Leo Frank TV

Hooper Returns and Takes Up Phagan Case The Atlanta JournalThursday, June 19, 1913 Declares Trip to Cincinnati Had Nothing to oD With Murder Mystery Frank A. Hooper, the experienced prosecutor, who has been engaged to assist Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey in the trial of the case against Leo M. Frank, returned Thursday from a three days' trip to Cincinnati, and set at rest the rumors that he went to the Ohio city on a matter connected with the investigation of the Phagan murder mystery. Mr. Hooper declared that his private business called him to Cincinnati, and that his trip was

Formby Woman May Not Be A Witness The Atlanta ConstitutionFriday, June 20, 1913 State Declares Its Case Against Frank Is Now Complete Dorsey Still Absent Because of the inconsistency of her statement with the state's outline of prosecution, Chief Lanford intimates that Mima Formby , the roominghouse keeper of 400 Piedmont avenue, will not be called to the stand in Leo Frank's trial. He does not state this positively, however, but it is the general opinion that such will be the prosecution's action. Mrs. Formby has stated to a Constitution reporter that she is ready to testify against the factory

Constitution Picture Will Figure in Trial The Atlanta ConstitutionMonday, June 16, 1913 Solicitor Wants Photograph of Spot Where Mary Phagan's Body Was Found A flashlight picture, made by The Constitution's staff photographer is to be used as evidence by the prosecution in the trial of Leo M. Frank. This was made evident Sunday afternoon when Detective John Starnes applied to a Constitution reporter for the photograph of the spot in the pencil factory basement, where Mary Phagan's body was discovered. Starnes would not state why he wanted the picture, saying only that it would be used by the prosecution. He

State Takes Advantage of Points Known The Atlanta GeorgianSaturday, June 14, 1913 With certain of the strong defenses of Leo M. Frank exposed by the preliminary battle over the custody of the negro Conley, the prosecution in the Phagan murder mystery went to work on the case to-day with its first definite idea of the sort of a stronghold it must assault. It was assured that the accused man's lawyers would not rest with fighting suspicion away from Frank, but would seek to fasten the guilt so firmly upon Conley that Frank not only would be acquitted, but that he

Solicitor H. M. Dorsey Leaves for New York The Atlanta JournalSaturday, June 14, 1913 Declares Visit Has Nothing to Do With Phagan Case, Which Is Complete Hugh M. Dorsey, solcilictor general of the Atlanta circuit, left Atlanta for New York and Atlantic City on Saturday afternoon at 2:45 o'clock. Mr. Dorsey states that he will be away from the city for a week, and is going simply to get a needed rest, and vacation from the duties of his office. He denies that his visit to New York has anything to do with the case against Leo M. Frank, who

Face Conley and Frank, Lanford Urges The Atlanta GeorgianThursday, June 12, 1913 Detective Chief Ready to Have Accuser Confront Prisoner Before Grand Jury. New sensations are expected in the Phagan mystery Friday morning when the petition of Solicitor Dorsey for the revocation of the order holding James Conley as a material witness is heard before Judge L. S. Roan. Luther Z. Rosser, attorney for Leo Frank, will be afforded his first opportunity formally to present his reasons for the holding of James Conley, not only as a material witness in the baffling murder mystery, but as an actual suspect. While

Court's Order May Result in Meeting of Negro and Frank Atlanta JournalThursday, June 12th, 1913 Jim Conley, Negro Sweeper, Accusing Witness in Phagan Case, Sure to Appear Before Judge Roan Friday A. M. STATE MAY DEMAND THAT FRANK APPEAR THERE TOO Through Judge's Order, Defense Gets Chance to Quiz Negro—State Then May Force Long-Sought Meeting The probability that Leo M. Frank, accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, and Jim Conley, negro witness against him, may face each other Friday, developed Thursday morning from the acute situation which arose Wednesday when Judge L. S. Roan issued a rule niel calling

Judge Roan to Decide Conley's Jail Fate Atlanta GeorgianFriday, June 13th, 1913 Chief of Detectives Lanford Receives No Order to Take the Negro Sweeper to Court. A more explicit accusation of murder against Jim Conley, negro sweeper at the National Pencil Factory, than has yet been made since his name has been connected with the Phagan mystery, was expected Friday morning when Luther Z. Rosser, attorney for Leo Frank, was to appear before Judge L. S. Roan to combat Solicitor Dorsey's move to keep Conley at the police station and away from the tower. The probability that Conley, accuser, and

