Category: TRANSCRIPTS: ATLANTA JOURNAL

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, June 25, 1913 Few Developments Expected Between Now and July 28, Conley Is Grilled The statements made by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey and by Reuben R. Arnold and Luther Z. Rosser, the counsel for the defense before the postponement of the trial of Leo M. Frank from June 30, the date set by the solicitor, to July 28, indicate very strongly that neither side expects further developments of importance in the investigation. Mr. Dorsey told the court that his case was complete and that he was ready for trial. All of the statements by Attorneys

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, June 26, 1913 There Are Many Little Reasons, of Course, but the Biggest of These Is the Simplest—Judge Roan Just Had to Keep Promise to His Charming Wife—And Nobody's Kicking, Either The trial of Leo M. Frank, which is expected to be the most brilliant legal battle in the history of the state, has been postponed for a month. There are many little reasons why the trial could not come up on June 30. And, then, there is one great big reason. The biggest reason, when analyzed, is also the simplest, as are most big things.

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, June 26, 1913 Case Will Be Heard in Courtroom Now Used by Judge Pendleton The trial of Leo M. Frank on July 28 will be held on the first floor in the old city hall building, at the corner of South Pryor and East Hunter streets. Solicitor Dorsey, Judge L. S. Roan and court attaches formally decided upon this room as the proper place to conduct the trial. The court room designated is at present occupied by Judge John T. Pendleton, of the motion division of superior court. Judge Pendleton will adjurn his court for the

The Atlanta Journal Friday, June 27, 1913 GRAND JURY RETURNS BILLS AGAINST EACH; THE CHARGE IS LIBEL Cards Written by Chief of Detectives and Attorney and Published in the Atlanta Newspapers Form the Basis TWO BILLS FOUND AGAINST FELDER, ONE ON LANFORD Both Men Who Have Criticised Each Through Atlanta Press Must Face Jury on Criminal Libel Charge The Fulton county grand jury on Friday returned two true bills against Colonel Thomas B. Felder, lawyer, and one bill against Chief Newport A. Lanford, of the city detective department, all bills charging libel. The action of the grand jury insures the

The Atlanta Journal Friday, June 27, 1913 Attorney Who Will Aid Solicitor Hears Negro Sweeper Recite His Story Frank A. Hooper, the attorney who will assist Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey in the prosecution of the case against Leo M. Frank, indicted for the murder of little Mary Phagan, interviewed James Conley, the negro sweeper, for the first time on Friday morning. The attorney talked with the negro in the office of the police board for nearly an hour. Detective Starnes, who has been working under the direction of the solicitor, was the only officer with him. Mr. Hooper simply made

The Atlanta Journal Friday, June 27, 1913 (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) MACON, Georgia, June 27.—Two members of the Atlanta detective department left Macon last night after searching all the week her for a negro who is thought to be connected with the Phaga murder in Atlanta last April. A white woman was arrested here and put through an examination, but she could give no evidence against parties now under arrest for the crime. When acquainted with the contents of the above dispatch Detective Chief N. A. Lanford stated that none of his men had been to Macon and that

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, June 28, 1913 Former Solicitor of Southwestern Circuit and Popular Atlantlan Join Firm Frank A. Hooper, who is to assist the solicitor general in the prosecution in the Phagan case, and M.F. Goldstein, a well known young attorney, will join the law firm of Little & Powell on July 1. The senior members of the firm are John D. Little and Judge Arthur Powell. After July 1 the firm will be styled Little, Powell, Hooper & Goldstein. Mr. Hooper served in the southwestern circuit for twelve years as solicitor general, but removed from Americus to Atlanta

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, July 1, 1913 Rumor About Negro in Phagan Case Not Confirmed—Grand Jury Is Through The publication to the effect that the negro sweeper, Jim Conley, probably would be indicted by the Fulton county grand jury for the murder of Mary Phagan, is apparently without any justification. The grand jury, according to its foreman, Lewis H. Beck, will make its presentments to the court Wednesday morning and in all probability will be discharged then. It is not likely, therefore, that the jury will consider any further bills. Mr. Beck declined to comment on the publication and referred

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, July 3, 1913 Beavers Stirred by Details Reported by Physician—Assigns Men to Report Following the charges of a prominent Atlanta physician regarding vice conditions and alleged police protection in this city, Chief of Police Beavers despatched an officer to confer with this physician Thursday morning. The officer will endeavor to obtain even more information than has been furnished the chief and will try to substantiate that already given. He will pay especial attention to the statement of the physician that he reported a disorderly house to the police and that the proprietors of it were "tipped

