Category: PRIMARY NEWSPAPER EXCERPTS (YOU ARE THERE)

Rumor That Frank Married in Brooklyn Not True, Says Eagle Atlanta JournalMonday, May 12th, 1913 At Request of The Journal, One of Numerous Reports About Man Held in Phagan Case Is Investigated TWO ‘NO BILLS' NECESSARY TO FREE PRISONERS Solicitor's "Famous" Detective Has Left City-Character Witnesses Not Likely to Be Used At the request of The Atlanta Journal, the Brooklyn Eagle, one of the most conservative and reliable newspapers in the whole country, has investigated the most serious of numerous rumors which are being persistently circulated about the character of Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil company, who Read More ...

The Phagan Case Day by Day Atlanta ConstitutionMonday, 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. Read More ...

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 GeorgianTuesday, 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 Read More ...

My Son Innocent, Declares Mother of Leo M. Frank Atlanta ConstitutionTuesday, 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 CASEIt 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 Read More ...

Solicitor Dorsey is Working New Theory in Phagan Mystery Atlanta JournalTuesday, May 13th, 1913 He Will Not Disclose Its Nature, but He, Lanford and Beavers Declare No Arrests Are Contemplated SOLICTOR WOULD WELCOME HELP OF BURNS But Says He Knows Nothing of Effort to Bring Him Here, Miss Ross, a New Witness, Talks With Dorsey A new theory about the mysterious murder of Mary Phagan has been presented to Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey in such a convincing manner by an unknown criminologist that the chief prosecuting officer of Fulton county has turned the Phagan investigation towards working out the Read More ...

Clue is Sought in Handwriting of Mary Phagan Atlanta ConstitutionWednesday, 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 Read More ...

New Theory Fails to Change Course of Murder Probe Atlanta JournalWednesday, May 14th, 1913 "A Local Celebrity" Is Working Out the New Theory and He Had Not Reported to the Solicitor on Wednesday GIRL'S HANDWRITING GIVES IMPORTANT CLUE Grand Jury to Take Up Case May 22 or 23, Says Solicitor, Criminal Court Postpones Session at Dorsey's Request At 2:10 Wednesday afternoon Solicitor Dorsey announced that the grand jury would take up the Phagan case on Thursday, the 22d, or Friday, the 23d, unless something intervened to make it inadvisable. At that time bills will be presented against Leo M. Frank Read More ...

Secret Hunt by Burns in Mystery is Likely William J. Burns Atlanta GeorgianWednesday, 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 Read More ...

Burns Investigator Will Probe Slaying Atlanta GeorgianThursday, 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 Read More ...

No Phagan Trial Before Last of June Declares Solicitor Atlanta JournalThursday, May 15th, 1913 If Indictments Are Returned by Grand Jury When Bills Are Presented There Will Be No Immediate Trial WM. J. BURNS COMING, SAYS THOS. B. FELDER He Calls Upon the Public to Subscribe a Fund to Pay the Expense of Bringing Great Detective to Atlanta Should the Fulton county grand jury, when it meets next Thursday or Friday, return a true bill against either one or both of the men held by the coroner's jury in the Mary Phagan murder investigation, the state will not attempt to Read More ...

Victim of Murder Prepared to Die, Believes Dorsey Atlanta ConstitutionThursday, 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 Read More ...

Books and Papers in Phagan Case in Grand Jury's Hands Atlanta JournalFriday, May 16th, 1913 Two Employes of Pencil Company Appeared Before Grand Jury Friday in Answer to Subpenas FELDER RAISING FUND TO PAY W. J. BURNS The Journal Subscribes $100, Mr. Felder Declares a Burns Investigator Will Be Put On the Case at Once By means of a subpoena duces tecum Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey Friday obtained possession of a number of books and papers of the National Pencil company. The subpoena was served on Herbert G. Schiff and M. B. Darley, two officials of the pencil company, Read More ...

Burns Hunt for Phagan Slayer Begun Atlanta GeorgianFriday, 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 ……………$100The Constitution ……….. 100Homer 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, Read More ...

Coming of Burns is Assured, Says Colonel Felder Atlanta ConstitutionFriday, 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 Read More ...

In Loop of Death Dorsey May Have Clue to Murderer Atlanta ConstitutionSaturday, 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 Read More ...

