New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-23
Victim Refused to Answer
When Asked if He Killed
Mary Phagan.
WALKED FIRMLY
TO FATAL TREE
Stories of MaItreatment Before
Hanging Denied-Execu-
ton "Orderly."

Atlanta, Aug. 22.-The first actual
story of all that happened on the death
ride of Leo NJ. Frank from Milledge-
Vile to Marietta between midnight and
dawn last Tuesday morning became
available to-day. The recital did not
come through second or third hands,
but in manner which seemingly
placed its authenticity beyond all ques-
ton. The narrator, however, will not
be witness before the Cobb County
grand jury. which will be asked on
September | to undertake a thorough
investigation of the lynching.
Governor Nat +. Harris has received
several anonymous threatening letters
purporting to warn him not to go "too
far" in his investigation of the lynch
ing. The Governor is not inclined to
take the letters at all seriously, but
looks on them as the outgrowth of the
disturbed sentiment of the moment.
The "inside story" of the events
which preceded the lynching clears up
many phases of the tragic incident
which heretofore have been yelled IN
mystery.
Made No Confession.
Points asserted by the narrator
were:
Frank did not confess. He twice was
asked if he had anything 70 say: but
on each occasion replied mo" When
asked pointedly if he killed Mary
Phagan he is said to have made no re-
ply whatever.
No attempt was made to force a con-
fession. Franks statement just prior
to his death. that he loved his wife and
mother better than he did his life.
came UNEXPECTEDLY and without dnes-
tioning.
Frank was not maltreated in any way
prior to the actual lynching. Stories
that he may have received violent
treatment before he was hanged are
without foundation.
Frank walked 200 yards from the au-
tomobile TO the death tree without
step, without sign or sem
blance of a protest. Fearing, perhaps, |
that his body might never reach his
relatives, he asked that the wedding
ring he wore be delivered TO a news
paper man with the solemn promise
hat il would be turned over to his wife.
This wish was carried out.
Execution Was "Orderly."
Frank was told from the start that /
he was to be executed as the courts /
had directed that he be. and every /
effort was made by the so-called "vigl- |
lance committee" to see that the legal /
hanging" as they termed the lynch |
ing, was carried out in an orderly man
ner. Members Of the vigilance COM
mittee" are said to resent any intima-
tion that Frank was maltreated.
It is asserted that he had exactly the /
usually given to con-
demned man on the day of his execu-
ton. The rough handling of the body ,
after it was cut down was a matter I
which members of the /
committee" feel they were not re-
sponsible.
Members of the vigilance commit /
tee" felt they had sacred duty to /
perform in carrying out the mandate /
of the courts CT the state and of the |
United State There was no mob /
spirit, no demonstration, and there is /
said TO have been no idea of hanging /
Frank in the public square at Marietta /
or in the cemetery where Mary Phagan /
is buried.
Seven automobiles were required to /
carry the NlBllduNt COiHilllbAtt llOhi
to Milledgeville. Only four |
returned, including the car in which |
Frank rode All the machines were /
small cars of popular make, selected |
because of the difficulty in identifying I
them. No car of conspicuous color or /
design was wanted. There were prob /
ably twenty-eight men in the lynching I
party.
Three cars were left at Little River /
as rear guard. These were the cars |
which successfully baffled those who |
first started in pursuit of the lynching
party.
Mistreatment Denied.
II is earnestly denied that when |
Frank was taken from the prison he
was dragged or bumped" down the |
steps, or that one of the party helped |
carry him by the hair. 1t is pointed
out that when Franks body was cut
down the only mark on it was a slight |
abrasion of the right arm. This, il is
said, was caused either by striking the
arm against the door of the automobile
as he was lifted into the machine at
Milledgeville or by swinging against
the trunk of the tree.
During all the long seven-hour jour !
ney from the prison only two syllables
left Franks lips. These were his /
"No" to each of two questions as TO
whether he wished to make state !
ment.