Thursday, May 15, 1913 No Phagan Trial Before Last of June, Declares Solicitor
If Indictments Are Returned by Grand Jury When Bills Are Presented There Will Be No Immediate Trial
WM. J. BURNS COMING, SAYS THOS. B. FELDER
He Calls Upon the Public to Subscribe a Fund to Pay the Expense of Bringing the Great Detective to Atlanta
Should the Fulton County grand jury, when it meets next Thursday or Friday, return a true bill against either one or both of the men held by the coroner's jury in the Mary Phagan murder investigation, the state will not attempt to bring them to trial before the latter part of June.
The rumors to the effect that the state would rush the trial at a special court session if Leo M. Frank or Newt Lee is indicted for the killing by the grand jury were put to rest Thursday by a statement from Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey.
The examination of witnesses by the solicitor continued on Thursday, and a number of witnesses in the case appeared at the solicitor's office to make …More
Thursday, May 15, 1913 Victim of Murder Prepared to Die, Believes Dorsey
Identification Slip Carried by Mary Phagan in Her Pocketbook Causes Theory That the Victim Had Been Threatened With Violence
Either threatened with death or warned by some dread premonition of an untimely end, Mary Phagan is believed by Solicitor Dorsey to have prepared for her tragic fate by writing the identification slip discovered hidden in a compartment of the metal pocketbook which she carried daily.
The slip was given to the solicitor on Wednesday morning by a reporter for The Constitution, who also made an authorized statement of the source from which it was obtained. It had been given to him by J. W. Coleman, stepfather of the girl victim.
The slip was written six days before the murder. Her parents had never known her to possess such an article, and its presence in her pocketbook is said by them to be as mysterious as her death itself. Mr. Dorsey values it highly.
New Theory Based on the Slip
On the slip …More
Wednesday, May 14th, 1913 New Theory Fails to Change Course of Murder Probe
A Local Celebrity" Is Working Out the New Theory but Had Not Reported to the Solicitor by Wednesday
Girl's Handwriting Gives Important Clue; Grand Jury to Take Up Case May 22 or 23; Criminal Court Postpones Session at Dorsey's Request
Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey had received no word by Wednesday from the individual working on the new theory in the Mary Phagan murder investigation. With witness examinations continuing and the broader inquiry pressing forward along its established lines, it has become increasingly apparent that the new theory, whatever its merits, has not redirected the course of the probe.
The man pursuing the theory is described by Dorsey only as "a local celebrity," working on it alone. The Solicitor gave no indication of when the man is expected to deliver a report.
At ten minutes past two Wednesday afternoon, Dorsey announced that the Grand Jury will take up the Phagan case on either …More
Wednesday, May 14th, 1913, Friends Say Frank's Actions Point to Innocence
If Leo M. Frank is in any way guilty of involvement in the murder of Mary Phagan, his conduct during his weeks of imprisonment flatly contradicts the established theories of the world's foremost criminologists, according to those who have visited him at the Tower.
Psychologists have long operated on the principle that the crushing weight of guilt upon a murderer's mind will, given sufficient time, eventually overwhelm whatever composed exterior he presents to his accusers. This approach, sometimes called "silent treatment," has been put to systematic use with striking results. Prisoners accused of terrible crimes have been left alone in their cells to brood through the long night hours. A scream echoing down the prison corridors has more than once betrayed a guilty conscience. Jailers rushing to investigate have found prisoners re-enacting their crimes in their cells, muttering the words they spoke at the moment …More
Wednesday, May 14th, 1913
Clue Is Sought in the Handwriting of Mary Phagan
Reporter of The Constitution Is Summoned by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey for Conference
Officials Investigate Theory of Mystery; Much Interest Created by Report That a New Arrest May Be Made
The handwriting of Mary Phagan is likely to become one of the most significant elements in the investigation of her murder. Rumors emerging from the Solicitor General's office Tuesday indicated that new clues had been found in the form of notes or letters, and that considerable effort is being focused on that line of inquiry.
