Category: TRANSCRIPTS: ATLANTA JOURNAL

Arthur Mullinax, who seems to have established an alibi through statements of friends that he was at home on night of the murder. The Atlanta Journal Monday, April 28th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 1, Row 1) James Milton Gantt Protests His Innocence, Declaring He Knows Nothing of the Crime — Says He Went to Factory Saturday to Get Pair of Shoes Left There—His Statement is Confirmed by Superintendent Frank DECLARES HE KNEW MARY PHAGAN BUT HAD NOT HARMED HER It Is Not Known What Was Purpose of His Visit to Marietta Monday —His Whereabouts Sunday Not Yet Explained —Story of

Mary Phagan Atlanta Journal Monday, April 28th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 2) Developments in Case Have Come Thick and Fast Monday but No Evidence Has Yet Been Developed Which Fixes the Atrocious Crime — Mullinax Seems to Have Proved Alibi SUPERINTENDENT FRANK AIDS POLICE IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY He Was Closely Questioned for Several Hours Monday but Left Headquarters in Company With His Attorneys and Friends—Crime Was Committed in Metal Room on Second Floor—Sleeping Compartment Found in Factory Basement Detectives expect to wring the secret of Mary Phagan's murder from Newt Lee, negro night watchman at the National

The Atlanta Journal Monday April 28th, 1913 (Page 2, Column 2) Will Meet Again Wednesday Morning When Witnesses Will Be Examined—Five Hundred People Present When Inquest Was Begun For an hour Monday morning, a jury empaneled by Coroner Paul Donehoo groped through dark basement passageways and first-floor rooms in the factory of the National Pencil company hunting for evidence that would aid them in reaching a verdict as to who murdered pretty Mary Phagan. At the end of their hunt, the body adjourned. They will meet again on Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock to continue their investigation. Many witnesses who

The Atlanta Journal Monday, April 28th, 1913 (Page 2, Column 2) Calling upon God Almighty to visit speedy vengeance upon the murderer or murderers of his fourteen-year-old granddaughter, Mary Phagan, whose mutilated body was discovered Sunday morning in the basement of the National Pencil company's factory on Forsyth street, W. J. Phagan, an elderly citizen of Marietta, declares that he will never rest until the fiend or fiends are brought to justice. The old man almost collapsed when he learned of the awful crime, and he sobbed piteously as he prayed for divine aid in clearing up the mystery surrounding

The Atlanta Journal Monday, April 28th, 1913 (Page 2, Column 4) Arthur Mullinax, Trolley Conductor, Denies That E. L. Sentell Saw Him Saturday Night With Mary Phagan Arthur Mullinax, identified by E. L. Sentell, of 22 Davis street, clerk for the Kamper Grocery company, as the man whom he saw with Mary Phagan, the murdered girl, at midnight Saturday, vehemently denies any part in the atrocious crime, and declares that he will be able to prove an alibi. Subjected to a quizzing in the office of Chief of Police Beavers, he told an apparently straightforward story of his actions on

1—Mary Phagan's own handwriting, as shown in her address she wrote for Sunday School teacher. 2—Written by Lee at suggestion of detectives for purpose of comparison. 3—One of notes found in cellar. 4—Also written by Lee at suggestion of detectives. The Atlanta Journal Monday, April 28th, 1913 (Page 2, Column 2) It's Discovery Leads to Theory That She May Have Been Attacked There and Then Dragged to Factory Basement The finding of half a dozen strands of hair in the cogs of a steel lathe in the metal room on the second floor of the National Pencil company's factory and

The Atlanta Journal Monday, April 28th, 1913 (Page 2, Column 3) Six thousand people, according to reliable estimates, visited P. J. Bloomfield's undertaking parlors Monday morning to see the body of Mary Phagan. It was the largest crowd, police say, that had ever viewed a murder victim's body in Atlanta. Scores of friends, hundreds of acquaintances and fellow-workers in the pencil factory and thousands of simply curious walked around the bier between 7 o'clock and noon. So far as known, no relatives appeared. The mother of the girl is ill at her home as a consequence of her daughter's death

1—Mary Phagan's own handwriting, as shown in her address she wrote for Sunday School teacher. 2—Written by Lee at suggestion of detectives for purpose of comparison. 3—One of notes found in cellar. 4—Also written by Lee at suggestion of detectives. The Atlanta Journal Monday, April 28th, 1913 (Page 2, Column 4) City detectives, detailed to run down the murderer or murderers of fourteen-year-old Mary Phagan, are endeavoring to clear up the mystery surrounding the authorship of two crudely written and badly composed notes which were found near the corpse of the murdered girl in the basement of the pencil factory.