The Atlanta Journal Friday, July 4, 1913 It was reported Thursday morning that Bernard L. Chappell, attorney for New Lee, the negro watchman held in connection with the Mary Phagan case, would take steps to release him from jail by swearing out a writ of habeas corpus. Attorney Chappell is said to have come to the conclusion that Lee knew nothing about the case other than finding the body and that the state has no right to hold him. * * * The Atlanta Journal, July 4th 1913, "Lee's Attorney Seeks to Gain His Release," Leo Frank case newspaper article

The Atlanta Journal Friday, July 4, 1913 State Certain to Fight Chappell's Effort to Secure Release of Watchman Bernard L. Chappell, attorney for Newt Lee, the negro night watchman, who found the body of Mary Phagan in the National Pencil factory basement, declares that Saturday he will bring habeas corpus proceedings to secure the release of his client. According to the attorney, the negro is being held on the recommendation of the coroner's jury, which concluded its inquest before James Conley figured in the case. The grand jury has failed to act on Lee's case, and Attorney Chappell says that

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, July 5, 1913 Bernard Chappell, His Lawyer, Expects to Bring Habeas Corpus on Monday Bernard L. Chappell, attorney for Newt Lee, the , who found the body of Mary Phagan, declared Saturday that he had been unable to complete all of his work in connection with his proposed filing of a habeas corpus writ in an effort to liberate his client. Mr. Chappelle said that he had expected to file the writ Saturday, but was delayed, and is now certain he can file it by Monday morning. Mr. Chappell asserted that sensational developments might be expected

The Atlanta Journal Monday, July 7, 1913 The entire board of twelve police commissioners, including the mayor and the chairman of the police committee of council as ex-officio members, is expected to be in attendance Tuesday evening at the trial of the eight policemen recently suspended by Chief J. L. Beavers. Chairman Carlos Mason, who has missed only one meeting during his five years' service on the board, returned Monday from a vacation especially to attend the trial, and all other members are expected to be there. The eight suspended policemen are involved in the police scandal revolving around the

The Atlanta Journal Monday, July 7, 1913 Confessions to Chief of Police Beavers Involve Downtown Hotel, Mention Names of Other Women and Men IMMEDIATE PROBE OF HER CHARGES ORDERED Police Again Arrest Mrs. Frierson, Recently Pardoned by Mayor Woodward in Controversy With Judge Broyles Revelations of vice conditions from the inside were laid before Chief of Police Beavers Monday morning by the confession of a young woman who gives her name as Hattie Smith and says that her parents live at a certain number on Marietta street. Chief Beavers immediately detailed men to investigate the disclosures, and the indications were

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, July 8, 1913 Hattie Smith, Now Penitent, Will Make Confessions in Open Court Resolved to quit the life into which she so recently drifted, Hattie Smith, the Atlanta young woman whose revelations of vice "from the inside" gave the police some startling information Monday, will appear in police court on Tuesday afternoon and repeat in detail the story which she has recounted to the police. Upon the strength of that story Lena Barnhart, a white woman, and Elijah Murray, a negro bellboy, were arrested in the Cumberland hotel Monday and will be arraigned with Hattie Smith

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, July 8, 1913 Habeas Corpus Proceedings May Bring Frank and Conley Face to Face Petition for a writ of habeas corpus in behalf of Newt Lee, the negro night watchman at the National Pencil factory who has been held in jail since the Mary Phagan murder as a suspect, has been drawn up at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon by the negro's attorneys, Graham and Chappell, and the firm then was seeking the signature of the nearest available judge of the Fulton superior court to a writ fixing the time and place for a hearing upon the

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, July 9, 1913 MYSTERY'S LOST LINK IS FOUND NEAR WHERE CONLEY SAYS HE SAT Finding of Portion of Salary Envelope Bearing Victim's Name Expected to Strengthen Defense's Contention CONTENTS OF ENVELOPE HAVE NEVER BEEN FOUND Find Was Made by Pinkertons Just Three Weeks After the Murder, but Was Kept a Secret Until Wednesday. The pay envelope, which was the quest of Mary Phagan's visit to the National Pencil factory on April 26, when she met her death, has been found. At least enough of the envelope to definitely identify it is in the hands of the

