frank of the killing and had made himself an accessory after the fact by declaring that he assisted in the disposal of the body; when every motive for holding anything back had been swept away by his third affidavit, still denied to him (Scott) many of the
  • Friday, 8th August 1913 State, Tied by Conleys Story, Now Must Stand Still Under Hot Fire

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 8th, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. As the defense in the Frank case gets under way, it is evident enough, as it has been from the beginning of this case, that there is but one big, tremendously compelling task before it—the annihilation of Conley's ugly story! The State climaxed its case thrillingly and with deadly effect in the negro. He came through the fire of cross-examination, exhaustive and thorough, in remarkably good shape, all things considered. He unfolded a story even more horrible than was anticipated. Certainly, in every conceivable way, he has sought to damage the defendant—even
  • Friday, 8th August 1913 Witnesses Attack Conley Story

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 8th, 1913 Say Mary Phagan Did Not Reach Factory Before 12:10 FRANK TAKES ACTIVE INTEREST IN CASE AND ASSISTS HIS LAWYERS The vital time element which may serve alone to convict Leo Frank or set him free, entered largely into the evidence presented Friday by the defense at the trial of the factory superintendent. Two witnesses testified that Mary Phagan did not arrive at Broad and Marietta streets the day she was murdered until about 12:071/2 o'clock, the time the English Avenue car on which she rod from home was due there. One witness, W. M. Matthews, motorman
  • Saturday, 9th August 1913 Absence of Alienists and the Hypothetical Question Distinguishes Frank Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 9th, 1913 By O. B. Keeler There are two things about the Frank trial that entitle it to distinguished consideration. Thus far not a single alienist has been called to bat, and only the common or domesticated type of the dread Hypothetical Question has appeared. In most of our great murder trials, the alienist is the last resort, or one of the latest resorts. Usually he is introduced by the defense; anywhere from four to eight of him. The prosecution promptly counters with an equal number of wheel inspectors. The defense (Vide Thaw case) generally proves to its
  • Saturday, 9th August 1913 Confusion of Holloway Spoils Close of Good Day for the Defense

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 9th, 1913 What promised to be a very favorable day for the defense in the trial of Leo M. Frank, charged with the murder of Mary Phagan, was partly spoiled at its close Friday by the bewilderment of E. F. Holloway, day watchman at the pencil factory, in a maze of conflicting statements. Holloway's confusion under the fire of the Solicitor General was more than offset by the importance of the testimony which had gone before, two of the witnesses giving testimony which was intended to establish that Mary Phagan did not enter the National Pencil Factory on
  • Saturday, 9th August 1913 Daltons Testimony False, Girl Named on Stand Says

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 9th, 1913 The Georgian today received from Miss Laura Atkinson of No. 30 Ella Street, one of the young women mentioned in C. B. Dalton's testimony, a letter denying absolutely that she had ever walked home with Dalton from the restaurant near the pencil factory, as he swore. Here is Miss Atkinson's letter in full: Editor The Georgian: Will you please allow me space to correct a statement made by Mr. C. B. Dalton in his testimony at the Frank trail and published in your paper yesterday? In answer to a question from Mr. Rosser as to whether
  • Saturday, 9th August 1913 Exposure of Conley Story Time Flaws is Sought by Defense

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 9th, 1913 Hammering away to show alleged glaring discrepancies in time in the story told by Jim Conley, the defense of Leo Frank Saturday morning recalled George Epps, the newsboy who testified to riding into town with Mary Phagan on the fatal day, in an attempt to show that the boy on the Sunday after the crime made no mention whatever of having seen Mary the day before in a talk with a newspaperman. Epps was called to the stand after C. B. Dalton had failed to respond to a call from the defense. Reuben Arnold questioned the
  • Saturday, 9th August 1913 Heres the Time Clock Puzzle in Frank Trial; Can You Figure It Out?

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 9th, 1913 THE RIDDLE OF THE CLOCK IN THE PHAGAN MYSTERYJim Conley swears Mary Phagan went up the stairs of the National Pencil factory and was murdered before Monteen Stover arrived. He says he saw Miss Stover go up and leave.Monteen Stover, State's witness, swears she arrived at 12:05.George Epps, State's witness, swears he and Mary Phagan arrived at Marietta and Forsyth streets at 12:07.The car crew, defense's witnesses, swear Mary arrived at Broad and Marietta at 12:071/2 and at Broad and Hunter at 12:10.If Mary Phagan was at Marietta and Forsyth at12:07, as the State says, or
  • Saturday, 9th August 1913 State Attacks Frank Report

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 9th, 1913 Intricacy of Figures Produced by Schiff Under Fire WOMEN NEVER CAME INTO FACTORY OFFICE, WITNESS TESTIFIES The second week of the Frank trial ended at 12:30 Saturday with a bitter battle in progress over the testimony of Herbert G. Schiff, assistant superintendent of the National Pencil Factory. Schiff was called soon after court opened in the forenoon and was on the stand when the adjournment was taken until Monday. Schiff, besides denying that Frank ever had women in his office, describes in elaborate detail the duties of superintendent, particularly his work on the afternoon the little
  • Sunday, 10th August 1913 Case Never is Discussed by Frank Jurors

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 10th, 1913 Every Man on Panel Has Nickname and Formality Has Been Cast Out. No member of the jury that is to decide Leo M. Frank's guilt or innocence had expressed an opinion on the case or even one witness' testimony when the second week of the trial ended yesterday afternoon, according to the deputies who have them in charge. In the court it is an attentive jury. No bit of evidence gets by unnoticed, no wrangle occurs between the attorneys that is not given their undivided attention, and when a person testifies they catch every word—knowing the
  • Sunday, 10th August 1913 Conley, Unconcerned, Asks Nothing of Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 10th, 1913 Despite the attacks of the defense in the trial of Leo Frank has made upon his story, Jim Conley—from whose lips fell the most damning and abhorrent testimony a Georgia jury has ever heard—sits calmly in his cell at the Tower, inscrutable and unconcerned. The negro, for weeks the greatest puzzle in the criminal annals of the State, has become an even greater puzzle since he told his story and was taken back to the gloominess of the jail. The fact that he is an admitted accessory after the fact in the murder of little Mary
  • Sunday, 10th August 1913 Dalton Sticks Firmly To Story Told on Stand

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 10th, 1913 C. B. Dalton, prominent as a witness in the Frank trial, stuck firmly to the story he told in court when he was confronted Saturday by the letter of Miss Laura Atkinson, No. 30 Ella street, one of the young women mentioned in his sensational testimony. She branded his statement concerning her as false. He maintained that all he said as a witness was true—that he met her, as he had other girls of the pencil factory, and walked home with her from a restaurant near the plant on Forsyth street. Dalton was emphatic in his
  • Sunday, 10th August 1913 Frank or Conley? Still Question

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 10th, 1913 Issue Firmly Drawn Between Two Men Defense Starting to Mould Its Case Theory That Negro Attacked Mary Phagan With Motive of Robbing Her Will Be Shown; Two Charges Against Accused Must Be Refuted By AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. The second week of the trial of Leo Frank, charged with the murder of Mary Phagan in the National Pencil Factory on the afternoon of April 26, came to a close Saturday noon. The State's case has been entirely made up in its primary aspects, and the defense has gone into its story of the great crime sufficiently
  • Sunday, 10th August 1913 Frank Struggles to Prove His Conduct Was Blameless

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 10th, 1913 Co-Workers in the Factory Declare Stories of Factory Revelries Are Beyond Reason ASSISTANT TELLS HOW ACCUSED MAN MADE OUT COMPLEX ACCOUNTS Testimony of Newsboy Who Said He Accompanied Mary Phagan On Street Car On Day of the Killing Attacked by Defense's Counsel. With one set of lawyers fighting to send Leo Frank to the gallows and another struggling just as desperately not only to save him from this fate, but entirely to remove the stigma of the murder charge, the second week of the battle for the young factory superintendent's life ended shortly after noon yesterday.
  • Sunday, 10th August 1913 Interest in Trial Now Centers in Story of Mincey

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 10th, 1913 Question of Time Considered of Paramount Importance in Defense Theory of Frank Case EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL HIS MOVEMENTS As all interest centered in the dramatic story of Jim Conley while the case of the prosecution in the Frank trial was being presented, so the public now is awaiting with the keenest expectancy the tale that W. H. Mincey, pedagogue and insurance solicitor, will relate when he is called this week by the attorneys for Leo M. Frank. Conley swore as glibly as though he were telling of an inconsequential incident
  • Sunday, 10th August 1913 Mary Phagans Mother to be Spared at Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 10th, 1913 A spectator at the trial of Leo M. Frank for the murder of little Mary Phagan remarked: "I wonder what the mother of the little girl who was so brutally killed thinks of all this?"Mrs. J. W. Coleman, the mother, was the first witness called at the beginnig of the case, now two weeks gone. She was dressed in deep black with a heavy veil about her face. As she pulled back the veil to speak to the jury the expression was calm without a sign of bitterness. And she answered in even tones. When the
  • Sunday, 10th August 1913 One Glance at Conley Boosts Darwin Theory

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 10th, 1913 Frank's Accuser Is Not the Type of Negro White Men Consider Their Friend. By TARLETON COLLIER. Jim Conley is a low-browed, thick-lipped, anthropoidal sort of negro. You look at him and your faith in Mr. Darwin's theory goes up like cotton after a boll-weevil scare. Here is a burly, short-necked black man. On his upper lip is a scanty mustache of the kind that most negroes fondle with the vain hope that it will grow into a bushy thickness. Conley is the most common African type as to physique. Never a flash of brightness, never a
  • Sunday, 10th August 1913 Phagan Trial Makes Eleven Widows But Jurors Wives Are Peeresses Also

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 10th, 1913 By L. F. WOODRUFF Eleven widows were made in Atlanta in a day without the assistance of the Grim Reaper, a trip to Reno, pallbearers or affinity stories in the newspapers. And there is but one drop of consolation in their cup. When they were made widows they automatically became peeresses, for which privilege many American girls have caused their fathers large sums of good American money and themselves heartache and their pictures to be printed between the story of the rabbit that chased the boa constrictor and the life narrative of Sophie, the Shop Girl,
  • Sunday, 10th August 1913 Study of Frank Convicts, Then It Turns and Acquits