Conley Released, Then Rearrested The Atlanta ConstitutionSaturday, June 14, 1913 After a short hearing in his chambers yesterday Judge L. S. Roan, of the superior court, revoked his former order holding James Conley, the negro sweeper, as a material witness in the Phagan case, and ordered his release from the custody of the state. The negro was immediately rearrested and held by city detectives on a charge of suspicion. By this the detective department and Solicitor Hugh Dorsey won their first point, as had the negro been ordered held by the state, he would have been transferred to the Tower

Negro Conley May Face Frank Today The Atlanta ConstitutionJune 13, 1913 Hearing Before Judge Roan Today Will Decide Whether Negro Will Be Sent to Tower. Whether James Conley, the negro sweeper, who swears that Leo Frank got his aid in disposing of Mary Phagan's body and made him write the notes found near her, will be held as a material witness in the county jail or turned free and re-arrested by detectives as a suspect and then kept at police station, is due to be decided at 10 o'clock on the hearing of the rule nisi before Judge L. S.

Solicitor H. M. Dorsey Wins in First Clash; L. Z. Rosser Declares Procedure a Farce Atlanta JournalFriday, June 13th, 1913 Conley is Prisoner of City Detectives, Not of State, Now Conley Says His Attorney Believes Idea of Transfer Originated With Friends of Frank, to Harm Him JUSTICE WARRANT MAY ROB DORSEY OF VICTORY As Negro Is Held Simply on Suspicion, Any Citizen Might Secure Transfer to Tower on J. P. Warrant James Conley, the negro sweeper, passed from the custody of the superior court Friday morning, and Solicitor General Dorsey won the first legal point in the prosecution of Leo

Grand Jury Will Probe Affidavits About Dictagraph The Atlanta ConstitutionJune 12, 1913 Investigation of Charges and Counter Charges Will Begin at Early Date and Will Be Exhaustive One. LANFORD SAYS GENTRY WILL DENY AFFIDAVIT Affidavit Is Made Declaring Dictagraph Instrument Was Secured by Chief Lanford For Use in Phagan Case. Following close on the heels of the publication of the George M. Gentry affidavit, in which the young stenographer states that his typewritten report of the dictagraph conversation was padded, and says that he left town after he had discovered that he had fallen in with a "crowd of crooks,"

Grand Jury Will Probe Affidavits About Dictagraph The Atlanta ConstitutionJune 12, 1913 Investigation of Charges and Counter Charges Will Begin at Early Date and Will Be Exhaustive One. LANFORD SAYS GENTRY WILL DENY AFFIDAVIT Affidavit Is Made Declaring Dictagraph Instrument Was Secured by Chief Lanford For Use in Phagan Case. Following close on the heels of the publication of the George M. Gentry affidavit, in which the young stenographer states that his typewritten report of the dictagraph conversation was padded, and says that he left town after he had discovered that he had fallen in with a "crowd of crooks,"

Defense Digs Deep to Show Conley is Phagan Girl Slayer Atlanta GeorgianSaturday, June 7th, 1913 Getting New Evidence to Show Negro Was Located in Factory—Theory Explains Mystery of Staple Pulled From Back Door of Basement. The defense of Leo Frank against the charge of murdering Mary Phagan will be more than a mere attempt to clear Frank's skirts of the crime. It will seek directly to fix upon James Conley, negro, full and complete responsibility for the crime. Despite the secretiveness and the silence of Frank's attorneys, it has been ascertained with a reasonable degree of authority that the foregoing

"Torture Chamber" Methods Charged in Getting Evidence Atlanta JournalSaturday, June 7th, 1913 In Card to The Journal, Wife of Factory Superintendent Declares Solicitor Dorsey Has Approved Third Degree "WE ARE SUFFERING NOW, BUT WHO WILL BE NEXT?" Her Statement in Full—Conley Will Not Be Indicted as Accessory, but if Frank is Acquitted, He Will Be Tried Mrs. Leo M. Frank, wife of the indicted pencil factory superintendent, Saturday afternoon sent The Journal a second statement in which she renews her charge that Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey and the city detectives are obtaining evidence in the Phagan murder case by

Lanford Answers Felder's Charge Atlanta ConstitutionSunday, June 8, 1913 Declares That He Has Never Seen Gentry But Once in His Life. "Tom Felder is a contemptible liar," blazed Chief Lanford last night when informed of the contents of Colonel Felder's letter directed to him through The Constitution. "I never saw this Gentry but once in my life, and that was before this dictagraph exposure ever happened. I have never seen him since. "Gentry telephoned police headquarters Saturday, a week ago, however, and asked for Febuary, my secretary. Febuary happened not to be in at the time. I answered the telephone.

