Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-23
FACTS OF SEIZURE
AND RIDE TO DEATH
AT LAST REVEALED
Many Features of Hideous
Incident, Hitherto Yelled
in Mystery, Cleared Up.
NO CONFESSION is MADE;
NO ATTEMPT TO FORCE ONE
Victim Remains Silent When
Asked if He Killed the
Phagan Girl.
HIS NERVE NEVER SHAKEN
Only Two SyIIables Uttered During
Silent Journey to the
Scaffold.
NO CONFESSION is MADE;
NO ATTEMPT TO FORCE ONE
HIS NERVE NEVER SHAKEN
Only Two Syllables Uttered During
Silent Journey to the
SCatfold.

ATLANTA. August 22-Thc first
actual story OF all that transpired on
the death ride of Leo NJ. Frank from
Milledgcv!lle to Marietta. between mid
night and dawn. last Tuesday morning,
became available to the Associated
Press to-day. The recital did not come
through second or third hands, but in
manner which seemingly placed its
authenticity beyond all question The
narrator. however. Will not be n wit
ness before tn" Cobb County grand
jury which, on September J. will be
asked to undertake n thorough inves,i-
cation Of the lynchinE OF the man al
legged TO have been the slayer OF little
Mary Phagan
II also became known to-day that
Governor Harris during the past few
days had received several anonymous
threatening letters purporting TO warn
him not TO go TOO far In his investi-
cation OF tho lynchinG. The Governor
IS not inclined TO take the letters at all
seriously. but looks upon them as the
outgrowth OF the disturbed sentiment
Of the moment.
CLEARS UP MYSTERIES
OF TRAGIC INCIDENT
The inside story Of the events
which preceded the finding OF Franks
lifeless body swayinE from the limb
OF an oak tree near Marietta. cleared
up many features OF the tragic Incl
dent which heretofore have been yelled
in mystery
!. Frank did not confess. II, twice
vas asked II ne had anything to say.
but on each occasion replied No"
Asked pontedly Il he killed the Phagan
girl. he Is said 10 have made no reply
whatever.
.. No attempt was made 70 force a
confession. Franks statement Just
prior to his death that he loved his
wife and mother better than he did his
life. came unex pcctcdly and without
questioning.
Frank was not maltreated in any
way prior TO the actual lynching
Stories that ne might have met violent
death before he was hanged are with
out foundation.
T. Frank walked a distance Of 200
yards from the automobile TO the death
tree without a faltering step: without
Il sigh or semhlance of protest Fear
Ing perhaps tha, his body might never
reach his relatives, he asked that the
wedding ring he wore be delivered to
u newspaper man with the solemn
promise that il would he turned over to
his wife. This wish was carried out.
TOLD FROM START
OF MOn's INTENTION
). Frank was told from the start that
he was to be executed" as the courts
had directed that he be. and every ef
fort was made by the so-callcd "vigi-
lance committee" to see that the legal
hanging" as they termed the lynching,
was carried out in an orderly manner.
Members of the vigilance committee"
nre said to resent any intim ton that
Frank was "maltrcated" while in their
custody. They assert he wa given
exactly the same consideration usually
given to condemned man on the day
Of his execution. The rough handling
of the body after 1t was cut down Is
n matter concerning which members
of the Committee" feel they were not
responsible.
G. The members of the COMMITTEE"
felt they had sacred duty" to per-
form in carrying out the mandate
of the courts OF the State and Of the
United States" There was no mob
spirit; no demonstration, and there IL
Frank in the public square at Marietta
pr in the cemetery where Mary Pha-
gan lies buried. There was, however.
determination that the execution
should take place in Cobb County.
Inasmuch as all the members of the
Committee" are said to be residents
nf Cobb County, the reason for this
is obvious.
Seven automobiles were required to
transport the vigilance committee"
from Marietta to Milledgeville Only
four returned, including the car in
which Frank rode. All of the ma
chimes were small cars OF popular
make. These cars were specially Sc
lectcd because OF the difficulty in iden-
tifying them. No car Of conspicuous
color or design was wanted. There
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