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 10th, 1913 Readers of Human Nature See Anything They Want, but Personal Equation Is Forgotten. By O. B. KEELER. Leo Frank sits in the prisoner's dock and all men may read his face. A great many of them do. Here are two of the things they read: (1) No innocent man could remain calm under such fearful charges. (2) No guilty man could remain calm under, etc. Leo Frank admittedly was nervous and agitated that morning the murder of Mary Phagan was discovered. There are two inferences drawn from that fact: (1) A guilty man naturally would be
  • Monday, 11th August 1913 Defense Bitterly Attacks Harris

      Atlanta Georgian August 11th, 1913 Battle of Medical Experts Waged in Court EXPERTS TESTIMONY ON CABBAGE TESTS CALLED WILD GUESS A bitter arraignment of the professional ethics and fairness of Dr. H. F. Harris, secretary of the State Board of Health, and a through-going attack on his theories and conclusions marked the Frank trial Monday afternoon. Attorney Reuben Arnold make a scathing criticism of Dr. Harris' methods during his examination of Dr. Willis Westmoreland, a prominent Atlanta physician and surgeon. Arnold was asking the medical expert his opinion of the ethics of a chemist or physician who would take
  • Monday, 11th August 1913 Deputy Hunting Scalp Of Juror-Ventiloquist

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 11th, 1913 Big Bob Deavors, Deputy Sheriff in charge of the Frank trial jury, marched to the courtroom Monday morning with an aching head and a grim determination to get even with Juror A. H. Henslee, whose elusive voice piloted him against a bedpost late Sunday evening. Henslee is a ventriloquist of no mean ability, and when the jury has been locked up Sunday his talent has afforded the principal pastime. Yesterday he worked on Deavors, the deputy. He had Bob's wife calling to him from the street, the hall door and finally from the door leading into
  • Monday, 11th August 1913 Grief-Stricken Mother Shows No Vengefulness

    August 11th, 1913Atlanta Georgian By TARLETON COLLIER. That black-clad woman in the corner of the courtroom—nobody has noticed her much. Things have happened so swiftly in the Frank trial that all eyes are on the rush of events, waiting for a quiver on the face of Leo Frank, watching with morbid gaze the brave faces of Frank's wife and his mother, studying the passing show that the numerous witnesses present. And the woman is so unobtrusive, so plainly out of it all. The tears, whose traces are evident on her face, were not shed as a result of this trial.
  • Monday, 11th August 1913 Interest Unabated as Dramatic Frank Trial Enters Third Week

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 11th, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. The third week of the most remarkable murder trial ever known in Georgia opened to-day with no apparent lessening of the acute interest and grim appeal heretofore attaching to it. The public has come to realize thoroughly and completely that the issue is a battle not only between the State and the defendant, Leo Frank, but between Leo Frank and the negro Jim Conley. Presumably, the defense will take the entire week rounding out its case and perfecting its undermining of Conley's story. If it does get through within the week, it
  • Tuesday, 12th August 1913 Attacks on Dr. Harris Give Defense Good Day

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 12th, 1913 The defense had what was probably its best day on Monday. Medical experts were on the witness stand the larger part of the day. The purpose of their testimony was to knock down, one after another, the sensational statements of Dr. H. F. Harris, secretary of the State Board of Health. All of the witnesses joined in ridiculing every important theory or conclusion that was reached by the distinguished chemist and physician. Experts for Defense. These are the medical experts called by the defense to combat the testimony of Dr. Harris: Dr. Willis F. Westmoreland, first
  • Tuesday, 12th August 1913 Frank Trial Witness is Sure, At Least, of One Thinga Good Ragging

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 12th, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. Reader, proverbially gentle, if not always so, be glad, be joyful, and be filled with exceeding thankfulness that you have not been summoned, no matter which way, as a witness in the Frank trial! Of course, there is a large, fat chance that you have been summoned—most everybody has—but be all those nice things aforesaid, if you haven't. And even at that, knock on wood. The trial is young yet—it is not quite three weeks old, three weeks, count ‘em—and there still is time for somebody or other to remember that you
  • Tuesday, 12th August 1913 Peoples Cry for Justice Is Proof Sentiment Still Lives

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 12th, 1913 By L. F. WOODRUFF. There is as much sentiment in the world to-day as there was in 1861 or 1776 or 1492 or 1066 or any other date that may come to your recollection. It's not fashionable to say so, but it's true. People to-day are too prone to accuse themselves and their neighbors of being worshippers Mammom and declaring that the money-grubbing instinct has crushed out sentiment, patriotism and honesty. But right now in Atlanta, there is a striking example of the goodness that is man's to-day, just as much as it has ever been.
  • Tuesday, 12th August 1913 State Charges Premeditated Crime

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 12th, 1913 Defense Forces Dalton to Admit Jail Record GIRL DENIES STATE'S VERSION OF FRANK'S WORK ON FATAL DAY Here are the important developments Tuesday in the trial of Leo M. Frank, charged with the murder of Mary Phagan: State announces its theory that Frank planned a criminal attack upon Mary Phagan the day before she came to the factory for her money. The court and chaingang record of C. B. Dalton, the State's witness who testified that he had seen women in Frank's office, was shown up by the defense and admitted by Dalton. Four acquaintances of
  • Wednesday, 13th August 1913 Both Sides Aim for Justice in the Trial of Frank

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 13th, 1913 With Judge, Jury and Councillors Performing Duty Well, Square Deal Is Assured. By Jas B. Nevin. In considering the Frank trial, particularly with respect to the length of it, and the thoroughgoing exhaustiveness of the hearing, it must be borne in mind that the establishing of justice is the main object of both sides, and that, therefore, patience and poise are absolutely necessary in those who would be fair—fair not only to Frank, but to the State also. With the average citizen, the home-loving and upright citizen, the Frank trial should be largely an abstract proposition.
  • Wednesday, 13th August 1913 Franks Mother Stirs Courtroom

        Atlanta Georgian August 13th, 1913 Leaps to Defense of Son at Dorsey's Question FRANK'S CLASSMATES AT COLLEGE TELL OF HIS GOOD CHARACTER A sensation was created in the courtroom during the cross-examination of Ashley Jones by Solicitor Dorsey at the Frank trial when Mrs. Rea Frank, mother of the defendant, sprang to her feet with a denial of intimations made by the Solicitor reflecting on her son. "Mr. Jones, you never heard of Frank having girls on his lap in the office?" Dorsey had asked. "No; nor you neither!" cried Frank's mother. "Keep quiet, keep quiet; I am
  • Wednesday, 13th August 1913 State Calls More Witnesses; Defense Builds Up an Alibi

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 13th, 1913 In anticipation of the close of the defense's case, the State Tuesday afternoon subpenaed a number of new witnesses to be called in the event that Frank's character was put in issue. It was said that Solicitor Dorsey had prepared against this move by the defense by getting affidavits from many persons who claimed to know the defendant. An effort by the State to obtain testimony reflecting on the morality of Frank was resisted strongly by the superintendent's attorneys Tuesday. Solicitor Dorsey failed to get the answers he desired from the witness, Philip Chambers, a 15-year-old
  • Thursday, 14th August 1913 Defense Slips Load by Putting up Character of Leo Frank as Issue

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 14th, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. The defense in the Frank case did the expected thing when it boldly and unequivocally put Frank's character in issue. It indicated its confidence in the justice of the defendant's cause in doing that, and it met thus a crisis that it hardly could have successfully overcome otherwise, if it so happen that it does overcome it eventually. Having taken the initiative in the matter of thrashing out Frank's character, the State will now be forced to make out an unmistakable case of bad character against Frank, or it is likely that
  • Thursday, 14th August 1913 State Fights Franks Alibi

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 14th, 1913 CONLEY ADMITTED MIND WAS BLANK DAY OF CRIME, GIRL SAYS NEGRO DRUNK DAY OF CRIME, MISS CARSON SWEARS HE TOLD HER Miss Helen Curran, a pretty girl of 17 years, proved one of the strongest witnesses Thursday for the defense in establishing what will be claimed as an alibi for Leo M. Frank. She testified that she saw Frank at 1:10 o'clock the afternoon Mary Phagan was murdered standing by Jacobs' Drug Store, Whitehall and Alabama streets, apparently waiting for his car home. The State fought hard against the "alibi" witnesses. The defense devoted most of
  • Thursday, 14th August 1913 State Wants Wife and Mother Excluded

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 14th, 1913 Call New Witnesses to Complete Alibi WIFE AND MOTHER OF ACCUSED ARE WARNED AGAINST OUTBREAKS Nearly a score more of alibi witnesses were to be called by the defense in the Frank trial when court opened Thursday morning. Frank's attorneys thought that they would not be able to coincide before the early part of next week. A number of character witnesses also will be called before the defense ends its case in behalf of the factory superintendent. Solicitor Dorsey, before the jury was brought in, said he wanted to make a request that the mother and
  • Thursday, 14th August 1913 States Sole Aim is to Convict, Defenses to Clear in Modern Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 14th, 1913 By O. B. KEELER. Right in the first jump, please understand that (1) this is merely the opinion of a layman, unlearned in the law; that (2) he may be the only layman in existence who feels this way about it; and (3) the Frank trial is not being singled out in the following comment, except as it is a fair example of the great criminal trials of this country. In following the trial of Leo Frank, two points keep prodding me with increasing fervor. These are the points: (1) That the prosecution's efforts are centered
  • Thursday, 14th August 1913 Steel Workers Enthralled by Leo Frank Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 14th, 1913 There is one class of men to whom death is supposed to hold no horrors. They can not think of it and earn their daily bread. Were the fear of loss of life to enter their brain for one single second during their daily task, they would be as useless as a motorless automobile. Their pay is high for scorning the grave. They can see one of their companions fall victim to the perils of their calling and go back to work on the same job a few minutes later without a tremor, and encounter those
  • Friday, 15th August 1913 Frank Prepares to Take Stand

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 15th, 1913 Defense's Attorneys Expect to Rest Case To-day CLIMAX NEAR IN GREAT COURT FIGHT; CROWDS AGAIN FLOCK TO TRIAL Interest in the trial of Leo M. Frank surged upward magically Friday when it was reported about the courtroom that the defense was nearing the close of its case, and that the defendant himself would be placed on the stand within a short time to make his only statement before his fate was placed in the hands of the twelve jurors. The rumor spread outside the court house mysteriously and an unusual number sought admittance early in the
  • Friday, 15th August 1913 Testimony of Girls Help to Leo M. Frank

