Leo Frank TV

The Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 A remarkable fact in connection with the murder of Mary Phagan is that no one has thus far come forward stating they saw her after she drew her pay at the National Pencil factory shortly after 12 o'clock. Several persons have stated that they "believed" they saw her or that they "saw a girl answering her description," but positive statements are lacking. The Atlanta detective department is particularly anxious to trace every movement of the girl from the time she left the factory, and is particularly desirous of obtaining the names of all

The Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 "I Was Not in Love With Mary and She Was Not With Me," Asserts Man Accused of Murder. "I did not kill Mary Phagan. I haven't seen her within a month. They accuse me falsely. I'm innocent and will swear it by heaven above." John M. Gantt, the youthful bookkeeper arrested on the charge of murdering Mary Phagan, sat in the detective chief's office at police headquarters last night, looked his questioners squarely in the eyes, and sweepingly denied all accusations. "I went to Marietta to take charge of a farm I have

The Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 Page 4 The assault and murder of 14-year-old Mary Phagan comprise the most revolting crime in the history of Atlanta Homicide is bad enough. Criminal assault upon woman is worse. When a mere child, a little girl in knee dresses is the victim of both there are added elements of horror and degeneracy that defy the written word. This outrage with all its gruesome and pitiful settings occurred in the very heart of Atlanta. It was committed by some human beast with more than jungle cruelty and less than jungle mercy. The detective

    Atlanta Constitution July 25th, 1913, Friday. As a reward for his success in the Mary Phagan mystery, Detective Harry Scott, assistant superintendent of the Atlanta Pinkerton offices, has been promoted to the superintendency of the Houston, Texas branch, to which he goes immediately following the close of the Leo Frank trial. Scott's work has been declared to have been the most successful in the entire Phagan investigation. It was a result of his efforts that the famous Jim Conley confession was obtained, in which admission the negro acknowledged complicity and accused Leo Frank of the actual murder. The

    Atlanta Constitution July 25th, 1913, Friday. One Hundred and Forty-Four Names Drawn From Jury Box—No Effort So Far at Postponement. The veniremen from which it is expected to choose the jury for the trial Monday of Leo M. Frank, charged with the Mary Phagan murder, was drawn yesterday afternoon by Judge John T. Pendleton, at the request of Judge L. S. Roan, who returned from Covington, Georgia, slightly ill. The names of 144 men were drawn from the petit jury box, and as far as is known no actual attempt was made to have them drawn from the

The Atlanta Constitution, Wednesday, 23rd July 1913, PAGE 5, COLUMN 2. Objects to Paying Expenses of Installing Instrument in Williams House. A. R. Colcord, chairman of the police committee, has been asked to approve a warrant for $19 which represents the expense to which the detective department was put to install the dictagraph in room 36, Williams house. Chairman Colcord said Monday that he did not approve of the use to which the dictagraph was put, but explained that he has been informed that it was never intended to entrap Mayor Woodward or any other city official. "I think that

The Atlanta Constitution,Thursday, 18th September 1913,PAGE 9, COLUMN 5.Chicago. September 17 Prominent Jews today organized the Anti-Defamation League of America, whose object will be to stop by appeals to reason and conscience, and if necessary, by appeals to law, the defamation of the Jewish people.The new organization will be conducted under the auspices of the order of B'nai B'rith, a Jewish philanthropic organization, with a membership of 30,000, and will have branches in every large city in the country.The objects of the league are set forth in a statement issued by Adolph Kraus, of Chicago, president of the Order of

The Atlanta Constitution, Saturday, 2nd August 1913, PAGE 1, COLUMN 3. Phone by Francis E. Price. Staff Photographer. From left to right: Mrs. George W. Jefferson, who was a witness on Thursday morning; R. P. Barrett, who testified to finding Mary Phagan's pay envelope and strands of her hair, and Mrs. Maggie White, who told of seeing strange negro in pencil factory on afternoon of crime. PAGE 2, COLUMN 4 Two Members of Jury Photo by Francis E. Price. Staff Photographer. On the left F. V. L. Smith, and on the right Beder Townsend. PAGE 3, COLUMN 4 HE IS

