Category: TRANSCRIPTS: ATLANTA JOURNAL

Atlanta JournalJuly 27th, 1913 Indications Were Saturday Night That the Trial Would Begin Before Judge Roan at Hour Scheduled BOTH SIDES READY AND BITTER FIGHT IS CERTAIN Many Well Known Citizens In Venire From Whom the Twelve Jurors Will Be Chosen for Trial If both sides answer ready when the clerk "sounds" the case of the "State of Georgia versus Leo M. Frank" in the criminal division of the superior court at 9 o'clock Monday morning, what is expected to be the most brilliant as well as one of the most bitter legal fights in the criminal history of the

Atlanta JournalJuly 27th, 1913 H. B. Pierce Declares Lanford Knew of Find of Bloody Stick in Factory H. B. Pierce, head of the local branch of the Pinkerton detective agency, characterizes as absurd Chief Detective N. A. Langford's charge that the Pinkerton sleuth has broken faith with the state in the Pinkerton's investigation of the Phagan case. Chief Lanford charges specifically that the Pinkerton broke faith by failing to report the find by two of his men of the part of a pay envelope and of a bloody stick on the first floor of the factory. The find was made

Atlanta JournalJuly 27th, 1913 Genial Deputy Sheriff Will Have Seats for Only 250 People, and Hates to Think He Won't Be Able to Accommodate Everybody, for That's His Disposition Plennie Minor is going to have the hardest job in Fulton county during the next two weeks. Plennie (he doesn't allow people to call him Mr. Minor, for he is everybody's friend) is a Fulton county deputy sheriff and has the arduous task of keeping order in the court room while the Frank case is in progress. Incidentally, he will have to look out for witnesses and prisoners, and generally be

The Atlanta Journal, July 27th, 1913 Defense Will Ridicule Conley's Story and Endeavor to Show That It Was Made to Save His Own Neck MANY WITNESSES CALLED TO CORROBORATE FRANK Though Attorneys Are Silent, The Journal Presents Below Outline of What the Defense Is Expected to Be Complete innocence on the part of Leo M. Frank, the young superintendent of the National Pencil factory, and absolute guilt on the part of James Conley, the negro sweeper at the factory, are the two cardinal points upon which Frank's defense will be based when he is called to trial for the murder

Atlanta JournalJuly 28th, 1913 Three Distinct Crowds Are There, Some Laughing, Some Whispering Speculations on Case There were three crowds at the Frank trial Monday morning; and each had an aspect and characteristic as different as east from west—the crowd in the court room, the crowd around the door and in the street, and the throng of witnesses swarming through the upstairs rooms. As one approached the red brick court house down Hunter street, he could see the corner near Pryor black with people. A car would turn the curve, the motorman clanging his gong vigorously before the packed mass

Atlanta JournalJuly 28th, 1913 J. M. Gantt Is to Be Married Sunday, Provided Trial Is Over—He Has Planned to Elope, but Now He'll Have "Sure Enough" Wedding There is one man connected with the case of Mary Phagan to whom the conclusion of the trial will bring a great happiness. He is J. M. Gantt, at one time a suspect and now a witness. The day that brings the end of the trial will bring to him a wife. Monday morning he sat on the steps leading to the second floor of the courthouse, chewing on the end of a

Atlanta JournalJuly 28th, 1913 Accused Neither Care-Worn Nor Haggard—His Eyes Meet Those of Crowd Without Faltering There was one question on the face of every member of the big crowd in and around the courthouse Monday morning. To those standing without in the street, to those crowding the corridors and hallways, to witnesses flowing through rooms on the second floor, to the packed courtroom, the query was, where is the prisoner. The man to whom the trial meant more than it meant to any other human being, had been brought to the courthouse early in the morning. He was in

Atlanta JournalJuly 28th, 1913 Negro Nightwatchman Says He Doesn't Know Conley, the Sweeper—Merely Will Repeat Story of Finding Body Newt Lee's testimony to the jury, before which Leo M. Frank is to be tried, will repeat his statements to the police. He will add nothing new, and will give no testimony involving Conley, the negro sweeper. To the jury, as to the police, Newt Lee will describe merely how he found the body of the murdered child in the cellar of the pencil factory, and afterward told the police of his discovery. As he waited at the court house with