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, July 10, 1913 Beavers Puts Police on Trail of Men Blamed By Girl Guests for Situation in Downtown Hotels GIRL VICTIM BARES HOTEL CONDITIONS TO RECORDER Judge Broyles Hears Sensational Expose of Vice Situation Said to Exist in Many Atlanta Rooming Houses As the outcome of the dramatic confession made by Hattie Smith in the recorder's court Wednesday afternoon Chief Beavers announced Thursday morning that he will open a war against the men who, he asserts, are ruining girls. Following the trial in court Wednesday the chief says that Hattie Smith gave him more details than

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, July 10, 1913 Examination of Portion of Slain Girl's Pay Envelope Fails to Throw Any Light on the Murder Mystery FLETCHER, AT FEDERAL PEN MAKES EXAMINATION Fight for Release of Newt Lee on Habeas Corpus Resumed and Hearing Will Be Given Saturday Morning That the murderer of Mary Phagan can never be identified by finger prints on the pay envelope found in the factory, and the "re-setting" of Newt Lee's habeas corpus for 10 o'clock. Saturday morning, were two important developments of the sensational murder mystery Thursday. According to Attorney Bernard L. Chappell, of Graham &

The Atlanta Journal Friday, July 11, 1913 Detectives Deny That Mincey Told Them of Alleged Confession of Negro In the possession of the attorneys for the defense of Leo M. Frank is an affidavit of William H. Mincey, formerly an insurance agent working in Atlanta, who declares that the negro, James Conley, while drunk on the afternoon of April 26, admitted and even boasted to him that he had killed a girl that day. The admission is alleged by Mincey's affidavit to have been made when he met Conley, whom he knew, in the negro quarter, and attempted to sell

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, July 12, 1913 Hattie Smith Reluctant Before Judge—Says She Was Just Talking Friday For the first time since he has been at the head of the police force, Chief James L. Beavers addressed the assembled members of the detective department behind closed doors at hadquarters Friday afternoon, instructing them to unearth vice conditions. Heretofore the vice squad under Chief Beavers' immediate direction has been almost alone in its activity along that line. Not previously had the chief addressed the detectives on any subject. In regard to the detectives' participation in the crusade against vice, he told

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, July 12, 1913 Solicitor and Hooper Grill Negro at Police Headquarters for Three Hours For two hours and a half Solicitor Dorsey did practically all of the ques- Phagan case, Frank A. Hooper, quizzed Conley at police headquarters Friday afternoon. Two detectives stood guard on the outside of the door of the police commissioner's room in which the questioning was done, but no one except the officials and the negro were inside the room. Conley was grinning when he emerged from the room. The questioning ended shortly before 7 o'clock, and Solicitor Dorsey and Mr. Hooper

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, July 12, 1913 Frank's Attorneys Said to Have Corroborating Evidence, Newt Lee Denied Freedom Joseph H. Leavitt, an attorney, with offices at 422 Grant building, the man who secured the affidavit of W.H. Mincey, who alleges that James Conley confessed to the killing of a girl on April 26, the day Mary Phagan was murdered, declares that a number of affidavits fully corroborating every word that Mincey has said, are in the hands of counsel for the defense of Leo M. Frank. Mr. Leavitt states that the Mincey affidavit is really much stronger than the published

The Atlanta Journal Tuesday, July 15, 1913 State Officials Refuse to Consider Seriously Statement of Insurance Agent Despite the claim that many witnesses to corroborate the assertions of W.H. Mincey, the insurance agent and school teacher who claims that Conley confessed to him can be produced by the defense of Leo M. Frank, state officials refuse to consider seriously Mincey's testimony as an important element in the case. Details of the Mincey affidavit are corroborated by E.F. Holloway, an employe of the National Pencil factory, who states that he remembers Mincey's visit to the scene of Mary Phagan's murder on

The Atlanta Journal Wednesday, July 16, 1913 *Editor's Note: A small section of text is missing from the article due to scanning blur near a page fold. CONLEY NEGRO MAY BE INDICTED OVER DORSEY'S PROTEST New Grand Jury Will Take Up Case and Make an Effort to Get a True Bill Against Negro as Principal NEGRO HAS ALREADY ADMITTED COMPLICITY Solicitor Dorsey Is Expected to Vigorously Oppose Jury's Move—Negro Sweated Again by Detectives It was learned Wednesday by The Journal, on reliable authority, that there is a strong probability of the Fulton county grand jury which was recently organized by