The Atlanta Constitution,Wednesday, 6th August 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 2.From left to right: Striking photograph of Mrs. Leo Frank as she entered the courtroom Tuesday afternoon; grandmother of Mary Phagan. Two women spectators, who were excluded from the trial during Jim Conley's testimony.Photos by Francis E Price, Staff Photographer.PAGE 3, COLUMN 2Conley Leaving Courtroom After TestimonyPhoto by Francis E Price, Staff Photographer.Left to right: Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford, Jim Conley and Chief of Police James L. Beavers.PAGE 4, COLUMN 4Mayor Opposes Women Police.Mayor Woodward regards as doubtful the plan of Chief Beavers to appoint women on the police department. His

The Atlanta Constitution,Tuesday, 22nd July 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 3.Will Be Called Monday, ButMay Be Postponed if as Hotas Last Saturday.Continued From Page One.That the trial of Leo M. Frank depends to a great extent upon the weather was the indication given last night by Judge L. S. Roan, who will preside when the case is called next Monday. When the temperature went over 99 degrees last Saturday Judge Roan stated that he would not like to hold court in such weather and should it prove that hot next Monday he would be willing to a postponement of the Frank case.Judge

The Atlanta Constitution,Thursday, 31st July 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 3.Miss Grace Hicks, an employee of the National Pencil factory, and a friend of Mary Phagan, who testified on Wednesday morning; Detective John Black (Wearing derby), who was put through severe cross-examination Wednesday afternoon by the defense, and Harry Scott, of the Pinkertons, who has had charge of this agency's investigation of the Phagan mystery. He will go on the stand today.PAGE 1, COLUMN 5NEW WITNESS SOUGHTBY SOLICITOR DORSEYCharles M. Wilt, Former Pris-Oner in Fulton Tower, MayTestify in Frank Case.Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey, it is understood, has wired to North Carolina for

The Atlanta Constitution, Friday, 5th September 1913. PAGE 7, COLUMN 5 The new grand jury will meet today, and there is much speculation rife as to whether or not this grand jury will take up the charge against Jim Conley, negro sweeper at the National Pencil company's factory, of accessory after the fact of Mary Phagan's murder. Solicitor Dorsey has declined consistently to commit himself on the subject. It is definitely known that on Thursday no bill against Conley had been drawn. There are those wise ones who say, however, that the case of Conley will be among the first

The Atlanta Constitution, Thursday, 4th September 1913. PAGE 3, Column 1 Lodging and Food for the Jury for 29 Days Cost $975.06 Bills arising from the trial of Leo M. Frank, charged with the murder of Mary Phagan, the 13-year-old employee in the plant of the National Pencil company, of which the man convicted on August 25, 1913 was superintendent, are beginning to come into the county, and at the meeting of the board of commissioners Wednesday $975.06 was ordered paid for the expense of caring for the jury for twenty-nine days during which the trial lasted. The amount ordered

The Atlanta Constitution,Tuesday, 9th September 1913.PAGE 3, COLUMN 4Governor Slaton Tells CommitteeHe Intends to Keep thePlace Free of Politics.A committee composed of many of the prominent members of the Atlanta Bar association called upon Governor Slaton at the state capitol Monday afternoon urging the appointment of Judge L. S. Roan to the fourth superior court judgeship, created by act of the last legislature for the Atlanta circuit.Speaking in behalf of Judge Roan several of the city's best known attorneys declared him to be the man most fit for the position.Eugene R. Black, chairman of the bar association committee, touched upon

The Atlanta Constitution,Sunday, 28th September 1913.PAGE 69, COLUMN 3Fears Are Entertained by HerFamily and Friends NewEvidence Discovered.Grieving over the death of her daughter, Mary Phagan, who was found murdered in the National Pencil factory, and for whose death Leo M. Frank has been sentenced to hang, the condition of Mrs. J. W. Coleman is causing grave fear among her friends.Physicians say that unless the load of sorrow is lifted early from her mind, she is likely to become subject to hysteria that would be fatal. Friends and relatives visit her constantly seeking, without avail, to console her and enliven her

The Atlanta Constitution,Saturday, 27th September 1913.PAGE 5, COLUMN 3Prominent Attorneys Are PlacedUnder Bonds of $200 forCourthouse Difficulty.Burton Smith and Reuben R. Arnold, prominent Atlanta attorneys, the later president of the Bar association, were indicted for assault and battery yesterday by the Fulton County grand jury and are held under $200 bonds each.The fight which brought about the indictment occurred May 22, when depositions were being taken in the fight to break the will of the late Joshua B. Crawford. Attorneys Smith and Arnold were representing the widow, whom it has since been charged poisoned her husband, and C. W. Walton