Handwriting experts have been summoned to appear before Dorsey Wednesday morning. A reporter for The Constitution, known to hold several specimens of the murdered girl's writing, has also been ordered to present himself at the Solicitor's office at ten o'clock. It is reported that mysterious notes have been uncovered by members of Dorsey's staff, and that his purpose in examining the reporter's …More
Wednesday, May 14th, 1913 Secret Hunt by Burns in Mystery Is Likely
Probably Will Not Reveal Presence in City as He Investigates Phagan Case
Colonel Thomas B. Felder said Wednesday that Detective William J. Burns had not yet arrived in New York from his European trip, but that upon doing so he would almost certainly set out immediately for Atlanta to work on the Mary Phagan strangling case.
Felder knows precisely when Burns is expected to reach the city but is deliberately withholding that information for the purposes of the investigation.
"There was no authority for the statement that Detective Burns would be in New York on Tuesday," Felder said. "The date of his arrival has been known in my office, but it had not been made public."
He added that Burns would very likely slip quietly into Atlanta without announcement, conduct his investigation, and depart before most people were aware from their own knowledge that he had ever been on the case.
In Touch With Burns Agency
Felder has …More
Tuesday, May 13th, 1913
Mystery Within a Mystery Now Baffling Newspaper Men Working on the Phagan Case
A veil of secrecy so thick it has shut out every ray of light surrounds the identity of the private detective engaged by Solicitor General Dorsey in the Phagan investigation. Newspaper men working the case have been unable to learn anything beyond the bare facts: the mysterious detective worked on the case for only one week and has since left Atlanta, reportedly traveling some distance away to pursue another matter.
"This detective, one of the best in the country," Dorsey has said, "did not leave the case on account of any dissatisfaction on my part. I am absolutely satisfied with his work and hope he will continue working on the case."
Where Did He Come From?
Where the detective came from is known to no one but Dorsey himself. In an interview Monday, the Solicitor declared that he has not disclosed the man's name to a single person and that his movements are known to no one save …More
Tuesday, May 13th, 1913
"My Son Is Innocent," Declares Mother of Leo M. Frank
"I Am Confident That He Will Be Proven Not Guilty of This Terrible Crime," She Tells Reporter
Has Not Seen Her Son Since He Was Married; W. J. Burns Secured to Take Charge of Phagan Mystery Investigation
Another Arrest Expected in Phagan Mystery
Reliable sources reported Tuesday morning that officers working the Mary Phagan murder case expect to make a new arrest either that day or the next, one that could throw an entirely new light on the case. None of the officials involved have spoken publicly about this development, and whether the activity of recent days has produced leads sufficient to justify an arrest remains unknown.
Frank's Mother Speaks
"My son is entirely innocent, but it is a terrible thing that even a shadow of suspicion should fall upon him. I am sure of his innocence and am confident that he will be proven not guilty of this terrible crime."
Those words were spoken Monday afternoon by Mrs. …More
Tuesday, May 13th, 1913
New Theory Is Offered in the Phagan Mystery
Detectives Not Centering All Their Efforts on Frank and Lee Now
Investigators working the Mary Phagan murder case are no longer directing all of their attention toward Leo M. Frank and Newt Lee. New theories have been put forward, fresh leads are being examined, and every plausible line of inquiry is receiving consideration.
Street rumors circulating Tuesday held that Solicitor Dorsey had picked up an entirely new lead, one that could potentially clear both Frank and Lee of suspicion. Dorsey himself paid the reports little mind.
"There are no developments so far which would tend to swerve the prosecution from its present course," he said. "The cases of the two men held will be placed before the Grand Jury as soon as the evidence against them can be properly shaped, unless other developments justify a change."
New Theory Investigated
The new theory drawing attention was brought forward by a private detective working for …More
Tuesday, May 13th, 1913, Mother Thinks Police Are Doing Their Best
Mrs. J. W. Coleman, mother of fourteen-year-old Mary Phagan, rose from her grief on Tuesday for the first time in sixteen days and returned to her household duties, resigned to the tragedy that has shattered her home and trusting in the law to bring justice for her daughter's death.
"It was such a beautiful morning," she told a Georgian reporter, "And I have been able to rest now for three nights, so I felt like doing my work again. My house has been in such a turmoil since this dreadful tragedy. I feel helpless, and I have resigned myself to the sad lot that has befallen us. All we can do is wait, and waiting is a hard task."
No Complaint of Police
Mrs. Coleman was careful to make clear she holds no grievance against the officers handling the investigation.