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 15th, 1913 In the presentation of its alibi for Leo M. Frank, the defense probably accomplished more Thursday than it had in all of previous time since the prosecution rested its case. Frank's lawyers had promised that they would show where Frank was practically every minute on the day the murder of little Mary Phagan was committed and would demonstrate that it would have been impossible to carry out the disposal of the slain girl's body and the writing of the notes as the negro, Jim Conley, described them. If their alibi witnesses are to be believed, the
  • Friday, 15th August 1913 What They Say Wont Hurt Leo Frank; State Must Prove Depravity

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 15th, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. There is nothing apparently so plain to outside observation as character—just character—and there is, strange to say, nothing so difficult at times to prove. "They say" and "but" are the two most notorious scandalmongers in the universe—"they say" so and so' and he or she is all right, "but!" Character, upon which so much depends in this world, upon which civilization itself and decency and right is founded, is, nevertheless, the most elusive of all things when it comes right down to brass tacks of proving it beyond the shadow of a
  • Saturday, 16th August 1913 Girls Testify For and Against Frank

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 16th, 1913 ‘I'D DIE FOR HIM!' CRIES ONE, CONVULSING COURT CLUB AND ENVELOPE FOUND BY PINKERTON MAN PUT IN EVIDENCE Two factory girls, one of them defending Leo M. Frank with all the eloquence at her command, and the other admitting that she had known of the factory superintendent opening the door to the girls' dressing room on three different occasions and looking in, formed the center of interest among the score of witnesses who were called Saturday by the defense. They were Miss Irene Jackson and Miss Sarah Barnes. Miss Jackson, daughter of County Policeman Jackson, testified
  • Saturday, 16th August 1913 Many Testify to Franks Good Character

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 16th, 1913 Nearly half a hundred witnesses testified in behalf of Leo M. Frank Friday. As a climax to the day's proceedings in Judge Roan's court the defendant's mother, Mrs. Rae Frank, went on the stand to add her testimony to that which she hoped would save her son from the gallows. Virtually all who were called were character witnesses. Near the close of the day Reuben Arnold announced that he proposed to call every woman and girl employed on the fourth floor of the pencil factory, as well as many from the other floors, to testify to
  • Saturday, 16th August 1913 Mothers Love Gives Trial Its Great Scene

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 16th, 1913 By L. F. WOODRUFF. Every human emotion has been paraded during the long three weeks of the Frank trial. There has been pathos. Comedy has opposed tragedy. Science has met sympathy. Truth has been arrayed against fiction. Negro has conflicted with white. The erudite Arnold has matched wits with the thick-lipped, thick-skulled Conley. Luther Rosser, stern, determined and skillful, has had to try to meet the machinations of a brain of a cornfield negro, Newt Lee. Hugh Dorsey, young and determined, Frank Hooper, smiling and ambitious, have breast to breast encountered the battles of Rosser and
  • Saturday, 16th August 1913 Statement by Frank Will Be the Climactic Feature of the Trial

    Atlanta GeorgianAugust 16th, 1913 By JAMES B. NEVIN. The defense is nearing its end in the Frank case. A few more character witnesses—there seems to have been no difficulty whatever in securing character witnesses by the score to testify in behalf of the defendant—the statement of Frank, and the defense will rest. The State will soon introduce its witnesses in rebuttal of the defense's character witnesses, and along other lines. Not improbably, the State will undertake to rebut in a measure the defendant's personal statement. The entire case should go to the jury Monday or Tuesday—meaning by that that the
  • Sunday, 17th August 1913 Supreme Test Comes As State Trains Guns On Frank’s Character

    The Atlanta Georgian, Sunday, 17th August 1913. Defendant Will Take the Stand Early in Week to Give His Account of His Movements on Day Mary Phagan Was Killed. ATTORNEYS SEEKING TO PROVE A COMPLETE LIE Believed That Case Will Stand or Fall On Efforts of Prosecution to Prove Its Charge of Immorality Against the Accused. BY AN OLD POLICE REPORTER The third week of the Frank trial came to an end at noon Saturday. The defense has not yet concluded it's case, but confidently expects to finish within the next day or two. It's last card and one of it's
  • Monday, 18th August 1913 Leo Frank Testifies

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 18th August 1913.That his married life has been very happy; that his office safe door was open and he could not see Mary Phagan as she spoke to him on leaving after drawing her pay; that he was in his office from 12 until just before going home to lunch.PROFOUND IMPRESSIONMADE BY PRISONER'SREMARKABLE STORYFrom the lips of the man accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, came a remarkable story Monday afternoon, August 18, 1913.The spectators in a densely packed courtroom listened with strained interest as Leo Frank told in graphic words of the events of the
  • Tuesday, 19th August 1913 Jim Conley To Be Recalled

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 19th August 1913.PAGE 1DORSEY ADMITS HE MADE ERASURE ON FACTORY TIME SLIPWith the State determined to make a desperate fight to broad down the impressive story told by Leo M. Frank in his own behalf the trial of the man accused of Mary Phagan's murder was resumed Tuesday morning.The defense added a few finishing touches to its case calling Mrs. Emil Selig, the prisoner's mother-in-law to identify a suit of brown clothes worn by Frank on Memorial day.Wiley Roberts, assistant jailer at the Tower was called but did not answer to his name and proceedings were held
  • Wednesday, 20th August 1913 State Closes Frank Case Near Jury Defense Begins Its Sur-rubettual. Hopes To Conclude Quickly

      The Atlanta Georgian, Wednesday, 20th August 1913. Page 2 Solicitor Dorsey announced the close of the State's case against Leo M. Frank at 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. There remained only the presentation of some documentary evidence by the State before the defense would be permitted to proceed on the sur-rebuttal. Attorney Arnold estimated that the defense would not be more than half an hour on the presentation of the sur-rebuttal in the even the cross-examination of witnesses was limited. Judge L. S. Roan said he thought the amount of time allotted for the arguments would be practically unlimited, although
  • Thursday, 21st August 1913 Mass Of Perjuries Charged By Arnold Centers Hot Attack On Conley. Ridicules Prosecution Theory

      The Atlanta Georgian, Thursday, 21st August 1913. PAGE 1 In a cold, cutting arraignment of the methods used to build up a case against Leo M. Frank, accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, Reuben Arnold, of the accused man's defense, Thursday afternoon unsparingly flayed Jim Conley as a perjurer and willing tool in the hands of men determined to convict an innocent man. Arnold's attack minced no words. It bristles with scathing denunciation and bitter ridicule. Its impassioned appeal was interspersed with sardonic humor that made a hostile court room laugh. But its humor was only in flashes.
  • Friday, 22nd August 1913 Rosser Begins Final Plea

      The Atlanta Georgian, Friday, 22nd August 1913. LEADING COUNSEL FO FRANK IN FULL SWING Rosser's work on the Frank case has taxed even his remarkable physique. He has lost 25 pounds in weight. Luther Z. Rosser Closes Arguments For defense. CLOSING ARGUMENTS MAY TAKE ENTIRE DAY; DORSEY TO END CASE Quietly but impressively, Luther Z. Rosser began the final pick in the defense of Leo M. Frank, accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, Friday morning. He spoke without heat in the introduction of his speech. He said that but for his profound PAGE 2 FRANK TRIAL NEARING END;
  • Sunday, 24th August 1913 Dorsey Demands Death Penalty For Frank In Thrilling Closing Plea

      The Atlanta Georgian, Sunday, 24th August 1913. LEO M. FRANK as he appeared in court yesterday. The defendant was calm under the Terrific denunciation of the prosecutor and watched Mr. Dorsey intently through the many hours that the Solicitor consumed in declaring the defendant one of the greatest of criminals. He seemed scarcely more moved than the spectators. Solicitor's Scathing Address Halted by Adjournment---Had Spoken for More Than Six Hours---Cheered by Big Crowd Outside the Courthouse. PRISONER CALM, WIFE SOBS AS STATE CHARGES MURDER Slain Girl's Mother Breaks Down, but Defendant Faces Spectators With Hint of Smile---Case May Go
  • Monday, 25th August 1913: Frank Case To Jury Today Leo Frank On His Way From Jail To Court, The Atlanta Georgian

      The Atlanta Georgian, Monday, 25th August 1913. Leo Frank on his way from Jail to Court. This photo was snapped as Frank left the Tower. Frank always is nattily attired, and walks briskly from the auto which brings him from the tower to courtroom. The accused never is handcuffed to the Sheriff, as are men considered desperate prisoners. PACKED COURTROOM APPLAUDS AS DORSEY BEGINS CLOSING PLEA Refreshed by the weekend recess, Solicitor General Dorsey returned Monday to the State's closing argument. By the force of logic and denunciation of his final words to the jury the Solicitor hopes to
  • Tuesday, 26th August 1913, Frank, Guilty On First Ballot

    The Atlanta Georgian, Tuesday, 26th August 1913. FRANK RETURNING TO HIS CELL IN TOWER AFTER JUDGE'S CHARGE Leo Frank's control of his emotions was never more strikingly shown than on last day of trial. Leo M. Frank, convicted slayer of Mary Phagan on his way back to his cell to await the verdict of the jury. He walked with a firm, springy step, and apparently was confident that he would be acquitted. NO RECOMMENDATION TO COURT FOR MERCY IN VERDICT: I'M INNOCENT HE SAYS AGAIN; WIFE FAINTS AWAY AS SHE HEARS NEWS Leo M. Frank was found guilty of the
  • Wednesday, 27th August 1913 Fight Begun To Save Frank Motion For New Trial Follows Death Sentence

      The Atlanta Georgian, Wednesday, 27th August 1913. FRANK RETURNING TO HIS CELL IN TOWER AFTER JUDGE'S CHARGE Frank's control of his emotions was never more strikingly shown than on last day of trial. Leo M. Frank, convicted slayer of Mary Phagan on his way back to his cell to await the verdict of the jury. He walked with a firm, springy step, and apparently was confident that he would be acquitted. PRISONER MUST HANG OCT. 10, JUDGE RULES; INNOCENT, HE REPEATS Almost before the dread verdict of "guilty" had ceased ringing in his ears, Leo M. Frank, convicted of
  • Thursday, 28th August 1913 Reply Made To Frank’s Attack