The Atlanta Constitution,Friday, 26th September 1913.PAGE 5, COLUMN 1Blakely Men in DepositionsDeny That Juryman HensleeMade Statements Attributed to Him.That Atticus H. Henslee, the ventriloquist on the Frank jury, did not discuss with them Leo M. Frank's connection with the murder of Mary Phagan, or make any remarks about what he would do in case should he be placed on the jury, was the sworn statement of L. E. Blac and Walter Thomas, two citizens of Blakely, Ga., whose depositions were filled in superior court by Attorneys Reuben R. Arnold and L. Z. Rosser for the defense.It was stated recently that

The Atlanta Constitution,Monday, 15th September 1913.PAGE 10, COLUMN 4Report Says They Are Working on Frank Case.That detectives in the employ of the Burns Agency are in Atlanta working up new evidence to be used in the hearing on a new trial for Leo M. Frank, which is set for Oct. 4, 1913, is the rumor which spread through the city Sunday and set tongues freshly wagging on the famous case.The rumor further has it that Solicitor Dorsey had in his possession a bit of valuable evidence given him while he was arguing the case before the jury and too late

The Atlanta Constitution,Tuesday, 16th September 1913.PAGE 9, COLUMN 2Jim Conley may not plead guilty to being accessory after the fact in the murder of Mary Phagan. This is the startling statement of the negro's attorney, William Smith, late Monday."I may have Jim take a plea to one of the counts of the indictment against him, but I do not believe he will plead guilty to all of the counts," was the way Attorney Smith declared himself.Conley remains at the Tower awaiting his trial, which will probably come up at the October term of the criminal branch of the superior court.PAGE

The Atlanta Constitution, Thursday, 11th September 1913. PAGE 7, COLUMN 1 and 2. Reported That Judge Roan, of Stone Mountain Circuit, Will Be Appointed on the Court of Appeals. While Governor John M. Slaton has made no announcement of whom he expects to appoint to fill the fourth judgeship recently created in Fulton County, it is rumored that Judge Benjamin Harvey Hill, of the Court of Appeals, will be selected to fill the position, and that Judge Leonard Strickland Roan, of the stone Mountain circuit, who, by special act of the legislature, has been holding the criminal division of the

The Atlanta Constitution,Wednesday, 10th September 1913.PAGE 2, COLUMN 4For their work in the Phagan case, ten days' vacation in addition to that to which they are ordinarily entitled were given to Chief of Detectives Newport A. Lanford and Detectives J. N. Starnes, Pat Campbell, S. L. Rosser and John R. Black by the police board at its regular monthly meeting last night.The action was taken following the reading of a letter from Solicitor General Hugh N. Dorsey to Chief Lanford highly complimenting the good work done by the detectives assigned to help him on the Phagan case. While the name

The Atlanta Constitution,Saturday, 13th September 1913.PAGE 8, COLUMN 4New York Physician DeclaresLeo Frank Was Noted in CollegeFor His Clean Morals.Dr. Morris J. Clurman, A. B., graduate of Cornell university with Leo M. Frank and now a resident of New York, writes the following letter to The Constitution in reference to the case of his classmate:Editor, Constitution:I trust you will honor a New Yorker with a little space in your newspaper and thereby yield me an opportunity to express candidly and in an absolutely unbiased manner what I know concerning the character and past life of Leo M. Frank, who is

  The Atlanta Constitution, Wednesday, 24th September 1913. PAGE 1, COLUMN 4 Prominent Atlantans Are Elected Officers of This Jewish Charitable Organization. WITH FRANK IN JAIL HIGH HONOR PAID HIM His Re-Election Comes With Announcement That He Is Still Conducting Affairs of Pencil Company. At the recent elections of the Jewish Order of B'nai B'rith, Leo M. Frank, president, was unanimously chosen as head of the order again, and a number of prominent Atlanteans were selected to fill the more important offices. Among them are: Arthur Heyman, of Dorsey, Brewater, Howell & Heyman, vice president; Milton Klein, monitor; Dr. B.

