Leo Frank TV

The Murder of Little Mary Phagan (2025 Edition) by Mary Phagan Kean

HD Video Download Important Book Launch: The Murder of Little Mary Phagan (2025 Edition) by Mary Phagan Kean Help preserve...
Read More

Sunday, 10th August 1913: Full Blue Ridge Highway Will Open Up, The Atlanta Constitution

The Atlanta Constitution,Sunday, 10th August 1913,PAGE 3, COLUMN 1.Magnificent Section of StateThat the much talked of "Blue Ridge Highway," extending...
Read More

Saturday, 9th August 1913: Sheriff C W Mangum Answers His Critics, The Atlanta Constitution

The Atlanta Constitution,Saturday, 9th August 1913,PAGE 2, COLUMN 2.In answer to criticisms which he said had been made of the...
Read More

Friday, 8th August 1913: Sheriff Responsible For Prisoner Say Mangum, The Atlanta Journal

The Atlanta Journal,Friday, 8th August 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 6.Sheriff Answers Criticisms of His Failure to Handcuff FrankAnswering criticisms which he...
Read More

Thursday, 7th August 1913: Defense Of Frank Begins, The Atlanta Georgian

The Atlanta Georgian,Thursday, 7th August 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.Experts Called to Attack Dr. Harris' TestimonyPAGE 1, COLUMN 7DALTON DISAPPOINTS COURT...
Read More

Tuesday, 5th August 1913: Conley Admits Former Lies Conley Continues To Withstand Fierce Attacks Of Rosser, The Atlanta Georgian

The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 5th August 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.Renewing his aggressive cross-examination of Jim Conley Tuesday afternoon, Luther Rosser sought...
Read More

Sunday, 3rd August 1913: Asked For Mary Phagan’s Pay Miss Helen Ferguson, The Atlanta Journal

The Atlanta Journal,Sunday, 3rd August 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 4.A co-worker with Mary Phagan in the National Pencil factory, who testified...
Read More

Tuesday, 29th July 1913: Lee’s Testimony Feature Of First Day Of Trial, The Atlanta Georgian

The Atlanta Georgian,Tuesday, 29th July 1913,PAGE 19, COLUMN 2.Attorney Rosser began cross-examination of Newt Lee at the point he had...
Read More

Monday, 28th July 1913: Trial Of Leo Frank Begins, The Atlanta Georgian

The Atlanta Georgian,Monday, 28th July 1913,PAGE 1, COLUMN 1.JUDGE PRESIDING IN TRIAL OF LEO FRANKPAGE 1, COLUMN 5Judge L. S....
Read More

Sunday, 12th October 1913: Jews Fight To Save Leo Frank, The New York Sun

The New York Sun,Sunday, 12th October 1913,Page 6.Countrywide Appeal for Man Convicted of Killing Mary Phagan.RACE HATRED CHARGEDMotion for New...
Read More

Monday, 10th May 1915: Frank Is Calm As Date For Execution Is Set For June 22, The Atlanta Journal

  The Atlanta Journal, Monday, 10th May 1915, PAGE 1, COLUMN 1. Alleged Slayer of Mary Phagan Hears Death Sentence...
Read More

Thursday, 10th July 1913 Beavers’ War on Vice is Lauded by Women

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 10th July 1913 Beavers in Speech Warns Policemen to Keep Out of Dives

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 10th July 1913 Says Conley Confessed Slaying

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 10th July 1913 Chief Expects Arrests in Vice Probe

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 9th July 1913 Sensations in Story of Girl Victim

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 9th July 1913 New Evidence in Phagan Case Found

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 9th July 1913 Girl Springs Sensation in Phagan Case

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 8th July 1913 Girl Tells of Life in Slavers’ Hands

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 8th July 1913 Attitude of Defense Secret

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 8th July 1913 Refused by Brown, Mangham Now Asks Slaton for Pardon

Has Audio

The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 8, 1913 The Prison Commission again has taken up the application of J. J. Mangham for a pardon. A recommendation is expected to be made to Governor Slaton in the next day or two. Mangham is the Griffin cotton mill man given four years for embezzlement and one year on a misdemeanor charge. The application came up some time ago and was sent to Governor Brown by the commission without any recommendation. The Governor returned it with the statement that the board should make a recommendation. That great influence will be brought to bear on

Tuesday, 8th July 1913 State Sure Lee Will Not Be Released

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 8th July 1913 Grants Right to Demand Lee’s Freedom

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 8th July 1913 Police Hunt Principals in Expose

Has Audio

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

Monday, 7th July 1913 Operations of Slavers in Hotels Bared

Has Audio

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

Monday, 7th July 1913 Lee’s Attorney is Ready for Writ Fight

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 6th July 1913 New Move in Phagan Case by Solicitor

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 6th July 1913 Application to Release Lee is Ready to File

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 6th July 1913 Phagan Case Centers on Conley; Negro Lone Hope of Both Sides

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 5th July 1913 Liberty for Newt Lee Sought

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 5th July 1913 Unbiased in the Flanders Case, Says Slaton

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 5th July 1913 Application for Lee’s Release Delayed

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 5th July 1913 Drop Ninth in Police Scandal

Has Audio

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

Friday, 4th July 1913 New Testimony Lays Crime to Conley

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 3rd July 1913 Writ Sought In Move to Free Negro Lee

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 3rd July 1913 Attempt by Colyar To Disbar Felder Is Halted; Tries Again

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 2nd July 1913 Findings in Probe are Guarded

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 1st July 1913 “No” Bill Is Returned Against A. S. Colyar

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 1st July 1913 Frank Is Willing for State to Grill Him

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 1st July 1913 Colyar Indicted as Libeler of Col. Felder

Has Audio

The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 1, 1913 Grand Jury Develops Sensational Sequel to Famous Dictograph Scandal. A. S. Colyar, Jr., dictographer of Colonel Thomas B. Felder, Mayor Woodward and C. C. Jones, was indicted by the Grand Jury on the charge of criminal libel Tuesday forenoon. Colyar is the man who sought to trap Colonel Felder by means of the dictograph into offering a bribe of $1,000 for certain affidavits in the Phagan case in the possession of the police. The dictograph records as furnished an afternoon newspaper by Colyar contained the offer. Colonel Felder swore the records were padded.

Tuesday, 1st July 1913 May Indict Conley in Phagan Case

Has Audio

The Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, July 1, 1913 JURY LIKELY TO GO OVER DORSEY'S HEAD Indictment of Negro Sweeper Would Be Severe Blow to Prosecution of Frank. That the Fulton County Grand Jury will go over the head of Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey and indict Jim Conley, the negro sweeper, for the murder of Mary Phagan, in connection with Leo M. Frank, was a probability which came to light Tuesday. While the report was not verified, its origin was such as to throw a bomb into the camp of the prosecution, as it will mean the indictment of the star

Tuesday, 1st July 1913 Colyar Not Indicted On Charge of Libel

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 1st July 1913 May Indict Conley as Slayer

Has Audio

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

Monday, 30th June 1913 Conley Tale Is Hope of Defense

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 29th June 1913 Brilliant Legal Battle Is Sure as Hooper And Arnold Clash in Trial of Leo Frank

Has Audio

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

Friday, 27th June 1913 New Frank Evidence Held by Dorsey

Has Audio

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

Friday, 27th June 1913 Lanford and Felder Are Held for Libel

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 26th June 1913 Stover Girl Will Star in Frank Trial

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 24th June 1913 Both Sides Called in Conference by Judge; Trial Set for July 28

Has Audio

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

Monday, 23rd June 1913 Venire of 72 for Frank Jury Is Drawn

Has Audio

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

Monday, 23rd June 1913 State Ready for Frank Trial on June 30

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 22nd June 1913 Arnold to Aid Frank

Has Audio

Reuben Arnold, noted Atlanta lawyer, who in a statement to The Sunday American says he will help defend Leo M. Frank, accused of slaying Mary Phagan. The Atlanta Georgian Sunday, June 22, 1913 Declares Prisoner is Innocent Has Studied Case Deeply, He Says Noted Lawyer, in Statement to Sunday American, Tells Why He Has Decided to Take Up the Defense of the Accused Man. Negro Conley, in New Interview, Asserts He Is Eager to Face Leo M. Frank in Court and Repeat Story of Alleged Part in Crime. Positive confirmation of the report that he would be one of counsel

Saturday, 21st June 1913 Justice Aim in Phagan Case, Says Hooper

Has Audio

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

Friday, 20th June 1913 Frank Trial Will Not Be Long One

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 19th June 1913 Blow Aimed at Formby Story

