Author: Historical Librarian

  Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 "If Children of Such Tender Years Were Not Forced to Work, Mary Phagan Might Be Living," He Says "If social conditions in Atlanta were of the best—if conditions in factories were of the best and lastly if children of such tender years were not forced to work little Mary Phagan would probably never have been murdered," declared Dr. A. J. McKelway, president pro tem of the Southern Sociological congress speaking at the final meeting held in Wesley Memorial church last night. "Let us take this murder and analyze it. A little child of

  Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 Walter Graham Discharges a Derringer in His Cell at the Police Station. Will Newt Lee, the negro night watchman accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, be unnerved today as a result of the firing of a double-barreled derringer in a nearby cell last night. Will his nerves become so shattered at the thought of death that he will confess, admitting the crime, or implicating others? This is what the police will determine today in further third degree work with Lee. Walter Graham, a young white youth of 76 Marietta street, smuggled a

  Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 While relatives hysterically wept, while hundreds of friends, with wet eyes and bowed heads, mourned, while little circles of grim visage men talked in hushed voices of all that remained of little 14-year-old Mary Phagan, victim of Saturday night's atrocious crime, was lowered into a grave at the city cemetery at Marietta yesterday morning. "The Lord hath given, the Lord hath taken, blessed be the name of the Lord," said Rev. T. T. G. Linkous, pastor of the Christian church at East Point, as tears streamed down his cheeks. And the grave-diggers grasped

  Atlanta Constitution Thursday, May 1st, 1913 Atlanta's city council met at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning, adopted a resolution appropriating $1,000 as a reward for information which may lead to the arrest and conviction of the party or parties responsible for the death of Mary Phagan, and immediately afterwards the aldermanic board met and approved the action of council. The resolution went to Mayor Woodward before noon and he immediately attached his signature to it giving it official approval. The money is now available. * * * Atlanta Constitution, May 1st 1913, "City Offers $1,000 Reward for Capture of Phagan

  Miss Ella Maud Eubanks, stenographer for Leo M. Frank   Atlanta Constitution Thursday May 1st, 1913 Following Mechanic Barrett's declaration that there were two men at work Saturday at noon on the top floor of the factory building, Coroner Donehoo ordered detectives to accompany the machinist to the plant and bring the two employees to police headquarters. They were brought immediately into the inquest. Their names were given as Harry Denham and J. Arthur White. Denham was first placed on the stand. His examination began immediately upon arrival. "Did you see the blood on the lathing machine?" "I saw

  At the left top is Detective Black, of the city, and at the right Detective Scott, of the Pinkertons. Below is a scene of the inquest. At the bottom is a sketch by Henderson of the negro, Newt Lee, whose straightforward story at the inquest has tended to lift suspicion from him.   Atlanta Constitution Thursday, May 1st 1913 Mary Phagan Was Growing Afraid of Advances Made to Her by Superintendent of the Factory, George W. Epps, 15 Years Old, Tells the Coroner's Jury. BOY HAD ENGAGEMENT TO MEET HER SATURDAY BUT SHE DID NOT COME Newt Lee, Night

    Atlanta Constitution Thursday, May 1st, 1913 Mary Phagan had been dead ten hours or more before her body was discovered in the basement darkness of the factory building. This is the opinion of expert embalmists of Bloomfield's undertaking establishment, who made a thorough examination of the corpse immediately after it had been removed to the shop, less than thirty minutes following the discovery. This disclosure may shift the investigation of detectives to new channels. * * * Atlanta Constitution, May 1st 1913, "Girl Was Dead Ten Hours Before Body Was Found," Leo Frank case newspaper article series  

  Atlanta Constitution Thursday, May 1st, 1913 A letter to the editor of the Atlanta Constitution Editor Constitution: I notice with interest the reward your most worthy paper, is offering for the brutal murderer of Mary Phagan. To say words of praise for you would only be adding to what many others have said, and it would only be another testimonial of your love for your city and state, which you have always shown, and which you show now in trying to avenge the death of this pure girl. I truly hope the murderer will be caught and convicted, and

