Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-25
CONLEY PUT
ON GRILL .
STICKS To
ST DRY
Police Try in Vain to Get Him
to Add Materially to His
Important Affidavit.

Puzzled by several Of the state
ments Of Jim Conley in regard to his
part in the happenings the day that
Mary Phagan was killed. the police
have resumed the questioning from
which the negro had been free since
he was taken to the police station
by the detectives
One point that has not been
cleared up is why Conley saw every
one else that went into or left the
factory and yet failed to see Mary
Phagan.
Conley. on Sunday, was confronted
by Monteen Slower He identified
her as the girl he saw enter the
factory shortly after IL o'clock on
the day of the crime. Yet he still
maintains that he did not see Mary
Phagan, although Mary must have
entered the factory either just before
or just after the Slower girl was in
the building. The evidence in the
possession Of the State shows that
there could hardly have been more
than three to FIVE minutes inter-.
vening between the times that the
two girls were in the factory,
Want Clearer Statement.
Conley has been asked to explain
this apparently improbable circum-
stance Conley at first denied that
he had seen Lemmie Quinn in the
factory on the Saturday of the muir
der. Later he said he had seen the
factory foreman. Which statement is
believed by the State is not known.
What explanation is made by the
negro for lying in regard TO tue
matter also is cOnjecturai.
Mary Phagan left her nome on
April 26 at about 1850 O'Clock. Liv-
ing in Bellwood, it is regarded as uu-
likely that she reached the factors
in less than 25 minutes, or at 1915.
Monteen Slower has testified that she
visited the factory at about 1910,
which would be just before Mary
Phagan had entered the factory, If
the times testified to are correct.
Conley, on this account, has been
asked if he saw, from his vantage
point behind the boxes, Monteen Sto-
yer enter the factory at 1910 o'clock,
and Lemmie Quinn enter at 1920,
why he did not see Mary Phagan
when she entered in the interval be-
tween the visits of the Slower girl
and Lemmie Quinn
Sticks TO His Story.
Another point on which ne has been
questioned is as to how he could have
left his home at the time he has tes-
titled and visit all the saloons OF
which he has told and still meet
Frank at Nelson and Forsyth Streets
as Frank was on his way to Montag
BroS factory. Frank, according to
the statements of members of the
Montag firm, was in their building
by 10 o'clock Yet the things that
Conley has testified to doing would
have taken him until considerably
after 10 O'Clock, according to a con-
servative estimate.
He also has been quizzed on other
points in his testimony which appear
at variance with the facts. but he has
stuck steadfastly to the story told in
his last affidavit. Solicitor Dorsey
has said that he has been unable TO
shake the negro in any important
particular.
Deny Hoke Smith Story.
Attorney Luther Z. Rosser. chief Of
counsel for Frank. made strenuous
denial Wednesday that any effort had
been made to connect Senator Hoke
Smith with the defense. A similar
denial was made by Herbert Haas
a associated with Mr.. Rosser In the de-
Tense. Neither was able to saw how
the rumor had started
Frank A. Hooper. who is assisting
Solicitor Dorsey in the prosecution
said that the State would be pre
pared Monday to fight the subpenas
duces tecum issued by the LAWYERS
for the defense. II Is regarded as
improbable, however. that the defense
will bring the matter to an issue IN
til the trial begins July g.