Category: TRANSCRIPTS: ATLANTA JOURNAL

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 8th, 1913 (Page 8, Column 2) Miss Hattie Hall, a stenographer, was called to the stand after Quinn was excused. When Miss Hall was excused, shortly before 12:30 o'clock, she was told to return at 2:30 o'clock, as she probably would be recalled then. Miss Hall's testimony revealed nothing not already known, and was vague upon a number of points already testified to by others. It bore mainly upon the period when she was in the office of the National Pencil company on the morning of Saturday, April 26. According to her, she was there

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 8th, 1913 (Page 8, Column 4) Miss Corinthia Hall, an employe in the factory, was the first of the young women employed there to testify before the coroner from their viewpoint regarding Mr. Frank's attitude and demeanor toward them. She declared his conduct toward the young women in the factory to be irreproachable. She works in the varnish department on the fourth floor of the pencil factory, and lives at 19 Waverly street, Kirkwood, she told the coroner. She has been working at the factory about three years, she said. About 11:45 o'clock on the

Lemmie Quinn, foreman, who testified that he visited the factory and talked to Mr. Frank just after Mary Phagan is supposed to have left with her pay envelope. He was given a searching examination by the coroner Thursday, but stuck to his statement. The Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 8th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 5) Lemmie Quinn, the Factory Foreman, Was Put Through a Grilling Examination, but He Steadily Maintained That He Visited the Factory Shortly After the Time Mary Phagan is Supposed to Have Left With Her Pay Envelope FRANK'S TREATMENT OF GIRLS IN FACTORY DESCRIBED AS UNIMPEACHABLE BY ONE

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 8th, 1913 (Page 8, Column 5) A number of new witnesses had been summoned for the inquest, and the indications were said to be that the session (promised as final in the coroner's investigation) might last all day. It became known, before the inquest convened, that several witnesses whom the detectives have discovered would not be introduced there at all. The evidence that they can furnish, whatever it may be, will not become public until some later time, it was said. It was stated further Thursday morning that the report by Dr. Claude A. Smith,

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 9th, 1913 (Page 6, Column 5) Tom Backstock, of 21 Hightower street, a youth of about sixteen or seventeen years, testified that he worked at the pencil factory about a year ago. He didn't know Mr. Frank personally, he said, but knew him when he worked at the factory. "Did you have any opportunity to observe his conduct with the women there?" the lad was asked. "I saw him ‘pick' at the girls," was the reply. "Who were they?" the coroner asked. "I couldn't tell their names now," he said. "I didn't work there long

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 9th, 1913 (Page 6, Column 5) The coroner's charge to the jury was in part as follows: "You have heard the statement of the county physician. You have seen what caused death. You have seen the body and have heard the evidence in the case. "It is your duty to inquire diligently as to how Mary Phagan came to her death. That was your oath. In case of unnatural death, you were to determine at whose hands death came. "You have heard the county physician say strangulation caused death. In determining who is guilty of

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 9th, 1913 (Page 6, Column 1) An unexpected turn was given to the coroner's inquest into the mysterious murder of Mary Phagan, Thursday afternoon, when Harry Scott, the Pinkerton detective who has been representing that agency in its work on the case, was called to the stand by the coroner. Mr. Scott was in the room at the moment. One new detail that he revealed was in a reply to a direct question from the coroner, when he stated that Herbert Haas, attorney for Leo M. Frank and attorney for the National Pencil factory, requested

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 9th, 1913 (Page 6, Column 1) Detective John Black followed Detective Scott on the stand. He was questioned about the finding of the bloody shirt at Newt Lee's home. He said that on the Tuesday afternoon after the murder he went with Detective Fred Bullard to Newt Lee's house at 40 Henry street. They searched the premises, he said, and found the bloody shirt in a clothes barrel in Lee's room. The shirt was near the bottom of the barrel and was covered with scraps of old clothes, he said, the barrel apparently being used

