Leo Frank TV

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 30th, 1913 Sergeant L. S. Dobbs, one of the policemen who answered Lee's call to the factory, was put on the stand, after Lee was dismissed. He told of the call at about 3:20 a. m. on April 27, and of how he and Officers Anderson and Brown, with "Boots" Rogers, an ex-county policeman, and Britt Craig, of The Constitution, went to the factory and found the body. The officer declared, among other things, that Lee was not frightened or trembling when they got there, that they had difficulty in telling at first whether the girl was white

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 30th, 1913 Sergeant L. S. Dobbs took the stand again at the afternoon session. "Did you help take the girl's body from the basement?" Attorney Rosser questioned. "I was there when the undertakers came," answered the sergeant. "Who cleaned the girl's face?" "Sergeant Brown, I believe." "How?" "With a piece of paper." "How was the body removed?" "In a corpse basket." Here the examination was taken up by the solicitor general. "What is the distance from the ladder to the spot where the body was found?" "About 150 feet." Found Slipper and Hat. "Did you discover anything on

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 30th, 1913 When Sergeant Dobbs was called from the stand Detective J. M. Starnes, prosecutor of Frank and a detective attached to police headquarters was called in. He has been associated with the solicitor general throughout the Phagan investigation. The defense and prosecution clashed in perhaps their most spectacular battle over an attempt of Attorney Rosser to force the detective into recalling the exact words of a portion of his testimony at the coroner's inquest. An argument was advanced by both Attorneys Dorsey and Hooper and each member of Frank's counsel Attorneys Arnold and Rosser. The apparent motive

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 30th, 1913 Newt Lee, the negro night watchman of the pencil factory, who telephoned police headquarters of the finding of Mary Phagan's body at the pencil factory, was again placed upon the stand when court convened Tuesday for the second day's session. Attorney Luther Z. Rosser renewed his cross-fire of questions by which he sought to confuse the negro and secure new admissions or change valuable points in his testimony, and thus expose a vulnerable point for a concentrated attack upon his entire statement. Mr. Rosser took up practically where he had left off the afternoon before. "Newt,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 26th, 1913 They Have Started Summoning Witnesses and Are Quoted as Having Agreed to Go to Trial. That Attorneys Reuben R. Arnold and Luther Z. Rosser, representing Leo M. Frank, charged with the Mary Phagan murder, have decided to go to trial Monday when the case is called was information made public Friday from an apparently reliable source. Coupled with this, and apparently making the trial doubly sure, is the news that the defense has started summoning its witnesses and making final preparations for the actual trial. Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey reiterated Friday his statement in regard to

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

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

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

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

Atlanta ConstitutionJuly 24th, 1913 Report Says That It Has Been Sent to Northern City to Be Put Under Microscope. That the bloody club found in the National Pencil factory after the murder of Mary Phagan is in some northern city undergoing microscopic examination after having been inspected by local experts, is a rumor that prevailed at police headquarters yesterday. Upon being examined by an Atlanta expert, who, it is said, declared that it would be impossible to determine whether or not the blood spots were from animal or human, the weapon was sent north for more minute examination. Frank's lawyers

Atlanta Constitution July 24th, 1913 For First Time Since Mary Phagan Was Killed Two Negroes Are Brought Face to Face. James Conley, a sweeper at the National Pencil factory, and Newt Lee, night watchman, who carried the police to where Mary Phagan's body lay on the morning of April 27, were brought face to face yesterday afternoon in the tower by Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey and Frank A. Hooper, an attorney who is aiding the solicitor. J. M. Gantt was taken there by the attorneys, as he knew Conley while both were working for the pencil factory. Attorney Hooper stated

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Atlanta Constitution Saturday, July 19, 1913 Asserting That He Considers Recorder Mentally Irresponsible, the Mayor Announces Controversy Closed. With the declaration that no utterance by Recorder Nash R. Broyles will induce him to resort to blackguardism or swerve him in the matter of exercising clemency, Mayor James G. Woodward yesterday reduced the sentence of George Poulas, a Greek retsaurant keeper, who was fined $100 or thirty days in the stockade for alleged violation of the near beer laws. The extent of the mayor's clemency was to reduce the fine assessed against Poulas to $49 or twenty-nine days in jail.

The Atlanta Constitution Saturday, July 19, 1913 Call Is Issued After Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey Had Flatly Refused Request of Foreman. A call for the Fulton grand jury to meet at 10 o'clock Monday to take steps leading to the indictment of James Conley, the negro sweeper of the National Pencil factory who accuses Leo M. Frank, its superintendent, of the Mary Phagan murder was issued yesterday by Foreman W.D. Beatie after Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey had flatly refused the foreman's request to call the meeting. The move to indict Conley is wrong and should not be made, the

The Atlanta Constitution Saturday, July 19, 1913 Chief's Statement Follows the Publication of Report That Pinkertons Are Now of the Opinion Sweeper Is Guilty. "OPEN TO CONVICTION," SCOTT TELLS REPORTER "Our Testimony in Case Will Be Fair and Impartial," He Says—Grand Jury Called to Consider Indicting Conley. DEVELOPMENTS OF DAY IN MARY PHAGAN CASE Meeting of grand jury called to take steps leading to indictment of James Conley on the charge of murder, over protest of Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey, who declares that indictment of Conley will be useless procedure. Reported on Friday that the Pinkertons have changed their opinion

The Atlanta Constitution Friday, July 18, 1913 Among These Is One That Effort Will Be Made to Indict Conley. That the grand jury would meet possibly today or tomorrow and take steps toward indicting James Conley, the negro sweeper of the National Pencil factory, was a persistent rumor in circulation Thursday. From Foreman W.D. Beattie came the statement that he had not called for a meeting of the grand jury and that as far as he knew there would be no such action taken. Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey also declared that he had issued no call for the grand jury

The Atlanta Constitution Friday, July 18, 1913 In Final Fling at Broyles the Mayor Declares He Is Through With Controversies With City Officials. The word war raging between Mayor James G. Woodward and Judge Nash R. Broyles, police magistrate, which grew out of the mayor's use of the pardon prerogative, grew tense yesterday, when both sides hurled bitter excoriations at the other. Mayor Woodward took a final fling at Recorder Broyles in a statement last night. "I sympathize with Broyles," Mayor Woodward said. "He is, in my opinion, a political accident. No one takes him seriously. He is mad with

The Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, July 16, 1913 State Has No Intention of Changing Plan of Action in Phagan Case. The declaration of W.D. Beattie, foreman of the grand jury, that the grand jury had no intention of taking steps to indict James Conley, and a statement from Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey that as far as he was concerned the state would continue its present plan of action in regard to the Mary Phagan murder, apparently put a block to the rumor that the grand jury would go over the solicitor's head and indict the negro sweeper for murder. The

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, July 13, 1913 Girls of Fourteen and Sixteen Tell Recorder Revolting Stories of Vice. After relating a revolting tale of a career of vice on the streets and in the suburbs of Atlanta, Dora Rothstein and Corinne Wilson, two girls aged 14 and 16 years, stood unabashed in the recorder's court Saturday afternoon. Recorder Pro Tem Preston, shocked by their testimony, called for the parents of the prisoners. Two aged men and a woman stepped forward and stood before the judge. They were Mr. and Mrs. A. Rothstein, parents of the younger girl, and W.B. Engesser,

Caption reads: Detective Harry Scott (in Panama hat), of the Pinkertons, who played the hunch that Jim Conley, the negro, knew something of the girl's murder. The accompanying figure is Detective John Black, of police headquarters, whose work in co-operation with the Pinkerton man did much to solve the crime. Great dependence will be put in their testimony at the coming trial of Leo Frank, charged with the murder of Mary Phagan. The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, July 13, 1913 By Britt Craig. Have you ever had a hunch that there wasn't anybody around the table that held a higher hand

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, July 13, 1913 Solicitor Dorsey Does Not Believe the Negro Guilty of Any Part in Crime. That Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey does not believe that Newt Lee, negro night watchman at the National Pencil factory, who was bound over by the grand jury with Superintendent Leo M. Frank for the murder of Mary Phagan, is guilty, was the only matter of importance brought out yesterday at the hearing of the habeas corpus before Judge W.D. Ellis by which Lee's attorneys, Graham & Chappell, sought to free him. Judge Ellis denied the motion for habeas corpus

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, July 13, 1913 Jim Conley Declares Positively That He Has Made No New Admissions. Jim Conley, the negro sweeper, who was reached for a moment by newspaper reporters last night, reiterated his former story and declared positively that he had made no new statement of admission. The police have taken special pains to keep Jim secluded from reporters. Early Saturday night they managed to find him in a cell in "Drunkard's Row." He answered a few questions put to him, and seemed very willing to talk. An early arrival of the turnkey, however, prevented the newspaper

The Atlanta Constitution Friday, July 11, 1913 Insurance Man Who Made Affidavit Says Conversation Was With Some Other Negro—Saw Conley at Station. It was disclosed Thursday afternoon that William H. Mincey, the insurance agent who has made an affidavit to the effect that Jim Conley on the date of the Phagan murder drunkenly admitted that he had slain a girl had appeared at police headquarters during Conley's grilling and had positively failed to identify the negro. This was told a Constitution reporter by Detective Harry Scott of the Pinkertons and Detective Chief Newport Lanford. The insurance agent, they declared, had

The Atlanta Constitution Thursday, July 10, 1913 Discovery Made by Detectives Weeks Ago, But Is Just Announced The discovery of the pay envelope given Mary Phagan on the day of her murder is believed by detectives to furnish the missing link in the chain of circumstancial evidence they declare they have forged. The envelope was found by Detectives Harry Scott and John Black. It is now in possession of the solicitor general. It was discovered on the first floor of the plant building behind a radiator that is situated in immediate vicinity to the spot at which James Conye ,