Has Audio

The Atlanta Georgian Thursday, June 19, 1913 DEFENSE HAS WITNESSES TO REFUTE WOMAN Learns Identity of Other Persons in Home on Night of the Phagan Slaying. That the defense in the trial of Leo M. Frank will be able, if it wishes, to produce three or four witnesses who will testify that the affidavit of Mrs. Mima Formby is untrue was discovered Thursday when the identity of the other persons in the house of Mrs. Formby, 400 Piedmont Avenue, the night of April 26, when Mary Phagan was murdered, was learned. It was from Mrs. Formby that the detectives obtained

Monday, 16th June 1913 Colyar Returns Promising Sensation

Has Audio

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

Monday, 16th June 1913 Dorsey Aide Says Frank Is Fast In Net

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 14th June 1913 State Takes Advantage of Points Known

Has Audio

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

Friday, 13th June 1913 Judge Roan to Decide Conleys Jail Fate

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 14th June 1913 Sheriff Mangum Near End, Says Lawyer Smith

Has Audio

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

Friday, 13th June 1913 Negro Freed But Jailed Again On Suspicion

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 12th June 1913 Face Conley and Frank, Lanford Urges

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 11th June 1913 Plot Exposed, Says Felder, But Lanford Doubts Affidavit

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 11th June 1913 Asks Beavers to Investigate Affidavit

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 11th June 1913 Police Hold Conley By Courts Order

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 11th June 1913 Felder Returns Phagan Fund to Givers

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 10th June 1913 Indictment of Felder and Fain Asked

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 10th June 1913 Eyewitness to Phagan Slaying Sought

Has Audio

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

Monday, 9th June 1913 Foreman Tells Why He Holds Conley Guilty

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 8th June 1913 Fair Play Alone Can Find Truth in Phagan Puzzle, Declares Old Reporter

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 7th June 1913 Defense Bends Efforts to Prove Conley Slayer

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 7th June 1913 Mrs. Frank Attacks Solicitor H. M. Dorsey in a New Statement

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 7th June 1913 Defense Digs Deep to Show Conley is Phagan Girl Slayer

Has Audio

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

Friday, 6th June 1913 Report Negro Found Who Saw Phagan Attack

Has Audio

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

Friday, 6th June 1913 Chief Says Law Balks His War on Vice

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 5th June 1913 Cook Repudiates Entire Affidavit Police Possess

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 5th June 1913 New Conley Confession Reported to Jury

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 5th June 1913 I Know My Husband is Innocent, Asserts Wife of Leo M. Frank

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 5th June 1913 Mother Here to Aid Frank in Trial

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 5th June 1913 Challenges Felder to Prove His Charge

Has Audio

  Atlanta Georgian Thursday, June 5th, 1913 Attorney Reiterates Graft Accusations Following Lanford's Defiance—Offers More Proof. Newport A. Lanford, Chief of Detectives, issued a statement Thursday morning defying Colonel Thomas B. Felder, or anyone, to substantiate the charge of graft made against him and his department in the Grand Jury's probe of vice conditions and alleged corruption in the detective and police departments. "I defy Felder, or anyone, to prove to the Grand Jury that a penny of graft has ever gone into the detective department, and I defy him to substantiate one of his blackmailing utterances against me. He

Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Franks Cook Was Counted Upon as Defense Witness

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Fain Named in Vice Quiz as Resort Visitor

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Cooks Sensational Affidavit

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 3rd June 1913 Bitter Fight Certain in Trial of Frank

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 3rd June 1913 Felder Says He Will Lay Bare Startling Police Graft Plans

Has Audio

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

Monday, 2nd June 1913 Negro Cook at Home Where Frank Lived Held by the Police

Has Audio

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

Monday, 2nd June 1913 Beavers to Talk Over the Felder Row With Dorsey

Has Audio

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

Monday, 2nd June 1913 5 to Testify Frank Was at Home at Hour Negro Says He Aided

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 1st June 1913 Confession of Conley Makes No Changes in States Case

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 1st June 1913 Today is Mary Phagans Birthday; Mother Tells of Party She Planned

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 1st June 1913 Conleys Story Cinches Case Against Frank, Says Lanford

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 1st June 1913 Dorseys Grill Fails to Make Conley Admit Hand in Killing

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 31st May 1913 Special Session of Grand Jury Called

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 31st May 1913 Conley Star Actor in Dramatic Third Degree

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 31st May 1913 Plan to Confront Conley and Frank for New Admission

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 31st May 1913 Silence of Conley Put to End by Georgian

Has Audio

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

Friday, 30th May 1913 Negro Conley Now Says He Helped to Carry Away Body

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 29th May 1913 Ready to Indict Conley as an Accomplice

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 29th May 1913 Negro Conleys Affidavit Lays Bare Slaying

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 29th May 1913 Felder Bribery Charge Expected

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 29th May 1913 Burns Joins in Hunt for Phagan Slayer

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Chief Beavers to Renew His Vice War

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Woman Writes in Defense of Leo M. Frank

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Conley Was in Factory on Day of Slaying

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Conley Says Frank Took Him to Plant on Day of Slaying

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 27th May 1913 State Faces Big Task in Trial of Frank as Slayer

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 27th May 1913 Felder Aide Offers Vice List to Chief

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 27th May 1913 Burns Man Quits Case; Declares He Is Opposed

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 27th May 1913 Suspicion Turned to Conley; Accused by Factory Foreman

Has Audio

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

Monday, 26th May 1913 Mason Blocks Attempt to Oust Chief

Has Audio

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

Monday, 26th May 1913 Pinkerton Man Says Frank is Guilty

Has Audio

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

Monday, 26th May 1913 Accuses Tobie of Kidnaping Attempt

Has Audio

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

Monday, 26th May 1913 Mayor Gives Out Sizzling Reply to Chief Beavers

Has Audio

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

Monday, 26th May 1913 Evidence Against Frank Conclusive, Say Police

Has Audio

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

Monday, 26th May 1913 Mayor Eager to Bring Back Tenderloin, Declares Chief

Has Audio

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

Monday, 26th May 1913 Lay Bribery Effort to Franks Friends

Has Audio

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

Monday, 26th May 1913 Will Take Charge of Graft to Grand Jury for Vindication

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 25th May 1913 Dorsey to Present Graft Charges if They Stand Up

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 25th May 1913 Colyar Arrest Proper End to Plot of Crook

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 25th May 1913 Long Criminal Record of Colyar is Cited

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 25th May 1913 Colyar, Held as Forger, is Freed on Bond; Long Crime Record Charged

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 25th May 1913 Attorney, in Long Statement, Claims Dictograph Records Against Him Padded

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 25th May 1913 Ill Indict Gang, Says Beavers

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Felders Fight is to Get Chief and Lanford Out of Office

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Beavers Says He Will Seek Indictments

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Blease Ironic in Comments on Felder Trap

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Frame-Up Aimed at Burns Men, Says Tobie

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Strangulation Charge is in Indictments

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Colyar Called Convict and Insane

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Felder Charges Police Plot to Shield Slayer

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Miles Says He Had Mayor Go to Room

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Plot on Life of Beavers Told by Colyar

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Mayor Admits Dictograph is Correct

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Jones Attacks Beavers and Charges Police Crookedness

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Colyar Held for Forgery

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 24th May 1913 Dictograph Catches Mayor in Net

Has Audio

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

Friday, 23rd May 1913 Dictograph Record Used Against Felder

Has Audio

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

Friday, 23rd May 1913 Here is Affidavit Charging Bribery

Has Audio

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

Friday, 23rd May 1913 Felder Denies Phagan Bribe; Calls Colyar Crook and Liar

Has Audio

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

Friday, 23rd May 1913 Frank Feeling Fine But Will Not Discuss His Case

Has Audio

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

Friday, 23rd May 1913 Felder Denies Phagan Bribery; Dictograph Record Used Against Felder

Has Audio

Atlanta Georgian Friday, May 23rd, 1913 Affidavits and an alleged dictograph record made public Friday afternoon, accuse Colonel Thomas B. Felder of offering to G. C. February , a bribe of $1,000 for possession of police records of the Phagan case. These affidavits and the dictograph record are sworn to by A. S. Colyar, Jr., of Nashville, and February, who is stenographer to Newport Lanford, Chief of the Atlanta Detective Department. The Georgian on Wednesday published the fact that there were rumors on the streets that connected the name of Colonel Felder with the Phagan case in a sinister way.