Fair Play Alone Can Find Truth in Phagan Puzzle, Declares Old Reporter Atlanta GeorgianSunday, June 8th, 1913 Average Atlantan Believes Frank is Guilty, but That Little Real Evidence Has Yet Pointed to Him as Slayer. Stirring Defense by Wife and Attack on Solicitor Dorsey Are Two Striking Features of Week's Progress in Case. by AN OLD POLICE REPORTER. I have thought a good deal during the past week about a fine young newspaper man I used to know some fifteen years ago, and particularly of the last thing he said to me before he died. He was a Georgian, too.

Solicitor Makes No Reply to Mrs. Frank Atlanta JournalSunday, June 8, 1913 Hugh M. Dorsey Has No Comment to Make on Mrs. Frank's Letter Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey has declined to make any answer to the published statement of Mrs. Leo M. Frank, charging him with allowing the use of "torture" to force people to make false statements against her husband, who is charged by a grand jury indictment with the murder of Mary Phagan. In her statement, Mrs. Frank flayed the solicitor general, charging that it is evident from his card that he believes that he is perfectly

Foreman Tells Why He Holds Conley Guilty Atlanta GeorgianMonday, June 9th, 1913 R. P. Barrett, in Letter to Georgian, Gives Reasons for Suspecting Negro of Crime. R. P. Barrett, foreman of the metal department at the National Pencil Factory, in a letter to The Georgian Monday, gives his reasons for believing that Jim Conley, negro sweeper at the plant, attacked and strangled Mary Phagan. It was Barrett who found the strands of hair on the lathing machine in his department. This is supposed to be where the girl was thrown against the machine in her struggles. Later Barrett testified positively

Defense to Make Next Move in Phagan Case Atlanta JournalMonday, June 9th, 1913 Apparently Prosecuting Officials Consider Their Investigation Complete Chief of Detectives Lanford has announced that Jim Conley, the negro sweeper, who is the state's principal witness in the case against Leo M. Frank, indicted for the murder of Mary Phagan, will not be cross-examined again unless he voluntarily sends for the officers to make a statement. It is known that no developments have changed the theory of the prosecuting authorities, and it is apparent from the remark of Chief Lanford and other statements that the officials consider the

Leo Frank Reported Ready for His Trial Atlanta ConstitutionTuesday, June 10, 1913 Many Witnesses Are Being Examined Every Day by Attorneys for the Defense That counsel for Leo Frank is ready for trial was freely reported over the city Monday. Attorney Luther Z. Rosser, his lawyer, when asked regarding this report, gave the reply that has been characteristic of his attitude during the Phagan case. "I have nothing to say." He would in nowise commit himself. It is understood, however, that Mr. Rosser has informed friends that the defense is ready and that there will be no delay in putting

Eyewitness to Phagan Slaying Sought Atlanta GeorgianTuesday, June 10th, 1913 Story That Companion of Conley Saw Him Strike Down Girl Opens New Clews. Jim Conley, whose sensational story has made him an accessory after the fact in the murder of Mary Phagan, is sticking closely to the details he unfolded in his remarkable affidavit, according to his attorney, William M. Smith. Mr. Smith said Tuesday morning that Conley has varied in no essential particular from the original tale of his part in the disposal of the body of the strangled girl, under the direction of Leo Frank. To Mr. Smith

Luther Z. Rosser, Attorney for Frank, Trains His Guns on City Detective Chief The Atlanta JournalTuesday, June 10, 1913 SAYS CHIEF LANFORD IS NOT SEEKING FOR TRUTH OF MURDER He Charges That the Detective Chief Has Banked His Sense and Reputation on Proving Frank Guilty "WHY HASN'T CONLEY BEEN BEFORE JURY?" Attorney Declares Evidence All Points to Negro—Says Felder-Lanford Controversy Unfair to His Client Luther Z. Rosser, chief counsel for Leo M. Frank, the pencil factory superintendent, who is under indictment for the murder of Mary Phagan, Tuesday afternoon broke his persistent silence regarding the case and gave out a

Dictograph Records Crooked, Says Gentry The Atlanta ConstitutionJune 11, 1913 NOTEBOOK WILL PROVE REPORTS WERE ‘PADDED,' HE SAYS IN AFFIDAVIT Young Stenographer, Who Made the Report of the Conversation in Room No. 31 Williams House, Voluntarily Makes Statement Before a Notary Public in the City of Washington D. C., Where He Is Employed. ASSERTS THAT HE LEFT ATLANTA WHEN INFORMED OVER TELEPHONE HE MIGHT BE PUT UNDER ARREST Swears That A. S. Colyar Has Made Effort to Purchase His Original Notes, Which Are Now in Possession of His Brotheró"Grand Jury Should Make an Investigation" Declares Mayor James G. Woodward. The