The Atlanta Constitution Thursday, July 10, 1913 Soda Water Stands, Chop Suey Joints and Automobile Rides Figure in Her Narrative. NAME OF BUSINESS MAN BROUGHT INTO SCANDAL Hattie Smith Says She Registered With Men in Cumberland and Brittain—Recorder Binds Over Three. A story of vice that is unprecedented even in the sorbid history of police court, was poured into the ears of Judge Broyles Wednesday afternoon, when Hattie Smith, the 17-year-old "Girl of the Streets," was called to the stand. She made no attempt to withhold anything. She gave names and addresses with startling willingness, and told of her own

The Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, July 9, 1913 Because the attorney of Lena Barnhart, who is accused by Hattie Smith of being a white slave procuress, pleaded for time in which to obtain witnesses to the effect that the Barnhart woman had been introduced to the girl and had been her benefactress, the recent hotel vice scandal which was to have been given an airing yesterday in police court was postponed until today at 2:30 o'clock. Chief Beavers ordered detectives Tuesday morning to summon C. V. Kistner, proprietor of the Hotel Cumberland, to appear in recorder's court and bring the guest

The Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, July 9, 1913 Three Officers Are Suspended for Ninety Days, and Two Exonerated and Their Pay for Lost Time Restored. WOOD, BORN, FOLDS DISCHARGED BY BOARD Mayor Intimated He Would Ask Charges Be Preferred Against Moon, Who Said He Drank to Secure Evidence. The scandal in the police department which grew out of revelations that eight policemen visited the resort of Ola Bradley, a negress, at No. 129 Auburn street resulted in the dismissal of three, exoneration of two, and suspension of three for ninety days, by the police board, at 1:30 o'clock this morning. The

The Atlanta Constitution Friday, July 4, 1913 Attorney Chappell Declares Belief That Lee Has No Knowledge of Guilty Parties. An early effort is likely to be made to free Newt Lee, the negro night watchman who discovered the body of Mary Phagan, and who has since been held for suspected complicity in the crime. This is intimated in a statement issued by the negro's counsel, Bernard L. Chappell, who says he has arrived at the conclusion that his client knows absolutely nothing about the murder, except his grewsome discovery. Lee was not indicted, although his name was submitted before the

  The Atlanta Constitution Monday, March 9, 1914 Stated That He Was Willing to Reply to Any Questions That Might Be in the Mind of the Public, and Asked to Answer Any Such That Might Be Propounded to Him. TELLS HOW JIM CONLEY COULD HAVE SLAIN GIRL AND ESCAPED DETECTION Asserts That Very Fact That He Admitted He Had Seen Mary Phagan on the Day of the Murder, Thus Placing Himself Under Suspicion, Was Proof in Itself That He Was Innocent of Crime. Probably the most interesting statement yet issued by Leo M. Frank in connection with the murder for

The Atlanta Constitution Saturday, June 28, 1913 Indictments Grew Out of the Dictagraph Episode and the Letters Which Followed. Formal investigation into the invectives hurled between Colonel Thomas B. Felder and Detective Chief Newport Lanford resulted yesterday in indictments of criminal libel being returned by the grand jury against each of them for their cards and interviews in the daily papers in which they attacked each other's character, after the dictagraph row. Colonel Felder is held under two indictments on a bond of $500, while Chief Lanford has one indictment against him, and is free on the same bond. The

The Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, June 25, 1913 Date of Trial Changed From June 30 Until July 28 at Plea of Attorneys for Defense. The first appearance in open court of the indictment against Leo M. Frank for the murder of Mary Phagan came yesterday afternoon when Judge L. S. Roan, presiding over the criminal division of superior court, summoned attorneys for both sides, and after a hearing changed the date of trial from June 30, as set by Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey, to July 28. This and the legal move by the defense in serving upon Solicitor Dorsey, Police Chief

The Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, June 25, 1913 Rumor He Will Appear for Defense Emphatically Denied, However, by Senator. By John Corrigan, Jr. Washington, June 24.—Reports that Senator Hoke Smith will be associated with Luther Rosser and other lawyers for the defense in the trial of Leo M. Frank for the murder of Mary Phagan were current here today. These reports followed the visit to Washington on last Saturday of Luther Rosser, leading counsel for Frank and Ike Haas, president of the National Pencil company, which employed Frank as superintendent of the factory. Investigate Early Life. Mr. Rosser and Mr. Haas

The Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, June 24, 1913 Indications Are Case Will Begin on That Day—Jury Panel Not Yet Drawn by Judge Roan. The trial of Leo M Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil Factory, now under indictment for the murder of Mary Phagan on April 26 in the factory, has been definitely set for next Monday. This was the announcement of Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey last night after he had been working upon the court calendar for the coming week. Solicitor Dorsey announced Sunday upon his arrival from New York city where he had spent the past two weeks

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

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, June 22, 1913 Of especial interest in legal circles is the announcement that two of the leading law firms of Atlanta have joined forces, under the firm name of Rosser, Brandon, Slaton & Phillips. They will begin operation with offices on the west end of the seventh floor of the Grant building on July 1. Associated with the firm will be Luther Z. Rosser, Morris Brandon, John M. Slaton, Benjamin Z. Phillips, J. H. Porter, I. S. Hopkins, L. Z. Rosser Jr., V. B. Moore, J. J. Ragan, and James J. Slaton. Governor elect Slaton has

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, June 22, 1913 Journey Had No Relation to the Phagan Mystery or Dictagraph Incident, He Says. Colonel T. B. Felder returned Saturday from a six-day trip to Cincinnati. Much speculation was created by his departure for Ohio last Sunday and it was hinted that he had made the journey in interest of his recent connection with the famous dictagraph plot. It was also reported that he had gone behalf of the Mary Phagan investigation, in which he has been an active figure. His departure within less than twenty-four hours after Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey had left

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, June 22, 1913 Prominent Atlanta Lawyer Engaged to Aid in Defense of Pencil Factory Superintendent. NO WHITE MAN KILLED GIRL, ASSERTS LAWYER Formby and Conley Statements Should Not Be Given Credence So Far as They Tend to Incriminate Frank, He Says. Reuben R. Arnold, perhaps the best-known attorney in Georgia, has been engaged to aid the defense of Leo M. Frank, the suspected pencil factory superintendent, in the Mary Phagan mystery. This announcement was made from his office yesterday afternoon. In a statement that was furnished each of the newspapers, Mr. Arnold attacks the detectives for

The Atlanta Constitution Saturday, June 21, 1913 Doubt is expressed around the Fulton superior court that Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil factory, now under indictment for the murder of Mary Phagan, an employee, on the afternoon or night of April 26, will go to trial during June. This date was the one upon which the solicitor had suggested that the trial might be held, but it is believed that if the state should prove to be ready at that time, that the defense would move to postpone the trial, pending further investigation and preparation on their part.

The Atlanta Constitution Friday, June 20, 1913 State Declares Its Case Against Frank Is Now Complete Dorsey Still Absent Because of the inconsistency of her statement with the state's outline of prosecution, Chief Lanford intimates that Mima Formby , the roominghouse keeper of 400 Piedmont avenue, will not be called to the stand in Leo Frank's trial. He does not state this positively, however, but it is the general opinion that such will be the prosecution's action. Mrs. Formby has stated to a Constitution reporter that she is ready to testify against the factory superintendent and that she will remain

The Atlanta Constitution Thursday, June 19, 1913 When questioned last night as to the truth of the rumor that he will be associated with the defense of Leo M. Frank, indicted for the Mary Phagan murder, Reuben R. Arnold, one of Georgia's most prominent attorneys, refused to either affirm or deny the rumor. "I am not associated with the defense yet," Mr. Arnold said. "I cannot make any statement at the present time in regard to this matter." When questioned closely as to whether he would be engaged by the defense later on, Mr. Arnold made the same statement. Luther

The Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, June 18, 1913 Former Girl Employee and a Machanic May Testify Against Frank. Two new witnesses may be used by the state in the prosecution of Leo Frank when his trial is held on June 30. Chief Lanford is investigating the reported statement of a young girl living near Roswell and of a mechanic who resides near East Point. The former, a lass of 17, is said to have been employed in the pencil factory two years ago. For the past year or more she has been living with her parents at their home just outside

The Atlanta Constitution Monday, June 16, 1913 Solicitor Wants Photograph of Spot Where Mary Phagan's Body Was Found A flashlight picture, made by The Constitution's staff photographer is to be used as evidence by the prosecution in the trial of Leo M. Frank. This was made evident Sunday afternoon when Detective John Starnes applied to a Constitution reporter for the photograph of the spot in the pencil factory basement, where Mary Phagan's body was discovered. Starnes would not state why he wanted the picture, saying only that it would be used by the prosecution. He was extremely desirous of getting

The Atlanta Constitution Monday, June 16, 1913 Says Trip Has Nothing to Do With That of Solicitor Dorsey Following the departure of Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey for Atlantic City Saturday afternoon, Col. Thomas B. Felder left Sunday afternoon at 5:10 o'clock for Cincinnati. He said that his trip had no connection whatever with that of the solicitor general. He would not disclose his object in going to Cincinnati, however, and said only that he would be in the Ohio city for several days. Business was his motive in leaving, he declared, although he would not tell what business he

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, June 15, 1913 Grand Jury Will Probably Take Up the Dictagraph Probe While He Is Away. With the departure of Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey for New York yesterday afternoon, whither he declares he is going for a week's rest, and the announcement of Foreman L. H. Beck, of the grand jury, that only routine criminal business will be taken up at the meeting on Tuesday, comes a peculiar situation, as hitherto the solicitor's pretense has been considered necessary for the indictment of the regular class of criminals, and only when investigating on their own accord