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 9th, 1913 (Page 6, Column 1) Full Story of Hearing Thursday Afternoon When Frank, Newt Lee, Detectives Black and Scott and Several Character Witnesses Were Placed on the Stand The verdict of the coroner's jury that Mary Phagan came to her death by strangulation and its recommendation that both Mr. Frank and Lee be held for investigation by the grand jury was rendered at 6:30 o'clock, PM, Thursday afternoon and marked by the conclusion of one of the most remarkable inquests ever held in this state. Deputy Plennie Minor carried the news of the coroner's

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 9th, 1913 (Page 20, Column 4) General satisfaction was expressed Friday morning by the detectives working on the Phagan case at the action of the coroner's jury. Chief of Detectives Lanford, however, declares that the work of his department is just now getting under way. "We are going to continue right on with the investigation," said the officials, "and try to dig down to the truth of this matter." "We have a theory as to who committed the crime, but we are ready to change it if we can possibly unearth any evidence, which will

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 9th, 1913 (Page 6, Column 2) Newt Lee, the negro night watchman, was recalled and asked to tell about any conversation he had with Mr. Frank at the jail or the police station. Lee said he has not talked to Mr. Frank at the jail, but that he had talked with him at the police station. Mr. Frank came into the room, where he was, Lee said, and asked, "How are you feeling, Newt?" "Not so good, Mr. Frank?" Lee said was his answer. Lee said that he then told Mr. Frank that it was

Atlanta Journal Friday, May 9th, 1913 (Page 6, Column 2) Leo M. Frank general superintendent of the National Pencil factory, was recalled to the stand. He was questioned regarding the elevator. The coroner wanted to know what kind of a door there is to the shaft on the office floor. The witness replied that it is a heavy door solid, that slides up and down. "Where was the elevator on Saturday, April 26?" he was asked. "I didn't notice." "Where was it on Friday night?" "I didn't notice." "Was the door open on Saturday?" "I didn't notice." Asked whether it

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 9th, 1913 (Page 1, column 7) Belief That the Detectives Had Positive Evidence, Which They Were Withholding, Dissipated by Admissions SCOTT AND BLACK REFUSED TO NAME MAN SUSPECTED Case Now Goes to the Grand Jury but No Action Is Expected for a Week—Search for Evidence Will Continue Coroner Paul Donehoo and the six jurors who investigated the murder of little Mary Phagan in the National Pencil factory on April 26, concluded Thursday the most thorough and exhaustive probe of a violent death ever conducted in this county and probably in the state. The jury recommended

Atlanta Journal Saturday, May 10th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 1) Pinkertons Declare the State Has No Evidence of Importance That Hasn't Been Given to the Newspapers IDENTITY OF SOLICITOR'S DETECTIVE A MYSTERY Chief Lanford Believes He Is One of Sheriff's Capable Deputies—Gantt Questioned, Newt Lee Has Lawyer The probe into the mystery of little Mary Phagan's death two weeks ago still goes on. The small army of professional, amateur, city, state and private detectives which took up the chase of the murderer soon after the horrible details of the crime became known still pursues the investigation with unabated vigor. Solicitor

The Atlanta Journal Sunday, May 11th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 7) The Journal Presents First Complete Statement of Case Solicitor and His Investigators Seek to Build HOW DETECTIVES THINK CRIME WAS COMMITTED They Maintain That Mary Phagan Was Left Unconscious in Factory Near Midday and Killed Later in Afternoon For the first time since the lifeless body of pretty fourteen-year-old Mary Phagan was found in the basement of the National Pencil factory, this morning two weeks ago, The Journal is enabled to make public the theory of the city detectives and others investigating the murder mystery as to how the

The Atlanta Journal Sunday, May 11th, 1913 (Page 2, Column 2) Interest in the investigation of the mysterious murder two weeks ago of little Mary Phagan centered Saturday in the grand jury. Two men, Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the pencil factory, where the tragedy occurred, and Newt Lee, negro night watchman, have been ordered held by a coroner's jury, but no intimation has been given as to the time when bills against the two men will be presented to that body. The jury is not due to hold a session until next Friday, but the solicitor general or the

The Atlanta Journal Monday, May 12th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 7) 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 "Famous" 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 conservative and reliable newspapers in the whole country, has investigated the most serious of numerous rumors which are being persistently circulated about the character of Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil company, who is held in connection

