The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-08-17
Keepers Covered
 With Guns While
 Frank is Seized

f
 MiIledgevi1le, Ga, Aug. 17-Fsor hours after the party of armed mo- torists kidnapped Leo M. Frank from the state farm last night no trace or 1 the automobiles bearing the party could be found. At daylight news, | paper men picked up the trail at point on Little River, near Eatonton, Ga
 G. K. Jackson, a white farmer, 1ivE ing near a bridge over. Little River said that shortly after midnight he heard several automobiles stop there. Soon afterwards he heard loud talk ing and then many shots. He heard eight automobiles leave in the direc- ton Of Eatonton after the firing. A hurried search of the vicinity failed to reveal anything that would indicate that Frank had met summary ven- geance there.
 The armed men arrived in the vii cinity of the rison farm practically unnoticed and proceeded methodically Communication from the institution to Milledgeville, three miles away destroyed and all wires, except one teleph one lines from Mil1edgevil1e also were cut
 Five men went to the house of the warden, J. F. Smith, awakened him and made him prisoner. At the same
 
 the home of J. M. Burke. superinten- dent of the farm. Burke was forced to go with them to the gate nearest the dornaito oFy where it was believed Frank. was kept. The two guards on duty there were ordered. while guns were leyeIled on them. to open the gates.
 The party then rushed in, quickly got Frank and hurried him to one of the waiting automobiles He was forced down into the car. while member of the party is said to have dourished a rope in front of him.
 Without delay those who had been guarding Warden Smith left him and Joined the party at the gates. The automobiles then started off swiftly in a northerly direction. With only a limited number of guards at the prison and wire communication with Mill 1edgevilIe interrupted, immediate pur- suit was impossible Some time elapsed before word could be brought here and officers started in the direction taken by the party. None of these officers reported for several hours after they 1 left.
 The first report of the route came about the same time. the officers got started from Mil1edgevil1e
 Frank was suficiently recovered from the wound in his throat, inflicted 1 Oys deuOtn0r pI15Oner4a 8 month ago. to leave the prison hospital Sunday and take his place in the sleeping quarters with the other prisoners. Mrs Frank who had been almost constantly with her husband since ~he was attacked, was informed Of last nights NdeveIop- mepts shortly after they occurred. She was reported to have maintained her Icompcsure and declined to comment T was called to the door just as was preparing to retire. said Cap tain J. M Burke, superintndent of the state prison farm to-day When passed the threshold two strong men, grabbed me and snapped handcuffs | on my wrists. Four others stood guard over me. two with shotguns and two with heavy pistols. rernon- strated and they declared it was no use for me to squirm as they had come for Leo Frank. and were going toe get him.
 T told them that Frank was not at
 my house and they said they knew that, but that they were going to take me where they knew Frank was Auuar- tered. I was marched up to the pen itentiary building by the guard which was doubled we proceeded. When we reached the building demand was made that the gate be opened and when the trusty prisoner awaited official orders. one of the men began cutting the wires and informed the prisoner if he did not open it he would be killed soon as an entrance was Eefected.
 The gate was then unlocked, and s. Hester. a night guard came for ward. but he was Immediately covered and ordered to throw up his hands Half way up the steps I was halted while half a dozen men rushed by me and made a dash for Franks room One of the prisoners who witnessed this scene declared that four men took Frank by his arms and legs, while a fifth grabbed him by the hair and he was dragged out and bumped down the stone steps. While looked on Frank did not utter a word, but apparently was suffering intensely and groaned from pain inflicted in handl- ing him in his wounded condition. The affair was all over within five min utes, it seemed to me.
 During the entire time was hand cuffed and under guard. When the crowd brought Frank down and start ed off, I asked the fellow who had snapped the handcuffs to unlock them, but he laughed and said if I would accompany they they would take off the irons.
 The whole proceeding was we'll or dered and methodical and only a few words were spoken. That evidently was agreed upon. A leader did all the talking. Only two of the men were masked, but did not recognize any of them. Just as they started off the leader said: Now, boys, for the