The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, June 15, 1913 Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey Announces His Associate in Big Case. Just before leaving yesterday afternoon for New York, Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey announced that Attorney Frank A. Hooper would be associated with him in the prosecution growing out of the murder of Mary Phagan. Saying that Mr. Hooper was his personal choice, Dorsey also stated that Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Coleman, parents of the victim, had been consulted and had directed him to employ such counsel as he desired and that his choice of Mr. Hooper satisfied the Colemans. Attorney Hooper

  The Atlanta Constitution Sunday, June 15, 1913 Questions Put to Lanford Indicate That Investigation of Police Methods Is Being Conducted. TORTURE ERA IS PAST, CHIEF INFORMS JURY Science and Skill Now Employed by Detectives in Securing Confessions From Criminals, He Says. The police "third degree," which has created such widespread discussion during the Mary Phagan murder investigation, has been thoroughly explained to the grand jury by Detective Chief Newport A. Lanford, who appeared before that body at its request. Detective John Black, of headquarters, who has been an active figure in the Phagan case, is also said to have

  The Atlanta Constitution Saturday, June 14, 1913. Requests Investigation of the Gentry Affidavit—A. S. Colyar Is Not in Atlanta Now Colonel Thomas B. Felder yesterday requested that the grand jury make an early investigation of the affidavit submitted by George Gentry in which he declared that the dictagraph records were padded. On Friday afternoon he forwarded a letter to L. H. Beck, foreman of the jury, in which he asked that body to look into the matter as early as possible. Offering to appear before the jury at any time, Colonel Felder assured Mr. Beck that he could place

  The Atlanta Constitution Saturday, June 14, 1913 After a short hearing in his chambers yesterday Judge L. S. Roan, of the superior court, revoked his former order holding James Conley, the negro sweeper, as a material witness in the Phagan case, and ordered his release from the custody of the state. The negro was immediately rearrested and held by city detectives on a charge of suspicion. By this the detective department and Solicitor Hugh Dorsey won their first point, as had the negro been ordered held by the state, he would have been transferred to the Tower and placed

  The Atlanta Constitution June 13, 1913 Hearing Before Judge Roan Today Will Decide Whether Negro Will Be Sent to Tower. Whether James Conley, the negro sweeper, who swears that Leo Frank got his aid in disposing of Mary Phagan's body and made him write the notes found near her, will be held as a material witness in the county jail or turned free and re-arrested by detectives as a suspect and then kept at police station, is due to be decided at 10 o'clock on the hearing of the rule nisi before Judge L. S. Roan. The question of Conley's

  The Atlanta Constitution June 13, 1913 Felder Says He Will Be Produced at the Proper Time. Notary Declares Affidavit Is Genuine. Miss Jeannette Henning, the notary public whose official seal was attached to the affidavit made recently by George Gentry, has informed The Constitution that she took the document from him last Monday, and that although it is genuine, she does not know its contents. She states that she had never met Gentry prior to the time he made the affidavit. Chief Beavers, who has for the past several days been attending the convention of national police chiefs in

  The Atlanta Constitution June 12, 1913 Investigation of Charges and Counter Charges Will Begin at Early Date and Will Be Exhaustive One. LANFORD SAYS GENTRY WILL DENY AFFIDAVIT Affidavit Is Made Declaring Dictagraph Instrument Was Secured by Chief Lanford For Use in Phagan Case. Following close on the heels of the publication of the George M. Gentry affidavit, in which the young stenographer states that his typewritten report of the dictagraph conversation was padded, and says that he left town after he had discovered that he had fallen in with a "crowd of crooks," comes the assurance that the

  The Atlanta Constitution June 11, 1913 Detective Chief Says He Has No Reply to Make to the Charges of Counsel for Leo M. Frank. Following the public letter written yesterday by Luther Z. Rosser, counsel for Leo Frank, Detective Chief Newport Lanford said that he had no reply to make to the charges and that hereafter he intended to adopt a policy of silence. The chief smiled frequently while reading the attorney's statement, but be positively declined to comment on it. "Henceforth," he stated briefly, "It will be the attitude of the detective department to avoid publicity. It should

The Atlanta Constitution June 11, 1913 NOTEBOOK WILL PROVE REPORTS WERE ‘PADDED,' HE SAYS IN AFFIDAVIT Young Stenographer, Who Made the Report of the Conversation in Room No. 31 Williams House, Voluntarily Makes Statement Before a Notary Public in the City of Washington D. C., Where He Is Employed. ASSERTS THAT HE LEFT ATLANTA WHEN INFORMED OVER TELEPHONE HE MIGHT BE PUT UNDER ARREST Swears That A. S. Colyar Has Made Effort to Purchase His Original Notes, Which Are Now in Possession of His Brotheró"Grand Jury Should Make an Investigation" Declares Mayor James G. Woodward. The sworn charge that the

  Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, June 10, 1913 Many Witnesses Are Being Examined Every Day by Attorneys for the Defense That counsel for Leo Frank is ready for trial was freely reported over the city Monday. Attorney Luther Z. Rosser, his lawyer, when asked regarding this report, gave the reply that has been characteristic of his attitude during the Phagan case. "I have nothing to say." He would in nowise commit himself. It is understood, however, that Mr. Rosser has informed friends that the defense is ready and that there will be no delay in putting it before the jury, which

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, June 8, 1913 Declares That He Has Never Seen Gentry But Once in His Life. "Tom Felder is a contemptible liar," blazed Chief Lanford last night when informed of the contents of Colonel Felder's letter directed to him through The Constitution. "I never saw this Gentry but once in my life, and that was before this dictagraph exposure ever happened. I have never seen him since. "Gentry telephoned police headquarters Saturday, a week ago, however, and asked for Febuary, my secretary. Febuary happened not to be in at the time. I answered the telephone. Gentry wanted to

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, June 8th, 1913 Well-Known Attorney Writes Four Cards Covering All the Phases of Situation and Answering All Charges. DICTAGRAPH TRAP JUST "FRAME-UP," HE SAYS Col. Felder Asserts George Gentry, Who Took Down the Stenographic Notes, Will Return and Expose the Deal. Colonel Thomas B. Felder has written four cards—to Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford, Chief of Police Beavers, James R. Gray, editor of The Journal, and Foster Coates, manager of The Georgian—all bearing on the late pictograph incident which was published in the three papers of Atlanta. He states the whole thing was a "frame-up" from beginning

  Atlanta Constitution Saturday, June 7th, 1913 Report That Elevator in Pencil Factory Was Not Running Proves Groundless. Following a widely-prevalent rumor that Leo Frank's defense will strive to prove that the current was shut off from the pencil factory plant on the day Mary Phagan was slain, and that, for this reason, James Conley could not have lowered the girl's body to the basement on the electrically-driven elevator as he claims in his confession, it was established conclusively last night that the Georgia Railway and Power company's electric service was in effect on the tragedy day. This statement was

  Atlanta Constitution Saturday, June 7th, 1913 All Information in Future Must Come Through Office of the Chief. Chief Newport Lanford yesterday morning issued a special order prohibiting the disclosing of information to newspaper reporters. It was stated in The Constitution in its story Friday morning the investigation in the Phagan case had been seriously hampered by the publication of developments, many of which were made public in premature form. Solicitor Dorsey wrote Chief Lanford requesting him to clap on the lid. Chief Lanford, in a talk with reporters, said that much of the publication of developments was not caused

Atlanta Constitution Friday, June 6th, 1913 Personal Encounter in Solicitor's Office Is Narrowly Averted by Bystanders. What threatened to be a serious personal encounter between Colonel Thomas B. Felder and Detective Chief Newport Lanford was narrowly averted Thursday morning in Solicitor Hugh Dorsey's office by the interferences of bystanders. The two men who for several weeks have been hurling ugly charges at each other were facing each other at the time after the passage of a few words when they were seized and hustled away from each other. Out of the seriousness of the near fight grew a laughable incident

  Atlanta Constitution Friday, June 6th, 1913 Foreman Beck Delines to Talk of Probable Action of Jury—Felder to Issue a Public Statement. "The grand jury has finished its questioning of witnesses with its adjournment, and unless members of the jury should desire that those of the several witnesses summoned, who have not been heard, should be brought before them, there is nothing more to do." This was the statement made yesterday by L. H. Beck, foreman of the grand jury, which adjourned at 2 o'clock after a three-day probe in vice conditions in Atlanta. Foreman Beck stated that the body

Atlanta Constitution Friday, June 6th, 1913 Says the Wife of an Accused Man Would Be the Last to Learn of Her Husband's Guilt. MRS. FRANK BITTER IN HER CRITICISM Detective Department Not at All Disturbed Over Denial of the McKnight Woman That She Signed Affidavit. The wife of a man accused of crime would probably be the last person to learn all of the facts establishing her husband's guilt, and certainly would be the last person to admit his culpability, even though it be proved by overwhelming evidence. Perhaps the most unpleasant feature incident to the position of prosecuting attorney

Atlanta Constitution Thursday, June 5th, 1913 A. L. Colyar, Jr., George M. Gentry and G. C. Febuary Summoned at Request of Chief Lanford An investigation of the separate phases of the row resulting from the dictagraph traps laid by city detectives for Attorney Thomas B. Felder and Mayor James G. Woodward is believed to be forecast on the grand jury by the summoning before it of A. L. Colyar, Jr., George M. Gentry and G. C. Febuary. All these men played an important part of the performance and were summoned it is claimed at the request made by N. A.