Atlanta JournalJuly 28th, 1913 JURY COMPLETED BEFORE RECESS AND STATE WAS READY TO BEGIN INTRODUCTION OF ITS TESTIMONY Last Man In the Last Panel Was Accepted as the Twelfth Juror and Cleared the Way for the Actual Trial of the Case When Court Reconvened at 3 o'Clock—Newt Lee Will Probably Be the First Witness Placed on the Stand BOTH THE STATE AND DEFENSE SEEMED SATISFIED WITH TWELVE MEN CHOSEN TO TRY IMPORTANT CASE Proceeding During the Morning More Like That of a Civil Than a Criminal Case—Court Room Crowded, but Not Uncomfortable—Frank Appears in Court, Showing No Sign of Worry—Full

Atlanta JournalJuly 28th, 1913 Negro Cook in the Selig-Frank Home Repudiates Affidavit She Swore to Against Frank, Will Refuse to Swear to the Paper, She Says Minola McKnight, the negro cook, who signed an affidavit which is to be used by the prosecution against Leo M. Frank, said Monday morning that the police, by three hours' sweating, forced her to sign this affidavit, and that when she is called as a witness that she will refuse to testify to the statements set forth in it. The substance of the affidavit was that, on the morning following the murder of Mary

Atlanta JournalJuly 29th, 1913 "They Been 15 Reporters Here in the Last Five Minutes," He Says, "and What's Not Reporters Is Boyhood Friends I Don't Remember" "You are?" said the man who guards the foot of the steps. "Well, son, they been fifteen reporters here in the last five minutes. They represented everything from "Nova Scotia Times" to the "Saskatchewan Gazette." Who do you report for?" And it took a letter of identification from the whole press table to gain admittance to the Frank trial for an unoffending and rather retiring reporter who merely wished to glance over the court

Atlanta JournalJuly 29th, 1913 Thirty Girls and Men Are Waiting to Appear as Character Witnesses. Thirty girls and men who are employes of the National Pencil factory are waiting to testify to the good character of Leo M. Frank. "Ever girl employed at the factory believes that Mr. Frank is innocent," said Miss Rebekah Carson Monday afternoon. "He was as kind as an employer could be. There never was a time when he wasn't considerate of every one employed at the factory. But at the same time he was a man with two ideas. And they were his wife and

Atlanta JournalJuly 29th, 1913 Indications Are That Trial Will Be Longest Over Which Judge Roan Has Presided, To Hold Two Sessions Daily Attorneys both for the defense and for the prosecution of Leo M. Frank believe that his trial will last at least one week, perhaps, two weeks. If the trial continues through more than one week it will be the longest over which Judge L. S. Roan has ever presided. But, while he will expedite the trial as fast as possible, he intenrs to give attorneys all the time needed for the introduction of testimony and for argument. He

Atlanta JournalJuly 29th, 1913 His Brow Does Not Wrinkle, His Eyes Do Not Quail or Even Flicker—He Is Cool and Quiet Leo M. Frank's expression of quiet confidence has surprised every visitor to the court room where he is being tried for murder. He sits for the most part with his hands crossed, and listens coolly to the testimony or to the argument of attorneys. Not since the trial began has he seemed the least perturbed. His manner has been quiet and contained, like that of one who is sure of himself and sure of his cause. Yet he has

Atlanta JournalJuly 29th, 1913 QUESTIONS DIRECTED AT NEGRO INDICATED AN EFFORT TO THROW SUSPICION UPON WATCHMAN "We Might as Well Begin to Show the Negro a Criminal Now as Later," Declared Attorney Rosser, In Arguing for Admissability of His Questions—Negro Was Taken Over His Testimony Many Times in Effort to Break Him Down INDICATIONS TUESDAY ARE THAT TRIAL WILL LAST MANY DAYS, PROBABLY AS LONG AS TWO WEEKS Morning Session Enlivened by Clashes Between Attorneys, Every Point Is Bitterly Contested—Frank Keeps Serene and Untroubled Throughout Session—Full Story of Testimony Given by Witnesses During the Morning After a luncheon recess of

Atlanta JournalJuly 29th, 1913 Negro Nightwatchman Who Found Mary Phagan's Body in National Pencil Factory on Stand—Girl's Mother and Newsboy Examined Newt Lee, the negro nightwatchman who found Mary Phagan's body in the pencil factory basement, was hammered by the defense for over two hours, on the witness stand Monday afternoon. Mrs. J. W. Coleman, mother of the murdered child, and George W. Epps, a playmate who came to town with her on the fatal day, testified in that order. Mrs. Coleman being the first witness called to the stand when the trial started. Newt Lee was the third witness.