"Don't misunderstand me. I am not complaining about what the officers are doing. It is far better to go slow and be sure we are doing right than to hurry and make a …More
Tuesday, May 13th, 1913
Frank's Life in the Tower
Of all the prisoners currently confined in the Tower, Leo M. Frank stands apart as the one who commands the greatest public attention, even as the investigation into Mary Phagan's death continues without resolution.
Hundreds of curious citizens present themselves at the prison each day in hopes of catching a glimpse of the man at the center of the mystery, only to be turned away. Jailers field a constant stream of questions about how Frank is managing his days behind bars.
Only his attorneys, his closest relatives, and a small circle of friends have been granted access to him. Frank himself has steadfastly refused to speak to reporters or submit to questioning of any kind. On the charges laid against him by the state, he has maintained complete silence.
Cheerful With Friends
With those he knows, however, Frank presents a remarkably composed and even upbeat face. His laughter is often heard echoing through the grim corridors of the Tower …More
Tuesday, May 13th, 1913 Solicitor Dorsey Is Working a New Theory in the Phagan Mystery
He Will Not Disclose Its Nature, but He, Lanford, and Beavers Declare No Arrests Are Contemplated
Solicitor Would Welcome Help of Burns; New Witness Miss Ross Talks With Dorsey
A new theory surrounding the murder of Mary Phagan has been presented to Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey in terms persuasive enough that the chief prosecuting officer of Fulton County has shifted the direction of the investigation to explore it. The theory was advanced by an unknown criminologist, and while Dorsey acknowledges there is as yet nothing definitive to show for it, he considers the idea well worth pursuing.
The Solicitor refuses to reveal the nature of the theory or identify who brought it forward. He did, however, offer a statement that many will find significant.
"We are not bottled up by any one theory," Dorsey said. "We have not concluded, and we are open to the truth."
If the new theory proves correct, it is …More
Monday, May 12th, 1913
The Phagan Case Day by Day
A Daily Record of the Baffling Mystery, From Discovery to the Present
The following is a chronological account of the Mary Phagan murder investigation, as it has unfolded from the beginning:
Sunday, April 27th, 1913 — The body of Mary Phagan is discovered in the basement of the National Pencil Company factory. Newt Lee, the Black night watchman who made the grim discovery, is arrested. Arthur Mullinax, a street car employee, is also taken into custody. Both are held on suspicion.
Monday, April 28th, 1913 — Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the factory, is detained for questioning but later released. J. M. Gantt, a former bookkeeper at the pencil company and acquaintance of the dead girl, is arrested in Marietta. A Black elevator boy is also taken into custody. The Pinkerton National Detective Agency enters the case.
Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 — A bloody shirt is found at the night watchman's home. Investigators advance the theory that the …More
Monday, May 12th, 1913
"Find the Guilty Man," Frank's Lawyer Told Pinkertons
"You Are Employed to Hunt Down the Murderer, It Matters Not Who He Is," Luther Rosser Informs Detectives
Grand Jury to Probe Mystery Next Week; Solicitor Dorsey States He Wants All Evidence Ready Before Opening Hearing
Officials of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, brought into the Phagan case through the National Pencil Company's connection to Leo M. Frank, recently approached company authorities to clarify the terms of their engagement. Speaking in the presence of Frank's counsel, Luther Z. Rosser, the Pinkerton representatives stated their position directly.
"We want to make our position clear," they said. "The Pinkertons have been employed to apprehend the murderer of Mary Phagan. That is our intention, and if anybody can find her slayer, we can. Shall we continue on the case?"
Rosser, who has served as Frank's attorney since the superintendent was first detained, did not hesitate.
"Find the murderer …More
Monday, May 12th, 1913
Rumor That Frank Married in Brooklyn Not True, Says Eagle
At Request of The Journal, One of Numerous Reports About Man Held in Phagan Case Is Investigated
Two "No Bills" Necessary to Free Prisoners; Solicitor's Detective Has Left City; Character Witnesses Not Likely to Be Used
At the request of The Atlanta Journal, the Brooklyn Eagle, one of the most reputable and reliable newspapers in the country, has investigated one of the most persistent rumors circulating about Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil Company, who is held in connection with the death of Mary Phagan.
The rumor in question held that Frank, contrary to his sworn testimony before the Coroner's inquest that he had been married only once and in Atlanta approximately two years ago, had in fact been previously married while living in Brooklyn, New York. The claim has circulated widely and in various forms.