Atlanta Constitution Thursday, June 5th, 1913 Sensational Affidavit Made for the Police by Minola McKnight, Servant in Leo Frank's Home. Fully as startling as the recent confession of James Conley, an affidavit purporting to have been sworn to by Minola McKnight, the servant girl of the Frank household, was given out to the newspapers yesterday afternoon by Chief Lanford. The detectives assert it is the "final straw" in the mass of evidence they boast of having accumulated. Attesting to a statement that Frank was nervous and excited on the tragedy night, the negress swears Mrs. Frank told of having to

Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, June 4th, 1913 Despite Gruelling Third Degree, Woman Maintains Denial of Having Told Conflicting Stories. FACED BY HUSBAND, SHE CONTRADICTS HIM Her Release Came After Her Attorney Had Threatened to Take Out Habeas Corpus Proceedings. Minola McKnight, the servant girl held in the Mary Phagan case, was given her freedom early last night, and left police headquarters for her home on Pulliam street. She was not liberated, however, until the detectives had obtained her signature to an affidavit telling what she knew of Frank's actions the day of the murder. Her husband, who was also carried to

Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, June 4th, 1913 Head of Police Department Invites Carl Hutcheson to Furnish Him With List of Houses. MORE WITNESSES WILL GIVE TESTIMONY TODAY Grand Jury Determined to Go to Bottom of Vice Allegations, But Will Not Touch Bribery Charge at Present. Renewed activities on the part of the police "vice squad" have come with the taking up vice probe by the grand jury, which was started yesterday morning, when a number of principals in the Felder-Beavers controversy were summoned to tell what they know of alleged operation of vicious houses and hotels in Atlanta. The grand jury

Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, June 3rd, 1913 Reported That She Is Being Held as Witness—Defense of Prisoner in the Tower Outlined. Another arrest was made yesterday in the Phagan mystery. Minola McKnight, cook and servant in the Leo Frank household, was sent to police headquarters by Detectives Starnes and Campbell when she hysterically created a scene at Pryor and Mitchell streets, sobbing and moaning that "they were going to hang her for something she knew nothing about." She is being held under a charge of suspicion. Chief Lanford said last night, however, that she will likely be used as a witness

Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, June 3rd, 1913 Subpoenas Served Monday Night on the Principals in Dictagraph Case and in Charges of Corruption. GRAND JURY TO HOLD INVESTIGATION TODAY Mayor Woodward, Col. Felder, Chief Beavers, Chief Lanford, Carl Hutcheson and Jno. Black Subpoenaed That the Fulton county grand jury will undertake today an investigation of both sides of the Beavers-Felder controversy was made apparent by the formal summons issued last night to all the principals in the affair. An added element of mystery to the investigation comes in the attempt made to summon Mrs. Mima Formby, the woman who made affidavit that

Atlanta Constitution Monday, June 2nd, 1913 Detective Chief Forms New Theory as to Reason Why Prisoner Is Said to Have Phoned Mrs. Formby. HER DISAPPEARANCE PUZZLING TO OFFICERS Lanford Says He Will Find Her in Time for Trial, But Does Not Know Where She Is Now. That Leo M. Frank telephoned Mrs. Formby on the night of Mary Phagan's murder for a room to which he would be able to remove the victim's body and thereby lessen suspicion against himself, is the theory on which Chief Newport Lanford is basing a search for Mrs. Formby, which is extending over the

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, June 1st, 1913 Friends of Leo Frank Have Tried to Intimidate Him, Negro Sweeper Tells Detective Chief as Reason for His Transfer to the Police Station. LANFORD RAPS SHERIFF DECLARING HE IS NOT ASSISTING THE POLICE "He Appears to Be Placing Obstacles in Our Way," Asserts Chief, in Speaking of Attempts to Interview the Suspected Superintendent. Mangum Denies Intimidation Attempts. Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford is authority for the statement that James Conley, the negro floor sweeper of the National Pencil factory, who, in his latest affidavit, has admitted his complicity in the Mary Phagan murder, after

Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 31st, 1913 Following is the complete signed confession of James Conley, the negro sweeper employed at the National Pencil factory, which was made to Chief of Detectives Lanford, Chief of Police Beavers, Harry Scott, of the Pinkertons, and others, late Friday afternoon: "On Saturday, April 26, 1913, when I came back to the pencil factory with Mr. Frank I waited for him downstairs, like he told me, and when he whistled for me I went upstairs and he asked me if I wanted to make some money right quick, and I told him, yes, sir, and

Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 31st, 1913 "No Man With Common Sense Would Even Suspect That I Did It," Prisoner in Fulton Tower Tells Attache. "It's a Negro's Crime Through and Through." Asserts His Innocence to Turnkeys and to Fellow Prisoners. "IT'S UP TO MR. FRANK TO TELL THE TRUTH," ASSERTS JAMES CONLEY "I Believe He'd Let ‘Em Hang Me to Get Out of It Himself if He Had the Chance," Says Negro Sweeper—Chief Lanford Is Pleased With Work of Department and Ready for the Case to Come to Trial Immediately. "No white man killed Mary Phagan. It's a negro's crime,

Atlanta Constitution Friday, May 30th, 1913 Amid the warp of falsehood and the woof of conjecture, one thing stands out like a scarlet thread in the Mary Phagan murder mystery—for mystery it still is and still will be until a jury of twelve men fixes the guilt on some man or men. That one thing—startling in its vivid contrast to the murky maze of contradictions—is the fact that James Conley, the negro sweeper employed at the National Pencil factory, wrote the notes which were found beside the mutilated and lifeless body of Mary Phagan early in the morning of April

Atlanta Constitution Friday, May 30th, 1913 Helped Frank Dispose of Mary Phagan's Body Conley Now Confesses Negro Sweeper Who Swore to Detectives That He Wrote Murder Notes Found Near Dead Girl's Body Now Admits His Complicity in Case, According to Statements Which Have Stirred Police Headquarters as Nothing Since Murder. LANFORD AND BEAVERS PLEASED OVER RESULT OF GRILLING NEGRO, THEY ANNOUNCE TO REPORTERS. Police and Detective Heads Refuse to Go Into Details of Negro's Statement Or to Discuss What He Said, But Declare That It Will Prove a Big Factor in the Murder Case—Negro Will Be Subjected to Another Third

Atlanta Constitution Thursday, May 29th, 1913 James Conley Makes New Affidavit, Swearing That He Wrote at the Dictation of Leo M. Frank. EVIDENCE CHAIN NOW COMPLETE, SAY POLICE Conley Declares Frank Gave Him $2.50 for Writing the Notes—He Writes "Night Witch" for Night Watchman. James Conley, the negro sweeper at the National Pencil factory, in which little Mary Phagan was murdered, made a new affidavit Wednesday morning in which he threw additional light on the case, incriminating Leo M. Frank, and which detectives think will solve the long-drawn-out mystery. "Write ‘night watchman,'" he is said to have been commanded by

Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, May 28th, 1913 Negro Sweeper, It Is Stated, Acknowledges That He Erred in Former Statement to the Detectives. POLICE NOW SATISFIED WITH NEGRO'S EVIDENCE Conley Is Taken to Frank's Cell, But Prisoner Refused to See Him Except in the Presence of His Lawyer. In a gruelling three-hour third degree at police headquarters last night, James Conley, the negro pencil factory sweeper, is reported to have made the statement that he erred in the date of his original confession and that he wrote the murder notes at Leo Frank's dictation at 1 o'clock on the Saturday of Mary

Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, May 27th, 1913 "If Beavers and Lanford permitted Febuary, ‘a trusted man,' to go out and circulate lies about corruption in the police department in an effort to trap someone, they have debauched their officers, and the sooner they are put out the better it will be for the men who work under them." Mayor James G. Woodward made the above reply to Chief James L. Beavers in a statement to The Constitution late Monday afternoon. They mayor declared that Febuary's part in the conspiracy has destroyed his usefulness with the department, and he is not fit

Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, May 27th, 1913 Dan P. Lehon Holds Conference With Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey and Other Officials and Then Makes Announcement of Severance of Connection With Case. FELDER TO CONTINUE PROBE, HE DECLARES; NO STATEMENT SOON "One of the Girls" in the Pencil Factory Brings Statement to The Constitution Defending the Character of Employees — Bribery Attempts Are Denied. As a startling climax to the sensational turn of affairs in the Mary Phagan murder investigation, it was announced yesterday by Dan P. Lehon, superintendent of the Burns southern offices, that his agency had retired from the investigation of

Atlanta Constitution Monday, May 26th, 1913 "Thousands of people in Atlanta are living the lives today that the murderer of Mary Phagan lived, and which culminated in the atrocious crime," declared Rev. W. W. Memminger, pastor of All Saints' Episcopal church. In a sermon yesterday morning which he devoted in great part to pleading for a better standard of morals in the daily life of man and woman. The woman who uses paint and powder, who dances the turkey trot and who dresses in a suggestive manner came in for scathing remarks from the rector, but the man who boasts

Atlanta Constitution Monday, May 26th, 1913 Sufficient Evidence Found to Convict Him, Declares Man Hired by the National Pencil Company. Announcing that he had secured evidence sufficient to convict his employer Harry Scott, assistant superintendent of the Pinkertons, who has been retained by the National Pencil company since the second day of the Phagan tragedy, said to a reporter for The Constitution Sunday night that it was his intention to help prosecute the suspected superintendent. Scott has been in command of the Pinkerton forces working on the investigation. His employment came about in answer to a telephone call from Frank

Atlanta Constitution Monday, May 26th, 1913 Reported Two Telephone Operators Will Swear to Conversations Held Over the Pencil Factory's Line. GAVE THEIR TESTIMONY BEFORE THE GRAND JURY A. S. Colyar Confers With Chief Beavers on Bribery Allegations—Case Now in Its Infancy, Says Chief. With the entire city aroused over the recent sensational Felder bribery charges and counter charges of graft and corruption in the police department, investigation of the Mary Phagan mystery continues. Police headquarters was elated Sunday over the progress and over new developments which have arisen. New testimony has been given by girl telephone operators relative to conversations