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 (Page 4, Column 3) Murderer of Mary Phagan Probably Left Factory by the Rear Door A bloody thumb print, found Tuesday afternoon on the rear door to the basement of the National Pencil factory, leads the police to the theory that the murderer of Mary Phagan left the factory building by that door after he had deposited the girl's body in the basement. This theory is still further strengthened by the fact that when the murder was discovered Sunday morning it was found that a staple had been drawn from the fastening on

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 2) Petition Made to Judge George L. Bell and Will Be Heard at 4 o'Clock JAMES MILTON GANTT charged with the murder of Mary Phagan is seeking his release upon a writ of habeas corpus. Petition for such a writ was made Tuesday morning to Judge Bell of the superior court and he directed that a hearing be had at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Judge Gober, attorney for Gantt, made the petition and will argue Tuesday afternoon for the immediate release of the former bookkeeper. Gantt sets forth in his

Leo M. Frank. Superintendent of the National Pencil company, snapped by a Journal photographer on the way to police headquarters. Mr. Frank is not under arrest, but will be a witness at the coroner's inquest. The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 3) Detectives Building Case on Theory that Frank and Negro Can Clear Mystery Chief Lanford Believes That Testimony of the Superintendent and Negro Night Watchman May Lead to the Arrest of the Person Guilty of the Atrocious Crime That Has Shocked the Whole City—No Further Arrests Expected Soon MRS. FRANK IN TEARS AT POLICE STATION

J. M. Gantt, who was arrested at Marietta and brough to Atlanta Monday, charged with the death of Mary Phagan. The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 (Page 5, Column 2) Mayor Woodward Calls Special Meeting of Council So That Reward Can Be Formally Offered—Governor Brown Issued Proclamation Tuesday Morning Governor Joseph M. Brown Tuesday morning offered a reward of $200 for the apprehension and conviction of the murderer or murderers of Mary Phagan, and the city of Atlanta is expected to offer a $1,000 reward at a special meeting that has been called by Mayor James G. Woodward for

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 (Page 5, Column 1) Believes That Newt Lee Bound and Gagged, Then Murdered Mary Phagan W. J. Coleman, step-father of Mary Phagan, believes that she was murdered by Newt Lee, the negro night watchman, but that before the murder she lay bound and gagged in the factory of the National Pencil company, 37 South Forsyth street, from shortly after noon on Saturday until past midnight. As people passed back and forth along the street, as members of the girl's family waited anxiously for her return, he thinks that she lay helpless within the

At the top is a photograph of writing done by Newt Lee, the negro night watchman after his arrest. At the bottom is a photograph of two lines of a note found beside the body of Mary Phagan in the pencil factory cellar. Three handwriting experts—Frank M. Berry, assistant cashier of the Fourth National bank; Andrew M. Bergstrom, assistant cashier of the Third National bank and Pope O. Driver, chief bookkeeper and head of mail departments, of the American National bank, unhesitatingly declare that the same hand penned them both. Detectives are satisfied that Lee knows all about the killing

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 (Page 4, Column 2) Are there any friends or acquaintances of little Mary Phagan who saw her after she is supposed to have left the offices of the National Pencil company Saturday afternoon, where she went for the little pay that was due her? Is there any one who knows the girl, who can say she was seen in the city of Atlanta or elsewhere following her departure from home shortly before noon on that day? According to Superintendent Leo Frank, the child called for her envelope shortly after 12 o'clock on the

Atlanta Journal Tuesday, April 29th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 2) Gatemen, T. R. Malone and H. P. Sibley, After Viewing Corpse, Declare Mary Phagan, Sobbing Loudly and Displaying Vehement Feelings, Prevented Strange Man From Boarding Train for Washington—Neither of Men Detained by Police Is Mysterious Stranger H. P. SIBLEY, gateman and T. R. Malone, special officer at the Atlanta Terminal station, have identified the dead body of little Mary Phagan as the same girl whom they saw dramatically prevent a man from leaving on train No. 38 for Washington, D. C., Friday morning at 11:01 o'clock. Both men declare a