Friday, 23rd May 1913 Indictment of Both Lee and Frank is Asked

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 21st May 1913 T. B. Felder Repudiates Report of Activity for Frank

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 20th May 1913 Cases Ready Against Lee and Leo Frank

Has Audio

Atlanta Georgian Tuesday, May 20th, 1913 Solicitor General Dorsey Declares All Evidence Will Go to the Grand Jury Friday. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey announced Tuesday morning that the State's case against Leo M. Frank and Newt Lee in connection with the Phagan murder, would go to the Grand Jury Friday of this week. He said that he could anticipate no new arrest or development that would make it necessary to change this plan. Mrs. Jane F. Carr, 251 Ponce De-Leon Avenue, in an open letter, asked every woman in Atlanta to contribute to the fund to employ the Burns

Monday, 19th May 1913 Burns Agent Outlines Phagan Theory

Has Audio

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

Monday, 19th May 1913 Burns Eager to Solve Phagan Case

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 18th May 1913 Greeks Add to Fund to Solve Phagan Case

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 18th May 1913 Burns Sleuth Makes Report in Phagan Case

Has Audio

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

Sunday, 18th May 1913 Burns, Called in as Last Resort, Faces Cold Trail in Baffling Phagan Case

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 17th May 1913 New Phagan Witnesses Have Been Found

Has Audio

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

Friday, 16th May 1913 $1,000 Offered Burns to Take Phagan Case

Has Audio

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

Friday, 16th May 1913 Secret Probe Began by Burns Agent into the Phagan Mystery

Has Audio

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

Friday, 16th May 1913 Burns Hunt for Phagan Slayer Begun

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 15th May 1913 Burns Investigator Will Probe Slaying

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 14th May 1913 Friends Say Franks Actions Point to Innocence

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 14th May 1913 Secret Hunt by Burns in Mystery is Likely

Has Audio

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

Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Mother Prays That Son May Be Released

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Incoherent Notes Add to Mystery in Strangling Case

Has Audio

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

Tuesday, 29th April 1913 I Feel as Though I Could Die, Sobs Mary Phagans Grief-Stricken Sister

Has Audio

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

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

Has Audio

  The Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 (Page 5, Column 1) Coroner's Jury inspects remains and scene of tragedy, then waits until Wednesday Lying on a slab in the chapel of the Bloomfield undertaking establishment, with the white throat bearing the red marks of the rope that strangled her, the body of Mary Phagan was viewed by thousands this morning. No such gathering of the morbidly curious has ever before been seen in Atlanta. More people were attracted than by any crime in the history of the city. The crowds came in droves, and a steady procession passed before

Monday, 28th April 1913 Pinkertons Take Up Hunt for Slayer

Has Audio

  Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Investigate Story of Wife of Employee That She Saw Strange Negro Around Factory. The Pinkerton Detective Agency was brought into the Phagan murder mystery this afternoon when Leo Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil Company's factory, called upon the local representatives and engaged their services. The operatives went to work at once, following out clews already obtained and developing new ones. Their attention was called to the story of Mrs. Arthur White, wife of one of the employees of the factory, who went to the factory to see her husband Saturday. She noticed

Monday, 28th April 1913 Neighbors of Slain Girl Cry for Vengeance

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Negro is Not Guilty, Says Factory Head

Has Audio

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

Monday, April 28th, 1913: Arthur Mullinax Blundered in Statement, Say Police. Atlanta Georgian.

Has Audio

    Atlanta Georgian Monday, April 28th, 1913 Arthur Mullinax was arrested by detectives late in the afternoon in Bellwood Avenue, near the viaduct, as he was on his way to his boarding house. His positive identification by E. L. Sentell, of 82 Davis Street, a clerk for the Kemper Grocery Company, as the man he saw with the little Phagan girl in Forsyth Street about 12:20 o'clock yesterday morning, and alleged discrepancies in the statement of the prisoner led Chief Beavers and Chief of Detectives Lanford to order him locked in a cell and held on suspicion. Sentell, who

Monday, 28th April 1913 Look for Negro to Break Down

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Lifelong Friend Saw Girl and Man After Midnight

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Arrested as Girl’s Slayer

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Horrible Mistake, Pleads Mullinax, Denying Crime

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Girl’s Grandfather Vows Vengeance

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Girl to Be Buried in Marietta To-morrow

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Girl and His Landlady Defend Mullinax

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Gantt Was Infatuated With Girl; at Factory Saturday

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 City Chemist Tests Stains For Blood

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Chief and Sleuths Trace Steps in Slaying of Girl

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 Body Dragged by Deadly Cord After Terrific Fight

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 12-Year-Old Girl Sobs Her Love for Slain Child

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 3 Youths Seen Leading Along a Reeling Girl

Has Audio

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

Monday, 28th April 1913 “I Could Trust Mary Anywhere,” Her Weeping Mother Says

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 16th August 1913 Mothers Love Gives Trial Its Great Scene

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 16th August 1913 Many Testify to Franks Good Character

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 16th August 1913 Statement by Frank Will Be the Climactic Feature of the Trial

Has Audio

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

Saturday, 16th August 1913 Girls Testify For and Against Frank

Has Audio

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

Friday, 15th August 1913 Testimony of Girls Help to Leo M. Frank

Has Audio

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

Friday, 15th August 1913 What They Say Wont Hurt Leo Frank; State Must Prove Depravity

Has Audio

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

Friday, 15th August 1913 Frank Prepares to Take Stand

Has Audio

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

Thursday, 14th August 1913 Surprise Sprung by Introduction of Character Witnesses by Defense

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 14th, 1913 Alfred L. Lane, who stated that he lives in Brooklyn, and is a merchant of New York city, was the first witness to take the stand to swear to the good character of Leo Frank and so quietly was he introduced that not until the defense had asked him several questions did it become known what was about to take place. "You came here yesterday afternoon especially to testify about Mr. Frank, did you not?" asked Mr. Arnold after he had established the identity of the witness and drawn from him the statement that he had

Thursday, 14th August 1913 Dr. William Owen Tells How Conleys Story Was Re-enacted

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 14th, 1913 Dr. William D. Owens, a well-known physician and one of the timekeepers in the re-enaction of Conley's story in the pencil factory was recalled to the stand at the afternoon session. He was questioned by Mr. Arnold and cross-examined by Mr. Hooper. "How much time did it require you to go through this performance?" asked Mr. Arnold. "Eighteen and a half minutes." "How rapidly did you go through it?""Just as fast as the directions could be read." The cross-examination began. "Where did you start the performance?" "From the second floor to the basement." "Did you read

Thursday, 14th August 1913 Mother of Frank Denounces Solicitor Dorsey in Court

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 14th, 1913 STIRS COURTROOM WHEN SHE RESENTS QUESTIONS ASKED FRANK'S WITNESS Solicitor Dorsey Was Cross-Examining Ashley Jones, a Witness Who Had Been Testifying to the Good Character of the Prisoner, and Had Just Asked Him if He Had Not Heard of Frank Taking Liberties With Little Girls Out at Druid Hills Some Time Ago. TEARS FILLING EYES, WOMAN LEAVES COURT WITH SON'S ATTORNEY Large Part of Wednesday's Testimony Was Consumed in an Effort on Part of the State to Break Down the Testimony Given by Lemmie Quinn—Dr. William K. Owen Takes the Stand in Afternoon to Tell How

Wednesday, 13th August 1913 Many Witnesses Take the Stand to Refute Points of Prosecution

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 13th, 1913 Defense Calls Twenty-Two Men, Women and Boys to Give Evidence Favorable to Frank—Mr. and Mrs. Emil Selig, Parents of Frank's Wife, Declare That There Was Nothing Unusual in Conduct of the Prisoner on Day of Murder CHARACTER OF DALTON IS DECLARED TO BE BAD BY DEFENSE WITNESSES Called to Stand, He Admits Having Been Sent to Gang for Stealing Once and Having to Pay Fine on Another Occasion—Bitter Fight Is Waged Between Attorneys Over a Question Asked of Frank's Office Boy by Solicitor Dorsey, and Threat of Motion for Mistrial Is Made Calling upon a total

Tuesday, 12th August 1913 Franks Financial Sheet Would Take 3 Hours Work to Finish Joel Hunter

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 12th, 1913 Joel Hunter, an expert accountant, was put on the stand to testify to the amount of work required in the compilation of the financial sheet upon which the defense declares Leo Frank worked during the afternoon Mary Phagan was murdered. "What is your occupation?" he was asked by Mr. Arnold. "I am a public accountant." "Do you hold a position with the state board?" "Yes, I belong to the board of examiners." "Did you examine Leo Frank's financial sheet?""Yes." "Did his assistant, Schiff, acquaint you with the data contained in the report?" "Yes." "Did you go

Tuesday, 12th August 1913 As the Very Wildest of Guessing Dr. Westmoreland Characterizes Testimony Given by Dr. Harris

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 12th, 1913 Dr. Willis Westmoreland, former head of the state board of health, who resigned some time ago after the board gave a clean bill to Dr. H. F. Harris, the secretary, whom he had accused of "scientific dishonesty," followed Dr. Hancock on the stand. He also made an examination of Leo Frank, stating in answer to Mr. Arnold's question that he had found the accused man to be normal. He was questioned by Arnold. "What is your calling?" "I am a physician of twenty-right years' experience." "What is your main practice?""General medicine and surgery." "Have you occupied