Atlanta JournalJuly 29th, 1913 Agent Who Said That Conley Told Him of Killing "a Girl" May Testify W. H. Mincey, who has made affidavit that James Conley, the negro sweeper, practically confessed to him as being the murderer of Mary Phagan, is in Atlanta but has not yet gone to the courthouse where Frank is being tried. At the time of the murder, Mincey was employed here as an insurance solicitor. On the day of the murder, he says that he met Conley at the corner of Carter and Electric streets. The negro, according to the affidavit, was drinking, and

Atlanta JournalJuly 29th, 1913 Each of First Three Witnesses In Case Shows Distinct Personality and Entirely Different Side of Human Nature, Some Character Studies Three of the witnesses who testified Monday afternoon at the Frank trial were more distinct as personalities than the characters you could see portrayed in any theater, except that very tragic one of a criminal court room. Much testimony and such individuality as that of these witnesses, has kept the court room crowded by at least 200 people during every minute of the Frank trial—crowded with well dressed men who lean forward in their seats, intent

Atlanta JournalJuly 29th, 1913 Can't Build Case on Pack of Lies Any More Than House on Cards, Rabbi Says In the room directly above the one where Leo M. Frank was on trial for the murder of Mary Phagan Monday afternoon were gathered a score of friends of the accused who eagerly discussed his chances for and against acquittal. Prominent among them was Dr. David I. Marx, rabbi of the Jewish synagogue to which Frank belonged. With other friends of the prisoner he declared emphatically his belief in Frank's innocence. "There is no man in Atlanta," said Dr. Marx, "more

Atlanta JournalJuly 29th, 1913 They Come From Every Station in Life—From the Ragged Newsboy to the Business Man With the Diamond Scarf Pin and the Georgia Lawmaker The personnel of the spectators at the average murder trial is one of the most interesting phases of it, and the trial of Leo Frank for the murder of Mary Phagan is no exception to the general rule. One glance about the court room as the case proceeded Monday afternoon showed an ever-changing kaleidoscope of ever changing faces, holding a single characteristic common to all, a look of intense interest that kept every

Atlanta Journal July 30th, 1913 Now that Newt Lee has more ‘bacca, as he says, "than Mr. Rosser axed him questions," he needs but a hat to complete his physical comfort, but freedom to set his mind at rest. Newt's only hat is a fur cap, which Newt thinks might have made a "ver' putty Christmas gift when 'twas new, but don't do much fer July." "You see, boss," he explains, "a straw hat jes' naturally looks cool, makes yer feel like you had money in your pocket. But there ain't no use fer a cap and it furry in

Atlanta JournalJuly 30th, 1913 Attorney for Defense Says the State Won't Hurt His Character "Mincey will be Johnny-on-the-spot when the defense needs him to testify." Those were the words of Joseph Leavitt, one of the lawyers for the defense in speaking Tuesday afternoon on the affidavit sworn to some time ago by W. H. Mincey, by which the defense hopes to prove that Jim Conley confessed to Mincey that he killed a girl on the day Mary Phagan was murdered. Attorney Leavitt would not say where Mincey was staying, but declared that he was in town; that he had been

Atlanta JournalJuly 30th, 1913 GRACE HIX TESTIFIES THAT GIRLS FREQUENTLY COMBED THEIR HAIR OVER MACHINES Miss Hix Also Testifies That Magnolia Kennedy, Who Worked Near Mary Phagan, Had Hair of the Same Color and Shade—Important Admissions Lay Foundation for Defense's Claim That Murder Was Not Committed in Metal Room STATE ENDEAVORS TO SHOW THAT FRANK VERY NERVOUS AND DID NOT LOOK ON FACE OF MURDERED GIRL Attorney Rosser Directs His Questions to Combat Claim of Nervousness—Witness Declares She Never Saw Any Red Paint in the Metal Room—State Claims New Evidence Will Soon Be Given—Trial Will Run Into Second Week Four

Atlanta JournalJuly 30th, 1913 They Sing Ballads and Tell Irish Tales During the "Recess" Hours Jurors in the Frank trial have organized a singing club. Their purpose is not to give diversity to the trial with a note of song, but to while away the time between sessions of court. When Judge L. S. Roan gives word that the trial has proceded far enough for the day, jurors are taken for a brief, brisk walk, and then to their residence for the nonce, which consists in three rooms thrown together at the Kimball house. There the twelve take up their

Atlanta JournalJuly 30th, 1913 J. M. Gantt, one time suspect in the Phagan case, and now a witness, Wednesday sat on a bench in the room above the one where Leo Frank was on trial for his life and said unpleasant things about his shoes. "There they are," he declared in a peevish tone. "The two little devils that got me into this case and have cost me a hundred dollars in attorney's fees and more worry and care than anything I ever had before." The objects of his wrath were simply two unoffending black boots with a stout pair