New Phagan Witnesses Have Been Found Atlanta GeorgianSaturday, 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 Read More ...

Phagan Case Will Go To Grand Jury in Present Form Atlanta JournalSaturday, May 17th, 1913 State Is Apparently Ready, as Solicitor Says That He is Not Expecting Any New Evidence for Some Time BURNS' INVESTIGATOR ON THE JOB, SAYS FELDER Attorney Declares Fund for Employment of the Famous Sleuth Has Reached $1,500, About $5,000 is Needed That the state considers its case as practically complete and is ready to definitely charge the Mary Phagan murder to an individual and to start the legal machinery moving towards a superior court trial is believed from a very significant statement made Saturday by Read More ...

Burns Sleuth Makes Report in Phagan Case Atlanta GeorgianSunday, 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 Read More ...

Phagan Theory is Unchanged After Three Weeks' Probe Atlanta JournalSunday, May 18th, 1913 Most Searching Investigation Ever Conducted in a Criminal Case in Georgia Brings No New Developments STATE WILL STAND BY THEORY AS OUTLINED Fund to Pay Detective Burns is Mounting—Greeks Sent In Subscription Saturday, Grand Jury Acts Soon The hunt for the murderer of Mary Phagan has now been in progress for three weeks. Never before has there been such a thorough, exhaustive and efficient probe made of a crime committed in this state. And now the authorities are back to the theory which the city detective have Read More ...

Three Arrests Expected Soon in Phagan Case Atlanta ConstitutionSunday, 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 MYSTERYRumors 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 Read More ...

Burns Eager to Solve Phagan Case Atlanta GeorgianMonday, 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 Read More ...

Burns' Investigator Outlines His Theory of Phagan Murder Atlanta JournalMonday, May 19th, 1913 It Coincides In Practically Every Feature With Theory Held by Solicitor Dorsey, Detectives and Pinkertons MYSTERY CAN BE SOLVED, INVESTIGATOR DECLARES He Holds Long Conerence With Solicitor, Who Has Welcomed Him Into Case, Urged to Contribute to Fund The theory of the murder of Mary Phagan entertained by the city detectives and outlined in The Journal first on Sunday a week ago is the theory in which C. W. Tobie, manager of the criminal department of the William J. Burns agency, believes. Mr. Tobie, who has been Read More ...

Detectives Seek Clue in Writing of Negro Suspect Atlanta ConstitutionMonday, 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 Read More ...

Cases Ready Against Lee and Leo Frank Atlanta GeorgianTuesday, 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 Read More ...

Phagan Case Goes to the Grand Jury in Present Form Atlanta JournalTuesday, May 20th, 1913 Solicitor and Detectives Are Ready With Evidence and Will Present Bills for Jury's Consideration Friday CAN FRANK INTRODUCE WITNESSES IN DEFENSE? This Question Is Being Considered by Solicitor—Another Report That Mary Phagan Was Seen Saturday P. M. The Fulton county grand jury will commence its investigation of the murder of Mary Phagan on Friday, not Thursday morning, according to an announcement from the solicitor general's office. Unless there is an important development before that time, and none is considered likely, the names of only two Read More ...

Women Declare Phagan Murder Must Be Solved Atlanta ConstitutionTuesday, 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 Read More ...

Finger Print Expert Works With Dorsey to Solve Mystery Atlanta JournalWednesday, May 21st, 1913 P. A. Flak, of New York, visits Scene of Crime and Also Takes Finger Prints of Men in the Tower BURNS INVESTIGATOR INTERVIEWS NEWT LEE He is Said to Be Convinced That Negro Is Innocent—Pinkertons Still Busy in Search for Additional Evidence The employment by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey of one of the best known finger print experts in the world on the Phagan mystery was Wednesday's principal development in the sensational case. P. A. Flak, of New York City, noted criminologist, and a recognized Read More ...

T. B. Felder Repudiates Report of Activity for Frank Atlanta GeorgianWednesday, 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 Read More ...

Tobie is Studying Mary Phagan's Life Atlanta ConstitutionWednesday, 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 Read More ...

Experts Are Here on Finger Prints Atlanta ConstitutionThursday, 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 Read More ...

Grand Jury Won't Hear Leo Frank or Lee Atlanta GeorgianThursday, 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 Read More ...

