Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-04

mind OF the falsehoods have told IN
this case am willing and hope that
this sworn statement will be delivered
to Mr. Rosser, who was the attorney
for Mr. Leo NJ. Frank, as 1t is every
word true
FRANK Wednesday read the
published accounts OF Luther Rosser's
statement to New York newspapers
and proceeded to make the Formoy
woman's latest affidavit public.
81 received the affidavit late yes
terday" he said, and careful read
ing Of il throws much light on one
phase OF my case that has puzzled me
from the beginning.
Understands Attacks Now.
Il never have been able to under
stand how all at once vile rumors and
the most vicious type of SANDER be-
gan 10 be circulated about me. Never
before in all my life had l been made
the subject of any kind of gossip
This Is not strange, for my whole life
has been clean But all of a sudden
the most horrible stories were circu-
lated, and it was those charges OF un-
speakable vileness that turned the
public against me. OF that / am
sure.
Now, l begin to see the light, and
this affidavit is the source.
For example, Chief Lanford is
quoted as saying that Harry Latham
was responsible for this very affidavit
being in New York and not in New
Orleans / am curious to know what
Chief Lanford will say when he is
handed the very affidavit made by
NJ Thz NAN VnrH
Times, and duly authenticated, The
Times assuring itself Of her identity
before giving credence TO the docu-
ment
That may be taken as a sample Of
detective methods in this case.
Reads From Affidavit.
Now, let me read from this affi
davit:
We know that man is guilty. and
you know he is guilty, and we have
got TO get him, and we are going 10
get him
That is what Nina Formby swears
two detectives from Lanford's office
told her, admitting freely that they
had to get me- and that she was to
be used as a tool in getting me-
rs it not a marvellous thing that
these detectives knew / was guilty
within ten days after my arrest, when
the whole investigation was in it's
most chaotic state, and long before
Conley had made his alleged confess
sion, duplicating himself and fur
nishing the basis of the So called eYi-
dence on which / was convicted-I
repeat, is 1t not a marvellous thing
that these detectives knew l was the
guilty man?
Il might say a good many things
about detective department, some
of the members OF which used meth
DDS such as are outlined in this am
davit; in fact, the principal signiti-
canoe of this feature of the cases In
its exposure OF the weapons with
which the department fought to con-
Wet me
IF they were at such pains to make
out q slanderous charge to turn pub
lie opinion against me, is it not rea-
sonable to assume they would go even
further in framing up evidence for
use in the trial?
"A true case, based on real evil
dence, requires no 'bolstering' The
fact that this case was so carefully
boistered and propped up makes it
certain that it was no true case.
"As to the detective department,
don't know If the public approves Of
its methods. as exhibited in this case.
But | don't believe the public Is in
favor of these methods. used by men
paid by the citizens OF Atlanta, and
sworn to protect their lives, their
honor and their property.
when a city's detective depart
ment CONSTITUTES It's sworn duty into
framing up a horrible SANDER to boil
ster an impossible case in court, It
seems to me that thinking people will
deem It time to look into the matter"
More From FOrHby Woman.
The Formby woman. after reciting
the story OF her false swearing while
drunk, continues:
After signing the affidavit, Chief
Lanford suggested that visit Mr..
Frank in his cell, and Chief Lanford
told me to mention to Mr.. Frank that
he had called up my apartment on the
day OF the murder and had asked me
for a room. Chief Lanforo said 10
me, Mrs Formby, ! want you to go
to the Jail where Mr.. Frank Is with
my secretary, Mr. FEBRUARY, and
want you to say to him. How do you
do, Mr. Frank, | didn't think when
you called ms up on the telephone so
often and asked for a room that the
next time | would see you would be
in here He continued, Then you
tell Frank you feel very sorry for him
and ask him II there Is anything you
can do for him. and my secretary will
be concealed rear by and he will take
down what Mr.. Frank says
Being, as | have said before, in
absolute fear Of the police depart
ment. l consented TO do this. and
with MIR. FEBRUARY / went to Franks
cell. Mr.. FEBRUARY stayed a short dis
lance away and 1 approached the door
OF the cell and said to Mr.. Frank. in
substance, How do you do, Mr..
Frank But I was SO confused by
reason OF the effect OF the drink, and
believe the drugs, still upon me, and
also by my fear of the police, and
sense OF shame at what | was doing.
that was unable or forgot to say the
other things that Chief Lanford had
instructed me to say. ] failed to say,
L am surprised to see you here so
soon after you called me up How
ever, when ! said, How do you do,
Mr. Fra nix he looked at me in a puz-
Eled way, and said, I don't seem TO
recognize you, madam. or course, he
DIDN'T recognize me, as he had never
seen me before, and had seen him
only once prior TO that time walking
down the street, as | have mentioned.
felt very much ashamed and was
terribly frightened, and Just walked
away.
Then She Got Sober.
The shock of what | had been