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Thomas B. Felder, the Atlanta lawyer who is accused of having offered a bribe for an affidavit of J. W. Coleman, stepfather of Mary Phagan, now in the possession of the police, yesterday issued the following statement: To the People of Atlanta: The publication of the sensational "story" in The Atlanta Journal on yesterday afternoon relating to myself and my connection with the Phagan case is but the symptom or manifestation of one of the most diabolical conspiracies ever hatched by a venal and corrupt "system" to protect crime in a civilized community. To

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 following affidavit concerning his connection with the Phagan case and with A. S. Colyar. Georgia, Fulton County—Personally appeared before the undersigned, an officer authorized by law to administer oaths, C. W. Tobie, who, first, being duly sworn, deposes and says: That he is a citizen of Chicago, with offices in the First National Bank building of that city, and that he is manager of the criminal department, west, of the William J. Burns National Detective agency; that he has occupied this position for the past ten months; that he has been connected with the

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Going to A. S. Colyar's room in Williams House No. 2, on Forsyth street, Wednesday afternoon to make efforts to get information of alleged grafting on the part of Chief of Police Beavers and Chief Lanford, Mayor James G. Woodward walked into as neat a trap as was ever devised. The same dictagraph which was alleged to take down the statements of Colonel T. B. Felder, is said to have been working while the mayor of Atlanta was in conference with E. O. Miles, a private detective; Febuary, Chief of detectives Lanford's clerk, and

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 National Pencil Company Director Gives Written Statement of Confidence in Superintendent. Declaring that he cannot too strongly indorse Leo Frank's moral character or business capacity, John O. Parmele, president of the Parmele company, manufacturers and importers, and a member of the board of directors of the National Pencil factory, last night gave The Constitution a written statement: "I am a member of the board of directors of the National Pencil factory," he writes. "My duties require me to be at the factory and in the private office of our superintendent, Mr. Leo M. Frank,

A. S. Colyar Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Four sworn statements concerning the career of A. S. Colyar, and declaring him a criminal and unworthy of belief, have been furnished The Constitution by Colonel Thomas B. Felder. They are as follows: Record in Nashville. State of Georgia, County of Fulton—Personally appeared before the undersigned, an officer authorized by law to administer oaths, C. R. Atchison, who, first being duly sworn, deposes and says: That he was born and reared in the city of Nashville, Tenn., and lived there until January 1, 1913, when he removed to the city of

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 That's the Way Mayor James G. Woodward Made Answer Saturday to Published Dictagraph Record. After Mayor James G. Woodward and read the published dictagraph record of the conversation alleged to have been held between him, A. S. Colyar, G. C. Febuary and E. O. Miles, in room No. 31, Williams House, Wednesday afternoon, he declared that it was a "frame-up by a dirty gang." The mayor told The Constitution that he would be willing to start a fund to employ Burns detectives to trace the motive which inspired Colyar and his companions. "I haven't

George Gentry. Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Lanford Declares No Printable Words Can Be Found to Describe Lawyer's Attack. "As for Tom Felder's charges of graft in the police or detective departments," said Chief Lanford last night, "they are as rotten as we have shown his character to be. There is no printable words that might be used to describe them. All Atlanta knows they are untrue, unfounded and are but the explosions of a distorted brain—a brain deformed by years of treachery, and they call him ‘Colonel' Felder. "He directs most of his charges of corruption toward the

G. C. Febuary, Secretary to Chief Lanford. Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 The probability of bribery charges to be made against others as well as Colonel Felder was intimated last night by Chief Lanford to a Constitution reporter. Documentary evidence involving one or more men is rumored to be in Lanford's possession. Also, his dictagraph is said to have reported secret conferences relating to the use of bribe money in the Mary Phagan case. This new phase of the bribery charges is said to pertain only to the bribing of witnesses in the Phagan investigation. Rumors to this effect

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 He Will Not Go to Trial Before the Latter Part of June, According to Solicitor General Dorsey. Leo M. Frank, indicted Saturday afternoon for the murder of Mary Phagan, the 14-year-old girl whose dead body was found at 3 o'clock on the morning of April 27 in the basement of the National Pencil factory, will not go to trial before the latter part of June, according to a statement which Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey made last night. Newt Lee, the negro night watchman, who called the police to the place, was left under

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

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Columbia, S. C., May 24.—(Special.—Governor Cole Blease, on whom the dictagraph was first sprung in the south, and by a strange coincidence through the instrumentality of Colonel T. B. Felder, feels that his time has come, and recent events are pointed to by him as his complete vindication. "'He that putteth on the sword by the sword he shall perish'—or words to that effect—is my biblical authority for the paraphrase that ‘he who uses the dictagraph against another and fails to prove anything by it, by the dictagraph himself shall be crucified,'" said Governor

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Marion Jackson Has No Comment to Make on Beavers-Felder Controversy. Marion Jackson and John J. Eagan, leaders of the Men and Forward Religion Movement were seen strolling down Decatur street last night about 9:30 o'clock. With them was N. A. Best, editor of The Continent, a religious journal published in Chicago. That Mr. Jackson and Mr. Eagan should be seen going down Decatur street in the direction of the police headquarters, at this time, when a new attack on the chief has been made, naturally caused considerable comment. Mr. Jackson denied, however, that his

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 "Except to say that I have absolute confidence in the honesty and integrity of Chiefs James L. Beavers and Newport Lanford, I do not care to express myself," said Carlos Mason, chairman of the police commission, yesterday when asked for an official expression in regard to the charges made by Colonel T. B. Felder that the police and detective departments are full of graft and corruption. "All that I know of the case has been learned through the evidence and statements made public," he said added, "and as I have not been drawn into

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 Professed Conversion During Revival at Cartersville and Married Rich Widow Before the Meeting Was Over. Athens, Georgia, May 24.—(Special.)—A. S. Colyar, now in the public eye in the Felder matter, had a short, hot, meteoric career in Athens in 1905. He came here representing himself as a former law partner of Hon. Andrew Lipscomb, of Washington, ingratiated himself with the bar, passed a forged check on his father at the Georgia National bank, secured the indorsement of Colonel C. H. Brand, then prosecuting attorney for the state, on a fraudulent draft and disappeared. He

Atlanta Constitution Sunday, May 25th, 1913 System of Corruption as Poisonous as That of the Mafia Exists in Atlanta, According to Statement Made by Attorney Accused of Trying to Bribe Secretary G. C. Febuary to Steal Affidavit in the Phagan Case—Says Detectives Are Trying to Shield Murderer of Girl. COLONEL FELDER IS MAKING HIMSELF LAUGHING STOCK, SAYS LANFORD; HINTS AT NEW BRIBERY CHARGES A. S. Colyar, Leading Figure in Bribe Charges, Is Placed Under Arrest on Warrant From Knoxville, But Is Released on Bond—Connally , Negro Employee of the National Pencil Factory, Tells Officers He Wrote Notes at Dictation of

Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 24th, 1913 City Detective Department Holds Statements Alleging Attorney Made Attempt to Secure Coleman Affidavit. SAY FELDER OFFERED $1,000 FOR THE PAPER Report of Conversation Between Col. Felder, Secretary Febuary and A. S. Colyar Taken Down by Gentry Colonel Thomas B. Felder—the man who brought the dictograph south and used it with such telling effect in the Blease investigation in South Carolina—has himself and a charge of against him and which the department declared . Charges are made that Colonel Felder offered a bribe of $1,000 in order to have affidavits Phagan murder case stolen from

Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 24th, 1913 Grand Jury is Now Engaged in Conducting Investigation of the Murder of Mary Phagan. That the state in its bills of indictment for the murder of Mary Phagan, brought separately against Leo M. Frank and Newt Lee, charges that the girl was strangled, was learned yesterday afternoon following the adjournment of the grand jury, which took up the case at 11 o'clock in the morning and went into its details until 1:45. Shortly after the adjournment of the grand jury Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey expressed himself as well pleased with the results of the

    Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 24th, 1913 "I am not surprised," said Chief Beavers when asked to give an expression on Colonel T. B. Felder's alleged statement regarding graft and immorality in the detective department. "I am not surprised in the least. "However, I don't think it would be very nice of him to have me ridden through the streets naked, as he is reported to have threatened. Besides being not nice, he might lay himself liable to prosecution for public indecency." Further than this, Chief Beavers maintained the sphinx-like attitude which has characterized him ever since a certain

Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 24th, 1913 A merry laugh was the first comment made by Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey when told of the reported dictograph evidence in which Colonel T. B. Felder is quoted as saying that he could control the mayor, the criminal court judge and Hugh Dorsey. Solicitor Dorsey was at his home at the time, endeavoring to find rest and recreation after the morning's work of placing the evidence in the Phagan case before the grand jury. Hugh Dorsey, Jr., was in his arms at the time and from the lad's continuous efforts to express his joy

Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 24th, 1913 State of Georgia, Fulton County: The affiant, J. W. Coleman and wife, citizens of Atlanta, Georgia, who reside at 146 Lindsay street. The affiant is the stepfather of Mary Phagan, deceased, the child who was foully murdered by a hellish brute on April 26, 1913. The affiant is in the employ of the City of Atlanta in the Sanitary department. The affiant, while at the police station during the coroner's inquest, the exact day he does not remember, was approached by a man somewhat under the influence of liquor, and said to the affiant,

Atlanta Constitution Saturday, May 24th, 1913 The little dictograph cunningly hidden in Detective Colyar's room in the Williams House No. 2 is said to have caught a conversation between Mayor James G. Woodward, Secretary G. C. Febuary of the detective department and Edward Miles, Wednesday afternoon, between 3 and 4 o'clock. Detective Colyar who drew Attorney Thomas B. Felder into the conspiracy was also present at the interview. Colyar sent Miles to the private office of Mayor Woodward in the Empire building, with an invitation that he examine affidavits which Colyar alleged to have in his possession charging police graft.

