The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-17
MOB At NIGHT
SNATCHES MAN
OUT OF PRISON
Warden Made Prisoner and
Guards Are COerced.
Crowd Rushes Victim Away in
Automobiles.
is STRUNG UP ON A TREE
No Shots Fired by Avengers OF
Marietta Girl.
Wires Cut to Aid PlOtters;
Search for Gang.
No Shots Fired by Avengers OF
Marietta Girl.

Marietta, Ga, Aug. IA
small but we'll organized mob
took Leo M. Frank from the
state prison farm at Milledge-
vile, late last night, brought
him 100 miles to almost within
sight of the former home of
Mary Phagan, the girl he was
charged with killing, and hanged
him to tree. No shots were
fired.
The body, bare footed and
clothed only in prison trousers
and shirt, was found two miles
from Marietta at $50 O'Clock
this morning. 1t was believed
the lynching took place about
daylight.
While officers were search
ing the country about Milledge-
vile early today, local officials
viewed as significant the fact
that several automobiles, well
loaded, had left this town in the
direction of Milledgeville, last
night. After the return of some
of these machines today, Off
GERS started out on the road
which they believed the automo-
biles had travelled They had
gone only two miles when they
saw the body of Frank not
more than $50 yards from the
roadside.
News that the body had been
found spread rapidly in the town
and surrounding country. With
in a short time hundreds of per-
sons crowded the ROSWELL road
on their way to the scene.
At 9:15 o'clock no effort had
been made to cut down the body.
Sheriff Hicks was not in town
and the coroner took no imme-
diate action.
The crowd increased rapidly
as the day wore on. By 10
o'clock many women and child
rem were seen mingling with the
men in the woods at the edge of
which the body still hung.
Seeks to AsutiIatc Eody.
Franks body was cut down at 1915
o'clock, but not until another spectac-
ular phase had been added to the case.
y citizen spoke to the crowd demand
ing Wutilation of the body. Newton
Morris spoke Immediately after aud
pleaded with the throng TO allow an
inquest to take its proper course.
AS there was evident difference
of opinion a vote was suggested and
Ill
cf allowing the coroner to take charge
of the body.
1t then was cut down and the two
mile trip to Marietta started.
Pity and Indignation.
With Leo NJ Frank, dressed in
smeared with his own blood. found
hanging to a tree in the town of
Marietta, and his widow at Mil
lcdEeVilie is close to death from grief
and horror of her husbands death it
is not strange that there is a feeling
of revulsion in Atlanta today. Some
of the men who We're the most bitter
in their denunciation of former Gov
ernor Slaton showing clemency to
Frank few weeks go were strong
this morning in their feeling of ven
geance of last nights lynching, and
were more than bitter in their express
SionS in regard to the armed prison
officers who let their helpless wounded
ward without a blow and scarcely a
word be taken from them to the death
car. The victim of this lynching was
a man who was just recovering from a
wound which nearly cost him his life
and had just left the hospital a few
days before he was killed
Widow Is Frustrated.
Franks horrible death and the news
that his widow is near death from
grief prostration has caused a feeling
of pity and indignation in Atlanta a
community that was itself demanding
fnft l1fe-
ago.
That there will be a clean sweep of
the Milledgeville officers was consid-
cred n foTegone conclusion TODAY.
Harris Shocked and Grieved
After waiting from 1880 a. m to
5:45 m. for more news regarding
Leo M. Frank, Governor Harris left