Atlanta JournalJuly 30th, 1913 For the sake of expediting the Frank trial, attorneys in the case are not permitted the comfort of "shirt sleeves" in the court room which, maintained at temperature Tuesday of 95 degrees. Newspaper reporters and spectators may hang their coats on their arms, roll up their sleeves, and at least feel that they have prepared themselves against the heat. But before the trial began, Judge Roan, in discussing the legal attire, said humorously: "Lawyers must wear coats. If I let them go in shirt sleeves they'd feel so comfortable this trial might never end. Now, for

Atlanta JournalJuly 30th, 1913 She Declares Her Confidence in Son's Innocence Makes It Easy for Her "My son never looked stronger than at this moment," said Mrs. Ray Frank, of Brooklyn, Wednesday morning. "The trial isn't telling upon him because he isn't worrying. He is confident because of his innocence and because of his certainty of an acquittal. "Neither his wife nor myself is anxious. Of course, we feel the heat and it is tiring to sit here in the court room throughout the day. But, like my son, we are not afraid. Why should we be? We know that

Atlanta JournalJuly 30th, 1913 Tuesday Afternoon's Session Hears of Beginning of Police Investigation Into Mystery of Mary Phagan's Murder Following in the sequence which it began with the introduction of the first witness, the prosecution of the murder charge against Leo M. Frank progressed Tuesday afternoon to the point at which the city detectives began their investigation of te murder mystery. Beginning with Mrs. J. W. Coleman, mother of Mary Phagan, who saw her leave home about noon of April 26, the state established in succession her arrival at the corner of Marietta and Forsyth streets, and departure thence for

Atlanta JournalJuly 30th, 1913 Moses Frank Has Been Given No Inkling of Circumstances That Now Are About Frank Family—He Is Seriously Ill in German Hospital Lying at the point of death in a hospital in far-off Germany is the uncle of Leo M. Frank, unknowing that for the last three months his favorite nephew has been imprisoned on the charge of murder and that today he is on trial for his life. This is what an attorney for the defense says. He declares that uncle how regarded Leo Frank almost as his own son, has been too ill for many

Atlanta JournalJuly 31st, 1913 BLOOD SPOTS AND HAIR FOUND ON DAY FOLLOWING DISCOVERY CRIME HAD BEEN COMMITTED Pay Envelope Was Found Near Machine Used by Mary Phagan Some Days Later—Find of Strands of Hair on Lathe Was Reported to Quinn, Who Notified Darley—Mell Stanford and Magnolia Kennedy Also Saw It BARRETT'S EVIDENCE MOST IMPORTANT YET TOWARD PROVING CRIME WAS COMMITTED IN METAL ROOM Mell Stanford and Harry Scott Also Tell of Finding Blood Spots, but Scott's Testimony Is Not Entirely Satisfactory to Either State or Defense—Monteen Stover on the Stand. Will Conley Testify in Rebuttal Only? New and sensational testimony

Solicitor Dorsey is shown in a characteristic attitude as he questions the state's witnesses. To his right the defendant, Leo M. Frank, is shown. Atlanta JournalJuly 31st, 1913 Detective John Black "Goes to Pieces" Under Rapid-Fire Cross-Questioning of Frank's Attorney at Afternoon Session Action characterized the Wednesday afternoon session of the Frank trial, and it was the first time the tedious proceedings had taken on life enough to attract more than passing interest. This action came in the fierce and merciless cross-examination of Detective John Black by Attorney Rosser, leading counsel for the defense. Black has taken a prominent part

Atlanta JournalJuly 31st, 1913 At First It Was Picnic for Them, but Now It's Only a Long, Long Wait, in a Crowded Room Under a Burning Roof The witnesses in the trial of Leo M. Frank undoubtedly have had the hardest time of it to date. If they testify they must run the gamut of Luther Rosser's sledge-hammer cross-examination or Solicitor Dorsey's boring-in tactics; if they don't testify they must wait, and the waiting is the hardest part of all. One of them in the upstairs hall above the court-room declared Wednesday, "I can't stay up here, it's too hot.

