Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-20
N MIDNIGHT
SESSION
HELDON
PARDON
SIaton Cross-Examines Lawyers
and 0thers-Decision Is Not
Expected Till Next Week.

The closing chapter in one of the
most remarkable fights for a mans
life in the history of Georgia was at
hand Saturday when Governor John
NJ. Slaton began the final weighing Of
the arguments and evidence that had
been presented to him for and
against the pardon of Dr.. w. J. Nc
Naughton, convicted of the Staying Of
Fred Flanders in Swainsboro, Ga.
With the prisoner branded on the
one hand as the most cunning Of poi
soners and on the other as the vic
, tim OF an astounding conspiracy and
misdirected public wrath, the Gov
error faced an exceedingly hard prob
lem, and there is little likelihood that
decision will be made before next
week.
1t was 1880 a, m. Saturday when
Judge Frank H. Saffold concluded his
argument for the physician. The
night session was held at the request
of Judge Saffold, who desired to leave
for Savannah at 1915 o'clock. In the
earnestness of his pleading for ex-
ecutive clemency, however, he failed
to recognize the flight Of time and
spoke for fifteen minutes beyond the
time his train was due to leave.
SIaton Quizzes Lawyers.
Governor Slaton Cancelled an en-
eagement to deliver an address at the
I Lot
The afternoon session lasted until
E:45 o'clock, when a recess was taken
until o'clock.
Solicitor General r. Lee Moore and
A. S. Bradley made the arguments for
the state, while Colonel J. w. Bennett
and Judge Saffold made the plea for
the applicant Governor Slaton in
terrupted at frequent intervals to ask
questions, quizzing all of the lawyers
and the Emanuel County residents
who had come to Atlanta to protest
against the issuance of a pardon.
Particularly pointed were his ques-
lions on the effect of the arsenic mol
soning alleged to have been given
Fred Flanders and as to how long
traces of the drug would appear in
human body. The fact that Flanders
died in commissions, which was
wrought out for the first time in the
hearing before the Governor, was also
dwelt upon by him.
Dr. W. J. Bell. local physician.
was questioned closely IS to the ef-
t,cts of arsenic poisoning. He was
summoned by Judge Saffold. He said
that the amount Of poison in man ;
body could not be judged by the
amount found in the stomach, and the
intestines would naturally disclose
more of it than the skin and other
tissues
Questions Bell Closely.
IT all depends upon the condition
of q mans body as to how soon he
will throw off poison; there is no
fixed rule. and an expert would have
IN he absolutely familiar with every
detail of the patients condition to De
able to tell how long he had contained
the poison" said Dr. Bell.
governor Slaton questioned DR.. Bell
closely. The Governors opinion was
that had Flanders taken the drug
webn he WAS in Townsville in April
and May il would have been thrown
off bv his body before the time of his
death,
BradIey's argument was along the
line that the defense had failed Ii
terry to show that Fred Flanders was
addicted to the use of drugs or that
he had taken patent medicines in any
amount.
night of May Il preceding his death
Tune 4 he was a perfectly well man.
lie had entirely recovered from his
indisposition while in Townsville
and had been working daily at hard.
manual labor at his sdwmill. And
had il not been for his determine ton
A. move to Thoma sville to GET his
wife away from DR.. McNaughtpu u"
aouId never have been sich, con-
suded Bradley.