    The Atlanta Georgian, Thursday, 28th August 1913. Solicitor Cites Prisoner's Statement on Stand, "Now is the Time, This is the Place." Solicitor Dorsey was as busily engaged on the Frank case Thursday as he was any day before Leo Frank was convicted of the murder of Mary Phagan. If the factory superintendent finally succeeds in avoiding the penalty fixed it will not be because the Solicitor has not fought to the uttermost of his strength to put the rope around Frank's neck. Briefly but pointedly Solicitor Dorsey Thursday morning summed up his opinion of Leo Frank's latest alleged statement concerning
  • Monday, 1st September 1913: Scent Phagan Case In Woman’s Cries Building Ransacked, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 1st September 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 7.A woman's screams reawakened memories of the Phagan case in the minds of pedestrians on Alabama street shortly after noon Monday and a crowd besieged the caf run by J. E. Poulas and the adjacent building seeking to solve the mystery.They hunted high and low through the building at No. 21 West Alabama scouring the place from basement to roof.A crowd of three hundred persons assembled interfering with trade and jamming the street.It was finally discovered by some unmasked Sherlock Holmes that the screams came from a woman to a negro dentist's
  • Tuesday, 2nd September 1913: Mystery At Frank’s Pencil Plant Solved, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 2nd September 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1 AND COLUMN 8.GIRL ODDLY MISSING IS HOSPITAL PATIENTMiss Clara Belle Griffin, the National Pencil Factory girl whose strange disappearance from her home at No. 265 North Ashby Street led the police to fear another Phagan mystery, was found by her brother Tuesday noon at Grady Hospital where she explained her failure to return home Monday afternoon.She said that she went to the pencil factory Monday morning, but that she became faint soon after arriving there and went to the hospital, where she had received treatment before.She was ill all day, she
  • Wednesday, 3rd September 1913: Big Tasks Await Slaton’s Return, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 3rd September 1913,PAGE 2, COLUMN 6.Naming New Atlanta Judge and Fish and Game Commissioner Are Most Important.When Governor John M. Slaton gets back to his desk early Friday morning after a ten-day trip through the West, where he attended the Governors' Conference, he will be confronted by a calendar embracing problems as important as any he has tackled since he succeeded Governor Joe Brown.According to the schedule, the Governor will take up first the matter of naming a superior judge for the new court created for the Atlanta district by the last Legislature.Scores of applications have been
  • Friday, 5th September 1913: Conley To Face Misdemeanor Charge Only, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 5th September 1913,PAGE 2, COLUMN 5.A misdemeanor charge may be the most serious on which Jim Conley, confessed accessory after the fact in the murder of Mary Phagan, may be tried.This developed Friday when preparations were being made to ask for his indictment by the Fulton County Grand Jury.A delicate point in the interpretation of the law is involved in Conley's case.It had been expected that he would be tried on a felony charge, but several lawyers who have investigated the law on the point say that it is doubtful if this can be made in the
  • Sunday, 7th September 1913: Dorsey Sure He Can Break Frank Claim Of Jury Bias, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Sunday, 7th September 1913,PAGE 5, COLUMN 1.Prisoner and His Counsel Are Equally Confident They Will be Able to Get a New Trial on Ground of Outside Influences.Cheers for the Solicitor After Recesses and Applause in Court Will Be Principal Points Urged By Lawyers for Convicted Man.Desperate efforts to save Leo Frank from the gallows, to which he was consigned by sentenced of Judge Roan, are taking definite shape.The trump card of his lawyers will be affidavits or showings of some sort to the effect that certain members of the jury which convicted Frank were deeply biased against him
  • Monday, 8th September 1913: Medical Student Is Held As Swindler, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 8th September 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.Hugh W. Timothy, 28 years old, the son of a wealthy Chattanooga department store owner and known in Atlanta society circles, was arrested Monday by Harry Scott, of the Pinkertons, on suspicion of having used the mails in a swindling scheme which is said to have already netted young Timonthy more than $1,250 since he started operations in March.Timothy's plan, according to Scott and the postal inspectors, was to advertise that he was in a position to fit applicants for jobs as porters with the Pullman Car Company.They say that the advertisements
  • Tuesday, 9th September 1913: Jim Conley Indicted For Part In Phagan Killing, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 9th September 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.MAXIMUM FOR NEGRO IS FOUR YEARSOne Count ChargesMisdemeanor In Protecting Slayer, Another Felony in Concealing Body.Another chapter was written in Georgia's most famous criminal case Tuesday when Jim Conley, the negro whose story played a star part in the conviction of Leo M. Frank for the murder of Mary Phagan, was indicted by the Fulton County Grand Jury on two counts, calling for a maximum penalty of four years' imprisonment.The counts charge, in the first instance, a misdemeanor committed when the negro concealed knowledge of the crime from the authorities, and, in
  • Thursday, 11th September 1913: Judge Roan Picked To Get Appointment To New Judgeship, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 11th September 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 5.Well-founded rumor were circulated at the State Capitol Thursday morning that Judge L. S. Roan would be appointed to the Superior Court judgeship created by the last Legislature.Although many rumors have gone the rounds, the one forecasting the appointment of Judge Roan is said to strike just a little closer to the mark than the others.One rumor had it that Chief Justice Ben Hill, of the Court of Appeals, would be appointed, being succeeded on the Appeals Court bench by Judge Roan.Thursday, 11th September 1913: Judge Roan Picked To Get Appointment To
  • Friday, 12th September 1913: Roan Likely To Be Named In 30 Days, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 12th September 1913,PAGE 6, COLUMN 2.Rumor That He Will Get New Superior Court Judgeship Gains Ground.That Judge L. S. Roan would be appointed to the new Superior Court Judgeship created by the last legislature within the next 80 days was the information Friday.Although no interviews in regard to the appointment have been given out by Governor Slaton, and various rumors as to probable appointees have gone the rounds, the rumor concerning the appointment of Judge Roan is said to hit the mark squarely.Those who are in close touch with the situation point out that the Governor has
  • Saturday, 13th September 1913: Attorneys Jab At Each Other’s Face In Broyles’ Court, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 13th September 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 4.More than a hundred spectators witnessed a near fight between Thomas Bishop and Charles Hillier, attorneys, with offices in the Temple Court Building, in Judge Broyles court at police headquarters Saturday afternoon, when Bishop accused Hillier of violating the ethics of the legal profession.The trouble grew out of the case of W. A. Jarell, who shares Hillier's offices, and who was arrested on complaint of G. P. Parks, engineer of the building, who asserted that Jarell signed bonds without being a licensed bondsman.It came out in court that Jarell signed the bonds
  • Sunday, 14th September 1913: Professor Beavers To Teach Etiquette, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Sunday, 14th September 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 4.Chief to Preside at School Where Patrolmen Will Learn Rules of Propriety.Atlanta police are going to school following an official call Saturday night by Chief Beavers, who declared that, although his men were fine fellows, he was not fully satisfied with their etiquette.The first session will be held next Tuesday night.Tentative rules adopted by the Chief indicate such instruction as the proper care of the nails, the how and when to say pardon'"in fact, everything which comes in the category of proper etiquette.School will be divided into three divisions of three platoons
  • Monday, 15th September 1913: Express Theft Arrest Due By Nightfull, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 15th September 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 7.Detectives Work on Theory That Guilty Man Will Squander $72,000 Booty.Detective Harry Scott, Atlanta agent of the Pinkertons, said Monday that the hunt for the daring robber who looted the Southern or the Adams Express Company of $72,000 in transit from New York to Savannah and South Georgia banks had narrowed down to two or three express employees, who were being kept under special surveillance.He anticipated an arrest during the day.The centering of suspicion on particular employees has not caused the detectives to relax their vigilance.On the contrary, the closest sort of
  • Tuesday, 16th September 1913 No Judge To Try Fulton Docket

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 16th September 1913.Frank Case and New Bench Appointments Cause Congestionin Court 100 Await Trial.Solicitor General Dorsey is on a still hunt for a judge to conduct the large grist of cases which have piled up since the June term of court. The Frank trial caused all other court busine accumulate, and the recent bench appointments still further have delayed the disposal of several scores of cases.More than one hundred prisoners are in the county jail awaiting trial. Some of them have been there much longer than is usual to hold them before trial. The Solicitor wishes to
  • Wednesday, 17th September 1913 Conley To Fight Felon Charge Bitterly

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 17th September 1913.PAGE 6, COLUMN 5Attorney Will Permit Him to PleadGuilty Only to Misdemeanor,Judge Sought.Jim Conley's trial on a felony charge as accessory after the fact in the murder of Mary Phagan will be strongly combated by his attorney, William M. Smith, according to an announcement made Tuesday.It is the contention that Conley, on the State's own theory of the crime, is guilty of nothing more than a misdemeanor, and that he can not be tried for a crime of which he is not accused.Two indictments were drawn against the negro at the last session of the
  • Wednesday, 17th September 1913 Say Partee Shot In Self-defense

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 17th September 1913.PAGE 20, COLUMN 3Witnesses Tell Grand Jury Jack-Son Killing Was Justified NoBill' Asked for Newt Lee.That W. D. Partee, a locomotive engineer, who on July 28 shot and killed Samuel Jackson, another engineer, in the yards of the Georgia Railroad, acted in self-defense was the testimony given before the Fulton County Grand Jury when it met Tuesday morning.J. W. Hix, of Etowah, Tenn., an eyewitness to the shooting, testified that Jackson cursed Partee and then attacked him before the latter drew his weapon and fired the fatal bullet. Other witnesses were J. F. Jordan and
  • Monday, 22nd September 1913 Judge Roan Not To Hear Frank Trial Motion

    The atlanta Georgian,Monday, 22nd September 1913,PAGE 7, COLUMN 6.JUDGE ROAN NOTTO HEAR FRANKTRIAL MOTIONFour Superior Judges Will ElectOne of Their Number toPass on Plea.The puzzle in regard to the judge who will hear the motion for a new trial for Leo M. Frank as well as the date of the convening of the new branch of the Atlanta Superior Court, was cleared up somewhat Monday when it became known on good authority that Judge Ben Hill, appointed to the new judgeship, would tender his resignation as judge of the Court of Appeals on October 11.Should the motion for a new
  • Wednesday, 24th September 1913 Detective Black Not Blamed For Fighting

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 24th September 1913,PAGE 5, COLUMN 2.Chief Beavers received a letter Tuesday morning from George Bodeker, of Birmingham, defending Detective John Black in the latter's recent trouble at Birmingham.Bodeker asserts that Black was not to blame for the fight he had with his prisoner, and declares that the people and police department of Birmingham and do not censure the detective.PAGE 6, COLUMN 1DENTON DENIESLURING GIRLSFROM HOMERearrested as Kidnaper After Re-lease on Habeas Corpus FromCharge of "Suspicion."John L. Denton, the Atlanta contractor who was arrested Tuesday on charges preferred by the parents of two girls he was said to
  • Thursday, 25th September 1913 Recall To Apply To All Big Offices

