Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-11-16
Dago Franks Story.


"Dago Frank hollow checked. raw
bonec, with curly jet black hair, took
the stand at 1890 o'clock. He spoke in
deep bass tones. showing a row OF
gold-filled teeth. His testimony was an
almost word for word repetition of the
story told by his three fellow gunner,
Yesterday, up to the point where the
witness said he left Whitley" "Gyp'
and Lefty, at BRIDGE" Webber's
poker rooms, the night of the murder.
He testified as to the visit of Jack
Rose to his apartment to see Whitley
ard Lefty and himself
WAS anything said by Rose or any
body that night about the eroaking,
killing or removing of Herman Rosen-
thal?" asked the gunmens attorney, G.
q. r. Wahle There was not de-
clared Frank. shaking his head vigor-
ously
He said the only thing Rose discuss
ed was the framing up" of Jack Ze-
lig the gang leader, and the shooting
of Lefty Louis in Chinatown. Rose
wanted to explain his innocence in
bnth affairs, said Frank.
Il said;- Well. Jack, the boys are
from Missouri You better show en- y
The witness then said Rose asked
him to come with him while they look
ed fol the other gunner. They boarded
the automobile in which Rose, WALTON
and Schepps had arrived and on the
way down town Rose, Frank said, told
him that he couldn't sleep nights be-
cause of his worry about being sus
pected of the framing up" of Zelig.
l.. told me he tuc
a stool pigeon for Lieutenant Becker,
but he would prove to me that he was
not . stool pigeon, but simply got the
stool pigeons for Becker and never
testified against gambling houses"
Arrived at the poker rooms, he wit
ness said, Rosetold Weber of his dis
appointment in not finding the boys
at "Dago Frank" Bridge said :;
Well, I'll find Them" Frank contin-
ued, "and he telephoned somewhere.
sat down and had a bottle of beer and
in about % minutes Bridgie went
downstairs and came back with 'Gyp,
Louie and Whitley.
To "the boys" the witness said,
Rose Iepeated the tale of his innocence
in fAa HaAleru Soon the mysterious
stranger entered and after having gone
out ana returned. said that Rose
wanted them to go to the Metropoe TO
meet White and Steinert Becker S
mem. They would prove that Rose
was guiitless of the frame-up. Frank $
description of the stranger agreed with
that given by his pals.
But | wanted to go home 10 SEQ my
girl, Jean Gordon, who was sick" went
on the witness. Besides, / figured that
they would be BOOKING it all night. So
went home"
He, denied that he had ever been in
the Metroppie or knew anything about
the shooting until the next day Like
wise. ne denied participation in the al
legged attempt 10 kill Rosenthal at the
Garden restaurant. Further, he denied
that Jack Rose in his presence had
paid Lefty Louie" $1,000 as the MUIR
der fee
First News of Shooting.
"Gyp, Whitley" and Lefty" came
to the fat, the next morning. he said
and told him of the shooting, laying
IL to Weber, Nallon and the strange
man. "Gyp told US, he said. that he
was almost positive they were shooting
in their direction
The witness, strengthening his alibi
told of his movements after having
left the three the night before He hat
not found his girl at home She had
been arrested for lettering" and h,
had obtained bail for her
Giovanni Stanish. who testified al
the Becker trial that "Dago Frank
was one of the men who fired al Ros
enthal. said no such thing. according
TO Frank. The witness swore today
that what stanish had really said wheI
he supposed they identified him was
II arm in doubt about this man" This
said the witness, was said IN italian
which is Franks native tongue. H
credited similar statement TO Stan
ish in The district attorneys office
Here the eross-examinatio Was la
ken up and before Frank was excused
Justice Goff took a hand in the Dues
tioning. asking him about his move
rpents after he left his three conlpan
ions downtown.
Hartford T. Marshall, lawyer, ties
silied that William shapiro, driver 0
the so-cailed murder car liad told hin
IN the Tonbs that sam Schepps an