Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-10
EYEW|TN mess
To PHAGAN
SLAY|NG
SOUGHT
Story That Companion Of Con-
ley Saw Him Strike Down
Girl Opens New CIews.

Jim ConIey. whose sensational story
has made him an accessory after the
fact in the murder of Mary Phagan.
is sticking closely to the details he
unfoIded in his remarkable afidavit.
according to his attorney. William NJ.
Smith
NJ. Smith said Tuesday morning
that Conley has varied in no eg entail
particular from the original .aIe of
his part in the disposal of the body
Of the strangled girl. under the direc-
ton of Leo Frank To Mr.. Smith and
others who have interviewed the ne
gro In the last few days he has begun
at the moment when he says he saw
the little form lying limp and inert at
the rear Of the second floor. until he
declares he wrote the mysterious
notes at Franks dictation in the Ma
tional Pencil factory office.
In all his story there has been prac-
ucally no conflict or contradiction
with the affidavit to which he swore
before the detectives after a half DAYS
grilling Mr.. Smith said he believed
his client was telling the whole truth.
Actual Witness Souaht
Despite the unsuitable story ~
Donley, as he told il after making
previous statements admittedly lies.
Ia rumor has been in persistent cir
culation since last week that the de-
tectives We're seeking an actual wit
ness 10 the crime. II is said such A
person exists. and that he is a negro
who shot craps with Conley in the
basement Of the factory on the day Of
the murder.
The rumor has It that this negro
won all Of Conley's money. and that
he saw Conley in a half drunken fury
strike down the little Phagan girl
when she came down the stairs Of
the factory with her silver mesh bag
in her hands.
Although II IS reported that this ne
gro has been apprehended and is even
now In custody in Atlanta. the au-
thorities deny any knowledge OF SUCH
a person. Attorneys for Frank will
admit only that they have heard Of
such lumors but they assert that
they have no definite knowledge Of
the arres, Of negro who is said to
have been an actual witness Of the
killing. Il is understood. however.
that they believe there is such a per-
son. They are confident that ConIey
committed the horrible deed and that
he had a witness or accompllce.
Leo Frank Still Silent.
Through all Of the conflicting sto-
ries to which the excitement OF the
hunt for the slayer have given rise.
Leo Frank has remained silent his
original story told before the Coron-
er's jury undisturbed and uncontra-
dicted in any detail While the de-
teCtives have torn Conley's first sto-
ries TO shreds, they have ben unable.
SO far as the public knows. to find
single misstatement in the story
made by Frank at the inquest
Since then. on the injunction Of his
counsel Frank has had no comment
10 make. Stories have been spread
that We're most damaging to his gen
eral character, but he has remained
mute He has told his friends that he
Will have a story to tell at the proper
time and that it will be so fully sub
stantiated that there will be no doubt
Of his innocence.
Frank has made no public an
nouncement OF the fact but it is
known that he privately has signihed
his willingness TO confront Conley and
listen to the negro's story. and to re-
peat his own, II desired His only stip-
ulation is that the meeting shall not
be in the nature Of one OF the star
chamber sessions at police headquar-
tiers. at which the detectives only are
present Frank would insist that GER
tain public officers be present so that
there would be no opportunity for the
manufacture OF evidence colored in
any particular. With these men pres
ent. he has said that he would be will
ing to be questioned as freely as he
was at the Coroner's inquest.