Category: TRANSCRIPTS: ATLANTA GEORGIAN

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...

The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 20th August 1913.Page 2Solicitor 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 he hardly regarded it so likely Read More ...

The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 21st August 1913.PAGE 1In 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. Otherwise it fairly rang with Read More ...

  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; Read More ...

  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 Read More ...

The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 25th August 1913.This photo wassnapped asFrank left theTower.Frank alwaysis nattilyattired, and walks briskly from the autowhich bringshim from the tower to courtroom.The accused never ishandcuffedto the Sheriff,as are menconsidereddesperateprisoners.PACKED COURTROOMAPPLAUDS AS DORSEYBEGINS CLOSING PLEARefreshed 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 obtain a verdict of guilty against Leo M. Frank, charged with the murder of Mary Phagan.The day and a half intermission furnished a breathing spell for the State's prosecutor. He came Read More ...

The Atlanta Georgian, Tuesday, 26th 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. 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 murder Read More ...

The Atlanta Georgian,Wednesday, 27th August 1913.FRANK RETURNING TO HIS CELL IN TOWER AFTER JUDGE'S CHARGEFrank'scontrol ofhisemotionswas nevermorestrikinglyshown thanon lastdayof trial.Leo M. Frank,convictedslayer ofMary Phaganon his way backto his cell toawait theverdict of thejury. Hewalked with afirm, springystep, andapparently wasconfident thathe would beacquitted.PRISONER MUST HANGOCT. 10, JUDGE RULES;INNOCENT, HEREPEATSAlmost before the dread verdict of "guilty" had ceased ringing in his ears, Leo M. Frank, convicted of slaying Mary Phagan, heard Tuesday the still more terrible words, "sentenced to hang by the neck until dead," before the echo of his own words, "I am innocent" had died away.Frank will pay the penalty Read More ...

The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 28th August 1913.Solicitor Cites Prisoner's State-ment 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 the trial and the Read More ...

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 Read More ...

  The Atlanta Georgian, Wednesday, 17th September 1913. PAGE 6, COLUMN 5 Attorney Will Permit Him to Plead Guilty 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 Read More ...

The Atlanta Georgian, Wednesday, 17th September 1913. PAGE 20, COLUMN 3 Witnesses Tell Grand Jury Jack- Son Killing Was Justified No Bill' 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. Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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 Read More ...