Atlanta JournalAugust 1st, 1913 Thronged Streets Prevented Driver Seeing Raymond Roddy—Not Seriously Hurt Raymond Roddy, a thirteen-year-old boy who lives at 66 Williams street, was knocked down by an automobile about 9 o'clock Thursday morning near the corner of Pryor and East Hunger street, not far from the old court house where the Frank trial is taking place. The boy was crossing Pryor street at the time, attracted by the crowd of curiosity seekers gathered around the court house. The automobile was driven by H. H. Hooten, of the Adams Grocery company, who was taking it to the shop on

Atlanta JournalAugust 1st, 1913 DARLEY'S ADMISSIONS ABOUT FRANK'S DEFENSE OFFSET BY HIS EVIDENCE IN REBUTTAL Having Admitted Frank Trembled, That He Was Pale and Seemed "Upset," on Cross-Examination Mr. Darley Said Frank Was Naturally of a Nervous Temperament and Told of Tedious Work He Did on Saturday in Preparing Financial Sheet JUDGE ROAN REVERSES HIS RULING IN REFERENCE TO EVIDENCE ABOUT WHETHER OTHERS WERE NERVOUS Attorneys for Defense Had Intimated That His Refusal to Admit This Evidence Was Good Ground for Appeal—Mrs. White's Testimony That She Saw Negro Lurking Near Stairway at 1 o'Clock Saturday a Feature of Morning Session

Atlanta JournalAugust 1st, 1913 A woman sat among the spectators at the Frank trial Thursday afternoon, a pretty blue-eyed woman neatly clad in a white shirtwaist and black skirt. "Four months ago," she was thinking, "I was in the position of that boyish-limbed youth over there. Four months ago, I, too, was accused of murder, was on trial for my life. Four months ago men and women came to stare at me, even as I am staring at him now." The woman was Mrs. Callie Scott Appelbaum, who was freed last spring of the charge of slaying her husband in

Atlanta JournalAugust 1st, 1913 Spectators Remain From 5 to 7—Lunch Boys Acquiring Wealth A court room where a man is on trial for his life is a strange place for a picnic, yet from 12:30 to 2 o'clock every afternoon the room where the Frank trial is taking place has all the appearance of the pavillion at Grant park on a hot July Saturday. The benches are spread with boxes and sacks, sandwiches, chicken, cake, all the other essentials of a picnic lunch save ice-cold lemonade, are passed about from man to man, and the noon hour dinner is eaten

Atlanta JournalAugust 1st, 1913 E. F. Holloway Angers Dorsey When He Testifies Contrary to Affidavit—Had Told Dorsey Elevator Switch Was Locked Court adjourned at 4:58 o'clock until 9 o'clock Friday morning after a day of surprises in the trial of Leo M. Frank, charged with the murder of Mary Phagan, in the National Pencil factory building. That the switch board which controls the motor used to operate the elevator in the National Pencil factory, where Mary Phagan was murdered was left unlocked Saturday morning when he left the building at 11:45 o'clock, and that anybody could have entered and run

Atlanta JournalAugust 2nd, 1913 WHEN JUDGE ROAN UNWITTINGLY HELD RED HEADLINE IN FRONT OF JURY, DEFENSE MADE POINT Jury Is Sent Out of Room While Attorneys for the Defense Tell the Court That the Jurymen Were Seen Reading Red Headline, "State Adds Links to Chain" — Judge Then Calls Jury Back and Cautions Them FOLLOWING JUDGE'S SPEECH TO THE JURY, TESTIMONY IS RESUMED, NO FURTHER MOTION MADE BY DEFENSE In His Address to the Jury, Judge Roan Declared That They Must Not Be Influenced by Anything They Had Read in the Newspaper, but Must Form Their Opinion Solely on the

Atlanta JournalAugust 2nd, 1913 Physician Testifies at Frank Trial That Mary Phagan Met Death Half Hour After Lunch—Describes Wounds Secretary of State Board of Health Compelled to Leave the Witness Stand on Account of Illness In the midst of sensational testimony, Dr. H. F. Harris, secretary of the state board of health, collapsed Friday afternoon on the witness stand and was excused until Saturday. Dr. Harris and just testified that his examination of the contents of the stomach of little Mary Phagan showed that the dinner which she had eaten before leaving home was still undigested, and he therefore concluded

  Atlanta Journal August 2nd, 1913 DR. HURT'S TESTIMONY NOT CONFIRMATORY OF EVIDENCE GIVEN BY DR. H. F. HARRIS On Cross-Examination, Dr. Hurt Admits That Cabbage Is Considered Very Difficult to Digest and That Under Some Conditions as Much as Three Hours and a Half Might be Required Before the Process of Digestion Was Completed PHYSICIAN ON STAND GREATER PART OF MORNING AND UNDERWENT RIGID CROSS-EXAMINATION BY DEFENSE He Found No Evidence of Violence, He Declared — Detective Waggoner, Chief Beavers, Detective Bass Rosser, Patrolman Lassiter and Miss Ferguson Testify — Court Adjourns Until Monday Morning at 9 o'Clock Dr.