The Brooklyn Eagle's investigation found no truth to it. Frank was never married in …More
Monday, May 12th, 1913
Phagan Case Is Delayed
Grand Jury Presentation Not Likely This Week as Solicitor Works to Strengthen Evidence
The Mary Phagan murder case may not reach the Grand Jury this week. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey indicated as much Monday morning as he began the painstaking work of sorting through the massive volume of testimony gathered by the coroner's jury and city police, separating what is essential from what is not.
The delay is deliberate. Dorsey wants all critical evidence arranged in a clear and systematic form before he places the matter before the Grand Jury. He stated plainly that he will not present the case until he has carefully sifted through every piece of evidence in hand.
Asked when the case might reach the jury, Dorsey said he had no fixed timeline, only that it would happen at the earliest possible moment once a proper case had been assembled. Grand Jury Foreman L. H. Beck confirmed that the jurymen are standing by, ready to convene on short …More
Monday, May 12th, 1913
Burns Called into Phagan Mystery; On Way from Europe
Famous American Detective Cables He Will Return Immediately in Response to Col. Felder's Plea for His Services to Capture Slayer
William J. Burns, the world-renowned detective, is expected to take charge of the Mary Phagan murder investigation.
The man who exposed the dynamite conspiracy and brought the McNamara brothers to justice will likely arrive in Atlanta within days to help unravel the mystery surrounding the strangulation death of the young factory worker. The announcement came Monday following an exchange of correspondence between Colonel Thomas B. Felder and Mr. Burns in the days since the body was discovered at the pencil factory.
Burns is currently en route from Europe and is expected to reach New York by Tuesday or Wednesday. He will confer with detectives in the city before proceeding to Atlanta.
Credit Largely Due Felder
The arrangement is credited largely to Colonel Felder's persistence. After …More
Officer Swears He Found Frank With Young Girl
Special policeman volunteers damaging testimony after recognizing suspect in jail tower; Pinkerton force expanded as solicitor denies knowledge of screams affidavit
Sunday, May 11th, 1913
A Volunteer Witness Comes Forward
A special policeman named Robert P. House has come forward with testimony that investigators say could be used to damage the character of Leo M. Frank, the superintendent of the National Pencil Factory and the principal suspect in the murder of Mary Phagan.
House, employed by the Druid Hills Land Company as a private officer on their property, told Atlanta detectives that more than a year ago he apprehended Frank and a young girl together in a secluded area of Druid Hills Park, and that Frank admitted on the spot that the two had come to the woods for immoral purposes.
House volunteered the information himself. When he first read accounts of the Phagan murder in the newspapers, the incident came back to him. Recalling that …More
Caught Frank with Girl in Park, He Says
Special policeman identifies suspect in jail cell after recalling year-old incident; sealed affidavits said to form core of state's grand jury case; drug rumor surrounds second examination of victim's body
Sunday, May 11th, 1913
The Most Important Evidence Yet
Of all the evidence gathered Saturday in the Mary Phagan investigation, city detectives say the most significant piece concerns the alleged conduct of Superintendent Leo M. Frank in the company of a young girl at Druid Hills Park more than a year ago.
The witness is Robert F. House, a special policeman employed by the Druid Hills Land Company as a park guard. House told detectives he had once ejected a man from the park after obtaining damaging admissions from him, and that upon visiting Frank's cell at the county jail, he identified Frank without hesitation as that same man.
House said the connection came to him after reading newspaper accounts of the Phagan murder. He recalled that the man …More
Frank Is Awaiting Action of the Grand Jury Calmly
Superintendent reads, receives family, and follows case coverage without apparent fear as grand jury decision draws near
Sunday, May 11th, 1913
Leo M. Frank is waiting.
With the grand jury expected to take up his case sometime this week, the superintendent of the National Pencil Factory sits in the Tower and receives the days much as he has received every other day of his nearly two weeks of confinement. He reads. He exchanges a few words with the guards. He greets his family when they come and converses with them on various subjects in a quiet, composed manner, giving no outward sign that a charge of murder hangs over him.
Comfortable, if Not Free
Beyond the loss of his liberty, Frank has been deprived of little. He eats what he wishes, reads whatever he likes, newspapers and magazines among them, and receives visitors freely. He has followed the full newspaper coverage of the investigation, including the more disturbing details of the …More