The Atlanta Journal Thursday, July 17, 1913 Foreman Beattie of Grand Jury, However, Says He Knows of No Such Move W.D. Beattie, foreman of the grand jury, declares that "so far as he knows" there is no intention on the part of the grand jury to consider an indictment of Jim Conley, the negro sweeper, who figures so prominently in the Phagan murder mystery. The Journal has learned, however, on excellent authority, that a determined effort is being made to have the Conley case passed upon by the present grand jury. Whether the effort will or will not be futile

The Atlanta Journal Friday, July 18, 1913 *Editor's Note: Small sections of text are missing due to scanning near a crease. Recorder Says Mayor Is Defeating Justice and Impeding Officers in Their Attempts to Check Crime MAYOR STYLES BROYLES "A POLITICAL ACCIDENT" Says Recorder Plays Golf on Sunday and Then Fines Boys for Their Sunday Baseball Games Another direct statement by Recorder Nash R. Broyles, Friday morning, of his opinion of Mayor Woodward's clemency toward criminals convicted in police court, was issued by the recorder in writing, coupled with a verbal comment that the mayor "tells so many falsehoods that

The Atlanta Journal Friday, July 18, 1913 *Editor's Note: Small sections of text are missing due to scanning near a crease. GRAND JURY CALLED TO TAKE UP MATTER OVER DORSEY'S HEAD Foreman W.D. Beattie Calls Body to Meet Monday and Take Up Evidence Against Negro in Phagan Girl's Case derer SOLICITOR REFUSED TO ISSUE THE CALL Notwithstanding the Solicitor's Protest, Foreman Calls a Meeting Anyhow—Dorsey Issues a Statement Over the vigorous protest of Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey, the foreman of the grand jury has called a meeting for Monday for the specific purpose of considering an indictment against James

The Atlanta Journal Friday, July 18, 1913 *Editor's Note: Small sections of text are missing due to scanning near a crease. NOTED SLEUTHS WHO HAD ACCUSED FRANK NOW CHANGE THEORY Harry Scott, Field Chief of the Pinkertons, Refuses to Discuss the Agency's Change of Theory. AGENTS HAVE WORKED ON CASE ALONG WITH POLICE The Pinkertons Were Employed by the National Pencil Factory Immediately Following the Murder That the Pikerton detectives, who for so many weeks held to the theory that Leo M. Frank is guilty of the Mary Phagan murder, now lay the crime to the door of Jim Conley,

The Atlanta Journal Saturday, July 19, 1913 Protest of Solicitor Fails to Stop Session to Consider Phagan Evidence on Monday DORSEY STILL BELIEVES JURY WON'T INDICT Solicitor Says Frank Defense Wants Jury to Try Him Drawn From the Grand Jury List Grand Jurors Who Will Consider Conley's Case This is the Fulton county grand jury which has been called to meet Monday over the protest of the solicitor to take up the case of Jim Conley, the negro sweeper at the National Pencil factory: W.D. Beatie, foreman. T.C. Whitner. John S. Spalding. W.C. Carroll, East Point. H.B. Ferguson. Garnet McMillan,

The Atlanta Journal Sunday, July 20, 1913 SOLICITOR SCORED FOR HIS ATTITUDE IN CONLEY'S CASE Rosser and Arnold Charge Dorsey Seeks to Convict Frank, Guilty or Innocent, Out of Professional Pride "SHUTTING EYES TO TRUTH, DORSEY PROTECTS NEGRO" Attorneys Intimate That Dorsey Fears to Let Truth Be Known – Attitude Throughout Case Is Criticised The attitude of Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey throughout the Phagan investigation, and especially in his attempt to block a grand jury indictment of Jim Conley, is scored in an interview made public by Luther Z. Rosser and Reuben R. Arnold, counsel for Leo M. Frank.

The Atlanta Journal Monday, July 21, 1913 Solicitor Dorsey Makes Brief Announcement to This Effect After Grand Jury Session Lasting Over an Hour NO ANONYMOUS LETTERS WANTED BY THE JURORS Solicitor Dorsey Will Now Concentrate Efforts Against Having Frank Jury Drawing From Grand Jury List Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey has for a second time blocked an attempt by members of the grand jury to indict James Conley, the negro sweeper, who confessed complicity in the Mary Phagan murder. The grand jurymen who had called a meeting over the protest of the solicitor to consider taking up a bill against