Atlanta Journal Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 3) Following an interview between Mayor Woodward and Chief of Police Beavers and Chief of Detectives Lanford, in which the mayor protested that extras on the Phagan murder case which were based on information alleged to have been given out by the officers and the detectives and which were liable to unduly inflame the public, a petition has been circulated among local business men asking the newspapers not to issue so many sensational extras. The petition states that extras such as have been issued are hurting business and will hurt it

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 (Page 7, Column 1) Judge Gober Says His Client Will Be Taken Before Justice of the Peace Powers J. M. Gantt, held on a warrant charging the murder of Mary Phagan, will given a hearing before Justice F. M. Powers at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Gantt was Tuesday afternoon transferred from police barracks to the jail on an order issued by Judge Bell. Justice Powers, who issued the warrant for Gantt's arrest, had not been notified of the hearing at 8:30 o'clock Wednesday morning, but it was stated at the office of Judge

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 (Page 7, Column 1) Mrs. W. J. Coleman, mother of Mary Phagan, says that the girl was at home during Friday and Friday night, and could not possibly have been the one seen at the Terminal station Friday morning by H. P. Sibley, gateman, and T. R. Malone, special officer. Just as a young man with a ticket for Washington reached one of the gates to the tracks at the Terminal station, he was stopped Friday morning by a pretty girl, who pleaded with him not to leave her. The girl finally reached

A sketch of pretty Mary Phagan from her latest photograph by Brewerton. The Atlanta Journal Wednesday April 30th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 4) Newt Lee, Negro Who Notified Police of Mary Phagan Murder, Tells Coroner Girl's Body Was Lying Face Up With Head Toward West When He Found It — But Officers Declare They Found It Lying Face Down, Head Toward East, Knew She Was White, Said He, by Her Hair SAYS MR. FRANK DID UNUSUAL THINGS, BUT DOES NOT DIRECTLY IMPLICATE ANYONE Mr. Frank Met Him Outside Office Saturday Afternoon and Let Him Off for Two Hours, After Having

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 3) The Journal's Three Handwriting Experts Still Firm in Their Conviction That Newt Lee Wrote Mysterious Notes When Shown Copies Written by Both Frank and Lee in Comparison With Original Note Found Having compared exact reproductions of the notes found near the body of Mary Phagan with specimens of the handwriting of Newt Lee, the night watchman, and of Leo M. Frank, the superintendent of the National Pencil company, three handwriting experts Tuesday morning stuck to their first opinion that the negro's handwriting and that of the notes found near

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 (Page 7, Column 1) Money Will Be Paid for Information Leading to Arrest of Girl's Murderer At a special session called at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning, the city council of Atlanta voted for the appropriation of $1,000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest of the party or parties guilty of the brutal murder of little Mary Phagan. In the building of the National Pencil company's factory on Forsyth street, last Saturday afternoon or night. Immediately afterward the aldermanic board met and concurred in the appropriation. The only objection made to

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 (Page 7, Column 2) Harry Denham's Story Indicates Miss Annie Howell Wasn't in Factory The time clock at the National Pencil company's factory, where Mary Phagan was murdered, shows that employee No. 141 registered off at 3:07 p.m. last Saturday, . This is the number of Miss Annie Howell, of 664 East Fair Street, and at first the detectives thought she might be able to throw some light on the mystery. It developed later, however, that this must have been a mistake. Harry Denham, one of the men employed in the factory, claims

Leo M. Frank The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, April 30th, 1913 (page 7, Column 2) They Decline to Say, However, Whether Conversation Between Superintendent and Watchman Was Overheard WAS MARY PHAGAN SEEN AT 5 P. M.? J. L. Watkins Says He Saw Her Near Her Home—Chemist's Tests Shows No Blood Under Negro's Finger Nails A report that there was a Dictaphone in the room in which Leo M. Frank talked with Newt Lee, the negro night watchman, at police headquarters Tuesday night in a supposed effort to wring a confession from the negro, was denied Wednesday by both Chief of Detectives