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 25th September 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 3.Initiation and Referendum Addedto Old Charter WoodwardDelighted.By the adoption of the initiative, referendum and recall amendment to the city charger the votes of Atlanta can recall Mayor James G. Woodward, Recorder Nash Broyles, Police Chief James Beavers, Fire Chief W. B. Cummings, School Superintendent Slaton, and any of the twenty Councilmen or ten Aldermen, any Board member and any head of a city department, according to a ruling by City Attorney James L. Mayson Thursday.Mayor James G. Woodward and the City Council accept this ruling as final.The Mayor issued a formal statement
  • Friday, 26th September 1913 Judge Roan To Hear Arguments Asking Retrial For Frank

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 26th September 1913,PAGE 2, COLUMN 1.Judge L. S. Roan, who pronounced sentence upon Leo M. Frank in Georgia's greatest murder trial, in an informal statement Friday made it plain that he considered it his duty to hear the arguments for a new trial to be made in behalf of the prisoner.Judge Roan's attitude is known to be in line with that of the judges of the Superior Court, one of whom would otherwise have to hear the case.It is considered likely therefore that nothing will be put in the way of Judge Roan hearing the argument and
  • Sunday, 28th September 1913 Judge Hill May Hear Frank Case

    The Atlanta Georgian,Sunday, 28th September 1913,PAGE 7, COLUMN 5.Notice of Judge Roan CompelsSolicitor Dorsey to PrepareAnswer By October 11.Who will sit as judge on the appeal of Leo Frank's lawyers for a new trial?Judge L. S. Roan, eager to dispose of all his Superior Court cases before he takes the seat on the Court of Appeals bench to which he was appointed. Saturday requested Solicitor General Dorsey to have all pending motions set for October 4 and October 11. He expressed at the same time the hope that the Frank motion be decided, so far as the Superior Court is
  • Monday, 29th September 1913 Delay On Frank Hearing Seems Unavoidable

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 29th September 1913,PAGE 11, COLUMN 4.Dorsey Can Not Tell if He WillBe Ready by Saturday, andRosser Says Nothing.Postponement of the hearing of the motion next Saturday for a new trial for Leo M. Frank, convicted of the murder of Mary Phagan, appeared certain Monday, according to information from various authoritative sources.The probabilities of the motion being heard before Judge Roan, the trial judge, were as much in doubt as ever, despite the fact that Judge Roan has expressed a desire to see the case disposed of before he retries from the bench, as well as the desire
  • Tuesday, 30th September 1913 Frank Ready For New Fight Rosser Ready. Roan Will Hear Frank Argument

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 30th September 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.SOLICITOR EXPECTED TO SEEK DELAYDefense to File Plea for New TrialWednesday State FacesDifficult Task.Fight for the life of Leo M. Frank, sentenced to be hanged Oct 10, 1913, for the murder of Mary Phagan, will assume activity Wednesday, when the papers in the motion for a new trial will be filed by attorneys for the defense.Solicitor Hugh Dorsey will begin an examination of the papers immediately in an effort to complete his answer by Saturday, the date set for the hearing of the motion for a new trial.Regardless of the success or
  • Wednesday, 1st October 1913: Rosser Ready Roan Will Hear Frank Argument, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 1st October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMNS 1, 5, & 6.PAGE 1, COLUMN 5SOLICITOR EXPECTED TO SEEK DELAYDefense to File Plea for New Trial Wednesday " State Faces Difficult TaskFight for the life of Leo M. Frank, sentenced to be hangedOctober 10 for the murder of Mary Phagan, will assume activityWednesday, when the papers in the motion for a new trial will befiled by the attorneys for the defense.Solicitor Hugh Dorsey will begin an examination of thepapers immediately in an effort to complete his answer bySaturday, the date set for the hearing of the motion for a newtrial.Regardless of
  • Thursday, 2nd October 1913: Ask New Frank Trial On 115 Counts Many Errors Laid To Court; Charge Made Of Jury Intimidation, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 2nd October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.Citing 115 counts wherein the count is declared to have erred inthe trial of Leo M. Frank, Luther Z. Rosser Wednesday fled withthe criminal court a motion for a new trial for the pencil factorysuperintendent, sentenced to hang October 10 for the murder ofMary Phagan.The motion, contained in nearly two hundred typewrittensheets, includes an exhaustive research of the trial and eachcount, as it is brought out, is dissected.The motion will be placed in the hands of Solicitor Dorsey forhis inspection and reply and the first hearing will be given onOctober 4.Principal among
  • Friday, 3rd October 1913: Frank Trial Juror Denies Charge Of Bias, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 3rd October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMNS 1, 3, 4, 5 & 7.PAGE 1, COLUMN 1PAGE 1, COLUMN 3Slaton SetsDaysFor ClemencyPleasGovernor Slaton has promulgated a rule that hereafterpetitions for clemency will be heard in the executive offices onthe fourth Thursday and Friday of each month.The Governor is forced to the adoption of this rule in order tofind time for other public business.PAGE 1, COLUMNS 4 &5TWO FRANKJURORSCHARGEDWITH BIASJ. A. HENSLEEMARCELLUS JOHENNINGPAGE 1, COLUMN 4Court toRelieveCongestionat JailIn order to alleviate the crowded condition of the FultonCounty jail. Judge Calhoun of the Criminal Court of Atlanta, willopen court next Monday in
  • Saturday, 4th October 1913: Sensational Charge In Frank Case, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 4th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMNS 1, 5, 6, 7, & 8.PAGE 1, COLUMN 1SENSATIONAL CHARGE INFRANK CASEPAGE 1, COLUMNS 5,6, & 7CHARGESPREJUDICEAGAINST FRANKJURORC. P. STOUGH.PAGE 1, COLUMN 8PREJUDICEDENIEDBYTHOSEONPANELC. P. Stough Deposes ThatA. H.Henslee ShowedAnimus Be-fore Being Drawn.With members of the Frank trial jury rallying to the defenseof their comrades accused of bias and prejudice, the revelationwas made Friday that, in a sealed deposition to be used by thedefense. A. A. Henslee, one of the jurors, is accused of havingmade this statement before he was chosen as one of the twelvemen to try the factory superintendent:I believe Frank
  • Sunday, 5th October 1913: Governor Slaton Personally Investigates And Verifies The Circulation Of The Georgian And Hearst’s Sunday American, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Sunday, 5th October 1913,PAGE 2, COLUMN 2.Daily SundayGeorgian AmericanOctober 4th 1913.At the request of the management of The Atlanta Georgianand The Sunday American, I personally examined on Friday afternoon their various circulation statements, in detail. This workrequired sometime, but it was willingly given, because I regardthese newspapers as enterprises of which all Georgia should beproud. The figures the papers furnish, under oath, to the postalauthorities show a marvelous growth for the time The Georgianand Sunday American have been in Mr. Hearst's hands"particularly The Sunday American, which is only six months old.These circulation figures I have checked up and
  • Sunday, 5th October 1913 Indefinite Respite Is Given Frank As Juror Charges Flood