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, May 13th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 7) He Will Not Disclose Its Nature, but He, Lanford and Beavers Declare No Arrests Are Contemplated SOLICTOR WOULD WELCOME HELP OF BURNS But Says He Knows Nothing of Effort to Bring Him Here, Miss Ross, a New Witness, Talks With Dorsey A new theory about the mysterious murder of Mary Phagan has been presented to Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey in such a convincing manner by an unknown criminologist that the chief prosecuting officer of Fulton county has turned the Phagan investigation towards working out the new idea. While

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, May 14th, 1913 (Page one, Column one) "A Local Celebrity" Is Working Out the New Theory and He Had Not Reported to the Solicitor on Wednesday GIRL'S HANDWRITING GIVES IMPORTANT CLUE Grand Jury to Take Up Case May 22 or 23, Says Solicitor, Criminal Court Postpones Session at Dorsey's Request At 2:10 o'clock, Wednesday afternoon Solicitor Dorsey announced that the grand jury would take up the Phagan case on Thursday, the 22nd, or Friday, the 23rd, unless something intervened to make it inadvisable. At that time bills will be presented against Leo M. Frank and the

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 15th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 1) 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 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

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 16th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 1) Two Employes of Pencil Company Appeared Before Grand Jury Friday in Answer to Subpenas FELDER RAISING FUND TO PAY W. J. BURNS The Journal Subscribes $100, Mr. Felder Declares a Burns Investigator Will Be Put On the Case at Once By means of a subpoena duces tecum Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey Friday obtained possession of a number of books and papers of the National Pencil company. The subpoena was served on Herbert G. Schiff and M. B. Darley, two officials of the pencil company, by Deputy Sheriff Plennie

Atlanta Journal Saturday, May 17th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 3) State Is Apparently Ready, as Solicitor Says That He is Not Expecting Any New Evidence for Some Time BURNS' INVESTIGATOR ON THE JOB, SAYS FELDER Attorney Declares Fund for Employment of the Famous Sleuth Has Reached $1,500, About $5,000 is Needed That the state considers its case as practically complete and is ready to definitely charge the Mary Phagan murder to an individual and to start the legal machinery moving towards a superior court trial is believed from a very significant statement made Saturday by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey.

The Atlanta Journal Sunday, May 18th, 1913 (Page 61, Column 1) Most Searching Investigation Ever Conducted in a Criminal Case in Georgia Brings No New Developments STATE WILL STAND BY THEORY AS OUTLINED Fund to Pay Detective Burns is Mounting—Greeks Sent In Subscription Saturday, Grand Jury Acts Soon The hunt for the murderer of Mary Phagan has now been in progress for three weeks. Never before has there been such a thorough, exhaustive and efficient probe made of a crime committed in this state. And now the authorities are back to the theory which the city detective have claimed since

The Atlanta Journal Monday, May 19th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 7) It Coincides In Practically Every Feature With Theory Held by Solicitor Dorsey, Detectives and Pinkertons MYSTERY CAN BE SOLVED, INVESTIGATOR DECLARES He Holds Long Conerence With Solicitor, Who Has Welcomed Him Into Case, Urged to Contribute to Fund The theory of the murder of Mary Phagan entertained by the city detectives and outlined in The Journal first on Sunday a week ago is the theory in which C. W. Tobie, manager of the criminal department of the William J. Burns agency, believes. Mr. Tobie, who has been employed by

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, May 20th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 7) Solicitor and Detectives Are Ready With Evidence and Will Present Bills for Jury's Consideration Friday CAN FRANK INTRODUCE WITNESSES IN DEFENSE? This Question Is Being Considered by Solicitor—Another Report That Mary Phagan Was Seen Saturday P. M. The Fulton county grand jury will commence its investigation of the murder of Mary Phagan on Friday, not Thursday morning, according to an announcement from the solicitor general's office. Unless there is an important development before that time, and none is considered likely, the names of only two suspects, Leo M. Frank,