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

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

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

The Atlanta Constitution Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 (Page 3, Column 2) Evidence obtained by Detectives Black and Rosser Monday afternoon has led the detective department to suspect that little Mary Phagan was lured away by her murderer Saturday afternoon by the pleasures of a joy ride during which she was drugged or made drunk with whisky. This new aspect of the case came from R. B. Pyron, telegraph operator at the signal tower on the Central of Georgia railroad at the Whitehall street crossing. Pyron told the detectives Monday afternoon that about 10 o'clock Saturday night he was standing at

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

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

John M. Gantt, former bookkeeper of the National Pencil company, and acquaintance of Mary Phagan, who is under arrest, and was put through a gruelling third degree last night at police station. He maintains his innocence.   The Atlanta Constitution, Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 6) For Hours Detectives Labor With John M. Gantt, Former Employee of National Pencil Company and Alleged Admirer of Pretty Mary Phagan. SISTER OF PRISONER ADMITS SHE DECEIVED ATLANTA DETECTIVES Told Them Gantt Had Not Been Home When He Declared He Was in Bed. Now Admits Story Untrue. Gantt Caught in Marietta, With

  The Atlanta Constitution, Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 (Page 3, Column 6) A middle-aged woman, with signs of care and sorrow stamped on her features, pushed through the mob of people which crowded around the entrance to the Bloomfield undertaking establishment in which lay the body of Mary Phagan. She made her way determinedly, shoving and pushing. Reaching the doorway she was stopped from entering by Policeman Tribble who stood on guard. "You can't go in, ma'am. Nobody's allowed to see the body." "What?" she exclaimed. "Not letting anybody see her?" She stepped back as if aghast. For a moment

National Pencil Co. Building at 37-39 S. Forsyth St. in which the Phagan girl was slain The Atlanta Constitution Monday, April 28th, 1913 Page 1 Former Street Car Conductor Arrested as He Leaves the Home of His Sweetheart on Bellwood Avenue. As he was leaving the home of his sweetheart, Miss Pearl Robertson , on Bellwood avenue, early last night, Arthur Mullinax, a strikingly handsome youth, was arrested by Detective Rosser and carried to police headquarters. He is being detained under suspicion of having been implicated in the slaying of Mary Phagan. E. R. Sentell, a resident of 82 Davis

The Atlanta Constitution Monday, April 28th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 6) Chum Identifies Victim as Mary Phagan, of 146 Lindsay Street, Then Swoons. Girl Had Just Resigned From National Pencil Company, in Which Plant Her Body Was Found. MOTHER AND FATHER STAY UP ALL NIGHT WAITING HER RETURN Negro Watchman Is Under Arrest on Suspicion—Police Believe That She Was Lured to Building by Three Young Companions, Assaulted Despite Her Vigorous Struggles, and Then Killed to Shut Her Lips. While mother and father anxiously waited her return home Saturday night, pretty 14-year-old Mary Phagan lay dead in a corner of the

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Annie Hicks, a maid in the home of Charles Ersenbach, testified to having received a telephone call from Frank to Ersenbach, breaking a ball game engagement for the afternoon of April 26. "Do you recall Memorial day?""Yes, sir." "Did you get a telephone message from Mr. Frank?""Yes, he called at 1 o'clock and said tell Charles Ersenbach that he couldn't go to the ball game that afternoon. He stopped for a minute and said, to somebody beside him, ‘Hush, honey,' and I supposed he was talking to his wife." Dorsey on cross-examination. "How long have you

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 B. J. Nix, of Marietta, an office boy for Leo Frank from April to October, 1912 was the first witness, outside of those testifying to character, who was put on the stand Friday. The lad who gave his age as 19 swore that he had never seen Frank having women in his office. He stated that he left the office at 1 o'clock every other Saturday during the summer months. "Were you ever an office boy for the National Pencil company?" was Mr. Arnold's first question. "Yes, sir." "When?""From April to October of last year." "Did

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Miss Julia Fuss, a girl about 16 years old, and an employee at the National Pencil factory took the stand to testify as to Frank's character. She not only testified that she believed the defendant's character to be good, but that she had heard Jim Conley declare that Mr. Frank was as innocent as the angels in heaven. Mr. Arnold asked Miss Fuss whether she had ever been in Frank's office when anything immoral took place. She replied that she had not. "Do you know Jim Conley?""Yes." "Did you talk with him after the murder?""Yes. On

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Emma Hill, a maid in the Schiff home was called to tell of a telephone message for Herbert Schiff, made by Frank on the morning of the tragedy. "Do you remember anybody trying to call Schiff on the 26th of April?" "Yes, sir. Somebody who sounded like a boy, rang the phone and said tell Mr. Schiff that Mr. Frank wanted him at the office to do some work." "What time was it?" "It was about 11 o'clock. I woke Mr. Schiff and he said tell whoever it was at the phone that he would be

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Harry Gottheimer, a traveling salesman for the Montag firm and the pencil factory, took the stand to tell of an engagement he had made with Frank on the afternoon of the murder. "Do you remember seeing Frank on April 26?" he was asked by Arnold. "Yes, I saw him at Montag's about 10 o'clock that morning." "Did you talk with him?""Yes, I was at the desk in the office and he came over to speak to me. I asked him of two important orders which had been forwarded and he said that if I would come

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 The more or less listless curiosity of the courtroom spectators was scarcely aroused during the afternoon until the last witness was called who was Mrs. Rae Frank of Brooklyn, N. Y. The mother of Leo M. Frank. Not the slightest intimation had been given that Mrs. Frank would be called to the stand and a whisper of surprise spread over the room as the leaden-eyed mother, weary with the many days through which she has patiently sat and heard every conceivable blight cast at the name of her son slowly ascended the stand. As she held

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Miss Mary Perk, a forelady in the polishing department of the pencil factory followed Mrs. Carson to the stand. "Do you know Frank and his general character?" she was asked by Mr. Arnold. "Yes, for five years." "Is it good or bad?""Good." "Do you know Jim Conley?" "I saw him Monday. I accused him of the murder and he tucked his head and walked away." "Is his character good or bad?""Bad." Mr. Dorsey on cross-examination. "You reported your suspicion of Conley to Frank on Monday, didn't you?""No." "What made you suspect Jim?""He acted like he was

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Mrs. Dora Small, a machine operator for the pencil factory, was the last witness of the afternoon session. "How long have you been working with the factory?" she was asked by Arnold. "For five years." "Did you know Mary Phagan?""Only when I saw her." "Did you know Jim Conley?""Yes, I saw him the week after the murder." "Did you see him with newspapers?""Yes, he borrowed money from me to get them with." "Did he look like he was reading them?""He was reading them." "How was his coat?" Said Frank Was Innocent. "All buttoned up plumb to

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Walter Pride, a negro employee in the National Pencil factory, who is named in Jim Conley's story, was put on the stand in the middle of the afternoon. "Where do you work on Saturdays?" he was asked by Arnold. "I work every where anything is to be done on the machinery." "Have you missed a single Saturday since May?""No." "What floors do you work on on Saturdays?""From basement to the roof." "What do you do on the office floor?""Work on the toilets." "What time do you generally leave on Saturdays?""4:30 o'clock." "Ever see any women come

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 The greater part of the time Friday was taken up by the defense in producing witnesses to swear to the good character of Frank. One witness placed on the stand, F. F. Gilbert, an employee of Montag Mros. , swore that he did not know Frank well enough to testify to his character. The witnesses who were used solely to attest his good character were: Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Sommerfield, of 300 Washington street; F. Schiff, of 18 West Fair street; Joseph Gershon, of 390 Washington street; P. D. McCarley, of 24 Hemphill avenue, in

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Mrs. E. H. Carson, mother of Rebecca Carson, and a forewoman in the pencil factory, was put on the stand late in the afternoon. "How long have you been employed by the pencil factory?" "Three years." "Did you ever see blood spots around the dressing rooms?" "Yes." "When did you see Jim Conely last?" Saw Conley on Tuesday. "I saw him the Tuesday after the murder. He came to my machine, and I said: ‘Jim, I see they haven't go you yet.' Thursday he came again. I told him the same thing. He said that he

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 A. D. Greenfield, one of the owners of the building occupied by the National Pencil company, of which Frank is superintendent, followed the former office boy to the stand. He was questioned about the occupancy of the building by the Clark Woodenware company, and also about Frank's character. "How long have you been one of the owners of the building occupied by the National Pencil company?" Mr. Arnold asked. "Since 1900." "Has any new flooring ever been put in on the second floor since you became part owner of the building?""No." "Do you know Leo Frank?""Yes."

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Truman McCrary, an aged negro drayman, who once was an employee of the pencil factory, was put on the stand during the afternoon session. "Where do you work at present?" Mr. Arnold asked. "I run a street dray." "Where did you work up to May?" "At the pencil factory." "Did you work there on Saturdays?""Every Saturday for a year or more." "How late in the afternoons?""Sometimes until 3 o'clock and sometimes as late as 5." "On any Saturday afternoon did you ever see the front door locked?""No, sir." "Ever see Conley around the front door?""No, sir."

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Ike Haas, well-known manufacturer, was put on the stand during Friday afternoon. "How long have you been in Atlanta?""Four years." "What is your business?" "I am a manufacturer." "Do you know Leo M. Frank and his general character?" "Yes." "Is it good or bad?" "Very good." "Did you hear your telephone bell ring on the morning of April 27?" "No, but I heard my wife answering it." Hooper on cross-examination: "Your wife woke you up?""Yes." "There is some little difference between a wife and a telephone, isn't there, Mr. Haas?""Yes; but both are expensive and necessary."