Tuesday, 12th August 1913 Dr. Hancock Called by Defense, Assails Dr. Harris Testimony

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 12th, 1913 MADE CABBAGE DIGESTION EXPERIMENTS Dr. T. H. Hancock, a well known Atlanta physician, was the first of three medical experts to be presented in the afternoon in behalf of the defense. Dr. Hancock is official physician of the Georgia Railway and Electric company, and is a man of twenty-two years' experience. An astonishing feature of his testimony was the statement he made in answer to a question from Attorney Arnold to the effect that he had treated 14,000 surgery cases, a record hitherto unparelleled in Georgia history. He was examined directly by Mr. Arnold. "What is

Tuesday, 12th August 1913 Guesswork and Not Science Asserts Dr. J. C. Olmstead

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 12th, 1913 Dr. John C. Olmstead followed Dr. Westmoreland to the stand. He was questioned by Arnold. "What is your occupation?""I have been a physician for thirty-six years, and am a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of New York." "Would you characterize such an opinion as the one you have read of by Dr. Harris as being a guess or a scientific conclusion?""As wild a guess as I've ever heard." Corroborates Other Doctors. He was questioned extensively along the same line of questions as were put to Dr. Westmoreland and Dr. Hancock relative to

Tuesday, 12th August 1913 Schiff Admits He Kept Conley Knowing He Was Worthless

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 12th, 1913 H. G. Schiff, Leo Frank's assistant in the National Pencil factory, was put on the stand for a conclusion of the state's cross examination when court convened Monday morning. "How many books and papers were there that you say had not been worked on Friday night, and that you found completed Monday?" asked Solicitor Hugh Dorsey. "The financial sheet and those papers I showed you Saturday," Schiff replied. finished Friday?""Because when I left the office Friday I had not got up the data for them," the witness said. "If Frank had started to work at 8:30

Tuesday, 12th August 1913 Expert Flatly Contradicts The Testimony of Dr. Harris

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 12th, 1913 Professor George Bachman, professor of physiology in the Atlanta College of Physicians and Surgeons, and formerly a demonstrator of physiology in Jefferson Medical college, was put on the stand following Schiff. By him the defense made a further attack on the deductions of Dr. H. F. Harris. He declared that the statements made by Dr. Harris amounted to guess work, according to his knowledge of the subject. "What is your nationality, professor?" Mr. Arnold asked. "I'm a citizen of Atlanta," replied the witness. "I mean, where were you born?" "I was born a Frenchman," replied Dr.

Tuesday, 12th August 1913 Defense Has Best Day Since Trial of Frank Began

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 12th, 1913 AS WILD GUESSES PHYSICIANS TERM TESTIMONY GIVEN BY DR. ROY HARRIS Assert It Is Impossible to Tell Accurately Just How Long It Takes for the Digestion of Cabbage—One Doctor Tells of Experiments He Had Made on Several Patients to Settle This Point. Doubt Value of Testimony About Violence. OLD ROW OF DOCTORS BOBS UP IN TESTIMONY OF DR. WESTMORELAND Declares That He Accused Dr. Harris of Scientific Dishonesty and Then Resigned From Board When It Refused to Discharge the Secretary—Joel Hunter Goes on Stand to Testify as to the Amount of Time Necessary on Frank's Books.

Monday, 11th August 1913 Jurors Have a Great Time Playing Jokes on Deputies

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 11th, 1913 Coats off and collars and ties flung carelessly on bedposts and convenient chairs the twelve jurors in the Frank case and Deputies Foster Hunter and Bob Deavours, in charge of them, were taking a comfortable afternoon rest Sunday when suddenly a woman's voice in a plaintive key called loudly from the street, "Oh, Bob, Bob Deavours!" The deputy leaped to his feet. He was certain he had heard his wife's voice, and though the suite of rooms in the Kimball house where the jury is quartered three floors above the street, the voice came from a

Monday, 11th August 1913 Murder Evidence May Be Concluded by Next Saturday

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 11th, 1913 Trial May Have Reached the Point By End of This Week Where Lawyers Will Begin Their Argument. FIERCE ATTACK COMING ON HARRIS TESTIMONY The Defense Will Also Make Every Attempt to Break Down Story Told by Jim Conley, Negro Sweeper. The main points which the defense in the case of the state against Leo Frank, charged with the murder of Mary Phagan, will place before the jury in rebuttal of the prosecution will be given this week and by Saturday it is expected that the trial will have reached the point where the lawyers will begin

Friday, 8th August 1913 Rosser Swears Bludgeon Was Not In Factory Day After the Murder

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 8th, 1913 City Detective Bass Rosser, who worked on the Phagan mystery, followed Dalton on the stand Thursday morning to tell that Mrs. Arthur White, whose husband, father and brother work for the National Pencil company, had not told him of seeing a strange negro in the factory on the day of the crime, although he questioned her about her knowledge of what went on there that day, and she had also told her brother, Wade Campbell, of seeing the negro. "Have you worked on this case?" asked Solicitor Hugh Dorsey. "Yes, sir," replied the detective. "Did you

Friday, 8th August 1913 Will Defense Put Character of Leo Frank Before Jury?

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 8th, 1913 Will Leo Frank's character be one of the issues in his trial for the murder of little Mary Phagan? That is the question which has been the subject of speculation since it was first known that he would be tried for the murder, and as the case has progressed the subject has been discussed frequently. Not one in a hundred defendants place their character in issue when on trial for murder, but a condition has arisen in the Frank case which may cause his attorneys to think it wise to take this step. It came when

Friday, 8th August 1913 Harris Sticks to Testimony As to Time of Girls Death

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 8th, 1913 Dr. H.F. Harris, the state's final witness against Leo M. Frank, was put on the stand for cross examination shortly after 10 o'clock Thursday morning, and through a series of questions Attorney Reuben Arnold, for the defense, sought to make him less definite in regard to the time of Mary Phagan's death after eating the meal of cabbage and bread about 11:30 on the day she was killed. Dr. Harris was asked a number of questions about digestion, and while he admitted it to be a subject that is not thoroughly understood by scientists, he clung

Friday, 8th August 1913 Dr. Frank Eskridge Aiding Prosecution

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 8th, 1913 Dr. R. T. Dorsey Also Comes to Assistance of Solicitor in the Frank Case Dr. Frank L. Eskridge, a well-known physician, is assisting Solicitor General Dorsey in the solicitor's examination of expert chemists and medical men and in cross-examinations of experts presented by the defense. Dr. Eskridge is widely versed in various branches of medicine, chemistry and surgery, and has proved an invaluable aid to the solicitor, especially in the examination of Dr. Roy Harris. In the cross-examination of Dr. Leroy Childs, in the afternoon session Thursday, the solicitor was valuably assisted by his brother, Dr.

Friday, 8th August 1913 Scott Called by Defense To Refute Conleys Story

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 8th, 1913 SHOWS NEGRO LIED MANY TIMES The defense sprang a surprise during the afternoon session whey they called Detective Harry Scott to the stand to testify to the third-degree under which Jim Conley had been placed at police headquarters and which process had exacted his three conflicting confessions. Scott stated throughout his testimony that Conley had told conflicting stories on numerous occasions during his early imprisonment, and that had failed to tell the detectives much of the story which he related on the witness stand Tuesday and Wednesday. Scott's statement created a telling of fact and it

Friday, 8th August 1913 Dr. Childs Differs with Harris As to Processes of Digestion

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 8th, 1913 Following Dr. H. F. Harris, the final witness of the state, DR. L. W. Childs also an expert on matters pertaining to the various processes of digestion was placed on the stand by the defense to refute what Dr. Harris had said about the food in Mary Phagan's stomach showing that she had been killed in about half an hour after she ate. Dr. Childs took a decidedly opposite stand from that of his brother physician and declared that he would hazard no guess within two hours of the time that death occurred after eating and

Friday, 8th August 1913 Dorsey Forces Childs to Admit Certain Portions of His Testimony Could Not Be Considered Expert

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 8, 1913 Dr. LeRoy W. Childs who was the first witness placed on the stand by the defense underwent a rigorous cross examination by Solicitor Dorsey. The solicitor showed a keen knowledge of medicine and chemistry in the volley of questions he fired at the medical expert, and, upon one occasion elicited the admission from the witness that he was not informed of a certain phase of laboratory work on which great stress had been laid by Dr. Roy Harris who preceded Dr. Childs to the stand. In concluding his testimony Dr. Childs when asked by the solicitor