    The Atlanta Georgian,Sunday, 5th October 1913,PAGE 5.Hearing of Motion for New Trial IsPostponed on Motion of SolicitorDorsey. Henslee Indignantly DeniesAllegation That He Was Biased.Confronted by 173 pages of alleged errors made by the trial judge, nine volumes of evidence and a mass of affidavits charging prejudice on the part of the jury. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey and his assistant, A. H. Stephens, Monday morning will begin in earnest their work of combating the legal issues raised by the defense in its motion for a new trial for Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the National pencil factory, convicted of the
  • Monday, 6th October 1913: Frank Given Indefinite Respite, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 6th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMNS 1 & 8.Hearing on New Trial Motion Is PostponedPREJUDICE OF JURORS CHARGEDBYMANYHenslee, Accused,Threatens SuitAgainst Maker ofAffidavit.Denies He WasBiased.With Leo M. Frank's sentence respited indefinitely, and thehearing on his lawyers' motion postponed for a week, newsensations were sprung in the fight for the convicted factorysuperintendent's life with the revelation Saturday of the contentsof a mass of affidavits charging prejudice against A. H. Hensleyand Marcellus Johenning, members of the trial jury.Most of the fire is directed at Henslee, who is charged bymany persons with having expressed violent feelings on the casebefore he was chosen
  • Tuesday, 7th October 1913: Dorsey At Work To Combat Charge, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 7th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.Defense Claims It has NewandPositive Proof of BiasAccusa-tions Against HensleeA. H. Henslee, of the jury that convicted Leo M. Frank, madehis bitterly denunciator remarks against the defendant in thehearing of a far greater number of persons than already havemade depositions, according to information in the possession ofFrank's attorneys.While the prisoner's lawyers are busy building up their plea,Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey is working ceaselessly preparing todemolish their arguments for a new trial.We have the names of a great many other persons to whomHenslee expressed his opinion of Frank's guilt and his hope thathe
  • Wednesday, 8th October 1913: Both Sides Confident In Frank Case, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 8th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 4.Men Who Accuse HensleeofPrejudice of Highest Type,Says Stiles Hopkins.Attorneys for Leo M. Frank announced Wednesday that theyinvited an attack upon the truth and veracity of the men whomade depositions against Juror A. H. He, charging bias andprejudice, just for the purpose demonstrating conclusively thatevery person has made an affidavit is unimpeachable and a manof recognized character and honesty.The State and the defense both are confident over theprobable outcome of the motion for a new trial which will beheard Saturday.Stiles Hopkins, one of the firm of Rosser, Brandon, Slaten &Phillips, obtained a number
  • Thursday, 9th October 1913: Postponement In Frank Case Made Certain, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 9th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 2.Letter From DorseyRequestsJudge Roan to LetArgu-ments GoOver.A letter received in Atlanta Thursday from Solicitor Dorseymade certain the postponement of arguments for a new trial forLeo M. Frank, which were to have been heard Saturday by JudgeRoan.The letter intimated that the Solicitor and his assistant, A. E.Stephens, who are now in Valdosta would not return to this citybefore next Wednesday or Thursday. Mr. Dorsey requested thatJudge Roan be asked to postpone, in addition to the Frankarguments, hearings on Five other motions which scheduled forSaturday. This will clean the Sophens, who are now in
  • Friday, 10th October 1913: Hawthorne Ready To Leave Prison, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 10th October 1913,PAGE 8, COLUMN 1.Author, Unembittered,ExpectedTo Write AboutInjustices ofU. S. Penal System.Julian Hawthorne is preparing to leave the Atlanta FederalPrison October 15, the date of the expiration of his sentence withgood time deducted.Hawthorne, whose attitude since his incarceration hasgenerally been one of reserve and reticence, desires to go fromthe prison without any notice or publicity, and for this reason theprison officials are maintaining the utmost secrecy as to the exacttime of the day that he will leave the grim building which has heldhim nearly a year.The distinguished author is said not to have been embitteredin the
  • Saturday, 11th October 1913: Frank Lawyers To File More Depositions, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 11th October 1913,PAGE 8, COLUMN 1.Another Juror May BeChargedWith Bias"AccusedCheer-ful, Aiding Counsel.Counsel for Leo M. Frank made ready Friday to file furtherdepositions to support their arguments for a new trial which willbe made Saturday, October 18, before Judge L. S. Roan. It isunderstood the name of at least one more juror, in no to A. H.Henslee and Marcellus Johenning, will be mentioned in theaffidavits as guilty or prejudice.Frank's lawyers say they have uncovered what they regardas practically conclusive evidence of violent dislike and bias onthe part of a third juror.Several depositions are expected to be filed respecting
  • Sunday, 12th October 1913: Governor Slaton Personally Investigates And Verifies The Circulation Of The Georgian And Hearst’s Sunday American, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Sunday, 12th October 1913,PAGE 6, COLUMN 2.Daily Sunday - Georgian AmericanOctober 4th 1913.At the request of the management of The Atlanta Georgianand The Sunday American, I personally examined on Friday afternoon their various circulation statements, in detail. This workrequired sometime, but it was willingly given, because I regardthese newspapers as enterprises of which all Georgia should beproud. The figures the papers furnish, under oath, to the postalauthorities show a marvelous growth for the time The Georgianand Sunday American have been in Mr. Hearst's hands"particularly The Sunday American, which is only six months old.These circulation figures I have checked
  • Monday, 13th October 1913: Attack Is Renewed On Frank Juror, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 13th October 1913,PAGE 3, COLUMN 4.Citizens Declare ThatHensleeHas Not Been in TownSinceTrial's Close.Renewing their attack upon Juror A. H. Henslee, one of thetwelve men who convicted Leo M. Frank of the murder of MaryPhagan, the attorneys for the defense Monday obtained affidavitsfrom J. J. Nunnally and W. L. Ricker, of Monroe, Ga., in which thetwo men reiterated their charges bias and prejudice againstHenslee and replied to his statement that he uttered hisdenunciation of Frank after, and not before the trial.Nunnally and Ricker asserted in their second affidavit that sofar as they knew Henslee had not been in
  • Tuesday, 14th October 1913: Dorsey Gathers Proof Against Bias Charges, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 14th October 1913,PAGE 3, COLUMN 5.Equips Himself for Bitter Fight Against New Trial Demand of Frank's Lawyers.Armed with affidavits from A. H. Henslee and every othermember of the Frank jury whose fairness has been placed undersuspicion, Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey will return to AtlantaTuesday night to continue the preparation of his answer to themotion for a new trial made by Frank's lawyers.With his assistant, A. W. Stephens, the Solicitor has beenworking day and night on the monumental task of reviewing thehundreds of pages of typewritten manuscript submitted by thedefense in the elaboration of their 115 reasons
  • Wednesday, 15th October 1913: Dorsey Gathers Proof Against Bias Charges, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 15th October 1913,PAGE 15, COLUMN 1.Equips Himself for Bitter Fight Against New Trial Demand of Frank's Lawyers.Armed with affidavits from A. H. Henslee and every othermember of the Frank jury whose fairness has been placed undersuspicion, Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey will return to AtlantaTuesday night to continue the preparation of his answer to themotion for a new trial made by Frank's lawyers.With his assistant, A. W. Stephens, the Solicitor has beenworking day and night on the monumental task of reviewing thehundreds of pages of typewritten manuscript submitted by thedefense in the elaboration of their 115 reasons
  • Thursday, 16th October 1913: Dorsey Back With New Affidavits More Delay In Appeal Fight Likely, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 16th October 1913,PAGE 14, COLUMN 1.Solicitor General Dorsey entered at once into the fight toprevent a new trial for Leo M. Frank on his return to AtlantaWednesday morning. He came to this city to complete hispreparation for the arguments set for hearing next Saturdaybefore Judge L. S. Roan. For a week and a half, he had beenworking almost continually on the case in Valdosta, where hewent with his assistant. A. E. Stephens, to avoid interruption.The Solicitor was immersed Wednesday in a flood of lettersand court documents that had accumulated during his absence.He was fearful that he would
  • Friday, 17th October 1913: Sparta Citizens Attack Frank Trial Juror, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 17th October 1913,PAGE 8, COLUMN 6.Declare Henslee's Statement That He Made Alleged Remarks After Trial Is Wrong.Another shot was fired Friday at A. H. Henslee, one of theFrank jurors accused of bias and prejudice.The fresh attack came from Sparta residents who werearoused to indignation by the statement of Henslee that he madethe remarks they credited to him since and not before the trial.They denied Henslee's declaration in a communication forwardedWednesday to Frank's attorneys, and asserted they had not seenHenslee since the trial.Their reply to Henslee's defense was much to the sameeffect as that of Nunnally and Ricker,
  • Saturday, 18th October 1913: Way Clear For Frank Battle, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 18th October 1913,PAGE 2, COLUMN 3.Fight for New Trial to Open BeFore Judge Roan Next Wednesday Morning.The way was cleared Saturday for the actual beginning ofthe fight over the motion to give Leo M. Frank, convicted of themurder of Mary Phagan, a new trial. The battle will open beforeJudge Roan Wednesday with both sides primed for a vigorouscontest in which charges against jurors accused of bias will play alarge part.The defense, headed by Luther Z. Rosser, relies in large parton the evidence showing that Juror A. H. Henslee expressedviolent animus to Frank before the trial opened, winning
  • Sunday, 19th October 1913: Frank To Fight On Wednesday For New Trial, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Sunday, 19th October 1913,PAGE 2, COLUMN 3.Charges of Bias Against Jurors Will Play Leading Part In Arguments.DEFENSE OPPOSES DELAYJudge Roan and Solicitor Dorsey Also Urge HasteState Has Big Task.The way was cleared Saturday for the actual beginning ofthe fight over the motion to give Leo M. Frank, convicted of themurder of Mary Phagan, a new trial. The battle will open beforeJudge Roan Wednesday with both sides primed for a vigorouscontest in which charges against jurors accused of bias will play alarge part.The defense, headed by Luther Z. Rosser, relies in large parton the evidence showing that Juror A.
  • Monday, 20th October 1913: Way Clear For Frank Battle, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 20th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 4.Fight for New Trial to Open Before Judge Roan Next Wednesday Morning.The way was cleared Saturday for the actual beginning ofthe fight over the motion to give Leo M. Frank, convicted of themurder of Mary Phagan, a new trial. The battle will open beforeJudge Roan Wednesday with both sides primed for a vigorouscontest in which charges against jurors accused of bias will play alarge part.The defense, headed by Luther Z. Rosser, relies in large parton the evidence showing that Juror A. H. Henslee expressedviolent animus to Frank before the trial opened, winning
  • Tuesday, 21st October 1913: Fisher Under Third Degree Shirley’s Accuser In Cell, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 21st October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMNS 1, 3, & 7.PAGE 1, COLUMN 3FLASHLIGHT AT THE POLICE STATION OF MYSTERIOUS WITNESS PRINCIPALSJ. C. Shirley,the merchantnamed byFisher asMary Phagan'sslayer.On the leftI. W. Fisher,The mysterywitness isSeen facingChief ofDetectivesLanford.PAGE 1, COLUMN 7DETECTIVES SEEK TO REVEAL PLOT AGAINST FURNITURE MERCHANTPolice, Tuesday, considered the exoneration of J. C. Shirleycomplete. Charles J. Graham, attorney for the man accused by IraW. Fisher of the murder of Mary Phagan, and that was as yetundecided whether Fisher's accusations were the ravings of adiseased and dope-steeped mind or the first evidence of a deep-laid plot with Fisher as the
  • Wednesday, 22nd October 1913: Man Higher Up Sought In Fisher Plot, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 22nd October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMNS 1 & 4.New Trial For Frank Opposed in Thirty AffidavitsPAGE 1, COLUMN 4TWO JURORS DEFENDED OF BIASProbity of Henslee and Johenning Upheld Influence of Cheering on Jury DeniedSome 30 affidavits to support the State's contention that Leo M. Frank had a fair trial were made public Tuesday by Solicitor Dorsey.They will be used Wednesday in the fight against the defense's motion for a new trial before Judge L. S. Roan.Some of the affidavits defend the probity and character of A. H. Henslee and M. Johenning, jurors who were accused of bias; some