Police Hold Conley By Court's Order Atlanta GeorgianWednesday, June 11th, 1913 Judge Roan Gives Suspect Chance to Show Why He Should Not Be Released. The Phagan case took a queer turn Wednesday afternoon when Judge Roan, apparently stirred by Luther Z. Rosser's araignment of the way Jim Conley has been "petted" by the police, issued notice to suspects in the mystery that they will be given opportunity Friday to show cause why the negro should not be released from custody as a suspect. However, the move is strictly legal in character, Conley, through his attorney, W. M. Smith, having signed

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. Detectives Eliminate Evidence in Conflict with Theory

Attorney Retained for Negro Servant at Frank's Home Atlanta JournalTuesday, June 3rd, 1913 George Gordon Represents Minola McKnight as Attorney and May Seek Habeas Corpus During Afternoon NEGRESS DECLARES HER HUSBAND HAS LIED She Swears Leo M. Frank Was at Home at Time He Testified Before the Coroner's Inquest It became known Tuesday morning that Attorney George Gordon had been retained to represent Minola McKnight, the negro cook employed by Mr. and Mrs. Emil Selig, parents-in-law of Leo M. Frank, held for the murder of Mary Phagan. Who employed the lawyer could not be learned, but the fact remains that

Bitter Fight Certain in Trial of Frank Atlanta GeorgianTuesday, June 3rd, 1913 Defense Prepares to Show Glaring Discrepancies in Affidavit of James Conley. "Developments of a startling nature may be expected from day to day in the Phagan case," said Chief of Detectives Lanford Tuesday morning. "They may be expected right up to the date that the trial of Leo Frank begins. "That we feel we practically have a conclusive case against the factory superintendent does not mean that we are resting in our labors to the slightest extent. We are a little more at rest in our minds, that

Frank's Defense is Outlined Atlanta JournalMonday, June 2nd, 1913 Mary Phagan Met Death on First Floor, Is Claim Defense Will Endeavor to Show That Conley Struck Her in Head and Threw Her Down Elevator Shaft ELEVATOR WAS NOT MOVED APRIL 26, IT IS CONTENDED Blood Spots on Second Floor Explained by Fact That Employes Frequently Cut Fingers—Theory in Detail From apparently reliable authority it was learned Monday that the theory to be advanced in defense of Leo M. Frank, the pencil factory superintendent, who has been indicted for the murder of Mary Phagan, will be that James Conley, the negro

Negro Conley Now Says He Helped to Carry Away Body Atlanta GeorgianFriday, May 30th, 1913 Chief of Detectives Lanford admitted Friday morning that Jim Conley, under the rack of the third degree, had made the astounding confession that he had assisted Leo M. Frank in disposing of the body of the murdered Mary Phagan. His new statement is believed to contain even more startling admissions than have not yet been made public. If the negro sweeper is to be believed after his long series of deceits and lies, this forms the most damaging evidence that has been brought against Frank

Mary Phagan's Murder Was Work of a Negro Declares Leo M. Frank Atlanta ConstitutionSaturday, May 31st, 1913 "No Man With Common Sense Would Even Suspect That I Did It," Prisoner in Fulton Tower Tells Attache. "It's a Negro's Crime Through and Through." Asserts His Innocence to Turnkeys and to Fellow Prisoners. "IT'S UP TO MR. FRANK TO TELL THE TRUTH," ASSERTS JAMES CONLEY "I Believe He'd Let ‘Em Hang Me to Get Out of It Himself if He Had the Chance," Says Negro Sweeper—Chief Lanford Is Pleased With Work of Department and Ready for the Case to Come to Trial

Servant of Frank is Liberated After Long Examination Atlanta ConstitutionWednesday, June 4th, 1913 Despite Gruelling Third Degree, Woman Maintains Denial of Having Told Conflicting Stories. FACED BY HUSBAND, SHE CONTRADICTS HIM Her Release Came After Her Attorney Had Threatened to Take Out Habeas Corpus Proceedings. Minola McKnight, the servant girl held in the Mary Phagan case, was given her freedom early last night, and left police headquarters for her home on Pulliam street. She was not liberated, however, until the detectives had obtained her signature to an affidavit telling what she knew of Frank's actions the day of the murder.

