Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-08-23
ACTUAL STORY or
DEATH RIDE OF FRANK
Walked 200 Feet from Auto to Death
Tree Without, q Falterlne Step.

Atlanta. Ca, Aug. 2-The first
actual story of all that took place on
the death ride OF Leo a. Frank from
Milledgevtlle to Marietta between mid
night and dawn last Tuesday morning
became available to The Associated
Press today. The recital came in a
manner which seemingly placed its
authenticity beyond all question. The
narrator. however, will not be a wit
ness before the Cobb county grand
jury which on September list will be
asked to undertake a thorough inves-
tigation Of the lynching OF the man
alleged to have been the slayer of lit
tie Mary Pha@an.
Governor Nat E. Harris during the
past few days has received several
anonymous threatening letters pur-
porting to warn him not to go too
far in his investigation of the lynch
ing. The governor Is not inclined to
take the letters seriously
The inside" story of the events
which preceded the finding Of Franks
lifeless body swaying from the limb
of the big oak tree cleared up many
phases of the tragic incident which
heretofore have been veiled in mys-
terry. Points asserted by the narrator
were:
Did Not Confess.
First-Frank 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
Phasan girl, he Is said to have made
no reply whatever
Second-No attempt was made to
force a confession. Franks state
mente Just prior to mis- death. that
he loved his wife and mother better
than he did his life, came Unexpectedly
and without questioning
Was Not MaItreated.
Third-Frank was not maltreated in
any way prior to the actual lynching
Stories that he may have met violent
death before he was hanged to the
Frey oak are without foundation.
Made No Protest.
Fourth-Frank walked Il distance
Of 200 yards from the automobile to
the death tree without a fa1terfng
step: without q sigh or semblance of
a protest. Fearing perhaps that his
body might never reach his relatives
he asked that the wedding ring he
wore be delivered to newspaper man
with the solemn promise that II would
be turned over to his wife. This wish
was carried out
Legal Hanging"
Fffth-Frank was told from the
start that he was 10 be executed as
the courts had directed that he be
and every effort was made by the So
called vigilance committee" 20 see
that the legal hanging as they term
cd the Iypcbipg, was carried out in
an orderly manner. Members Of the
vigilance committee" are said TO re-
sent any intimation that Frank was
'maItreated' while in their custody.
They assert he vas given exactly the
same consideration usually given 10
condemned man on the day Of his
execution. The rough handling Of the
body after IL was down was a matter
concerning which members Of the
"comnittee" feel they were not re-
sponsible.
Was No Mob Spirit.
sixth-The members Of the wig
iIance committee" felt they had a
sacred duty to perform in carrying
out the mandate of the courts Of the
state and Of the United States" There
was no mob spirit, no demonstration
and there is said 10 have been no idea
of hanging Frank in the public square
at Marietta or in the cemetery where
Mary Phagan lies buried. There was,
however, a determination that the ex-
ecution should take place in Cobb
county. InaSmuch as all the members
of the committee" are said to be res
!dents of Cobb county" the reason
for this is obvious.
Seven Automobiles Used.
Seven automobiles were required to
/ transport the vigilance committee
from Marietta to MiIledgeville. Only
four returned, including the car in
which Frank rode. All the machines
were small cars of a popular make
These cars were specially selected
| because of the difficulty in identify
| ing them. No car of conspicuous de-
sign or color was wanted. There were
| probably 2S in the lynching party.