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 M. O. Nix, credit man for Montag Bros., of whom Sig Montag is general manager of the National Pencil company, followed A. D. Greenfield to the stand. He identified Leo Frank's handwriting on a number of the financial sheets and on the one that he claims to have made up on April 26. When shown a sample of writing Frank did for the police when they desired to compare his writing with that on the murder notes, Nix said it looked like Frank's, but he refused to swear to it. "Previous to April 26 did you

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 Joseph Stelker, an employee of the National Pencil company, followed the Montag's credit man to the stand. Stelker was questioned closely about conditions at the factory, and while he was on the stand both sides again took up the much-discussed question of whether or not Frank had a raincoat with him on the day of the murder. Stelker, in his testimony, made the spectators laugh when he told of how Jim Conley had swindled him out of a half a can of beer. He also remarked that he thought Jim was a better negro for having

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 16th, 1913 MOTHER IDENTIFIES LETTER FRANK HAD WRITTEN TO UNCLE ON MEMORIAL DAY Testimony Used by Defense to Show That the Prisoner Could Not Have Written This Letter, Which Was of Considerable Length, Had He Been Laboring Under Stress of Excitement Which Would Have Followed the Murder of Mary Phagan. PENCIL FACTORY GIRLS SWEAR CONLEY CALLED FRANK AN INNOCENT MAN Witness After Witness Declare That They Never Saw Women in Office of Superintendent—The State Brings Girl Back From Home of Good Shepherd in Cincinnati to Give Evidence Against Prisoner—Her Testimony Is Kept a Secret. The defense played one

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Following Mrs. E. A. Marcus, eight character witnesses were placed on the stand. They were V. H. Kriegshaber, Max Goldstein, Sidney Levy, Rabbi David Marx, D. I. McIntyre, and insurance man and member of the firm of Haas & McIntyre, Dr. B. Wildauer, a dentist, and John Findley, superintendent for Dittler Brothers and formerly master mechanic for the National Pencil company. "Do you know Frank?" asked Mr. Arnold of Mr. Kriegshaber, who was first called to the stand. "Yes." "Is his character good or bad?""It is good." "How often have you come into contact with Frank?"

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Charles F. Ursenbach, husband of Mrs. Leo Frank's sister was put on the stand following Miss Dula May Flowers. He was used by the defense to show what Leo Frank had broken the baseball engagement early on Saturday morning. He also testified to Frank's demeanor after the crime and was asked a number of questions about lending Frank his raincoat Sunday afternoon. What the importance of the raincoat was, neither side would say, but each asked a large number of questions about it. "Did you see Frank on Sunday?" asked Mr. Arnold. "I did." "Did you

  Atlanta Constitution August 15th, 1913 Henry Smith, a mechanic in the pencil factory, who admitted on cross-examination that he had received a raise in salary in the past two weeks, went upon the stand to tell of Barrett's attitude in the case. "What department do you work in?" "The metal department." "Do you know of a man named Barrett who used to work there?" "Yes." "Ever hear of him getting a reward if Frank was convicted?" "I've heard him talk of it." "Did he ever go through the motions of counting money?" "Yes, he used to go by me

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Milton Klein, a wholesale lumber dealer, a frequent visitor of Frank's while he was in the tower, was the last witness of the day. He was cross-examined at length by Solicitor Dorsey, whose object apparently was to show that it was Klein who prevented the detectives confronting Frank with Jim Conley. The direct examination of Klein by Attorney Arnold was as follows: "How long have you known Frank?""Ever since he came here." "Was his character good or bad?""It was good." "When was the last time you saw Frank?" asked Solicitor Dorsey on cross-examination. "Did you see

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Harry Denham, an employee of the National Pencil company, was put on the stand after the Pittsburg man had testified to the character of the defendant. Denham was asked a number of questions about what happened in the building on the day of the murder and through him the defense made the point that the elevator made a loud noise when it ran. Denham swore that the elevator shook the entire building when it stopped and when it started. "Were you at the factory on Friday, April 25?" he was first asked. "Yes." "Were you there

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Mrs. M. Marcus, a relative by marriage of Mrs. Leo M. Frank, was the first witness called at the afternoon session. She was one of the friends of the Franks and Seligs who played cards at their home, 68 East Georgia avenue, on the night of April 26. She swore Frank acted naturally during all the time that she saw him and that he even got to laughing at a baseball story he was reading in a magazine and tried to break up their poker game by reading it to them. "Did you see Mr. Frank

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Another character witness was introduced by the defense in Harry E. Lewis, of Brooklyn, N. Y., former neighbor of Frank, and a former assistant to the district attorney. "Did you ever know Frank?" he was asked by Mr. Arnold. "Yes, for about twelve years." "How?""He was my neighbor." "Did you know him until he came south? What was his character?""Good." Cross-examination by Mr. Hooper. "Have you known him since he came south?""No." "You may come off."The second character witness of the Thursday session was Herbert Lasher, of Fleischman, N. Y., a former college mate of the

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 At the opening of the morning session yesterday Solicitor Dorsey motioned for the court to exclude the wife and mother of Leo M. Frank, Mrs. Lucille Frank and Mrs. Rae Frank, on account of the sensational outburst of the mother Wednesday afternoon, when she denounced the solicitor for attacking the character of her son. In reply to the solicitor's move to have the mother and wife of the defendant excluded from the court room, Attorney Arnold made a strong speech in their behalf, saying: "It is a new doctrine to me where a wife and mother

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Sig Montag, president of the National Pencil company and associate in Montag Brothers, was put on the stand at the close of the morning session. He testified that during part of the time named by Jim Conley in the dates at which he swears he watched for Frank on the first floor the Clark Woodenware offices occupied that portion of the factory building. He was examined by Mr. Rosser. "What was your connection with the pencil factory from May last?""First secretary and treasurer, then president." "How often did Frank come to your office?""Once a day except

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Charley Lee, a mechanic in the pencil factory, who admitted on cross-examination that he had received a raise in salary within the past two weeks, was called to testify to a number of accidents on the second floor from which blood had been spilled in vicinity of the dressing rooms where blood spots were found after the tragedy. "Do you remember an accident in the metal room on October 4, 1912?""Yes, a man named Duffy was cut on the finger and bled freely." "Was his finger cut to the bone?""Yes." "Did he go to the ladies'

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 The first of a chain of witnesses who were produced to prove Frank's movements during the time he left the pencil factory for dinner was Miss Helen K. Curran, a pretty stenographer, who stated that she met him at Jacobs' pharmacy on Whitehall street and Alabama. She was questioned by Mr. Arnold. "Where were you on April 26?""A little after 1 o'clock I was standing at Jacobs' drug store at Whitehall and Alabama streets. It was about 2:05 o'clock." "Did you see Frank?" "I had been standing for five minutes on the corner when I turned

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Following Denham, J. R. Leach, a division superintendent for the Georgia Railway and Power company, took the stand. He was asked a number of questions by the defense about street car schedules, and on cross-examination proved a good witness for the prosecution by declaring that street cars frequently arrived in town some minutes ahead of their schedule and that the motorman and conductors were often punished for this. W. M. Mathews and W. T. Hollis who swore to bringing Mary Phagan to town on the day of the murder had declared that cars never reached town

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 R. A. Sohn, superintendent of the Jewish Orphans home, was called to testify on Frank's behalf. The witness said that his residence was at No. 408 Washington street. He said that he has known Frank a good many years and that his character was good. He was excused without undergoing cross-examination by Solicitor Dorsey. Alex Dittler, secretary of the Jewish Alliance and an officer of the Federation of Jewish societies, also testified to Frank's good character. The witness said that he has been a resident of Atlanta more than thirty-eight years. He was deputy city marshal

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Miss Eula May Flowers, an employee of the National Pencil factory, was put on the stand following the two Cornell professors. "Were you at the factory on April 26?" asked Mr. Arnold. "Yes." "What department are you in?""The packing department." "Who got the data and when from you for the financial sheet made up on April 26?""Mr. Schiff got it from me about 6 o'clock Friday afternoon." "You say you always turned in your report on Friday afternoons?" asked Attorney Hooper, who took up the cross-examination. "Yes," the witness replied, "either on Friday afternoons or early

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Mrs. Charles F. Ursenbach followed her husband on the stand. During the cross-examination by Attorney Hooper she was asked scores of detailer questions about the words and manner of Leo Frank on the Sunday that the body was found. "What is your relation to Mrs. Leo Frank?" asked Mr. Arnold. "I am her sister." "Did you hear about the message from Mr. Frank saying he could not go to the ball game with your husband that Saturday?""Yes, I got it from the servant." "At what time?" "At about 12:30." "Did you see Frank on Sunday?" "Yes."