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, May 21st, 1913 (Page 1, Column 2) P. A. Flak, of New York, visits Scene of Crime and Also Takes Finger Prints of Men in the Tower BURNS INVESTIGATOR INTERVIEWS NEWT LEE He is Said to Be Convinced That Negro Is Innocent—Pinkertons Still Busy in Search for Additional Evidence The employment by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey of one of the best known finger print experts in the world on the Phagan mystery was Wednesday's principal development in the sensational case. P. A. Flak, of New York City, noted criminologist, and a recognized expert on finger

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, May 22nd, 1913 (Page 1, Column 7) Names of Leo M. Frank and the Negro, Newt Lee, to Be Presented by State as the Accused DORSEY TO CONCENTRATE EFFORT AGAINST FORMER Improbable That Evidence Favorable to Mr. Frank Will Be Attempted—Experts Ready on Various Phases The Phagan investigation will go to the grand jury on Friday and the state will use every effort to introduce sufficient evidence against the two suspects ordered held by the coroner's jury to secure true bills. Solicitor General Dorsey announced late Thursday that there had been no development which would change

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 23rd, 1913 (Page 1, Column 2 - Bottom) A. S. Colyar has given to the police the following affidavit: STATE OF GEORGIA. FULTON COUNTY. Personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the above State and County, A. S. Colyar, who being duly sworn says: "At 11 p. m. on May 18th, 1913, I called ttelephone number Ivy 3508, which is the phone of T. B. Felder's residence on the Howell Mill Road, about seven miles from Atlanta, and after waiting several minutes, some one finally answered the phone and lasked the question,

  The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 23rd, 1913 (Page 1, Column 1) At the Request of The Journal He Left Trial of a Case in Marietta and Came to Atlanta Friday Afternoon, Where He Dictated a Statement Without Having Read the Dictographed Interview Which Is Given Elsewhere in This Paper. WELL-KNOWN ATTORNEY GIVES HIS VERSION OF WHAT HE SAID TO SECRETARY G. C. FEBUARY Col. Felder Declares He Told Febuary and Colyar He Would Introduce Them to Some Gentlemen Who Might Be Interested in Getting Possession of Evidence on the Detective Department—Says He Never Claimed He Had Been Employed by

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 23rd, 1913 (Page 2, Column 3, Top) Says He Overheard Col. Felder Offer $1,000 for Phagan Papers State of Georgia, County of Fulton. Personally appeared before me the undersigned notary public, for the state and county aforesaid, R. S. Ozburn, who makes oath, in due form of law, and says he is a citizen of Atlanta, Georgia, and a member of the detective department of the Atlanta police force; that he was in J. M. Hewitt's office, 1409 Fourth National Bank building, in said city, on Tuesday, May the 20th, 1913, at 11:43 a. m.,

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 23rd, 1913 (Page 1, Column 4) In Interview With G. C. Febuary, Secretary to Chief of Detectives Newport Lanord, in Room 31 of Williams House No. 2, Heard by Dictograph and Taken Down in Shorthand, Col. Felder is Alleged to Have Offered Bribe "I CONTROL MAYOR, SOLICITOR AND JUDGE," HE IS QUOTED AS SAYING IN ASSURING FEBUARY PROTECTION East Lake Was Agreed Upon as Place for Transfer of Papers, Although Colonel Felder Suggested the Transportation Club, According to Stenographic Report of Conversation That Occurred—All of Alleged Interview That is Printable is Given Below The Atlanta

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 23rd, 1913 (Page 1, Column 3) Affidavit, Detailing Conversation Which Is Alleged to Have Occurred in Col. Felder's Office, Is Given Below "GO AND GET EVIDENCE,' COL. FELDER IS QUOTED "Lanford Couldn't Detect an Elephant at Five Points," He Is Alleged to Have Said, Both Chiefs Are Denounced The city detectives have in their possession an affidavit sworn to by G. C. Febuary, secretary to Chief Lanford, and A. S. Colyar, a private investigator, detailing the alleged conversation which it is claimed took place between Colonel T. B. Felder, Colyar, and Feburary , on Monday

The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 23rd, 1913 (Page 1, Column 2) STATE OF GEORGIA: FULTON COUNTY: The affiant, J. W. Coleman and wife, citizens of Atlanta, Georgia, who reside at 146 Lindsay St. The affiant is the step-father 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 Dept. 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,