Friday, 8th August 1913 Dalton Corroborates Statements Contained in Conleys Testimony

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 8th, 1913 C.B. Dalton a railroad carpenter who was heralded as one of the star witnesses for the defense was called to the stand by Solicitor Dorsey whe court convened Thursday morning. The most startling statement uttered by Dalton from the stand was that he used the basement of the National Pencil company factory for clandestine meetings with girls and women. Although not an employee of the factory and although his acquaintance with Frank was a Dalton testified that the factory superintendent knew of his visits to the basement with women. Dalton named three females with whom he

Thursday, 7th August 1913 While Murder Trial Goes on Witnesses While Away Time With Old Camp Meeting Songs

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 7th, 1913 By Britt Craig. There is one woman with no connection whatever with the Frank case who sits undisturbed in an obscure corner of the courtroom. Throughout Jim Conley's testimony, she remained in her seat while court deputies removed women from all parts of the place and sent them outside at order of the judge. She is Mrs. Hattie Barnett, a detective, and a woman who has seen more of the world and knows more of its multivaried phases than many of Atlanta's most successful business men. She has seen and heard enough not to be touched

Thursday, 7th August 1913 Hugh Dorsey Wins His Spurs; Crowd Recognizes Gameness

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 7th, 1913 By Sidney Ormond When the spectators at the Frank trial Wednesday broke into a ripple of applause, after Judge Roan had announced his decision that the damaging evidence of Jim Conley that he had "watched out for Frank on several occasions prior to the murder and had encountered him in an attitude which set him apart from normal men would remain in the records—when this applause came—it was not that any man contributing to it necessarily thought Frank guilty. It was simply a spontaneous tribute to Solicitor Hugh Dorsey who has fought so doggedly against such

Thursday, 7th August 1913 Judges Decision Admits Conley Testimony in Full

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 7th, 1913 At the continuation of the argument on the subject of Judge Roan's reserved decision, Solicitor Dorsey cited extracts from many legal volumes, many of which pertained to the untimeliness of objections in just such cases as the one which he argued. "It makes no difference if the act in question was a separate or distinct crime," he said, "just so it shows a course of conduct and has sufficient value to the case on trial. It is absolutely admissible. "We contend that the defense has stopped at this late hour, after examining extensively, and along the

Thursday, 7th August 1913 Because He is Patriotic Mincey is Here for Trial

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 7th, 1913 W. H. Mincey, witness for the defense in the Leo M. Frank trial whose substantial affidavit that Jim Conley had told him of killing a white girl on the day Mary Phagan was murdered was published some weeks ago was a conspicuous figure in front of the courthouse Wednesday. Mincey is a country school teacher and has been for twenty years. He is not used to city ways, he says, and the excitement of the crowd around the courthouse seemed to worry him. "I have great patriotism," said Mr. Mincey, "and that is the sole reason

Thursday, 7th August 1913 Applause Sweeps Courtroom When Dorsey Scores a Point

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 7th, 1913 Following Conley's departure from the stand the jury was allowed a five minute recess and on their return Solicitor Dorsey tendered in evidence a picture of the pencil factory basement which was taken by Francis B. Price, The Constitution staff photographer on the morning that the body was found a of which appeared in The Constitution. He also tendered a scratch pad sample of one of those around the factory the murder notes and the pad found near the body. There were no objections from the defense. "Bring in C. B. Dalton," called out the solicitor.

Thursday, 7th August 1913 Mrs. Coleman Tells of Cooking Cabbage for Dr. H. F. Harris

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 7th, 1913 Mrs. J. W. Coleman, mother of Mary Phagan, followed Dr. Harris to the stand. She told of cooking an amount of cabbage at the chemists request for his experiments with the four men. She stated that it had been ground finely as she had prepared it on the day of Mary's last meal and had boiled it for an hour. She remained on the stand but for a few minutes and was asked but a few questions by either the state or defense. She was asked to describe Mary's pocketbook answering that she had already given

Thursday, 7th August 1913 Mary Phagan Was Strangled Declares Dr. H. F. Harris

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 7th, 1913 Dr. Roy F. Harris, the pathologist, head of the state board of health, and the expert who exhumed and examined the body of Mary Phagan, went on the stand at the close of the argument over Judge Roan's reserved decision to continue the testimony from which he was interrupted Friday by a fainting spell in the courtroom. He still suffered from weakness and was allowed to sit in a heavily-upholstered armchair. He was questioned first by Solicitor Dorsey. "Dr. Harris, what is your particular branch of medicine?""My usual line is pathology, chemistry and chemical work, as

Thursday, 7th August 1913 Unable to Shake Conleys Story Rosser Ends Cross-Examination

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 7th, 1913 On the opening of court Wednesday morning when Judge L. S. Roan announced that he would postpone his final decision in regard to the admissibility of Jim Conley's evidence in regard to Leo Frank's alleged misconduct and also to the negro's acting on previous occasions as his "lookout," Luther Rosser began his final effort to break the negro down. Conley stayed on the stand until 10 o'clock and was then excused. He had been testifying for fifteen hours in all and of this thirteen hours had been under the merciless grilling of Attorney Rosser. The negro

Wednesday, 6th August 1913 Defense Asks Judge Roan to Strike From Records Part of Conley Testimony

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 6th, 1913 At the opening of the afternoon session, Attorney Reuben Arnold arose, asking that the jury be sent from the room. When the twelve men had passed into their rom, he made a motion asking the court to exclude from Conley's statement that testimony pertaining to Conley having watched previously for Frank and to an unprintable scene the negro said he had witnessed between the superintendent and a young girl in Frank's office. The motion was made on grounds of irrelevancy. "First," said Mr. Arnold, "I desire to ask the court to rule out that testimony of

Wednesday, 6th August 1913 Mincey Affidavit Is Denied By Conley During Afternoon

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 6th, 1913 SMITH ALLOWED ACCESS TO CLIENT After Judge Roan had ruled out the Conley testimony relating to alleged previous actions of Frank, the jury was returned to the courtroom, and Attorney Rosser resumed his cross-examination of Conley. "Jim, you took the body of that girl, you say, and wrapped her in a cloth, didn't you?""Yes, sir." "Was the cloth all around her?""No, sir, it didn't go over her whole body." "Did it cover her head?""No, sir." "Her feet?""No, sir." "How much of her body was projecting out of the cloth?""I don't know, sir." "You tied the cloth

Wednesday, 6th August 1913 Conley Remains Calm Under Grilling Cross-Examination

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 6th, 1913 ROSSER ADOPTS NEW TONE MONDAY Jim Conley, upon whose story practically the entire result of the Frank case is believed to rest, went on the stand at 9:03 o'clock and when court adjourned for lunch at 12:30 he was still being cross-examined by Luther Rosser for the defense. The lawyer had reached that point in his cross-fire of questions where he had begun to hector the witness and to take him up whenever he made a mistake, but it appeared that he was only about half through with his work. When the adjournment was taken Conley

Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Stanford Recalled By Solicitor Dorsey

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 5th, 1913 Declares There Were Bars Across Door on Second Floor on Day Before Murder. Following Sergeant Dobbs, Mell Stanford, a factory employee, who had previously testified, was recalled for a few minutes. "Was the door on the second floor back locked or unlocked on Friday, April 25?" asked Mr. Dorsey. "There were bars across it," said Stanford. "Was there any way to get down back there?" "Only by the fire escape.""Was the area of the metal room cleaned up after the murder?" "Yes, sir, during the following week." "Did you clean it up?" asked Mr. Rosser, who

Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Frank Very Nervous, Testifies L. O. Grice

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 5th, 1913 Witness Had Gone to the Pencil Factory After Reading The Constitution Extra L. O. Grice was the first witness put on the stand when court convened Monday morning. He was kept there but a few minutes. He stated that he is employed by W. H. Smith, auditor of the Atlanta and West Point railroad, and that he lives at 270 Houston street. "Where were you on Sunday, April 27, about 8 o'clock?" Mr. Dorsey started out. "I was in front of The Constitution building and I saw one of their extras and went on down to

Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Handsome Woman Seeks in Vain For Witness at Franks Trial

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 5th, 1913 Shortly after the courtroom had been cleared of women during the trial of Leo M. Frank Monday, Detective Harper entered the room with a handsome woman and the two took a leisurely survey of those in the courtroom. It was learned that the woman is a waitress at a well-known restaurant, and that shortly after the murder she is supposed to have overheard a conversation with two men who were discussing the killing. It is said they were friends of Frank and that they made admissions which would prove important to the state. The two men

Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Women of Every Class and Age Listen With Morbid Curiosity To Testimony of Negro Conley