The big picture in the center shows the head of the detective department, Chief Newport A. Lanford. To his left is John R. Black, city detective, who was largely instrumental in convicting the Druid Hills murderers. On the extreme left at the top is Detective Pat Campbell, and below him is J. N. Starnes. To the right of the chief is Harry Scott, of the Pinkertons, who are working on the mystery. The top picture at the extreme right is City Detective S. L. (Bass) Rosser, and below is Detective W. F. Bullard. Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 1st, 1913 (Page

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 1st, 1913 (Page 7, Column 2) A new theory based upon an assumption of the innocence of the negro night watchman, Newt Lee, is that the murdered body of Mary Phagan was taken to the basement of the National Pencil factory primarily for the purpose of burning it, early Sunday morning, and that the slayer was hid in the basement when Newt Lee discovered the child's body face up with its head toward the back door. This theory will permit explanation of several details which tend now to keep the mystery thick. It assumes that

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 2nd, 1913 (Page 1, Column 5) Outside of Solicitor's Activity There Have Been No Developments Since the Suspects Were Transferred to Tower GROUNDLESS RUMORS DENIED BY OFFICIALS Chief Lanford's Busy Running Down Tips—Coroner's Inquest Will Be Resumed on Monday Afternoon at 2 The Atlanta Journal has published every fact and development in connection with the mysterious murder of Mary Phagan. The Journal will continue to print news of further developments and additional evidence as the investigation proceeds. No fact has been suppressed nor will any news relating to the hunt for solution of the crime

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, May 3rd, 1913 (Page 1, Column 5) Following Meeting Lasting Two Hours, Officials Investigating Murder Mystery Visited Scene of Tragedy NO CHANGE IN PLANS FOR INQUEST MONDAY Progress Has Been Made In Developing Evidence, It Is Said, but its Nature Has Not Been Divulged The three central figures in the investigation of the Phagan murder case—the solicitor general, the coroner and the chief of detectives—held a conference Saturday morning, which lasted for more than two hours. The officials discussed the evidence in the case and the many theories which have been advanced, but refused to divulge

The Atlanta Journal Sunday May 4th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 5) A 17-year-old miss, blonde and who weighs about 140 pounds, and who was in in Marietta last Wednesday afternoon wearing a dark red dress and a leghorn hat, may furnish the vital clue in the mystery of the murder of Mary Phagan. Who is she? Where does she live? Is it true that she was the last friend of Mary Phagan's to see the murdered girl alive on Saturday afternoon, April 26? She alone can answer. It is but a matter of hours until her identity is revealed. If

The Atlanta Journal Monday, May 5th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 7) Factory Superintendent Was Expected to Be the Chief Witness, Though 200 Others Had Been Subpoenaed NEW GRAND JURY URGED TO PROMPT INVESTIGATION A Thousand Violations of Law Against Vice Do Not Equal Crime of Mary Phagan's Murder, Says Judge Ellis The jury empanelled a week ago by Coroner Paul Donehoo resumed its probe into the mystery of the murder of little Mary Phagan on Monday afternoon shortly after 2:30 o'clock. Although police headquarters was crowded by nearly 200 witnesses, mostly employees at the National Pencil factory, where Mary Phagan

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 (Page 11, Column 1) For Three Hours and a Half, Mr. Frank Was on the Stand, Answering Questions About His Movements Every Hour and Minute of the Day—He Was Calm and Unruffled When Excused From Stand and Returned to the Tower HE TELLS OF VISIT OF LEMMIE QUINN TO HIS OFFICE TEN MINUTES AFTER MARY PHAGAN RECEIVED WAGES Introduction of Quinn Gives the Factory Superintendent an Important Witness, in Confirmation of His Statements. Only Three Witnesses Examined by Coroner at Session Monday Afternoon For three hours and a half, Leo M. Frank, general

    Atlanta Journal Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 (page 1, column 5) Negative Alibi Seems Established for Young Man Held in Texas City as Suspected Murderer of Mary Phagan in Atlanta — Police There Say "Strong Evidence," but Nothing Shows Young Man Was Around Here April 26 BROTHER, IN NEWNAN, SAYS PAUL HAS BEEN IN HOUSTON SIX WEEKS; OUT WEST SINCE OCTOBER Two Friends, Young Men in Atlanta, Report Recent Letters From Him—Brother Has Had One—So Has Father—Detectives Say Quinn Changed His Story—Newt Lee Declares Murder Must Have Occurred During the Afternoon A negative alibi established for Paul P. Bowen

