Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-18

ZION, VINO started out IN dutOmODlleS
after news spread that Frank had been
kidnapped from the state prison farm.
The body. hanging from an oak tree,
was found clothed only in the silk
| shirt which Frank wore when he was
torn from bed in the prison dormi-
tory. A white handkerchief covered his
| face. his feet and legs were firmly
bound and under his right jaw was
the knot of the hangman's moose, ex-
pertly tied to produce a quick death.
Judge Outlets Crowd
News of the discovery of the BODY
spread quickly and a great crowd had
gathered before the arrival of Coroner
Booth. The latter's announcement that
it would be cut down Immediately
aroused some objection. There We're
cries of: Don't move the Jews body
until we shoot it full of holes" blu,
Ian appeal by former Superior Judge
n. A. Morris of Cobb county quieted
the crowd.
Let there be no further Violence"
he said. THE work of the mob is done.
Leo M. Frank has given his life for
the crime he is alleged to have COM
mitted. Do not mutilate the body. Let
it be sent to his mother. l appeal to
your better judgment and l ask all
who agree with the course l suggest
to raise their right hand"
Give Coroner Body
There was a moments hesitation,
then uplifted hands appeared above
the crowd and the body was cut down.
At first it was placed in an undertake
er's wagon which headed toward Mari
eta, but officials who feared that the
crowd might become unruly stopped
the wagon on the outskirts of the town
and transferred the body to an automo-
bile. which hurried to Atlanta.
Excitement in Marietta rapidly sub
sided after the body was cut down.
Several automobiles, however, follow
ed the machine that bore the dead vic
tim of the hanging to Atlanta!
Gang Works Quietly
The gang that took Frank from the
prison dormitory apparently worked
quietly and rapidly after they began
their 100-mile automobile ride from
Milledgeville. The scene of the lynch
ing was within a few hundred yards
Of two farm houses, occupants of
which said they noticed nothing unus-
ual during the early morning hours.
One man who lived half a mile farther
away said he saw four automobiles
passing his house.
There seemed to be every indication
that the hanging had been carefully
planned. The ease with which Frank
was removed from the state prison
farm, difficulties left in the way of
pursuers. and the sudden disappear
ance Of the band after the lynching all
pointed to thorough preparation.
Mayor Dibbs' Statement
After the circulation Of reports to-
day that several high powered automo-
biles had left Marietta early Monday
night, Mayor Dibbs issued this state
ment:
Il desire in the interests Of justice
to say that Marietta and Cobb coun-
ty officials had no knowledge of any
automobiles leaving Marietta we'll
loaded at night nor were they APP
praised Of the return Of any machines
today. None Of the officials had any
intimation Of the lynching until the
body was found"
Superintendent Story
II was called to the door just as
was preparing to retire." said Capt. ].
NJ. Burke, superintendent Of the pris-
on farm today. when 1 passed the
Threshold two strong men grabbed me
and snapped handouts on my wrists
Four others stood guard over me, two
with shotguns and two with heavy pis-
tolls demonstrated and they declared
it was no use for me to squirm as they
had come for Leo NJ. Frank and were
going to get him.
Il told them 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 quartered
I was marched up to the penitentiary
building by a guard which was doubled
as we proceeded. When we reached the
building a 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 that il he did
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