Atlanta JournalJuly 22nd, 1913 BLOODY STICK NOW IN POSSESSION OF FRANK'S ATTORNEYS Was Found on May 10 by Two Pinkerton Detectives on the First Floor of the Pencil Factory DEFENSE TO CLAIM NEGRO WIELDED THE INSTRUMENT It Was Sent to Chemist Outside of State for Examination—Subpenas Issued for State's Witness In the possession of the defense of Leo M. Frank is a bloody bludgeon with which it will be claimed at the trial, in all probability, that James Conley, the negro sweeper, struck Mary Phagan over the head while she battled on the first floor of the National Pencil factory

Atlanta JournalJuly 23, 1913 No Witnesses for Defense Have Been Called for Monday, and Indications Are They Will Not Be CRAWFORD CASE CHECKED TO DATE OF FRANK TRIAL Attorney R. R. Arnold May Go to Covington to Request Judge L. S. Roan to Postpone Case While the position of the defense of Leo M. Frank has not been announced, Attorney Luther Z. Rosser and Reuben R. Arnold have indicated clearly that they desire to postpone the trial of case from next Monday, when it is set. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey, on the other hand, has announced the state's position.

Atlanta JournalJuly 24th, 1913 Judge L. S. Roan, Who Will Preside at the Trial, Returns to Atlanta Thursday Afternoon and Is Ill SOLICITOR SAYS STATE WITNESSES ARE READY Reuben Arnold, One of Frank's Attorneys, Returns After Conference in Covington With Judge Roan Judge L. S. Roan, who will preside at the trial of Leo M. Frank when he is arraigned for the murder of Mary Phagan, returned from Covington Thursday afternoon quite ill and went immediately to his home. He will be unable to go to the court house during the afternoon, but announces that the venire will be drawn

Atlanta JournalJuly 25th, 1913 Defense Subpoenaes 150 Witnesses, and If Any of the Chief Witnesses Are Ill, Continuance Can Be Asked JUDGE ROAN, WHO WAS ILL, IS REPORTED IMPROVED Indications Now Are That Defense Will Make No Effort to Have Trial Put Off—144 Veniremen Summoned The stage is set for the trial of Leo M. Frank for the murder of Mary Phagan on April 26. Veniremen and witnesses for the defense are being summoned. The witnesses for the state are already under subpoena. Judge L. S. Roan, who was ill Thursday, is better and ready for the trial. Solicitor General

Atlanta JournalJuly 26th, 1913 Pencil Factory Superintendent Declares the Sooner He Faces a Jury the Sooner He'll Gain His Freedom ACCUSED OF PHAGAN CRIME, HE WELCOMES TRIAL DAY Wife is Regular Visitor to the Tower—Frank's Time In Prison Is Spent in Reading and Playing Chess Leo M. Frank is ready and anxious to go on trial for his life before Judge Roan in the superior court next Monday morning, according to statements he has made to friends who visited him in his cell in the tower. "The sooner I face the jury, the sooner I will gain my liberty," he

Atlanta JournalJuly 27th, 1913 April 27—The dead body of Mary Phagan is found in basement of National Pencil factory at 3 a. m. by Newt Lee, the negro night-watchman. Police hold Lee, who yater in the day re-enacts discovery of the remains before city detectives. April 27—Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the Pencil factory, called from bed to view Mary Phagan's body at April 27—Arthur Mullinax arrested on information given the police by E. L. Sentell, who declared he saw the murdered girl in the former's company at 1220 o'clock on the morning of the murder. April 28—Coroner Donehoo empanels

Atlanta JournalJuly 27th, 1913 Accused Superintendent's Story Is Unbroken by Any Save a Negro Leo M. Frank's sworn statement of his whereabouts each hour on the day of April 26, when Mary Phagan met her death, is of unusual interest in the case, especially since no witness except Conley had been found, at least as far as the public knows, who can break his story. Frank's statement of his whereabouts as given at the coroner's inquest, when he was under oath, follows: SATURDAY APRIL 26. 7 o'clock a. m.—Arose and dressed at home. 8—Left home for the factory office. 8:20—Arrived

Atlanta JournalJuly 27th, 1913 There is little doubt that the storm-center, so to speak, of the Frank trial will be the testimony of the negro sweeper, James Conley. He will be the principal witness for the state and all of the other evidence of the prosecution will be shaped with a view to corroborating and strengthening his story which places the murder of Mary Phagan upon the factory superintendent. And the defense will chiefly concern itself with the task of discrediting the negro's testimony. It will bend its energies to prove that Conley has lyingly accused Frank and will offer