Atlanta Journal Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 5) BY KENNETH TODD. Formerly reporter on The Atlanta Journal, now the special correspondent in Houston, Texas. (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) Paul P. Bowen, a round-faced youth of twenty years, was arrested in Houston by detectives Monday night in connection with the murder of Mary Phagan in Atlanta several days ago. Information furnished the department by Mrs. A. Blanchett, of Texas City, led to the arrest. Bowen and Mrs. Blanchett occupied adjoining rooms at the St. Jean hotel Sunday night, according to the story she told detectives. She saw young

Atlanta Journal Tuesday, May 6th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 5) The actions of a man giving his name as Paul P. Bowen, observed by a woman boarder at the hotel where he was stopping, and the story she told the police, caused his arrest here last night. Bowen is held on suspicion, the charge being based on telegrams from the Atlanta, Georgia, police, saying that Bowen may be wanted in connection with the murder of Mary Phagan in Atlanta. From Bowen's trunk the police obtained a woman's vest which they say was blood-stained, copies of Atlanta newspapers and photographs which

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, May 7th, 1913 (Page 18, Column 5) P. P. Bowen, who was arrested here yesterday on suspicion in connection with an Atlanta case and who was released last night, made this statement today: "My father is S. C. Bowen. He lives at Newnan, Georgia I told the detectives that they had made a mistake at the time they arrested me, and knew that they would soon find this to be so, if they investigated my references and letters. Of course, I was scared when they entered my room. I did meet them at the door with

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, May 7th, 1913 (Page 18, Column 5) BY KENNETH TODD. HOUSTON, Tex., May 7.—Although young Paul P. Bowen, arrested in Houston Monday as a suspect in the Mary Phagan case, has been released by the chief of police, the release was ordered against the wishes of the chief of detectives and the latter has been summarily discharged for opposing his superior in spite of the telegram from Chief Beavers, of Atlanta, to Chief Davison, of the local department. Bowen was released twenty-four hours after the message was received. Chief of Detectives Peyton stubbornly refused to let

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, May 7th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 5) Detectives Said to Attach Much Importance to Testimony That Two Girls Will Give When Inquest Resumes INQUEST WILL BE ENDED THURSDAY, SAYS DONEHOO Paul P. Bowen Has Been Released by Houston Officials—Chief Detective and 14 Policemen Are Discharged Two new witnesses, whom the detectives have recently located, are expected to give testimony of importance at the final session of the Phagan inquest Thursday. One of the witnesses is Miss Grace Hix, of 100 McDonough road, daughter of James E. Hix. Miss Hix worked at the same machine with Mary

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 8th, 1913 (Page 8, Column 5) J. L. Watkins, called to the stand after Miss Hall, the stenographer, was excused, clarified his former testimony that he had seen Mary Phagan on the street near her home on Saturday afternoon, April 26, by declaring that he is convinced now he was mistaken about it. "Mr. White, on last Thursday, did you not swear before this inquest that between 4 and 5 o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, April 26, you saw Mary Phagan walking along Bellwood Avenue toward her home?" asked the coroner . "Yes, that's

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 8th, 1913 (Page 8, Column 1) Lemmie A. Quinn was called to the stand. He lives at 31B Julliam street, he said, and is foreman of the metal department at the National Pencil factory. Mary Phagan worked in his department, he said. The last time he saw her was on the Monday preceding the murder, he said. She left the plant about 2 o'clock P.M. that Monday, said he. That was earlier than usual, but she left because the metal with which she worked had run out and she wanted to hurry to the matinee.

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 8th, 1913 (Page 8, Column 3, Row 3) Miss Daisy Jones, identified by J. L. Watkins as the girl whom he had mistaken for Mary Phagan on the afternoon of April 26, , appeared before the coroner's jury dressed exactly as she was on that afternoon, and testified that she had been just where Watkins said he saw Mary Phagan at the hour when Watkins thought he saw the girl, and that she had crossed a vacant field just as Watkins described Mary Phagan as having done. In short, with Mr. Watkins' new testimony, she