  J. A. White Harry Denham. The two mechanics who were the last workmen to leave the National Pencil company on Saturday afternoon. Leo M. Frank was in the building when they went out. Photo by Francis B. Price, Staff Photographer.   Atlanta Constitution Thursday May 1st, 1913 Was the man who first assaulted and then brutally killed Mary Phagan last Saturday night hiding in the basement of the National Pencil company when the watchman, Newt Lee, came down and discovered the girl's mutilated body early Sunday morning? This is the question that rose to everyone's mind, following the testimony

    Atlanta Constitution Thursday May 1st, 1913 Pearl Robison, the pretty 16-year-old sweetheart of Arthur Mullinax, came nobly to his defense with testimony that corroborated that suspect's alibi. She was placed on the stand late in the afternoon. "Do you know Arthur Mullinax?" "I am well acquainted with him." "Do you go with him?" "Yes!" "Were you with him Saturday?" "Yes! At supper and to the theater." "What time did you get home?" "About 10:30 o'clock." "Was he with you at that time?" "He was." "Did he go in when you returned home?" "No. He left for his home."

  This snapshot was taken just as the factory superintendent got out of auto in which he was transferred Thursday afternoon from the police station to the county jail.   Atlanta Constitution Friday, May 2nd, 1913 Grand Jury May Take Up Phagan Investigation Following Conference Between Dorsey, Beavers and Lanford. MULLINAX AND GANTT ARE GIVEN FREEDOM Coroner's Jury Will Resume Hearing on Monday, Following the Subpoenaing of 200 Witnesses. Thomas B. Felder, member of the firm of Felder, Anderson, Dillon & Whitman, has been engaged to assist the solicitor general in the prosecution of the murderer of Mary Phagan. He

  Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 3rd, 1913 Leo M. Frank and the Night Watchman, Newt Lee, Reiterate Declarations of Innocence in Phagan Crime. Leo M. Frank yesterday morning in his cell in the Tower reiterated his plea of innocence to a reporter for The Constitution. "I swear I'm not guilty," he declared. "I could not conceive of such a hideous murder, much less commit it. I am accused unjustly. The report that I have made a confession is totally and basely false. I have no confession to make." Newt Lee, the suspected night watchman, also repeats his statement that he

  Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 4th, 1913 Representing Themselves as Pinkertons, Two Men Are Interviewing Leading Witnesses in Mystery. DETECTIVES WORRIED BY PLANTED EVIDENCE Men Working on Case Believe That Some Interests May Be Trying to Fix the Crime on Suspects. What interests are promoting the planting of evidence in the Mary Phagan mystery? This question confronted police headquarters yesterday. Further evidence of mysterious forces underhandedly at work on the baffling case was revealed when it became known that imposters, representing themselves to be Pinkerton detectives had been questioning leading witnesses. This new disclosure, coupled with past discoveries of obviously

    Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 4th, 1913 At the top is a sketch made by Henderson from the last photograph taken of little Mary Phagan, the 14-year-old girl of tragedy. Below is a photograph of her mother and step-father, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Coleman, and her sister, Miss Ollie Phagan. The other picture was taken at the funeral. Could you walk for hours in the heart of Atlanta without seeing a person you know? What did Atlanta detectives do to keep murderer from "planting" evidence against suspects? Are all the men who have been held as suspects marked

    Atlanta Constitution Monday, May 5th, 1913 Detectives Are of Opinion They Have in Their Possession All Evidence That Is Needed by the Jury. INFORMATION SECURED FROM MYSTERIOUS GIRL Coroner's Jury Will Resume Inquest at 2 O'Clock This Afternoon — Factory Girls Will Be Witnesses. Detectives working on the case of Mary Phagan, the 14-year-old murdered girl whose body was found in the basement of the National Pencil company at daybreak Sunday morning a week ago, believe that today they have in their possession evidence which will lead to the conviction of the girl's murderer, according to the statement

Atlanta Constitution Monday, May 5th, 1913 Dr. Holderby took occasion during his Sunday morning service at Moore Memorial church to refer to the recent horrible Phagan tragedy, which has shocked the entire community, and urged the people not to discuss the matter with their children. He said: "It is unaccountable to me why people should be so hysterical and become so frightened because one demon has perpetrated a crime. "This unspeakable crime is bad enough, and every effort should be made to find the guilty party—and every effort is being made by the detective departments—and this should satisfy the public.

    Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 The instructions given the new Fulton county grand jury by Judge William D. Ellis in his charge at the empanelling of that body Monday morning placed especial stress upon the call of the Mary Phagan case for the "immediate and vigorous attention" of the grand jury. He also urged the jury to investigate the locker and social clubs of Atlanta and to "find true bills against all who conduct clubs which are run for the purpose of selling liquor." In this connection he also urged that the grand jury declare war upon

  Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 Crime Calls for Your Immediate Attention, Declares Judge Ellis, in His Charge. "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 and of all officers of the law the most searching investigation and the prompt bringing to trial of the guilty party." Such was the charge

    Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 Lemmie Quinn, Foreman of the Department in Which the Little Girl Worked, Was in His Office Just a Few Minutes After She Received Her Pay on the Day of the Murder, He Tells the Coroner's Jury at Inquest on Monday Afternoon. LEO FRANK INNOCENT NEW WITNESS TELLS ATLANTA DETECTIVES Quinn Declares That Officers Accused Him of Being Bribed to Come to the Aid of Superintendent — Frank Is on Stand for Four Hours Answering Coroner's Questions—Body of Mary Phagan Exhumed and Stomach Will Be Examined. The Mary Phagan murder mystery assumed a

Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, May 7th, 1913 Former Atlantan, Who Was Taken Into Custody in Houston, Texas, Early on Monday Night, Released After an Investigation by Chief of Police Department, Who Says He Is Convinced of His Innocence. BOWEN WAS IN CHINERO ON DAY OF THE MURDER HE TELLS DETECTIVES His Father, Cal Bowen, of Newnan, Georgia, Received a Message Last Night From His Son, Declaring That He Had Been Fired — Bowen Is Well Connected in Georgia and His Friends Are Indignant Over His Arrest. Paul P. Bowen, former Atlantan, who was arrested in Houston, Texas, Monday night on suspicion

  Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, May 7th, 1913 For Second Time in Less Than Week Physicians to Make Examination at the Graveside of Mary Phagan. REFUSE TO TELL WHY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN Search for Finger Prints and New Wounds Is Reported Reason—Inquest Resumed Thursday—Strange Man Sought. Mary Phagan's body will be exhumed today for the second time. Bertillion and medical experts will make examinations for finger prints and wounds which may have been overlooked before. Coroner Donehoo and Dr. H. F. Harris, of the state board of health, will be in charge. Between 9 and 10 o'clock is the scheduled

  Atlanta Constitution Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Mrs. Mattie White Tells Detectives That on Afternoon of Killing She Saw Negro in Factory. Leo M. Frank will probably be the first witness to take the stand in the Mary Phagan murder inquest to be resumed this morning at 9:30 o'clock in police headquarters. He will be examined thoroughly along lines which neither the chief of detectives, coroner nor solicitor general will disclose. He was resting comfortably at midnight, and, according to reports from the Tower in which he is imprisoned, he is in fit condition to undergo the ordeal. In the

  Atlanta Constitution Thursday, May 8th, 1913 Object to Flaring Headlines Over Phagan Mystery. One hundred of the most prominent members of the Greek community in Atlanta gathered in their community hall on Whitehall street last night and protested vigorously against the use of the word Greek in an afternoon paper in connection with the Phagan mystery. The article in question stated that the Pinkertons had said that the murder of Mary Phagan was done in the Mediterranean style and that a certain Greek restaurant employee was being shadowed or words to that effect. "We protest must vigorously against such