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 25th, 1913 Negro Was Taken to Tower Without Knowledge of Beavers or Lanford. Action is likely to be taken against Detective John Starnes and Pat Campbell, who Wednesday afternoon carried Jim Conley, the negro in the Phagan case, from police headquarters to the Tower without permission of either Chief Beavers or Chief Lanford. When asked by a Constitution reporter Thursday afternoon what steps he would probably take against the detectives, Chief Beavers declined to talk. He inferred, however, that an investigation would likely result and that action would be taken. Conley was taken from the station house prison

  The Atlanta Constitution, July 25th, 1913 Negro Is Taken in Chief's Auto to Sections He Claims to Have Visited on Murder Night. Jim Conley, the negro sweeper and most important figure in the Phagan case, was taken from police headquarters in the automobile of Chief Beavers yesterday afternoon and carried over the ground on which he accounts for his whereabouts during the afternoon of the murder. He was in charge of Chief Beavers and Detectives Pat Campbell and John Starnes, headquarters men who have been attached to the solicitor's office throughout the investigation. He was driven through the Peters

  The Atlanta Constitution, Wednesday, 20th August 1913. Page 3. Dr. Clarence Johnson, a well-known specialist, who was put up by the prosecution in rebuttal of the testimony offered by the defense in attacking that of Dr. Roy Harris, was the final witness during the afternoon session. His testimony was stopped in the middle of its narration in order to give the solicitor time to investigate authorities on a medical subject on which Mr. Dorsey was questioning the witness at the time a discussion arose between the prosecution and defense. "What is your business?" he was asked by the solicitor.

  The Atlanta Constitution, Wednesday, 20th August 1913. Page 2. E. H. Pickett, an employee of the Beck & Gregg Hardware company, and the man mentioned by Roy Craven on the witness stand, was next put up as a witness for the state. To corroborated what Craven said and through him the state made an open fight to impeach Minola McKnight and also to contradict Mrs. Emil Selig, who, on cross-examination, denied the conversation she is said to have had with the cook in urging her to keep quiet about what she had seen at the Frank home. "Were you

The Atlanta Constitution, July 29th, 1913 W. H. Mincey, who made the famous affidavit in which he declared that Jim Conley had told him on April 26 that he had killed a girl, arrived late last night for the Frank trial. In a statement made to The Constitution, Mr. Mincey reaffirmed his affidavit in its entirety and declared that he would tell this story on the witness stand. He was accompanied by Colonel Ben E. Neal, of Ringgold, Georgia, a lawyer who has known him for years and who states that he will testify as to Mincey's good character, should

The Atlanta Constitution, July 29th, 1913 But F. V. L. Smith's Wife Calls Police and Intruders Flee. Two big, burly, black negroes who evidently had taken a decided interest in the Frand murder trial, and knew that F. V. L. Smith, of 481 Cherokee avenue, had been chosen for the jury yesterday and would not be home last night, attempted to enter his home. No one was there but Mrs. Smith and her little 4-weeks' old child. Seeing the negroes on the porch, she made a step toward them, and they fled. Within a few minutes they returned, and instead

The Atlanta Constitution July 29th, 1913 Attorneys for Both Sides Had Good Line on All Men Examined. According to an unofficial account kept as the matter of striking the Frank jury was carried out, ninety-six men were called into the box and examined before the twelve men to try the case were finally selected. These men were divided into eight panels of twelve each, and came in a panel at a time. Every bit of information that could be got together in advance about the men whose names were on the venire list of 144 men drawn last week, had

The Atlanta Constitution, July 29th, 1913 WATCHMAN TELLS OF FINDING BODY OF MARY PHAGAN Trial Adjourns for the Day While Lee Is on the Stand, and His Cross-Questioning Will Be Resumed Today. MOTHER AND THE WIFE OF PRISONER CHEER HIM BY PRESENCE AT TRIAL Jury Is Quickly Secured and Mrs. Coleman, Mother of the Murdered Girl, Is First Witness to Take Stand. With a swiftness which was gratifying to counsel for the defense, the solicitor general and a large crowd of interested spectators, the trial of Leo M. Frank, charged with the murder of Mary Phagan on April 26, in

The Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 "I don't want a disturbance on the street of Atlanta. The town has been stirred over the Phagan tragedy, and I fear that sensational and misleading extras may cause mischief. I have requested Chief Beavers to use great caution in giving out news." Mayor James G. Woodward made the above explanation of his visit to Chief James L. Beavers, at police headquarters, shortly after 8:30 o'clock last night. The mayor said that he made a tour of the city and found the people in all sections in a highly nervous state. He charged