  • Thursday, 23rd October 1913: Judge’s Admissions Help Frank’s Chance, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 23rd October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMNS 1, 4, & 7.PAGE 1, COLUMN 4ROSSER, FRANK'S ATTORNEY, AND JUDGE ROAN ON WAY TO COURTJudge L. S. Roan.Luther Z. RosserPAGE 1, COLUMN 7CERTIFIES TO CHEERS IN COURT;HEARING MAY GO ON ALL WEEKProspects for a new trial for Leo M. Frank were made much brighter Wednesday afternoon by Judge Roan's certification of the defense's description of the disorder and demonstration in the courtroom on various occasions during Frank's trial.The judge's official approval of this fact as a ground for argument will give the defense an invaluable advantage when the arguments begin, and
  • Friday, 24th October 1913: Disputes Block Frank Speech, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 24th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMNS 1 & 7.DORSEY PLANNING TO MEET NEW ATTACK ON CONLY'S TESTIMONYOnly an agreement on a few disputed points remained to be accomplished on the resumption of the hearing on a new trial for Leo M. Frank Friday.The entire 115 reasons had been reviewed at the close of Thursday afternoon's session, but several of them were left unapproved to await an investigation of the records of the case by Solicitor Dorsey.The arguments were to start immediately on the approval of all the reasons.Two of the reasons, the alleged bias of A. H. Henslee
  • Saturday, 25th October 1913: Atlanta’s Prejudice As Bitter As Russia’s Declares Attorney, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 25th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 7.Reuben R. Arnold, in the opening argument of the defense in behalf of a new trial for Leo M. Frank Friday afternoon in the library of the State Capitol, made a dramatic comparison of the Frank trial with the "ritual murder" trial now in progress in Keiff, Russia.Attorney Arnold declared that as horrible as is that travesty on justice in Keiff, that in Atlanta last August was no less horrible.He made a bigger commentary upon the prejudice and mob spirit with which he said the defense was confronted at every turn."We have
  • Sunday, 26th October 1913: Lawyers In New Battle Over Life Of Leo Frank, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Sunday, 26th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.Curious Crowd BarredWhile the Lawyers Grow Personal in Encounters on More Than One Hundred Technical Points.Dorsey and Rosser Clash Jurors Are Attacked by the Defense.Alleged Prejudice of Spectators at the Trial Brought Up.An uncompromising attitude was struck by Solicitor Dorsey and the State's forces at the very first of the hearing on the motion for a new trial for Leo Frank, convicted of the murder of Mary Phagan, and was maintained until the close of the hearing Saturday.The Solicitor, conscious that the advantage lies with the State, at times laughed at the
  • Monday, 27th October 1913: Henslee Is Attacked As Cold Plotter, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 27th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.Attorney Arnold, for Frank, Says Juror Pleased to Get on Panel to Hang Accused.A recess in the hearing on a new trial for Leo M. Frank was taken at 3:45 o'clock Saturday afternoon as Attorney Reuben Arnold was in the midst of a scathing denunciation of A. H. Henslee, who, the lawyer declared, had lain in wait in cold blood to get on the jury that he might use his influence in convicting the defendant."He got there for no other purpose," asserted the lawyer."The affidavits show that Henslee deliberately went into the
  • Tuesday, 28th October 1913: Ridicules All Claims Made For Frank, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 28th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.Dorsey's Assistant Makes Only Short Speech in Attack on Defense's Prejudice Charges.Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey began Monday afternoon the State's reasons for opposing a new trial for Leo M. Frank with the same dogged persistence on every point that who for him the conviction of Frank.He arrayed his arguments against a new trial and maintained that they were sufficient to prevent the court from over-ruling the verdict.He characterized Attorney Arnold's arguments as a "three day harangue of piffle, most of which consisted of vilification and abuse."The Solicitor devoted all the time
  • Wednesday, 29th October 1913: Negro’s Statement Legal Evidence, He Says; State Closes, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 29th October 1913,PAGE 4, COLUMNS 1 & 7.DORSEY DEFENDS CONLEY TESTIMONYMaking a determined stand in behalf of the admissibility bearing on that part of Jim Conley's testimony which had to do with Leo Frank's moral conduct, Solicitor Dorsey Tuesday afternoon neared the close of his argument in opposition to the motion for a new trial made by Frank's lawyers.The Solicitor read numerous legal citations which enumerated cases where evidence of this nature had been admitted to show the likelihood of the defendant's guilt in respect to the charge for which he was on trial.Mr. Dorsey touched briefly
  • Thursday, 30th October 1913: Frank Alibi Upheld By Rosser In Closing, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 30th October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.Declares Negro's TestimonyImpeached by State's Own Witness.Leo M. Frank's alibi on the day Mary Phagan was murdered was reserved as the crowning point of his argument for a new trial by Luther Z. Rosser Wednesday afternoon.The Frank attorney contended that the alibi, which he represented as iron-clad, was an added and clinching reason for another trial for the convicted man.Rosser closed his argument shortly before 5 o'clock and the case went over to Judge Roan for his decision.The alibi, Mr. Rosser asserted, was given its final touch of stability by one of
  • Friday, 31st October 1913: Roan Keeps Frank Decision Secret, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 31st October 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.RULING WILL BE KNOWN FRIDAYJudge L. S. Roan, who has under consideration the motion for a new trial for Leo M. Frank, was in conference Thursday with Judge George L. Bell.Neither would discuss to what extent, if to any, the Frank case had been the subject of their talk.Judge Bell, when questioned on the matter, said:"There was nothing to it, Judge Roan and myself have been friend's a long time and ours was simply a friendly conversation. There was nothing of an official nature to it."Judge Roan will make the announcement of
  • Saturday, 1st November 1913: I’m Not Convinced Frank Is Guilty Or Innocent, Says Judge, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 1st November 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 5.JUDGE L. S. ROAN, WHO RENDERED DECISION DENYING A NEW TRIALPAGE 1, COLUMN 6"The jury was Convinced; it is my duty to deny a new trail," said Judge Roan.PAGE 1, COLUMN 7DEFENSE GETS READY FOR FINAL STAND IN FIGHT TO SAVE FRANKClose upon the defeat of their motion for a new trial, the attorneys for Leo M. Frank, convicted of the murder of Mary Phagan, began Friday the draft of the bill of exceptions which will take the case to the Supreme Court of the State.The new trial was denied by Judge
  • Sunday, 2nd November 1913: Mystery Of Phagan Case Deepened By Address Of Judge Roan, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Sunday, 2nd November 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.Admission of Court In Denying New Trial That He Was Not Convinced Either of Guilt or Innocence Creates Sensation.'Old Police Reporter' Finds Lawyers Who Believe Admission of Doubt Was Attempt to Right Judicial Wrong by Only Possible Means.By an Old Police Reporter.The speech of Judge L. S. Roan delivered when he refused to grant a new trial to Leo M. Frank has thrown the famous case "wide open," so to speak.Incidentally it has served to deepen the mystery, which so many believed was solved in August when the jury returned a verdict
  • Monday, 3rd November 1913: Frank Relies On Roan’s Speech For A New Trial, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 3rd November 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 7.Georgian's ReportMade the RecordThe Georgian's report of Judge L. S. Roan's remarkable expression of doubt in refusing to grant Leo M. Frank a new trial was Saturday incorporated into the official bill of exceptions by common consent of Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey, Luther Rosser, and the court itself.Mr. Dorsey objected to the report of the Judge's words as first given in the bill by Frank's lawyers and the difficulty was solved by accepting The Georgian's version.It is probably the first time in court history that a newspaper report of a legal proceeding
  • Tuesday, 4th November 1913: Judge Hill Orders Locker Club Probe, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 4th November 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 6.ASSERTS GUN TOTING IS MENACENew Justice Tells Body It Must NotSpareLiquor LawViolators Judge Ben Hill, in his first official act as a member of the Superior Court bench, Monday opened a campaign against illegal traffic in intoxicants, with especial reference to locker clubs which may be violating the prohibition laws.Charging his first Grand Jury, he urged the most careful inquiry into the conditions under which the locker clubs are operating, and if any were found to be disregarding the law in any way to indict the men operating them."There are rumors that
  • Wednesday, 5th November 1913: Judge’s Words Give Leo Frank New Hope, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 5th November 1913,PAGE 11, COLUMN 2.Attorneys Hold That Roan's ExpressedDoubt Will Make Rehearing Assured.Attorneys for Leo M. Frank Tuesday made the declaration that the Supreme Court of Georgia could avoid giving their client a new trial only by upsetting a well-established precedent and by reversing every Supreme Court decision which has borne on the trial judge's duty to set aside a verdict of guilty for which he is not convinced there was sufficient warrant.Roan's Position Clear."Judge Roan went out his way to make his stand in the matter perfectly clear. He mentioned that the case had given
  • Thursday, 6th November 1913: All Around The Town Little Facts And Fancies About Well-known Atlantans, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 6th November 1913,PAGE 11, COLUMN 2."So many people mispronounce the name of the senior Senator from Wisconsin," said Wiliam Schley Howard to-day, "and there really is no difficulty whatever about it. It is pronounced the easiest way imaginable simply 'La Fo-let.' The accent is on the 'Fol.'""So many people undertake to give it a French twist and pronounce it 'La Fol-ay,' while others insist upon 'La Fol-ette,' with the accent on the 'ette.'""Both of these pronunciations are out of the ordinary and much harder to get away with than just plain 'La Fol-et!'""Really, 'La Fol-et' is all
  • Monday, 10th November 1913: Conley Expected To Plead Guilty And Ask Coury’s Mercy, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 10th November 1913,PAGE 4, COLUMN 7.It is expected that Jim Conley, the negro whose testimony featured the trial of Leo M. Frank, will be taken before Judge Ben H. Hill, in the Fulton County Criminal Court, Tuesday morning and plead guilty to the charges against him as accessory to the killing of Mary Phagan.The attorneys for Conley have not stated whether they will go to a trial or whether they simply will have the negro plead guilty and ask fort the mercy of the court.At the Solicitor's office, though, it is understood he will plead guilty.Conley has
  • Tuesday, 11th November 1913: Conley Expected To Plead Guilty And Ask Coury’s Mercy, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 11th November 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 7.It is expected that Jim Conley, the negro whose testimony featured the trial of Leo M. Frank, will be taken before Judge Ben H. Hill, in the Fulton County Criminal Court, Tuesday morning and plead guilty to the charges against him as accessory to the killing of Mary Phagan.The attorneys for Conley have not stated whether they will go to a trial or whether they simply will have the negro plead guilty and ask fort the mercy of the court.At the Solicitor's office, though, it is understood he will plead guilty.Conley has
  • Wednesday, 12th November 1913: Conley Taken To Court For Trial, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 12th November 1913,PAGE 2, COLUMN 8.TO PLEAD GUILTY AS AID TO FRANKTwo Indictments as Accessory in Phagan CasePending NegroWill Deny Felony Charge.Jim Conley, the State's star witness against Leo M. Frank and an admitted accessory after the fact in the murder of Mary Phagan, was taken from the Tower Wednesday morning to await the calling of his case in the court of Judge Ben H. Hill.Two indictments were found against Conley by the Fulton County Grand Jury.Both charged him with being accessory after the fact, but one of the indictments involved only a misdemeanor while the other