Phagan Case Will Go to Grand Jury at 10 A. M. Friday Atlanta JournalThursday, May 22nd, 1913 Names of Leo M. Frank and the Negro, Newt Lee, to Be Presented by State as the Accused DORSEY TO CONCENTRATE EFFORT AGAINST FORMER Improbable That Evidence Favorable to Mr. Frank Will Be Attempted—Experts Ready on Various Phases The Phagan investigation will go to the grand jury on Friday and the state will use every effort to introduce sufficient evidence against the two suspects ordered held by the coroner's jury to secure true bills. Solicitor General Dorsey announced late Thursday that there had Read More ...

Febuary and Colyar Swear That Felder Offered Big Bribe Atlanta JournalFriday, May 23rd, 1913 Affidavit, Detailing Conversation Which Is Alleged to Have Occurred in Col. Felder's Office, Is Given Below "GO AND GET EVIDENCE,' COL. FELDER IS QUOTED "Lanford Couldn't Detect an Elephant at Five Points," He Is Alleged to Have Said, Both Chiefs Are Denounced The city detectives have in their possession an affidavit sworn to by G. C. Febuary, secretary to Chief Lanford, and A. S. Colyar, a private investigator, detailing the alleged conversation which it is claimed took place between Colonel T. B. Felder, Colyar, and Feburary Read More ...

Rooming House Sought by Frank Declares Woman Atlanta ConstitutionFriday, May 23rd, 1913 Mrs. Mima Famby 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. Mima Famby , who conducts a rooming house at 400 Piedmont avenue, near Currier street, has signed an affidavit to the effect that on April 26 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 Read More ...

Dictograph Record Alleged Bribe Offer Atlanta GeorgianSaturday , 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: Read More ...

Frank Not Home Hours on Saturday Declares Lanford Atlanta ConstitutionSaturday, May 24th, 1913 On Night of Murder Prisoner Was Not at Residence, as He Says He Was, States Head of Detective Dept WITNESSES WILL SWEAR TO THIS, HE ASSERTS Leo Frank Swore at Coroner's Inquest That He Reached Home at 7:30 O'Clock and Did Not Leave House "I can prove that Frank was not at home during the hours of Saturday night, the night of the murder that he claimed he was. I will have witnesses to swear to this." Such was the startling statement by Chief of Detectives Newport Read More ...

Negro Sweeper Tells Officer Frank Asked Him to Write Some Notes Day Before Tragedy Atlanta JournalSaturday, May 24th, 1913 He Thinks These Notes Are the Same as Those Found by the Body of the Murdered Girl, but Had Not Seen the Original Notes When He Made His Sensational Statement to the Detectives Saturday Morning NEGRO STUCK TO HIS STORY THROUGH GRUELLING EXAMINATION IN SOLICITOR'S OFFICE SATURDAY Conley Voluntarily Sent for Detectives to Make His Statement, It Is Declared — He Told the Detectives That He Wanted to Confess the Whole Truth, That Frank Called Him Into His Office and Told Read More ...

Frank the Guilty Man, Declares Chief Lanford Atlanta ConstitutionSunday, May 25th, 1913 "Frank will be convicted. He is the guilty man, and we will show it beyond a doubt. Evidence that we hold but will not reveal will startle those who believe his innocence into conviction of his guilt. It will not be disclosed until the trial. "I have been confident throughout the investigation of his guilt. I am satisfied now. Colonel Felder's charges that we have shielded Frank can find no substantiation. The evidence we have unearthed is proof to the contrary. "The detectives of police headquarters have solved Read More ...

I'll Indict Gang, Says Beavers Atlanta GeorgianSunday, 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 Read More ...

"Lanford is the Controlling Genius of Conspiracy to Protect the Murderer of Little Mary Phagan" Atlanta JournalSunday, May 25th, 1913 So Declares Colonel Thomas B. Felder in Scathing Arraignment of Chief of Detectives and Those Assisting Him. Says Lanford and the Pinkerton Detectives Are Doing All They Can to Hamper the Phagan Investigation — Refers to Lanford as the "Lieutenant Becker" of the Department CHARGES A. S. COLYAR WITH BEING A SELF-CONFESSED FORGER AND BLACKMAILER Colonel Felder Says He Met Colyar Two and a Half Years Ago. During His Controversy With Governor Blease, and That Colyar Palmed Off Forged Affidavits Read More ...