    Atlanta Constitution Thursday, May 8th, 1913 City Bacteriologist Makes His Report After Examination of Garment of Negro Which Was Found in Trash Barrel. LEE'S CELLMATE MAY TESTIFY AT INQUEST Witness Spent 24 Hours in Same Cell With Phagan Prisoner — Body of Girl Exhumed for Second Time. DAY'S DEVELOPMENTS IN PHAGAN MYSTERY Dr. Claude Smith, city bacteriologist, completes examination of negro's blood-stained shirt, and finds that the blood stains are new. Body of Mary Phagan was exhumed shortly after noon on Wednesday for the purpose of making a second examination. Mrs. Mattie Smith, wife of one of the

Leo M. Frank, factory superintendent, who, with Newt Lee, the negro night watchman, was held for the grand jury. Atlanta Constitution Friday, May 9th, 1913 Sensational Statements Made at Inquest by Two Women, One of Whom Had Been an Employee, Who Declared That Frank Had Been Guilty of Improper Conduct Toward His Feminine Employees and Had Made Proposals to Them in the Factory. EVIDENCE IN BAFFLING MYSTERY THUS FAR, IS CIRCUMSTANTIAL, IS ADMISSION MADE BY DETECTIVES Frank and Lee Both Go on Stand Again and Are Closely Questioned in Regard to New Lines of Evidence and Forced to Reiterate Testimony

  Atlanta Constitution Friday, May 9th, 1913 The detectives are investigating today a clew in the Phagan case brought to Atlanta Thursday by W. A. Smith, of Jonesboro, an employee of the Central of Georgia railroad, which was to the effect that he had just completed a thirty-hour chase, covering a trip of more than 100 miles, after two men who talked and acted suspiciously in his presence at the Jonesboro station Tuesday afternoon. The men, he said, escaped and the only tangible evidence which Smith showed the detectives was a lady's blood-stained handkerchief with a hole—apparently chewed—in the middle

Monteen Stover. Little girl, former employee of National Pencil company, who swears Frank was not in office between 12:05 and 12:10 o'clock. Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 10th, 1913 Testimony Considered Important by Officers Because Frank at the Inquest Stated on Stand That He Did Not Leave Between Noon on Saturday and 12:25. When Quinn Came to See Him. SHE WENT TO FACTORY TO GET PAY ENVELOPE - POSITIVE OF THE TIME New Evidence, Just Submitted to Detective Department, Leads Chief Lanford to Believe That Mary Phagan Was Murdered in the Basement — Woman Says She Heard Screams on Saturday Afternoon.

  Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 11th, 1913 BY GORDON NOEL HURTEL. The mystery surrounding the murder of Mary Phagan, the young factory girl who met a tragic and a terrible death in the heart of a city whose streets were thronged with holiday crowds, may add another chapter to Atlanta's record of unsolved and unpunished crimes. Can such things be? is asked. Can murder, red-handed, find a victim in the midst of a populous city when the sun is smiling in God's skies of blue and where the protecting power of the law and the vengeance of justice are near,

Robert House Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 11th, 1913 Robert House, Now a Special Policeman, Tells the Atlanta Detectives of an Incident of Over a Year Ago. SEES FRANK IN TOWER AND RECOGNIZES HIM Three More Pinkertons Are Put on the Phagan Case, Under the Supervision of Harry Scott. Detectives have procured in Robert P. House, a special policeman, a witness who has testified that he once apprehended Leo M. Frank, the suspect in the Mary Phagan mystery, and a young girl in a desolate spot of the woods in Druid Hills Park. The policeman declares he obtained admission from Frank

  Atlanta Constitution Monday, May 12th, 1913 "You Are Employed to Hunt Down Murderer, It Matters Not Who He Is," Luther Rosser Informs Detectives. GRAND JURY TO PROBE MYSTERY NEXT WEEK Solicitor Dorsey States That He Wants All the Evidence Ready to Submit to Jurors Before Opening Hearing. Officials of the Pinkerton National Detective agency, who were brought into the Phagan case through Leo M. Frank, recently went to authorities of the National Pencil company. It is stated, and in the presence of Leo M. Frank's counsel, Luther Z. Rosser, said: "We want to make our position clear. The Pinkertons

  Atlanta Constitution Monday, May 12th, 1913 The history of the baffling Phagan mystery, daily recorded, is briefly as follows: Sunday April 26—Girl's body found in basement of pencil factory. Newt Lee, negro night watchman, who made discovery, arrested. Arthur Mullinax, street car employee, also arrested. Both held on suspicion. Monday—Leo M. Frank, factory superintendent, detained, but later released. J. M. Gantt, former bookkeeper of pencil concern and friend of dead girl, arrested in Marietta. Negro elevator boy also taken into custody. Pinkertons enter case. Tuesday—Bloody shirt found at negro watchman's home. Planted evidence theory advanced. Mary Phagan's body buried.

    Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, May 13th, 1913 "I Am Confident That He Will Be Proven Not Guilty of This Terrible Crime," She Tells Reporter HAS NOT SEEN HER SON SINCE HE WAS MARRIED W. J. Burns Secured to Take Charge of Phagan Mystery Investigation—Engaged by Friends of Murdered Girl ANOTHER ARREST EXPECTED IN PHAGAN MYSTERY CASE It was reported on good authority this morning that officers working upon the Mary Phagan murder would make a new arrest today or tomorrow which is expected to throw an entirely new light upon the case. None of the officials have discussed this

    Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, May 13th, 1913 By Thomas Byrd Magath A veil of mystery so dense as to completely shut off the light from all newspaper men surrounds the identity of the detective who has been employed by Solicitor General Dorsey. So far nothing can be learned except that the mysterious detective has worked on the case only one week and is now not in Atlanta, but some distance away working on another case. "This detective, one of the best in the country," quotes Mr. Dorsey, "did not give up the case because of inefficiency for," says the

    Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, May 14th, 1913 Reporter of The Constitution Is Summoned by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey for Conference. OFFICIALS INVESTIGATE THEORY OF MYSTERY Much Interest Is Created by the Report That a New Arrest May Be Made in the Near Future. The handwriting of Mary Phagan is likely to play a prominent part in the investigation of her murder. Rumors came Tuesday from the solicitor general's office that new clues had been discovered in the form of notes or letters, and that much energy was being concentrated in investigation along that line. Handwriting experts have been

    Atlanta Constitution Thursday, May 15th, 1913 Identification Slip Carried by Mary Phagan in Her Pocketbook Causes Theory That the Victim Had Been Threatened With Violence. Either threatened with death or warned by some dread premonition of an untimely end, Mary Phagan is believed by Solicitor Dorsey to have prepared for her tragic fate by writing the identification slip discovered hidden in a compartment of the metal pocketbook which she carried daily. The slip was given the solicitor Wednesday morning by a reporter for The Constitution. The reporter also made an authorized statement of the source from which it

    Atlanta Constitution Friday, May 16th, 1913 To Solve Phagan Murder, Joseph Hirsch, Capitalist, Starts Public Subscription to Assure Fund for Burns. SOCIETY WOMEN AID MOVEMENT FOR FUND Local Detectives in Conference and Are Believed to Have Secret Documents Bearing on Case. With The Constitution's donation of $100 as a nucleus, Atlanta today begins building a fund with which to employ to ferret the mystery of Mary Phagan's murder Detective William J. Burns, America's most successful detective. Assurance that subscriptions will be plentiful and generous came to Attorney Thomas E. Felder last night in telephone messages from numerous public-spirited

  Atlanta Constitution Friday, May 16th, 1913 By all means employ William J. Burns to solve the Mary Phagan murder mystery! It will cost several thousand dollars to get the world-famous detective to come to Atlanta, and The Constitution herewith starts the subscription with $100. As soon as Homer George, manager of the Atlanta theater, learned of the subscription he subscribed $10. Never in the history of Atlanta has there been such an insistent demand that a murderer or murderers be apprehended. For days and weeks the Phagan murder has been the sole topic of conversation. Now that the subscription

    Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 17th, 1913 Noose Found Knotted Around Neck of Mary Phagan Being Carefully Examined by Officers. BURNS RIGHT-HAND MAN NOW PROBING MYSTERY Fund Started by The Constitution for Purpose of Bringing Noted Detective to Atlanta Has Reached $1,500. In the noose found knotted around the throat of Mary Phagan's lifeless body, Solicitor Dorsey and headquarters detectives aver they possess a valuable clue to the girl's murderer. It is being inspected by experts, who also are examining specimens of cord picked up here and there in the factory building in which the child was slain. Expecting

    Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 18th, 1913 Members of the Staff of the Solicitor General Are Now Keeping Trio Under Strict Surveillance. LANFORD HAS EVIDENCE TO CONVICT, HE SAYS Will Not Divulge Its Nature to Anyone, He Declares. Court Postponed to Allow More Time to Probe Case. SATURDAY'S DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PHAGAN MYSTERY Rumors from office of solicitor general say that three arrests will be made of attaches to pencil plant before case goes to grand jury. Trio will be jailed, it is said, within next few days. Chief Lanford, of police headquarters, announces he possesses documentary evidence which

Atlanta Constitution Monday, May 19th, 1913 Another Employee of the National Pencil Company Now Held at Police Headquarters. VALUABLE EVIDENCE FOUND BY BURNS MAN For Hours the New Detective, Col. Thomas B. Felder and Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey Discuss Case. In the first report of his investigation of the Mary Phagan tragedy, William J. Burns' agent informs Solicitor General Dorsey that he already has obtained a valuable clue, and that a new phase of the mystery, upon which he is basing his operations, will be productive of early and startling results. Sunday was a day of vigorous activity in all

Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, May 20th, 1913 "Freedom of Murderer Is a Menace to Honor and Life of Every Woman," Writes Mrs. James Carr. Optimistic over the prospects for solving the Mary Phagan mystery, C. W. Tobie, chief of the William J. Burns criminal department, told a reporter for The Constitution yesterday morning that he was confident the girl's murderer would be apprehended and convicted in a surprisingly short while. "What if Mary Phagan were your child?" is the subject of an eloquent plea made to the women of Atlanta by Mrs. Jane F. Carr for the apprehension of the slyer.

Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, May 21st, 1913 Burns Operative Finds New Theory in Detailed Study of Life of Girl Who Was Murdered. Investigation into the life of Mary Phagan from the time she was a child until the day upon which she was murdered has been the work for the past several days of C. W. Tobie, the investigator who is preceding William J. Burns in the attempt to find the perpetrator of the crime. The detective will not reveal his specific reasons for accumulating a record of the girl's life, but steadily he has been familiarizing himself with every detail

Atlanta Constitution Thursday, May 22nd, 1913 Two Investigators Are Added to Wm. J. Burns' Forces Already in Atlanta—P. A. Flak in City. The William J. Burns forces in the investigation of the Mary Phagan mystery have been reinforced by two expert investigators who recently arrived in the city and are assisting Chief C. W. Tobie in his work. Their identity is being withheld. Both began work Wednesday. One is a noted handwriting and finger print expert, and his first object was to examine the notes found beside the girl's body and to obtain finger prints at and around the scene

    Atlanta Constitution Friday, May 23rd, 1913 Mrs. Nina Formby Swears Suspected Man Wanted a Room for Himself and a Girl on Murder Night. TO PRESENT AFFIDAVIT TO GRAND JURY TODAY Mysterious Telephone Message Caused Detectives to Interview Woman Who Conducts Rooming House. Mrs. Nina Formby, who conducts a rooming house at 400 Piedmont Avenue, near Currier Street, Atlanta, has signed an affidavit to the effect that on April 26, 1913, Leo M. Frank called her up repeatedly by telephone and endeavored to secure a room for himself and a young girl. The affidavit was signed Monday, May 11,

    Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 24th, 1913 A. S. Colyar, when seen last night by a representative of The Atlanta Constitution, gave out the following statement: "I have just read Colonel T. B. Felder's card in the bedtime edition of The Atlanta Georgian, in which he sees fit to call me, behind my back, a liar and a crook. Knowing the colonel as I do, and as his intimate friends know, he is a past grand master on explanations. The Atlanta Journal, in its Friday afternoon home edition, published every detail of the case, with the sworn statements of