  Atlanta Constitution August 15th, 1913 John W. Todd, of Pittsburg, PA., purchasing agent for the Crucible Steel company, who was with Frank at Cornell university, followed Mrs. Emil Selig to the stand. He was asked if he knew the general character of Frank while at college and replied that he did and that it was good. He was let off with no cross-examination and went over and shook hands with the defendant and his wife and mother. He then passed by the press table and shook hands with a newspaper man who formerly worked in Pittsburg. After staying a

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Miss Rebecca Carson, a forewoman in the pencil factory, who made the startling statement that Jim Conley had admitted to her that he was drunk on the Saturday of the murder was put on the stand. "Did you see Leo Frank at any time on April 26?" "Yes, I saw him on Whitehall street near Hunter between 2:20 o'clock and 2:25." "Did you speak to him?""Yes." "Did you come to the factory Monday morning following the murder?""Yes." "Did you see Frank?""Yes." "Jim Conley?""Yes." "Did you talk with Conley?""Yes." "What did he say?""I asked him where he

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Mrs. A. Marcus, a sister of Mrs. Leo Frank, followed Mrs. C. F. Ursenbach, another sister. She was among those who played cards at the Selig home on April 26. "Did Frank and his wife play cards with the rest?" Mr. Arnold asked. "No." "Where were they?""Mr. Frank sat in the hall reading and his wife was in and out of the room." "What time did they go to bed?""Something after 10 o'clock." "Was Frank nervous?""No." "Anything unusual about him?""No." "You say Frank sat in the hall reading, did you?" asked Attorney Hooper on cross-examination. "Yes,"

  Atlanta Constitution August 15th, 1913 Following the testimony of those who claimed to have played poker at the Emil Selig home on the night of April 26, Mrs. Selig, Leo Frank's mother-in-law was placed on the stand and asked a number of questions about the happenings at her house on Sunday, April 27. To most of the questions from the state on cross-examination she replied that she had forgotten. When the witness took the stand, Attorney Arnold called on the state for the affidavit which Minola McKnight, the Selig's cook, signed at police station and later repudiated. "Mrs. Selig,"

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 15th, 1913 Classmates and Instructors at Cornell Come to Atlanta to Testify to His Clean Life While at College and to Show Their Loyalty to Old College Friend. DORSEY ASKS REMOVAL OF LEO FRANK'S MOTHER AND WIFE FROM COURT Judge Warns Them That Another Scene Like That of Wednesday, When Mrs. Rae Frank Denounced Solicitor, Will Result in Barring Them—Leach Proves Good Witness for the State Although Called to Testify by Defense More witnesses were examined Thursday than on any day since the trial of Leo M. Frank began. However, there was little adduced from the testimony that

  Atlanta Constitution August 14th, 1913 Dr. William Owen, physician and real estate man, followed Dr. W. S. Kendrick on the stand. By him the defense desired to show that to carry out the movements told of by Jim Conley from the time he alleges Leo Frank called upon him to help move the girl's body until he left the factory would take much longer than Conley declared he took. After establishing his identity, Mr. Arnold began the examination of Dr. Owen, which resulted in the argument. "Dr. Owen, at our request you went to the factory of the National

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 14th, 1913 Mrs. Rae Frank, the mother of the prisoner, startled the courtroom shortly before 4 o'clock, when she denounced Solicitor Dorsey, when he made an attack on the character of her son. J. Ashley Jones, a local insurance agent, was in the witness chair testifying to the moral character of the accused when the incident occurred. He was asked by Solicitor Dorsey if he had over heard of Frank taking little girls out to Druid Hills, sitting them on his lap and fondling them. Mrs. Frank glanced furiously at the prosecutor, and rising from her chair, she

  Atlanta Constitution August 14th, 1913 Following the putting off of the decision in regard to Dr. William Owen's testimony, seven Gwinett county citizens were introduced to add to the thick coat of lampblack already smeared over the character of C. Burgess Dalton, the man who accuses Frank of immoral conduct in the office of the National Pencil factory. All of the men swore that they would not believe the man on oath and only one or two of them were cross-examined by the state. The men introduced were O. A. Nix, attorney and former member of the legislature; Samuel

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 14th, 1913 Bending his efforts to break down the testimony of Lemmie Quinn, foreman of the metal room, Solicitor Dorsey subjected the witness to a severe grilling when court reconvened at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. When Quinn resumed the stand he was still under direct examination by the defense. In answer to Attorney Arnold he declared that he was still an employee of the National Pencil factory. Solicitor Dorsey began cross-examination. "When was it these men bled on the floor of the metal room?" "About a year ago," Quinn replied. "What were their names?" "I remember that C.

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 14th, 1913 The financial sheets which experts declared required from three to three and a half hours to compile were introduced in evidence after Oscar Pappenheimer, a stockholder in the National Pencil factory was examined. Mr. Pappenheimer testified that he had been a stockholder in the company since 1910. "Have you been getting comparative sheets from Frank since 1910?" Attorney Arnold asked. "Yes, sir." "Where have you been in the habit of receiving them?""Before deliveries of mail stopped on Sunday I invariably found the report in my mail box on Sunday morning. After that I received it every

  Atlanta Constitution August 14th, 1913 Frank Paine, formerly an office boy for the National Pencil company and who claims to have been working there on Thanksgiving day of last year, was placed on the stand following the introduction of the three character witnesses. The lad stated that he and Herbert G. Schiff were at the factory on the morning of Thanksgiving day, and that Schiff sent him to the top floor to help Jim Conley straighten out some boxes, which were cluttered around there. He declared that Conley left about 10:20 and then he left at 11 o'clock or

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 14th, 1913 Lemmie Quinn, foreman of the metal department of the National Pencil factory, was put on the stand by the defense following the ex-office boy. "Aren't you foreman of the department Mary Phagan worked in?""Yes." "Do you recall the time R. P. Barrett found the spots on the floor?""Yes." "Did Barrett ever state to you about his hope of getting a reward?""Yes, he asked my opinion." "What statement has he made about getting a reward if Frank should be convicted?" "He asked me if I didn't think he was entitled to something." "Did anybody ever see that

Atlanta ConstitutionAugust 14th, 1913 Dr. William S. Kendrick, head of the chair of medicine of the new Atlanta Medical school and for the past thirty eight years a general practitioner of medicine, was the first witness put on the stand Wednesday morning. The physician on the stand declared the deductions of Dr. H. F. Harris, secretary of the state board of health, as to the time of Mary Phagan's death and the alleged violation as nothing more than guesswork. On cross-examination the solicitor forced Dr. Kendrick to admit that he was no expert on digestion and that he had not

The Atlanta Constitution, August 18th, 1913 “In my five years of experience as deputy sheriff in the criminal division of Fulton superior court,” said Plennie Miner, who needs an introduction to no one, “I have had to handle many, many juries in many famous murder cases, but I have never had less trouble and more ease in providing for twelve men than in the Leo Frank trial. “In the average jury, there are men from every walk of life, farmers, engineers, baggage men, clerks, merchants and professionals of all character. Some retire early at-night, some sit awake until past midnight.

The Atlanta Constitution Wednesday, August 20th, 1913 Court Rules Out All Specific Acts of immorality Charged to Prisoner, Despite Vigorous Fight Made by Solicitor Hugh Dorsey, Who Had Called Many Witnesses to Prove His Character Bad. DR. SAMUEL BENEDICT COMES TO THE DEFENSE OF DR. ROY F. HARRIS State Makes Strong Effort to Show, That Minola McKnight Was Not Coerced Into Signing the Statement Which She Afterward Repudiated – Boy Says He Saw Frank With Mary Phagan. The state was given a big setback Tuesday when Judge Roan ruled out all specific acts of immorality charged to Frank which Solicitor

The Atlanta Constitution Thursday, August 21st, 1913. Solicitor Dorsey make a persistent effort Wednesday morning to show that the character of Leo Frank is anything but good. Ha laid particular stress upon his character as to his relations with women and girls, and introduced a large number of women who testified that in this respect his character was in their judgement bad. Among those who testified merely that his character was bad without going into details were: Mrs. Marion Dunnigan, who stated that she worked at the pencil factory two or three weeks about two years ago. She testified that

The Atlanta Constitution Thursday, August 21st, 1913. Following the introduction of the telegram Solicitor Hugh Dorsey began another attack on the character of Leo Frank and after a bitter wrangle secured the right to ask factory girls in regard to Frank's character in his relations to women. This was argued with the jury excused from the room and was the subject of a bitter fight, the state saying that when Frank on the stand had claimed himself to have always lived a virtuous life, he had opened up the way for the state to prove he was not of a

The Atlanta Constitution Thursday, August 21st, 1913 J. M. Gantt, who has been an important figure in the state's case, was called during the afternoon to testify to the length of time in which he has seen Frank make out the financial sheet and to the inaccuracy of the 'punch-clock on the second floor. “Did you ever see Frank make out the financial sheet?” Mr. Dorsey put. “Yes.” “How long did it take him to make it?” “With the data at hand, I have seen him make it out in an hour and a half.” “About this punch-clock-—was it accurate?”

The Atlanta Constitution, Thursday, August 21, 1913. Page 3. John Starnes, prosecutor of Leo Frank, was put up to tell about the Minola McKnight affidavit. “Did you Investigate the scuttle hole around the elevator? was Dorsey's first question. An objection by the defense was overruled. “See any blood spots there? “No.” “Now, tell the jury about the Minola McKnight affidavit.” “Pat Campbell and I arrested her at the solicitor's office. We had gone to get a statement from her husband. We also had information from this husband that she had made the identical statement which she made in the affidavit.

The Atlanta Constitution, Thursday, August 21, 1913 Page 3. J. B. Reed, a tile layer, told of a talk with W. T. Hollis, a conductor, who, he declared, had expressed sorrow at having brought Mary Phagan into town on her last trip, the day she was slain. Hollis, just previously, had denied making such a statement. “Do you know W. T. Hollis,” the solicitor asked the witness. “Yes.” “Ever talk with him about Mary Phagan riding his car into town?” “Yes, on Monday following the murder. I got in his car at Broad and Hunter streets, and he told me

The Atlanta Constitution, Thursday, August 21, 1913 Page 2. Dr. Clarence Johnson, when called to the stand Wednesday morning as the first witness, designated the deductions of Dr. H. T. Harris in regard to the time of Mary Phagan’s death after eating as scientific statements based on scientific facts. When recalled to the stand Dr. Johnson, who is a noted stomach specialist, and who testified on Tuesday afternoon, was asked the direct question about what he would conclude from conditions such as Dr. Harris had reported finding in Mary Phagan’s body. He said he would say the girl had died

The Atlanta Constitution, Thursday, August 21st, 1913. Page 2. Several employees of the Georgia Railway and Power company were introduced by the prosecution Wednesday to testify as to the time of the arrival of the English avenue street car at Broad and Marietta streets on the day of the murder and to the fact that cars occasionally did arrive ahead of time. A witness was also introduced to show that Mary Phagan was not on the English avenue car after it turned into Broad street from Marietta, although the men in charge of the car had testified that she got