Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-19
Will Investigate

An investigation Of the attack prob
ably will be conducted by the Georgia
prison commission, the body which re-
fused to recommend that Franks death
sentence for the murder of Mary Pha-
gan be committed to live imprison-
ment. Reports from Atlanta were that
Gov. Harris intimated today he would
start an investigation to ascertain If
Green acted purely Of his own accord.
Green said today, when taken from
solitary confinement long enough to be
questioned, that he planned the at
tack alone and that no one knew he
intended to do so. He gave as his only
excuse that he thought it should be
DONE" He said, however, he regretted
his act.
The Attack
Frank was quartered at night in a
dormitory with about 100 other pris-
oners and occupied a bunk about 40
feet from one of the two doors to the
large room. Green's bunk was fourth
from his. No prisoner is allowed to
leave his place without permission
from one of the two guards stationed
at the dormitory at night. Shortly af-
ter II O'Clock last night. Green called
out for permission to get up, and it
was granted. He started down the line
of hunks toward the one occupied by
Frank. AS he reached it, he quickly
grabbed Frank by the hair and de-
livered one blow with the knife he
had concealed. A guard rushed to the
ing again.
Prisoners Aid
Among prisoners who rushed to
Franks aid were two physicians, one
of whom was serving life term for
murder They gave first aid and treat
ed the wound until DR.. Guy Compton,
the prison physician, was summoned
from his home half pile away. The
three men took % stitches in Frank S
neck. DR.. Rosenberg, the Frank fam
ily physician, arrived from Atlanta
today with nurses. He said that while
the patients condition was precari-
Gus, he had a chance for life.
Mrs. Frank, who was in Milledge-
Vile, was not told of the attack until
after the physicians had finished their
work. She became hysterical, but lat
er was Gained and was taken to the
prison hospital.
The cut extends from the front Of
<ha 14fk std al act
to the spine. Neither the windpipe nor
the spinal cord is hurt but the jugular
vein is partly severed. The physicians
greatest fear tonight was that some
of the stitches might slip, causing
more loss Of blood.
Frank has benefited a great deal by
the outdoor life since being brought
to the farm June 81. Though small
man, he always has had rugged con-
stitution and that coupled with his
exercise Of the last three weeks are in
his favor, the doctors said. He took
some nourishment today.
Frank knew Of the threats to take
him from the prison farm by force.
Those who reached his side first aft
er he was wounded believe he had
all this in mind when he said:
II guess they have got me now"
He did not lose consciousness and
after being taken to the hospital ask
ed that his assailant be forgiven.
Green was sentenced from Columbus,
Ca, for killing a man named Kitchen.
Shortly after the crime a jury inquired
into his sanity, but declared him sane
Saturday he was helping to kill hogs
with other prisoners. He concealed in
his clothing the knife he used in the
butchering and later, it is believed, Sc
GREETED it in his bunk.