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 5th, 1913 By Britt Craig. There was a chorus girl who sat next to an aged and withered woman who is undoubtedly a grandmother—a great-grandmother, maybe; there was a painted-cheeked girl with hollow eyes who bore the unmistakable stain of crimson, who sat between a mother who held in her lap an eager 13-year-old. There was a wrinkled and worn old woman with the lines of care stamped indelibly, who hobbled into the room on a crutch and sat beside a man who chewed tobacco and whispered profanity. Over in a corner there was a graceful young woman

Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Witnesses in Franks Trial In Role of Marriage Witnesses

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 5th, 1913 While T. Y. Brent, notary public and ex-officio justice of the peace, was waiting in the witness room of the Frank murder trial yesterday, the "big and little of it" came to him to pronounce the magic words which would make them forever man and wife, one and inseparable. Cleve Ware, weighing at the most 120 pounds, and Mattie Turner, who could easily muster 250 pounds, if required, were the parties, being from the swell section of Darktown. The judge performed the ceremony in the most approved style, and Frank murder trial witnesses acting as the

Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Flashlight in The Constitution Introduced in Trial of Frank

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 5th, 1913 Police Sergeant L. S. Dobbs was the witness who followed Grice. The officer had already testified on the first day of the trial and was brought back for only a few minutes. "Did you find a handkerchief that Sunday morning in the factory?" "Yes, sir, in the basement near a trash pile." "That's all," said the solicitor. Mr. Rosser then asked the officer several questions in regard to the detail of the basement and said he was through. Mr. Dorsey then showed the officer a flashlight photograph of the spot in the basement where the girl's

Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Conley Is Mercilessly Grilled At Afternoon Session of Court

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 5th, 1913 ARRESTED 7 TIMES, HE ADMITS Jim Conley remained on the stand throughout the afternoon session. Attorney Rosser continuting his cross-examination after the noon recess. "Who saw you, Jim, at police headquarters?" "Chief Beavers." "Who else?""Mr. Smith, my lawyer." "Was anybody else present?""Yes, Tawney." "Did he hear what was said?""I guess so. He could have heard." "You talked to no one else?""No, sir." Conley Doesn't Remember. "Did you watch for Mr. Frank since the time in January?""I think not." "What did you do the Saturday afternoon you watched for him?""I don't remember." "What did you do the

Tuesday, 5th August 1913 Amazing Testimony of Conley Marks Crucial Point of Trial; Says Frank Admitted Crime

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 5th, 1913 The crucial point of the entire case of the state versus Leo M. Frank, charged with the murder of little Mary Phagan, an employee in the National Pencil factory, of which he was superintendent, came Monday morning when after putting one or two witnesses back on the stand to bring out minor points, Solicitor Hugh Dorsey called out, "Bring in Jim Conley." The state had been gradually paving the way for the testimony of the negro sweeper who declares that Frank called on him to hide the body of the dead girl and told him that

Monday, 4th August 1913 Leo Franks Trial Is Attracting Universal Interest in Georgia

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 4th, 1913 By Britt Craig. There has never been a trial in Georgia's records rivaling the Frank case in general interest throughout the state even the Grace case being a poor second. The Myers trial—the famous Will Myers murder case which is yet to receive its final chapter—created considerable interest both locally and throughout the state but was a mere shadow beside the present case. The Appelbaum case was a short one, was put through the courts more as a matter of routine than anything else. Mrs. Appelbaum is still in Atlanta and attending the Frank trial. Will

Monday, 4th August 1913 Every Man on Franks Jury Gets Nickname for Trial

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 4th, 1913 Quiet Sunday for Twelve Jurors By Vernon Stiles. As completely cut off from knowledge of the happenings of the outside world as though they were marooned in an island of the South seas, and yet tantalized by the swirling life around them, twelve men have lived for the past week in the heart of Atlanta. Their days has been spent in a crowded courtroom, where they listened to the wrangle of lawyers and the more or less conflicting statements of the witnesses, and their nights have passed in three crowded rooms behind locked doors, where the

Monday, 4th August 1913 Dr. H. F. Harris Will Take Stand This Afternoon

Has Audio

    Atlanta Constitution August 4th, 1913 Secretary of State Board of Health Will Resume Testimony Interrupted by His Collapse on Last Friday. STATE TO USE PHOTO OF SPOT WHERE BODY WAS FOUND BY NEGRO Friends and Relatives Besiege Prisoner in Cell on Sunday. Shows Little Evidence of Strain of Trial, Say Jail Officials. The state will open this afternoon's session of the Frank trial with Dr. Roy Harris on the stand, it is stated, if the physician's health is as much improved as it was on Sunday. The solicitor had not finished his examination of Dr. Harris on Friday

Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Dorsey Pleased With Progress

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 3rd, 1913 Solicitor Will Put Dr. Roy Harris on the Stand Again on Next Tuesday Afternoon. While Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey declined to make an expression of what he believed would be the outcome of the case against Leo M. Frank, which he has been prosecuting all the week, he expressed himself yesterday afternoon as thoroughly satisfied with the present progress. The solicitor held an extended conference immediately after court adjourned with his assistant, E. A. Stephens, and with Attorney Frank A. Hooper, who is aiding him, and together with the lawyers went over what had been done

Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Chief Beavers Tells of Seeing Blood Spots on Factory Floor

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 3rd, 1913 Police Chief James L. Beavers followed Dr. Hurt upon the witness stand. Mr. Rosser immediately asked him if he had been in the courtroom, as he had not been named by the state when other witnesses were named, sworn and put under the rule. He replied that he had for a short time and Mr. Dorsey explained that in the beginning of the case he had no intention of using him. "Were you present at the National Pencil factory on the Monday following the finding of the dead girl?" asked Mr. Dorsey. "I was there not

Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Good Order Kept in Court by Vigilance of Deputies

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 3rd, 1913 Despite the throng that has gathered each day around the courthouse where a man is on trial for his life, and despite the number of people who have crowded in to fill every seat, there has been on the whole good order in the courtroom, due to the vigilance of the deputies in charge. Sheriff C. W. Mangum sits daily in the room and with him are practically every deputy and bailiff that the courtrooms afford. To handle the large crowd and to take care of the entrance all of them are needed. In charge of

Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Girl Asked for Mary Phagan’s Pay But Was Refused by Frank

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 3rd, 1913 Miss Helen Ferguson, formerly employed at the National Pencil factory, but now working for Marcus Loeb and company, was the first state witness put on the stand Saturday morning. She proved to be a litle girl in short dresses with her hair hanging in two braids down her back. Her age she gave as sixteen. On the stand she was rather timid and answered questions in an almost inaudible voice, but replied positively to each one. She was only kept on the stand about fifteen minutes. For two years previous to the murder she declared that

Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Finding of Dead Girl’s Parasol is Told by Policeman Lasseter

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 3rd, 1913 Following Chief Beavers the name of Detective Bass Rosser was then called, but he was not present and Policeman R. F. Lasseter was put on the stand. "Did you go to the National Pencil factory on Sunday morning, April 27?""Yes." "Did you ever see this parasol before?" asked the solicitor, holding up the which was found in the elevator shaft and identified as Mary Phagan's. "Yes, I found it that morning at the bottom of the shaft." "What else did you find? Any other wearing apparel?" "No." "Well, did you find anything else?""Yes, some twine.""You saw

Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Fixing Hour of Girl’s Death Through Aid of Modern Science The Prosecution’s Greatest Aid

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 3rd, 1913 By Britt Craig. When Mrs. J. W. Coleman, mother of Mary Phagan, related a simple story on the witness stand the first day of the Frank trial of the slain child's frugal meal of cabbage and biscuit which she ate upon leaving home that fateful day, she paved the way for the most thrilling development thus far in the entire case. Her story was as devoid of thrills as any yet told. It was an ordinary recitation of a common meal and told in the mother's plain, simple manner. Had she not broke into tears her

Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Detective Waggoner Describes Extreme Nervousness of Frank

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 3rd, 1913 City Detective D. L. Waggoner was called to the stand following Miss Ferguson Attorney Rosser immediately raised the objection that he had been in the court room and the solicitor declared that he did not know whether or not the detective had Waggoner stated that he was present for about 20 minutes Wednesday. "He was not sworn and put under the rule," explained Solicitor Dorsey, "because I did not know that I would need him." The defense made no further objection and the examination began. "How long have you been on the force, Mr. Waggoner?" the

Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Break in the Frank Trial May Come With the Hearing Of Jim Conley’s Testimony

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 3rd, 1913 By Britt Craig. Jim Conley isn't a cornfield negro—he's more of the present day type of city darkey—and that's the only difference between him and Newt Lee. Outside of that there is but little variance. However, Jim's ancestors hewd cotton and plowed bottom lands long before Jim had an idea of existing. He's got the good old country strain in him and he's as black as tar. Some folks say he'll make a witness as good as Newt, and others say he won't. That all remains to be seen. One thing is sure: There'll be plenty

Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Condition of Girl’s Body Described by Dr. J. W. Hurt

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 3rd, 1913 Dr. J. W. Hurt, county physician, who examined the body of Mary Phagan, took the stand following Detective Waggoner. Dr. Hurt not only made an examination on the Sunday morning that the body was found, but he was present several days later when the girl's body was disinterred at Marietta by Dr. Roy Harris. "How long have you been a physician?" asked Solicitor Dorsey after he had put the formal questions to establish the physician's connection with the case. "Since 1884." "What are your duties as county physician?""To attend all inquests and examine the bodies of

Sunday, 3rd August 1913 Resume of Week’s Evidence Shows Little Progress Made

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 3rd, 1913 Place and Time of the Murder Only Big Facts Brought Out in the Mass of Evidence. One week of the battle Leo M. Frank, accused of the murder of Mary Phagan in the factory of the National Pencil company, for his life has elapsed, and his fate is yet a question for future developments to decide. The first week of the trial has been markedly free from sensations. The two big facts that the week's evidence would seem to show are that Mary Phagan was murdered in the second floor of the pencil factory, and that

Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Gay Febuary Tells Frank Jury About Statement Prisoner Made

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 2nd, 1913 Gay C. Febuary, secretary to Chief Newport A. Lanford, of the detective bureau, and recent figure in the sensational dictagraph episode, was called to the stand to testify to a statement made by Leo Frank on April 26 in Chief Lanford's office. It was during Febuary's testimony that Frank's statement was permitted to be produced before the jury. It was read by Attorney Stephens, an associate of Solicitor Dorsey. Mr. Dorsey questioned Febuary: "You were present at Lanford's office when Frank and Luther Z. Rosser were there?""Yes.""Do you remember having made stenographic report of a statement

Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Women and Girls Thronging Court for Trial of Leo Frank

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 2nd, 1913 Fully one-fourth of the big audience at yesterday afternoon's session of the Frank trial was composed of women and girls. It was the largest crowd of the entire case, and, to the credit of Deputy Sheriff Miner and his force, was handled more effectively than at any preceding session. There were many strange faces. The women sat in conspicuous seats, fighting many times to obtain a location in view of the witness stand and the tables at which sat the state's lawyers and counsel for the defense. Many were small girls, especially one, who did not

Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Stenographer Parry Identifies Notes Taken at Phagan Inquest

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 2nd, 1913 Stenographer Parry, the official court stenographer, was next called to the stand to identify a number of notes he took at the coroner's inquest held in police headquarters shortly after Frank's arrest. He was asked by Solicitor Dorsey: "Did you report the coroner's inquest over the body of Mary Phagan?" "Yes." "Did you take a statement from Leo Frank?""Yes." The solicitor showed the stenographer's notes. "Is that your report?""Yes." "Is it correct?""It is correct to the best of my ability.""You are an expert?""I am a man of twenty-five years' experience."Attorney Rosser took the examination: "Look at

Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Husband of Minola McKnight Describes Movements of Frank

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 2nd, 1913 Albert McKnight, colored, the husband of Minola McKnight, who made a startling affidavit for the police in regard to circumstances at the Frank home on the night of the murder, followed Febuary to the stand. "What is your wife's name?" the solicitor asked. "Minola McKnight." "What does she do?""Cooks at Mrs. Selig's home.""How long has she held that place?" "For two years.""Where were you about 1 o'clock on the afternoon of April 26?" Saw Frank April 26. "I was at Mr. Frank's home."(The Franks have been living with the Seligs, Mrs. Frank's parents.) "Did you see

Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Policeman W. F. Anderson Tells of Newt Lee’s Telephone Call

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 2nd, 1913 W. F. Anderson, the policeman who answered the telephone when Newt Lee called police headquarters on the morning of the discovery and who went with the police squad to the scene, was next called to the stand. "About 3 o'clock on the morning of April 26 where were you?" he was asked by the solicitor. "At police headquarters." "Did you have a telephone call about that time?" "A man called from the National Pencil factory and said a woman had been killed. I asked was it a white woman or negro, and he answered that she

Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Negro Lurking in Factory Seen by Wife of Employee

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 2nd, 1913 Mrs. Maggie White, wife of John Arthur White, who was at work on the fourth floor of the National Pencil factory part of the day upon which Mary Phagan was killed, was the first witness the state called to the stand Thursday morning in the Frank trial. The witness told of going to the factory twice on that day to see her husband, and of seeing Frank on both occasions, and also of seeing a negro lurking behind some boxes on the first floor. "How long has your husband been working for the National Pencil factory?"

Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Startling Statements Made During Testimony of Dr. Harris

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 2nd, 1913 Making the startling declaration that Mary Phagan had been killed within thirty or forty-five minutes after she had eaten dinner, Dr. Roy F. Harris, state chemist, took the stand during the afternoon session yesterday. It was Dr. Harris who made the autopsy upon the body when it was disinterred in Marietta on May 5. He brought with him into court specimens of predigested cabbage which had been removed from the slain girl's stomach. He also testified to the effect that the girl had suffered violence before death and recited the condition in which he had found

Saturday, 2nd August 1913 Frequent and Angry Clashes Between Attorneys Mark the Hearing of Darley’s Testimony

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 2nd, 1913 N. V. Darley, mechanical head of the National Pencil factory and directly in charge of the Georgia Cedar company, an adjunct concern, was put on the stand by the state, after Mrs. White had finished. "How long have you been with the company, and are you still employed here?" asked Solicitor Dorsey. "I've been there about five years, and am still employed there." "Who is your immediate superior?" "I consider Sig Montag my immediate superior," he replied. "What is your relation to Frank?" "We are co-laborers, on an equal basis." "With whom do you more often

Friday, 1st August 1913 Mrs. Arthur White Takes Stand Today

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 1st, 1913 Will Testify She Saw Negro Idling in Shadows of Stairway. Mrs. Arthur White, wife of Arthur White, the witness who will testify that on Saturday morning when she appeared at the pencil factory to see her husband, she saw a negro idling in the shadows of the stairway on the first floor, will be the first called to the stand this morning. A moment before adjournment yesterday afternoon she was summoned to testify, but Judge Roan ordered the session closed before she could reach the witness stand. Mrs. White, it is stated, has already declared that

Friday, 1st August 1913 Sweeper Swears No Spots Were on Floor Day Before Murder

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 1st, 1913 Mel Stanford, a sweeper and plater at the factory, was put on the stand at 12:20. He testified that he had worked there for about two years and was there on Friday, April 25, on the second floor. "What did you do on Friday?" asked the solicitor. "I swept up the entire floor in the metal room." "Were you there Monday, April 28?" "Yes." "See anything at water cooler near girls' dressing room?" "Yes; a spot which had a white substance over it." "Was it there Friday?" "It was not there when I swept the floor

Friday, 1st August 1913 Blood Found by Dr. Smith on Chips and Lee’s Shirt

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 1st, 1913 Dr. Claude A. Smith, the medical expert who made microscopic examinations of the blood-spotted chips chiseled from the floor of the pencil factory and of the bloody shirt discovered in Newt Lee's home, was next called in. He was asked by Solicitor Dorsey: "What is your business?" "I am city bacteriologist and chemist." He was handed the chips from the pencil factory flooring. "Did you test these chips?" "Yes. Some detectives brought me these specimens and asked me to examine them. They were considerably dirty and stained. On one of them I found blood corpuscles." "Was

Friday, 1st August 1913 Leo Frank Innocent, Says Mrs. Appelbaum

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 1st, 1913 Acquitted in Same Courtroom, She Is Now Eager Spectator at Big Trial. A little woman, neatly dressed and wearing a dark hat crowned with a flowing aigrette, slipped quietly into the rear of the courtroom at the afternoon session of the Frank trial yesterday afternoon, and sat down near the press table unnoticed. Presently, a reporter looked up from his notes, caught sight of her and instantly walked to where she sat. Soon reporters swarmed around her. The press table and trial proceedings were almost deserted for the moment by the Fourth Estate. She was Mrs.