The Atlanta Constitution, July 29th, 1913 Will Frank's lawyers put any evidence before the court? That is a question that was much discussed on the opening day by a score or more of lawyers who secured seats in the courtroom in order to hear the trial and to watch the way in which the skilled attorneys on both sides handled the case. The fact that so many witnesses have been summoned by the defense does not mean to the legal mind that Attorneys Rosser and Arnold will put up any evidence any more than the summoning of scores of the

The Atlanta Constitution, July 29th, 1913 Up to the hour of the trial, Mrs. Leo M. Frank, wife of the young man now on trial for his life, charged with the murder of Mary Phagan, had kept in the background of the case. Daily she visited her husband at the jail, and brought him delicacies. She came quietly, and when she departed she created no stir of excitement among the hangers-on around the jail. She was accorded the most chivalrous treatment, and her desire to avoid notoriety was respected. Only once did an expression from her appear in the public

The Atlanta Constitution July 29th, 1913 Men Who May Be Called to Stand Report Trial by Attorney's Agreement. Just as the state was about to open formally its case against Leo M. Frank, Attorney Reuben R. Arnold interrupted by declaring to the court that he expected to have to call on a number of newspaper men to testify as the case went on. "They know a great deal about this case, and we have complete files of the papers here and will be able to tell to a certain extent from them whom we will want," he said. "I may

The Atlanta Constitution, July 29th, 1913 List Indicates That Prisoner Is Prepared to Put Character in Evidence. Numbers of witnesses were summoned to court by both sides and when the names were called so that all could be sworn it developed that scores of Leo Frank's friends had been called upon. From the fact that there is not a possibility of one in this number knowing anything of the crime, it appears that the defense has made preparation, at least, to put Frank's character in evidence and has secured these of his friends to testify for him. Of the number

The Atlanta Constitution July 28th, 1913 Chief interest in the case of Leo M. Frank, which is scheduled to begin today, centers in the selection of a jury, the first 144 veniremen, having been drawn last Thursday and published in The Constitution on Sunday. It seems to be the general opinion that this panel will be exhausted and others summoned before a jury is secured. Attorneys for both sides are of the opinion that it will take about a day to select a jury, which would let the hearing of evidence begin on Tuesday, or on Wednesday, if it should

  The Atlanta Constitution July 28th, 1913 Judge L. S. Roan Announces That He Will Call Case at Nine O'Clock This Morning. LAWYERS BELIEVE JURY WILL BE NAMED IN DAY Legal Representatives Take Good Rest on Sunday in Preparation for Struggle That Begins Today. After weeks of preparation by some of the most skilled legal minds in the state and after every point in the affair that has been made public has been discussed and threshed out by thousands of citizens, the case of the state v. Leo M. Frank, charged with the murder of little Mary Phagan, will be

  The Atlanta Constitution July 23rd, 1913 Defense of Leo Frank Attaches Importance to Find Made by Pinkerton Detectives. The discovery of a bloody bludgeon on the third floor of the National Pencil factory has added greater mystery to the Phagan case. It became known yesterday that Leo Frank's defense is in possession of the weapon and that it will be used as one of their strongest points in the coming trial. The club is a short, thick stick with small spots of blood at the end. It was found by Pinkerton detectives on May 10 after headquarters detectives had

The Atlanta Constitution July 23rd, 1913 Attorneys for Relatives in the Crawford Will Hearing Are Willing to Yield Their Claim of Priority. The conflict between the dates of hearing the litigation over the $250,000 estate of the late Joshua B. Crawford, and the trial of Leo M. Frank, charged with the Mary Phagan murder, may cause a postponement of the Frank trial, as Attorneys Reuben R. Arnold and Luther Z. Rosser are connected with both cases. The Crawford hearing will be renewed today and by right of priority takes precedence over the other trial. It is expected, however, than an

    The Atlanta Constitution Monday, June 23, 1913 Solicitor General Hears Report That John Moore Will Assist in the Defense. "Unless something now turns up of which I have no knowledge at present, I will set Leo Frank's trial for June 30," said Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey yesterday on his return from a week's stay in New York city. While the solicitor's announcement has set at rest the rumors that the state would wait and set the trial for July 14 or 28, it does not necessarily mean that the trial will actually be held on that date,

