Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1915-08-27
LEO FRANK WAS
GAME TO THE LAST
FIRST AUTHENTIC STORY HOW
HE WAS KIDNAPPED
AND HUNG.
CONFESSION NOT OBTAINED
After 7-Hour Ride in Auto He Walked
200 Yards to Tree Without Fall
ternq-He Was Not MaItreated
by the Crowd.


Atlanta, Ca, Aug. 23.-The first ac-
tual story of what happened on the
death ride of Leo M Frank from
Milledgeville to Marietta between mid
night and dawn last Tuesday morning
morning, Aug. II. are now available.
The recital did not come through sec
ond or third hands, but in a manner
which apparently placed its authentic
ity beyond all question
1.-THE inside story" of the events
which preceded the finding of Franks
lifeless body swaying from the limb
Of the biggest oak tree in the vicinity
of Bill" Frey's gin mill cleared up
many phases of the tragic incident
which heretofore have been yelled in
mystery. Points asserted by the mar
rator were:
He Did Not Confess.
First-F'rank did not confess He
twice was asked if he had anything
to say, but on each occasion replied
"No." Asked pointedly If he killed the
Phagan girl, he is said to have made
no reply whatever.
Second-No attempt was made to
force confession. Franks statement
just prior to- his death that he loved
his wife and mother better than he did
his life came Unexpectedly and with
out questioning.
Third-Frank was not maltreated in
any way prior to the actual lynching
Walked 200 Yards to Tree.
Fourth-Frank walked 200 yards
from the automobile to the death tree
without a faltering step; without a
sigh or the semblance of a protest.
Fifth-Frank was told from the
start that he was to be executed as
the court had decided that he be, and
every effort was made by the So
called vigilance committee to see that
the legal hanging" as they termed
the lynching, was carried out in an
orderly manner. Members of the
vigilance committee" are said to re
sent any intimation that Frank was
'maltreated" while in their custody
Seven automobiles were required tc
transport the vigilance committed
from Marietta to Milledgeville. Only
four returned, including the car IL
which Frank rode. All of the machines
were small cars. There were probably
20 men in the lynching party.
Taken From Bed.
Four men entered Franks room il
the hospital ward after overpowerinl
the guards. The noise at the outel
door had awakened the prisoner, bu
he was still lying in bed when hi
room was entered by the self-appoint
ed executioners, who wore hats wei
pulled down to meet the automobile
goggles, which served as masks.
1--WE want you to come with us,
Frank was told.
There was neither surprise nor ter
ror in the look he turned upon thu
four determined men. In silence
Frank arose and made as if to dres
himself. He was still feeble from tn,
loss of blood suffered in an attack b.
fellow convict and swayed perhap
little dizzily.
Was Not Allowed to Dress.
Don't bother with the clothes, COM
just as you are" he was commanded
INTERESTINGLY Frank permitted him
self to be handcuffed Clad only in
sleeping garment he walked into tn
prison corridor. When the party hal
reached the prison porch the leade
thought the progress was too slow.
was then Frank was picked up an
carried down the concrete steps.
is denied that Frank was dragged o
bumped" down the steps, and it
also denied that one of the member
of the party helped carry him by tn
hair.
For seven long hours Frank sat i
the automobile which was carryin
him to a death place of which he ha
no knowledge. 1t required this lengt
of time to make the journey fror
81 Milledgeville to Marietta.