  • Thursday, 13th November 1913: Conley Trial On Merits Asked By Dorsey, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 13th November 1913,PAGE 9, COLUMN 4.That the disposition of the cases against Jim Conley, negro accuser of Leo M. Frank, convicted of the murderer of Mary Phagan, will be no mere cut-and-dried affair was indicated Thursday afternoon when Jim was taken before Judge Ben Hill.The two cases one charging a felony and the other a misdemeanor were read, and then Solicitor Dorsey announced that he wanted the case tried on its merits.Judge Hill said he would hear the case Friday morning.W. M. Smith, the negro's lawyer, was in court ready to demand that his client be tried.There
  • Friday, 14th November 1913: Rosser And Arnold Oppose Each Other, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 14th November 1913,PAGE 4, COLUMN 4.Luther Rosser and Reuben Arnold, Frank's attorneys Friday opposed each other in the Federal Court when the Texas Oil Company filed a bill of equity to prevent T. E. Purcell from pushing his case in the Fulton County Court.Rosser is representing the Texas Company and Arnold appears for Purcell.Purcell alleges he made a contract with the Texas company for 49,000 barrels of gasoline the company failed to deliver.The price advanced and Purcell claims he could have made a quarter of a million profit.PAGE XXX, COLUMN 5CONLEY TRIAL ON MERITS ASKED BY DORSEYThat
  • Saturday, 15th November 1913: Rosser And Arnold Oppose Each Other, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 15th November 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 4.Luther Rosser and Reuben Arnold, Frank's attorneys Friday opposed each other in the Federal Court when the Texas Oil Company filed a bill of equity to prevent T. E. Purcell from pushing his case in the Fulton County Court.Rosser is representing the Texas Company and Arnold appears for Purcell.Purcell alleges he made a contract with the Texas company for 49,000 barrels of gasoline the company failed to deliver.The price advanced and Purcell claims he could have made a quarter of a million profit.PAGE 8, COLUMN 4Frank FilesReasons for New TrialPHAGAN CASE IN
  • Sunday, 16th November 1913: Conley Trial Is Delayed By Frank Appeal, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Sunday, 16th November 1913,PAGE XXX, COLUMN 1.Smith Demands Speedy Hearing, But None Is Likely Until the Phagan Decision.Rumor was current Saturday, after the filling with the Supreme Court of the bill of exceptions and brief of evidence to be used in arguing for a new trial for Leo M. Frank that Jim Conley, despite the determined efforts of his attorney to obtain an immediate hearing, would not be placed on trial as an accessory in the murder of many Phagan until after the Supreme Court disposes of Frank's petition for a new trial.W. M. Smith, Conley's counsel, repealed
  • Monday, 17th November 1913: Frank Files Reasons For New Trial, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 17th November 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.PHAGAN CASE IN SUPREME COURTArgument To Be Set for December 15 and Final Decision May Be Made by March.All doubt as to when the arguments will be heard by the Supreme Court in the Frank case was set at rest Saturday, when the bill of exceptions, properly certified, was filed with the clerk of the court for record.This means the case will go on the calendar for argument on December 15, although actual argument may not be heard for three or four days thereafter.Arguments in the case may be made either orally
  • Tuesday, 18th November 1913: Lawyer Absent, Conley’s Case Is Delayed, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 18th November 1913,PAGE XXX, COLUMN 4.Negro's Counsel Tuesday Will Demand Immediate Hearing, Attitude SurprisesDorsey.The absence from the city W. M. Smith attorney for Jim Conley, prevented the calling of Jim Conley's case Monday on the charge of being an accessory after the fact in the murder of Mary Phagan.Smith declared before he left for Macon, where he will appear as counsel in a white slave case, that he would fight every further effort to delay the trial of Conley.He said that at once upon his return to Atlanta, he would file a demand upon the court for
  • Thursday, 20th November 1913: Conley’s Attorney, To Combat Further Delay In His Case, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 20th November 1913,PAGE XXX, COLUMN 4.That a further postponement of the trial of Jim Conley, the negro witness in the Phagan case, will be bitterly fought, was the declaration of W. M. Smith, Conley's attorney, Thursday.Attorney Smith stated that he would hold a conference with Solicitor Dorsey and Judge Ben Hill, in whose court the trial will be heard, Thursday afternoon when he would protest against a further delay in the hearing of his client's case, and would urge its immediate disposal.Solicitor Dorsey Thursday stated, however, that the negro's trial had been put off indefinitely.Conley, who is
  • Friday, 21st November 1913: Conley’s Attorney, To Combat Further Delay In His Case, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 21st November 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 4.That a further postponement of the trial of Jim Conley, the negro witness in the Phagan case, will be bitterly fought, was the declaration of W. M. Smith, Conley's attorney, Thursday.Attorney Smith stated that he would hold a conference with Solicitor Dorsey and Judge Ben Hill, in whose court the trial will be heard, Thursday afternoon when he would protest against a further delay in the hearing of his client's case, and would urge its immediate disposal.Solicitor Dorsey Thursday stated, however, that the negro's trial had been put off indefinitely.Conley, who is
  • Tuesday, 25th November 1913: Conley Again Taken To Court. Attorney To Urge Hearing Now, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 25th November 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.Jim Conley, when sensational story helped to convict Leo M. Frank of the murder of Mary Phagan, was taken once more from his cell in the Tower Tuesday to the courthouse.Solicitor Dorsey said he was not sure that Conley's case would be reached.W. M. Smith, Conley's lawyer, has insisted that his case be settled at once, and will urge Judge Hill to pass sentence or give him a jury trial.It seemed likely Tuesday that the negro would, with his lawyer's consent, have the facts presented to the court and not insist on
  • Wednesday, 26th November 1913: Comment On The Frank Case, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 26th November 1913,PAGE XXX, COLUMN 5.EditorThe Georgian:I herewith inclose a communication for publication, if you see fit to accept same.There is really some doubt in my mind as to whether you will publish his article for the reason that I have failed to see a single article in your paper defending this court trial of Leo Frank.However, I am going to assume that you will be fair enough to allow both sides of the case to be presented to your readers.I have been a constant reader of your paper practically from its first issue; a good many
  • Saturday, 6th December 1913: Lid On To Stay, Says Beavers, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 6th December 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 3.CITY CLEAN NOW, SAYS CHIEF"The Law and Noble Policemen My Weapons in Fight," He Writes in Magazine."All the good people of any city have to do is to stand together and the gates of hell will not prevail against them the good people of Atlanta would never tolerate a return to old conditions under any circumstances."This declaration as to the moral status of Atlanta is made by Police Chief James L. Beavers in a special signed article in The Detective, of Chicago, which has devoted an entire section of its December number
  • Friday, 12th December 1913: Roan Attacked In Frank Appeal, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Friday, 12th December 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.BRIEFS FOR FINAL LIFEBATTLE READYTrialJudge Termed "Vacillating" by Defense Attorneys Hearing Likely to Start Monday.Severe criticism is made of Judge L. S. Roan for certain phases of his conduct of the trial of Leo M. Frank and for his refusal to grant a new trial, even though he himself had doubt as to the defendant's guilt, in the brief and argument prepared by Frank's lawyers to be presented to the Supreme Court of Georgia next Monday.The document was received from the printers Thursday.The brief of evidence, another bulky document, will be completed
  • Saturday, 13th December 1913: Dorsey Attacks Rosser’s Decision, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 13th December 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.MOB TRIED FRANK, IS DEFENSE CHARGEBoth SidesCriticize Court in Long BriefsFiled in Appeal to Supreme Court.Judge L. S. Roan, presiding judge in the famous Frank trial, Friday trial, Friday found himself between two raking fires of criticism.The bombardment was opened by the defense in the great legal battle.Weak and vacillating in his conduct of the case, disposed to shirk his duty as a judge, unable to rule his court with a firm and just hand these are the charges buried at him in the brief and argument of the defense lawyers.If the
  • Monday, 15th December 1913: Dorsey Ridicules Frank Appeal, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 15th December 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.NEW TRIAL PLANNED AT START, HE SAYSProsecutor Calls Grounds Submitted by Defense "Hodgepodge" and "Catch All."That Leo Prank's lawyer are engaged in a "post-mortem" attempt to obtain a new trial for their client is the charge repeatedly made in the brief and argument completed Saturday by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey and served upon the attorneys for the defense.Some of the grounds for a new trial advanced by the defense Dorsey characterizes as "hodgepodge and catch all," and ridicules the assertion that Frank was tried by a mob rather than by a
  • Tuesday, 16th December 1913: Dorsey Ends Speech Against New Frank Trial, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 16th December 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.FELDER TO TALK FOR STATENEXTJustices Likely Will Try to Reach Decision on Appeal by the End of January.Repeating his vehement assertions that Leo M. Frank is without a vestige of legal or moral right, to any sort of respite from the hangman's noose, Solicitor Dorsey concluded his address before the Supreme Court of Georgia Tuesday in opposition to a new trial for the factory superintendent.The Solicitor maintained that Frank had obtained a fair and impartial trial, despite the assertion to the contrary of counsel for the defense.He said that nothing essentially prejudicing
  • Wednesday, 17th December 1913: Frank’s Fate With Supreme Court Judges, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 17th December 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 8.FELDER HIT BY ROSSER IN FINAL PLEAA third time within less than four months the fate of Leo M. Frank hangs in the balance.Arguments in the appeal for a new trial were concluded Tuesday before the Supreme Court by an eloquent and scathing address by Luther Z. Rosser, chief of counsel for the convicted man.When adjournment was taken at 1 o'clock by Justices Atkinson, Evans and Hill the case was in their hands for consideration.Frank and his friends first awaited the outcome of the charges of murder against him on August 25
  • Thursday, 18th December 1913: Supreme Court Sets To Unraveling Red Thread Of Truth In Frank Case By James B. Nevin., The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 18th December 1913,PAGE 3, COLUMN 1.Impartial observers, people with minds unprejudiced and free of bias, must have sighed a weight of sincere relief from their souls when, at last, the arguments closed in the Supreme Court hearing of the Frank case, and that famous cause had been given finally into the keeping of Georgia's highest court of review.The public generally will incline to think that little if anything of further light was thrown upon the case by either side to the controversy, so far as the oratorical efforts pro and con were concerned in the Supreme Court.And,
  • Saturday, 20th December 1913: Frank Lawyers Reopen Attack On Dorsey, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 20th December 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.DISTORTION OF FACTS IS ALLEGEDSolicitor's Statement as to Time Slip Taken From Factory Is Vigorously Assailed.Attorneys for Leo M. Frank announced Friday that they were engaged in the preparation of a supplemental brief, in which they proposed to call to the attention of the Supreme Court of Georgia portions of Solicitor General Dorsey's argument and brief, which, they assert, are filled with glaring misstatements and misrepresentations.One of the statements of the Solicitor which the defense is attacking most vigorously in its supplemental brief is in reference to the time slip taken out
  • Saturday, 27th December 1913: New Frank Case Brief Attacks Roan Again, The Atlanta Georgian

    The Atlanta Georgian,Saturday, 27th December 1913,PAGE 2, COLUMN 4.Judge's Doubt as to Guilt or Innocence of Prisoner Subject of Extended ArgumentJudge L. S. Roan's doubt as to the guilt or innocence of Leo M. Frank, given expression at the time the motion for a new trial was overruled, will be the subject of an extended argument in the supplemental brief to be filed Saturday with the Supreme Court by the attorneys for the defense.Because of Attorney General Felder's vigorous argument before the Supreme Court, attacking the validity of the incorporation of Judge Roan's expression of doubt in the bill of
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