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, July 20, 1913 (Page 7, Column 5) The Episcopalian diocese of Georgia, at its annual convention, appointed a social service commission, which has since met and formulated the following special report on prison and child labor conditions in this state. "Resolved, That the prison system of the state of Georgia, and the methods of punishment now in use and as commonly administered, are unworthy of an enlightened and progressive state. "Resolved, That we hereby indorse the splendid efforts of the Prison Reform association of this state, and offer to them our hearty co-operation in securing needed

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, July 20, 1913 (Page 7) As Famous Murder Case Nears Trial the Public Mind Again Reverts to the Discovery of the Crime; and Again the Great Question Comes Up: "What Happened in the Pencil Factory Between Noon Saturday and 3:15 Sunday Morning?" By Britt Craig. Automobile in which detectives and newspaper men went to the scene of the murder. In the machine are Detective Starnes, Harry Scott, W. W. (Boots) Rogers and John Black. There are things that happen right before our eyes that defy the pen of a god to describe. The mind of a

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, July 20, 1913 (Page 2, Column 7) Woman Swore That Leo M. Frank Tried to Engage Room on Night of Murder Mrs. Nina Formby, who signed an affidavit in the Frank case in which she swore the superintendent has endeavored to engage a room at her house, 400 Piedmont avenue, during the Phagan murder night to which he might bring a girl has fled to Chattanooga and will not appear at the coming trial on July 28. This announcement was made to a Constitution reporter last night by the woman's legal representative, John Gossett. Gossett states

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, July 20, 1913 (Page 1,. Column 1) Luther Rosser and Reuben Arnold Declare He Is Going Out of His Way to Dictate to the Grand Jury. EXCEEDS PROVINCE OF SOLICITOR GENERAL Grand Jury Will Meet at 10 O'Clock Monday Morning to Take Up Conley Case. Call Is Sent Out. In reply to Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey's statements in regard to the proposed indictment by the grand jury of James Conley, the negro who has confessed complicity in the murder of Mary Phagan, Attorneys Reuben R. Arnold and Luther Z. Rosser issued a statement Saturday afternoon

  The Atlanta Constitution, Friday, 19th September 1913. PAGE 3 Newt Trial Petition Comes in December Before Judge Hill, and Not Judge Roan. The hearing of the petition asking for a new trial in the case of Leo M. Frank will be postponed from October 4 to the early part of December, according to authentic statements Thursday. Judge Ben Hill, recently appointed to the fourth judgeship of Fulton county, will hear the arguments for the new trial, on an extended petition just completed by Attorney Luther Rosser, chief of counsel for the convicted man. On account of the fact that

The Atlanta Constitution, Friday, 12th September 1913. PAGE 12, COLUMN 7 Deputy Sheriff Plennie Minor, has issued invitations to what promises to be one of the most enjoyable gatherings that Fulton County has seen in many days. It is to be held at Germania Park, Saturday afternoon. According to Plennie's invitations, which have been sent out to a large number of his friends, and probably no official in the county has a larger list, the affair will be a "barbecue, fish fry and so forth." Pennie has yet to explain what "and so forth" is, but those who know his

The Atlanta Constitution August 18th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 7) Defense Intimates This, and Also That Statement Will Vary But Little From One Given at Inquest. FRANK PREPARED FOR ORDEAL OF STATEMENT Impeachment of Conley Being Prepared For, Say Lawyer-Spectators — Defense May Succeed in Ruling Out Part. Interest in the Frank trial is heightened by the announced prospect of the defendant taking the stand sometime today in the battle for his life that has been raging for the past two weeks. Attorneys for the defense intimated strongly Sunday afternoon that Frank would go on the stand either this morning

  The Atlanta Constitution, August 18th, 1913, Monday (Page 1, Column 3, Bottom) Mrs. A. E. Benton, grandmother of Mary Phagan, who had come to Atlanta to be present at the trial of Leo M. Frank charged with the murder of her little granddaughter, died last night at 9:40 o'clock at the home of her daughter and the dead girl's mother Mary, J, W, Coleman, of 704 Ashby Street. On the second day of the trial, grief and incessant worry over the death of her grand daughter carried Mrs. Benton to her bed, from which she was never able to