Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-21

IefFeu against MN because al OF MS
charges were verbal
Fisher viii ne arraigned before Jus
lice OF the Peace Puckett, probaby
"Wednesday.
Grand Jury Called On.
That the Fulton County Grand
Jury will be asked to investigate the
origin OF the accusations was the
statement made by Graham
This action was decided upon fol-
lowing a lengthy conference between
Shirley. Graham and chief Of De
tectives Lanford Its purpose will be
TO determine whmether Fishers story
was the result OF a conspiracy against
shirley or simply the result Of a
drlnk-crozed mind
\ rigid probe to the foundation OF
the story will be asked. Persons
named by Fisher as his associates
since his departure from Atlanta will
he questioned. especially those with
whom he had dealings Just prior TO
the time he appeared before Chief of
Police Bodeker in Birmingham and
made his startling statements
II the investigation shows that 9TH
ers had hand in the accusations
against the furniture dealer, they will
be prosecuted together with Fisher
IN a conspiracy charge Many believe
that this will prove ,he fact.
Att,,.,o,. ,abap, ototeI hn
would have a conference with Solici-
tor Dorsey later in the day and an
early date for the Grand Jury probe
would be fixed.
Shirley said that he either would
put Fisher in the asylum or in the
penitentiGry. He will bring his books
10 the police Tuesday to show com
plete alibi. Lanford has instituted an
investigation of the charges of con-
spiracy and will make arrests at once
If he finds them substantiated. Two
of the men named in the alleged con
spiracy have been identified with the
Frank case. The other one is known
TO have heen with Fisher in Birming
ham.
1t was pointed out by Chief Lam
ford Tuesday that were Fishers story
true in every particular, there is moth
ing in it to connect Shirley with the
murder Of Mary Phagan. The name
Fisher said Shirley mentioned as that
of the girl he was to meet was Hat
lie. Shirley asserts that he never
even knew ae-- Phagan by sight.
Fisher LoeSG5 Ur.
Fisher was put under arrest at the
police station on the charge of crinl
nal libel. the complaint being sworn
10 by Russell Shirley, a brother of
j. &. Shirley. Short shrift was given
him after he had repeated his weird
story Monday night in the presence
Of the man he accuses.
The warrant had already been made
out, and as soon as II became apparent
that Fisher, said by some to be an
irresponsible drunkard and dope fiend,
was going to stick by his story, Chief
If Detectives Lanford gave the paper
10 Detective John w. Starnes and
Fisher was locked up.
Fisher underwent searching eX-
animation that lasted more than
three hours His detailed story first
vas taken by G. g. FEBRUARY, secretary
70 Chief Lanford Little effort was
made at this time to cross examine
MIN, the purpose being to get his
story together as ne originally had
told it So that every feature might
later be Investigated with a view OF
disproying or substantiating it.
4 bfaP anfaT1 and natagt i've
Starues and Coker then put Fisher
through a severe questioning and
ne then was taken out in the police
automobile to visit several of the
places he said he had been with
Shirley on the day of the crime.
While he was gone Shirley al the
request Of Chief Lanford, came to
he police station. Shirley went into
The chiefs office. AS soon as Fisher
came back he was hustled withou;
any warning right into the room.
Standing before him was the man he
accused.
Fisher was taken aback for an in
slant, but recovered himself at once.
He was placed in a chair near the
chief and the questioning was re-
sumed Chief Lanford Charles j
Graham. attorney for Shirley, Rus
sell Shirley and the accused man
himself took turns in firing questions
ut the stolid figure In the chair Aside
from a nervous movement Of his
hands and a frequent stroking OF
his face on which there was fou
Gays growth of beard he showed nc
sign that he was disturbed by the uu-
usual position in which he found him
self.
Shirley Isn't Hold.
~ hn ,aSittNa 81 t.t,4npf {
Cntained in the first announcement
of Fishers story and the terrible
charge against Shirley that was i'm
piled in its words some possibility eN
listed that Shirley mieht be held a
the police station until the story hal
been investigated
SO many glaring itnprobabiliues anC
conflicts, however. crept into tn,
mans narrative that Chief LanforC
declared that he couldn't think o
holding Shirley on the strength q
Fishers story, which he branded d!
manifestlv impossible.
The trip to No 1872 Bellwood aNenu,
developed one of the reasons for dis
belief in Fishers statement. Mrs. Wi
liam Holloway lives here. Fisher sal,
that he went in a wagon with Shirley
to this house the morning of April y
10 deliver dresser. When the Off
GERS and Fisher drove up to the hous'
Monday night, Mrs. Holloway de
clared that Fisher and Shirley neve
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