A dictograph from 1907 The Atlanta Journal Friday, May 23rd, 1913 (Page 1, Column 2) Instrument Was Put In by Lawrence O. Surles of the Southern Bell Telephone Company—George M. Gentry, Took Down the Conversation in Shorthand The dictograph, through which was recorded the conversation held by agents of the city detectives with Attorney Thomas B. Felder, was most ingeniously arranged and installed by Lawrence O. Surles, chief clerk of the traffic department of the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph company, who is the Atlanta representative of the Dictograph Manufacturing company. Just behind the lower portion of a dresser front

George M. Gentry, stenographer who heard dictograph conversation in adjoining room and took it down in shorthand. The Atlanta Journal Saturday, May 24th, 1913 (Page 5, Column 1, Top) Proprietor of "Rex" Near-Beer Saloon and Private Sleuth Are Quoted as Having Negotiated With Febuary for Papers in Phagan Case—Jones Was Very Cautious in His Utterances MILES WAS QUITE POSITIVE MAYOR WOODWARD WOULD SEE TO IT THAT FEBUARY WAS PROTECTED Following the alleged dictographed conversations of Colonel Thomas B. Felder and Mayor Woodward Wednesday afternoon an engagement was made by A. S. Colyar for Charles C. Jones, proprietor of the "Rex"

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, May 24th, 1913 (Page 7, Column 4) "Where Is Col. Felder's Fee in Phagan Case Coming From?" He Asks Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford told The Journal Saturday afternoon that he doesn't want to make any formal statement at this time regarding the charges of Colonel Thomas B. Felder. The charges were absurd, as any one familiar with the workings of the detective department would know, he said. The "personal attacks" were entirely unwarranted, he said. "I want Felder to answer this question," the chief said. "Why was he working without fees? Ask him where were

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, May 24th, 1913 (Page 1, Column 3, Bottom) Big Part of Published Record Absolutely Untrue, Declares Mayor, Though "There's Nothing In It," He Says "WHOLE THING AMOUNTS TO HIRING DETECTIVE" "It's all a frame-up of a dirty gang," declared Mayor James G. Woodward, in commenting Saturday afternoon on the published dictograph record of the conversation alleged to have been held between him, A. S. Colyar, G. C. Febuary and E. O. Miles in Room 31 of the Williams house, No. 2, on Wednesday afternoon. "The dictograph record has been filled out by some one," he declared.

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, May 24th, 1913 (Page 3, Column 4, Top) Says He Will Not Allow Himself to Be Drawn Into Row of Attorney and Detectives Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey said Saturday morning relative to the Felder affair: "This controversy will have no bearing on the prosecution of any one who may be indicted in the Phagan case. I have no reasons to question the good faith and sincerity of Colonel Thomas B. Felder. Also, I am certain the city detectives are not ‘double-crossing' or misleading me as has been suggested." Mr. Dorsey would make no statement relative

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, May 24th, 1913 (Page 7, Column 3) Neither L. Z. Rosser Nor Herbert Haas Had Any Statement to Make "Not a word to say," was Attorney Luther Z. Rosser's comment when informed by a Journal reporter that his client, Leo M. Frank, had been indicted by the grand jury for the murder of Mary Phagan. Mr. Rosser held in his hand a Journal extra telling of the affidavit by the negro, James Connally , that on the day before the tragedy Mr. Frank called him into his (Frank's) office and asked him to dictate two notes,

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, May 24th, 1913 (Page 3, Column 1, Bottom) Attorney Who Was Dictographed by the Detectives Gives Out a Statement, Additional to the One He Made Friday Afternoon, in Which He Goes After Police and Detective Departments, and Intimates That More Is to Come in the Sunday Papers SAYS DETECTIVES ARE DESTROYING EVIDENCE AGAINST FRANK IN THE PHAGAN MURDER CASE Attorney Thomas B. Felder, who has been charged by city detectives with attempted bribery of Chief of Detectives Lanford's secretary, G. C. Febuary, has made statement additional to one he made Friday afternoon before reading the dictograph