Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-08-19
Hanging Was the Climax of a
Carefully Prepared Plan
Identity of the Lynchers Tn.
Observation-Disclosures Starts.
FRANK DRIVEN 100 MILES
Lynching Was Only Few Miles
from Mary Phagan's Home
Victims Body, Nearly Divest.
ed of Clothing, Discovered at
$3.50 In the Morning.

Marietta. Ga. Aug. LEO NJ. Frank.
convicted of the murder OF Mary Phagan,
was taken from the state prison farm at
Milledgevile last night by a small band
of determined men, was brought to within
a few miles of the Phagan home in this
city at daylight to-day and hanged to a
tree near the Marietta Milledgeville high
way.
The body which was found at eight
o'clock this morning danglsd from the
tree for several hours on the sight of a
throng gathered from the surrounding
country side. BY a vote OF the crowd the
body was cut down without mutllation
and taken by automobile to Atlanta.
Officials of cobb county in which the
lynching occurred, Immediately instituted
an Investigation. Coroner Booth EN-
county commissioners had uncovered
him to employ additional counsel Two
witnesses appeared before the jury which
adjourned it's sessions for a week while
officials collect evidence While III.
identity Of no member of the band was
known to officials Tonight It vas sug.
Gostod that the fact that Frank was
taken nearly Il" miles in an automobile
from tho state prison to the outskirts Of
Marietta indicated that most Of the
lynrhers came from this city
The body was discovered by Searchers
from several cities in this section who
started ont in automobiles 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 A bod in
the prison dormitory 4 white handker-
chief covered his face his feet and legs
were firmly bound and under his RICH,
jaw was the knot Of the hangman's moose
eNpertly tied to produce a quick death.
News of the discovery Of the bod
spread quickly and a great crowd had
gathered before the arrival of Coroner
Booth. The latter's announcement tina,
1t would b" cut down Immediately aroused
some objection. There were cries of
Don't move the Jews body until We
shoot II full Of holes" But an appeal hy
former Superior Judge " A. Morris o!
cobb county quieted the crowd
Let there he no further violence "
he said. The work Of the mob Is done
Leo NJ. Frank has given his life for the
crime he is alleged to have committed
DO not mutlate the body Let II be sent
to his mother ! appeal To YOUR bette,
Judgment and 7 ask all VINO agree witt
the course | suggest To raise their RICH,
hand"
There was a moments hesitation. Their
uplifted hands appeared above the GROVE
| and the body was cut down. At first I,
was placed in an undertaker's wagor
headed snl nd
cials who feared that the crowd nigh
become unruly stopped the wagon or
the outskirts of the town and transferred
I the body 70 an automobile, which hur
| ried TO Atlanta.
The gang that took Frank from tbs
prison dormitory apparently worked
| quietly and rapidly after they begar
their loo-mile automobile ride from Mil
| ledgevlle
The ease with which Frank was re
moved from the State prison farm diff
culties left in the way of pursuers. anC
the sudden disappea rance Of the banc
after the lynchng all pointed TO thor
ough preparation.
After the circulation of reports to-da,
that several high-powered automobile.
had left Marietta early Monday night
Mayor Dobbs issued this statement
\ desire in the interests of iustic,
and truth to say that the Marietta anc
cobb county officials had no knowledg,
OF any automobiles leaving Marietta
we'll loaded la night. nor were they
| apprised of the return Of any machine.
to-day None of the officials had any
intimation of the lynchng until tn,
body was found"