Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-31
FRANK MODEL
man, Says WIFE
Woman's Affidavit Present
ed in Plea For Sentence
Communication.
FINAL EFFORT TO
SAVE FRANKS LIFE

Husband was NOT Drunk on Ni0nS
Following Crime - Entertained
Friends At Card Party on Evening Of
Murder Of Mary Phasan.
Atlanta, Ga May 31.-The asst fight
to save Leo Frank from the death
penalty began here today with prepa-
rations for the hearing before the state
prisons commission and his applica-
tion for commutation Of sentence.
Franks counsel fought his case thru
the various state and federal courts
and before the United States supreme
court without q reversal Of the original
verdict of conviction and an appeal
for clemency was his last resource.
Franks execution has been set for
June %, next.
Former Congressman w. NJ. Howard,
in charge Of Franks case. was pre-
pared to emphasize In his argument
the doubt as to the prisoners guilt ex-
pressed by the late Judge Roam, who
presided at the trial, the dissenting
opinion of the two judges Of the state
supreme court when decision was
rendered affirming the findings Of the
lower court, and the dissenting opin-
ion Of Justice Holmes and Hughes, Of
the United States supreme court,
when that tribunal denied Franks
appeal for writ Of habeas corpus.
Franks counsel also was expected to
file with the commission letter writ
ten by Judge Roam, just before his
death, in which It was said he re-
iterated his doubt as to Franks guilt
and urged executive clemency.
Delegations from several cities in
Georgia, ana Chicago. and elsewhere
also were prepared to offer arguments
in Franks behalf.
Affidavits Read.
Frank was not present when the
commissions hearing began. Mr.. How
ard read the prisoners brief applica-
ton for q commutetion Of sentences,
then offered documentary svidemce. In.
GLIDING records Of the court proceeds
ing, the AFFIDAVIT OF Judge Roam, and q
statement by Mrs. Leo NJ. Frank. Judge
Roan's affidavit told Of the hostile at
mosphere surrounding the trial. which
induced him to urge that Frank be alb
sent when the verdict was rendered.
Mr.. Howard said Mrs. Franks state
ment was the chief new evidence to be
presented.
Was Ideal Husband.
Mrs. Franks statement said she was
born in Atlanta and had lived there
all her life. Accustomed to the
courteous treatment which is charac-
teristic Of the southerner," It continued,
with the ideals which I had. and
which had been inculcated In me from
girlhood, expected In my husband
nothing less than that to which had
been accustomed. and to which every
woman looks forward and which I
fully realized in my husband.
when not occupied with his busi-
ness the only time he spent away
from me was when he was occupied
with his charitable work. which took
him away from home once or twice
month.
Our married life had been exceeding
ly happy, and never had been marred
by the slightest cloud. He was re-
garded and loved by his parents as a
son, and was always courteous, gentle,
and most respectful In his relations
with them and our families have al.
ways been on intimate terms.
Loyal TO Husband. u
when my husband was first arr
rested on this charge and was detained
at police headquarters on Tuesday.
April 20, 1918. I hurried to the police
barracks, accompanied by my father
and brother-in-law. was not allowed
to see my husband and remained In
the Office OF the probation officer, from
whence my friends prevailed on me to
return home. Being assured that my
husband would be released at any mo-
ment. remained at home. but a. soop
as 1t became apparent that he would
be detained indefinitely, ! went+to him
Immediately and have been going to
him every day since. and spent most
Of the day with him in jail.
"On the 26th day Of April, 1913, my
mother and had tickets for the mat
inee to grand opera, and in order to
get these on time we sat at the table
at 1:10 D. m. before my husband came
! hone to dinner. and at about 1:1h
father came and sat down at dinner
with US. About 1880 mother and left
the house and my husband and father
were left at the table eating. Return
ins home from the opera at $3.50 I
found my husband already there.
L i
ner or appearance to attract my at
tention.
Homo on Day Of Crime.
"That evening number OF friends
Of my mother and father came over 10
the house to play cards. MY husband
and I did not play. but he sat in the
hall reading. I watched the game for
awhile in the dining room ana then
~,n,,,A % 1y,to fha hall ana ta1le "a INV
husband and then would 80 back again
to watch the game. My husband read
in the hall until 10 o'clock. when he
went up stairs to take q bath, and ]
followed him few minutes later and
We retired about half past ten. We
were wakened about 6:45 by the tels-
phone ringing. MY husband got out Of
bed, put on his bath robe ana went
down to answer the telephone. 8
"when he came back I asked him
who Il was and he said some detectives
had telephoned him to como right down
TO the factory. that there had bssn .