State Enters Phagan Case; Frank and Lee are Taken to Tower Atlanta GeorgianThursday, May 1st, 1913 Watchman and Frank Go on Witness Stand This Afternoon—Dorsey, Dissatisfied, May Call Special Session of Grand Jury To-morrow. Coroner Donohuoo late to-day issued a commitment against Leo M. Frank, superintendent at the National Pencil Company, and Newt Lee, night watchman, charging them with being suspected in connection with the death of Mary Phagan and remanding them to the custody of the sheriff. They were later taken to the Tower. Arthur Mullinaux , held since Sunday, was released. Frank's commitment read as follows: To Jailor:

Frank Tried to Flirt With Murdered Girl Says Her Boy Chum At the left top is Detective Black, of the city, and at the right Detective Scott, of the Pinkertons. Below is a scene of the inquest. At the bottom is a sketch by Henderson of the negro, Newt Lee, whose straightforward story at the inquest has tended to lift suspicion from him. Atlanta ConstitutionThursday, May 1st 1913 Mary Phagan Was Growing Afraid of Advances Made to Her by Superintendent of the Factory, George W. Epps, 15 Years Old, Tells the Coroner's Jury. BOY HAD ENGAGEMENT TO MEET HER SATURDAY BUT

Frank's Cook Was Counted Upon as Defense Witness Atlanta GeorgianWednesday, June 4th, 1913 While police activities have been turned to this line of investigation, the negro sweeper, Jim Conley, has been given a rest. Chief of Detectives Lanford stated that the negro would be quizzed no more. Cook Counted on by Defense. "If he has not told the whole truth," said the Chief, "he will send for me within the next few days, I believe." The cook is one of the five witnesses upon whom the defense has relied to prove that Frank returned home for luncheon at 1:20 o'clock

Sensational Affidavit Made by Minola M'Knight, Negro Cook at Home of L. M. Frank Atlanta JournalWednesday, June 4th, 1913 In This Affidavit Minola Tells of Conversation That Occurred Between Mrs. Frank and Mrs. Selig, In Which Mrs. Frank Is Alleged to Have Said Frank Was Drinking on Night of Tragedy, and That He Wanted a Pistol to Kill Himself MRS. FRANK SAID, SO NEGRO COOK SWEARS, THAT FRANK MADE HER SLEEP ON THE FLOOR THAT NIGHT Negro Says Further That Frank Came Home at 1:30 o'Clock on Fatal Saturday, but Remained Only About Ten Minutes, and That He Left Without

Conley is Removed from Fulton Tower at His Own Request Atlanta ConstitutionSunday, June 1st, 1913 Friends of Leo Frank Have Tried to Intimidate Him, Negro Sweeper Tells Detective Chief as Reason for His Transfer to the Police Station. LANFORD RAPS SHERIFF DECLARING HE IS NOT ASSISTING THE POLICE "He Appears to Be Placing Obstacles in Our Way," Asserts Chief, in Speaking of Attempts to Interview the Suspected Superintendent. Mangum Denies Intimidation Attempts. Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford is authority for the statement that James Conley, the negro floor sweeper of the National Pencil factory, who, in his latest affidavit, has

Frank Wanted Gun to Take His Life, Says Negro Cook Atlanta ConstitutionThursday, June 5th, 1913 Sensational Affidavit Made for the Police by Minola McKnight, Servant in Leo Frank's Home. Fully as startling as the recent confession of James Conley, an affidavit purporting to have been sworn to by Minola McKnight, the servant girl of the Frank household, was given out to the newspapers yesterday afternoon by Chief Lanford. The detectives assert it is the "final straw" in the mass of evidence they boast of having accumulated. Attesting to a statement that Frank was nervous and excited on the tragedy night,

Evidence Against Frank Conclusive, Say Police Atlanta GeorgianMonday, May 26th, 1913 Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford Monday announced that the mystery of the Mary Phagan tragedy is solved, as nearly as is possible without the absolute, direct testimony of eyewitnesses, and expressed himself as perfectly satisfied with the evidence now in hand. Accompanying this statement comes the authoritative announcement that the great strangling crime will be placed on Leo M. Frank, now under indictment on the charge of murder, and that Newt Lee, the suspected negro night watchman of the National Pencil Factory, will not be indicted. Lee will be

Frank is Guilty, Says Pinkerton Atlanta ConstitutionMonday, May 26th, 1913 Sufficient Evidence Found to Convict Him, Declares Man Hired by the National Pencil Company. Announcing that he had secured evidence sufficient to convict his employer Harry Scott, assistant superintendent of the Pinkertons, who has been retained by the National Pencil company since the second day of the Phagan tragedy, said to a reporter for The Constitution Sunday night that it was his intention to help prosecute the suspected superintendent. Scott has been in command of the Pinkerton forces working on the investigation. His employment came about in answer to a