Friday, 1st August 1913 Haslett Describes Visit to Home of Leo Frank

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 1st, 1913 Detective B. B. Haslett, who went with Detective John Black on Monday morning, April 27, to Leo Frank's home to summon him to police headquarters for a statement Chief Lanford wished him to give, was next called to the stand. "Did you go to Leo Frank's home at any time?" the solicitor asked. "Yes. At 7 o'clock Monday morning we were sent to see Frank and have him come to the detective bureau." "What did you tell him?" "That Lanford wanted to see him." "Do you know whether he was liberated or not?" "Yes." "When you

Friday, 1st August 1913 Finding of Hair and Envelope Described by Factory Machinist

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 1st, 1913 R. B. Barrett, a machinist at the National Pencil factory, who declares that he found strands of hair similar to Mary Phagan's on his machine after the murder, and who also told of finding a torn piece of pay envelope in the same room and under the machine where the hair was found, followed Monteen Stover on the stand. He was asked if he had testified before the coroner's and the grand jury, and replied that he had. "What did you see near Mary Phagan's machine?" "A peculiar spot on the floor," he replied. "Was the

Friday, 1st August 1913 Frank’s Presence in Office at Time He Says He Was There is Denied by Girl on Stand

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 1st, 1913 Following the Pinkerton detective testimony the state introduced Miss Monteen Stover, who worked in the factory when Mary Phagan did. The girl was rather abashed when she first appeared, but turned out to be a witness who could relate exactly what she started out to tell and who did not seem to get confused. "Where do you work?" asked the solicitor of the girl. "Nowhere." "Were you work on April 26?" "No." "When did you last work before the murder?" "On the Monday before the murder," she answered. "Were you in the factory on April 26?"

Friday, 1st August 1913 William Gheesling, Embalmer, Tells of Wounds on Girl’s Body

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 1st, 1913 William Gheesling, the undertaker who embalmed Mary Phagan's body, was next called in. "What is your business?" queried Solicitor Dorsey. "I am an embalmer." "How long have you been in that advice?" "Fifteen years, or more." "Did you see the body of Mary Phagan?" "Yes, I first saw it at 15 minutes to 4 on the morning of April 27." "Where was it?" "In the basement of the National Pencil factory." "Describe it." How Body Was Lying. "It was lying on the face, arms crossed, and with a piece of wrapping twine and part of her

Friday, 1st August 1913 Holloway Denies Affidavit He Signed for Solicitor

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 1st, 1913 NEW TESTIMONY GIVEN AT TRIAL OF LEO M. FRANK BY R. B. BARRETT Machinist at Pencil Factory Tells Jury of Discovery of Murdered Girl's Pay Envelope and of Strands of Hair Near Her Machine in Metal Room on Second Floor. HENRY SCOTT PUZZLES BOTH SIDES OF CASE BY EVIDENCE THURSDAY E. L. Holloway, Who Swore in Affidavit That Elevator Was Closed on Saturday, the Day of the Murder, Admits on Stand That He Was Mistaken—"I've Been Trapped," Cries Dorsey. The first piece of new testimony of any importance which has developed since the beginning of the

Friday, 1st August 1913 Attorneys for Both Sides Riled by Scott’s Testimony; Replies Cause Lively Tilts

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 1st, 1913 When court convened on Thursday morning, J. M. Gantt, formerly employed in the bookkeeping department of the National Pencil factory, was placed on the stand for two questions, and he was followed by Harry Scott, Pinkerton detective, who worked as a partner of John R. Black, of the city detectives, in searching for the murder of Mary Phagan. Solicitor Hugh Dorsey had Gantt swear that he was arrested on April 28 and hold until the following Thursday. During Scott's testimony, there were lively tilts of all sorts. At one time Scott became angry with the solicitor

Thursday, 31st July 1913 William Gheesling First Witness Today

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 31st, 1913 Harry Scott, Pinkerton Detective Will Also Be Called to Stand During Day William Gheesling, the P. J. Bloomfield undertaking attachee who made the first examination and emblamed the body of Mary Phagan will probably be the first witness called to the stand in the Frank trial this morning. He will be followed by Harry Scott, the Pinkerton detectives who worked with Detective John Black in the murder investigation and who engineered the third degree which resulted in Jim Conley's confession. Dr. Hurt, county physician who made the medical examination upon the corpse and who it is

Thursday, 31st July 1913 Bearing of Black and Lee Forms a Study in Contrast

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 31st, 1913 By Sidney Ormond Comparisons are odious, but to the close observer of events following the Mary Phagan murder and the trial now in progress one cannot help contrasting the impression made on the jury by Newt Lee, the negro night watchman of the National Pencil factory, and the testimony of John Black, detective, who worked up a large part of the evidence being used against Leo M. Frank by the state. It was only a short while ago that John Black, according to the statement of Lee, was ‘blunblamming' at him night and day in an

Thursday, 31st July 1913 Gantt, Once Phagan Suspect, On Stand Wednesday Afternoon

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 31st, 1913 J. W. Gantt, who once was a suspect in the famous case, followed Mrs. Coleman to the stand at the afternoon session. "Have you ever been connected with the pencil company?" "From January 1st, 1918, until April 7, I was employed with that concern as shipping clerk. I was discharged by Mr. Frank for an alleged shortage." "Did you know Mary Phagan?" "Yes—I knew her as a little girl." "Did Leo Frank know her?" "Yes." "How do you know this?" Knew Mary Pretty Well. "On Saturday she came into the office for a time record. Frank

Thursday, 31st July 1913 Rogers on Stand Describes Visit of Frank to Undertakers

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 31st, 1913 When court convened and before the jury had been brought in Attorney Luther Rosser entered an objection to the drawing of the pencil factory which Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey had rehung upon the wall after removing the descriptive lines. Objection had previously been made to the lines and the solicitor had caused these to be erased. Attorney Rosser and his colleague Reuben Arnold declared that the dotted lines which shows the state's theory of how the girl's body was carried from the second floor to the basement were not part of the building and hence were

Thursday, 31st July 1913 Daintily Dressed Girl Tells Of Daily Routine of Factory

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 31st, 1913 Grace Hicks, a sister-in-law of ‘Boots' Rogers, whom he carried to the factory the morning of April 27 to tell if the dead girl was an employee of the factory was put upon the witness stand by the state after Rogers had been excused. She was a daintily dressed slender girl of 17, and declared that she had worked there for the past five years. To the solicitor's questions she answered that she had known Mary Phagan for about a year at the pencil factory and that the dead girl had worked on the second floor.

Thursday, 31st July 1913 Idle and Curious Throng Court Despite Big Force of Deputies

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 31st, 1913 In spite of the largest force of deputies that has ever been brought together in Fulton county for a similar purpose, the greatest difficulty is being experienced in keeping out the idle and morbidly curious at the Leo M. Frank trial. A glance around the room is sufficient to show that the deputies have been imposed on. Scores of professional loafers—men who have had no visible means of support for years, and who could have possible interest in the trial—throng the room. Many women, who are in no way connected with the case either through friendship

Thursday, 31st July 1913 Mrs. Coleman Is Recalled To Identify Mary’s Handbag

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 31st, 1913 Mrs. J. W. Coleman was recalled to the stand for only a moment's interrogation regarding the mesh handbag which she carried with her upon leaving home on the day of the tragedy. Attorney Rosser asked, "What kind of bag did Mary carry with her that day?" "A mesh bag." The solicitor asked that she describe its size and shape. Her description was that of an ordinary mesh bag, unornamented and manufactured of silver. She also identified the handkerchief and parasol as having belonged to the slain child.

Thursday, 31st July 1913 Detective Black Muddled By Keen Cross-Examination Of Attorneys for Defense

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 31st, 1913 Detective John R. Black, the officer who went in Rogers' machine from the factory to Frank's residence on the Sunday morning that Mary Phagan's body was discovered, was next put up by the state. He took the stand at 11:45 o'clock, and was still there when court adjourned for lunch. In answers to Solicitor Dorsey's questions he said he had been on the police force for six years and previous to that had worked as n cooper for the Atlanta Brewing and Ice company. "Do you know any of the directors of this company?" began the

Wednesday, 30th July 1913 First Two Days of Frank Trial Only Skirmishes Before Battle

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 30th, 1913 During the two days' progress of the Frank trial public interest has centered around the case and all eyes seemed turned to it. To date, the interest has really been in watching the struggle between the skilled attorneys who are fighting for position and whose clashes over the preliminary witnesses are merely the skirmishes of the pickets before two mighty armies come together. Thus far the interest, while to a certain extent centered on the maneuvering, has been mostly of the future tense. Every one is looking forward to what is to come. A fierce skirmish

Wednesday, 30th July 1913 Mother and Daughter in Tears As Clothing of Mary Phagan Is Exhibited in Courtroom

Has Audio

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 30th, 1913 Solicitor Dorsey stood before Detective Starnes at the witness box yesterday afternoon and held to view a lavender frock with a bit of pink ribbon at each shoulder. In the hand that was lowered at his side he held a wee slipper. "Do you recognize this dress?" he put to the witness. "I do." "To whom did it belong?" "To Mary Phagan, the girl who was killed in the National Pencil factory." Mother and Daughter Sob. A moist-eyed woman, gray beginning to fleck her hair and betray her fifty years looked sadly upon the articles in

Top