New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-21
Governor Slaton Announces
He Will Make Known His
Decision Probably This
Morning - 500 Persons
Visit Jail in Hope of
Seeing Convicted Man.


Atlanta, June q Leo NJ. Frank, con-
demned to die for the murder of Mary
Phagan, was placed in the rear car Of
Central of Georgia train and sent to
Milledgeville under a heavy guard
Of deputies early this morning, ac-
cording u statements made by six en-
ployes Of the terminal station. The
report is believed here to be accurate.
This action by the Governor is taken
to mean that he has decided to COM
mute Franks sentence from death to
life imprisonment.
Governor Slaton announced tonight
that he would make known tomorrow,
probably in the forenoon, his decision
on Franks petition.
Betting in Atlanta now is all on the
side of Frank. There are some who
have wagered their money that Frank
will hang. but most of them are will
ing to hedge. Those who wish to bet
can find all the money they want at
. uO . 10 lHdL llt NO'NihNA wa
commute the sentence.
Communication Of Sentence Rumored.
Friday night there was a rumor in
Atlanta that Franks sentence had been
commuted and that he had lcen hur-
ried away to Milledgeville. The rumor
seemed to start in Marietta, which is
more interested in the case than any
other city in the state, and t soon
spread like wildfre all over Atlanta.
In Marietta great crowds gathered and
the newspaper Offices were harassed
by anxious callers. The rumor looked
so plausible that it was not until
Frank was found in his cell that peo-
pie were convinced it was an error.
The report spread all over Georgia,
and the state of public feeling in the
state was evidenced by the receipt by
the Governor of telegram from a man
who apparently believed the rumor was
correct which read: you ought to
hang your head in shame and sorrow"
As the day approaches for the execu-
tion and the Governors decision is still
delayed the feeling in Atlanta has be-
come intensified. To-day at least five
hundred persons, according to the Jail
ers, visited the Fulton County tower in
the hope of seeing the prisoner. All
were refused admittance TO Franks cell
with the exception of few close
friends. His wife, his mother and his
father have been with the prisoner
every day. They have buoyed him up
with assurances that he cannot pos
sibly lose, and have told him that the
Governor is certain TO commute the
sentence.
Franks attorney. Representative
William NJ. Howard. left Atlanta on
Saturday afternoon for his home in
Augusta. He has done all he can for
the prisoner and realizes that il would
be a waste of time for him TO remain in
this city longer. Before leaving he gave
out brief statement, IN which he as
serted his belief in Franks innocence
and stated that he was confident the
Governor would grant Communication.
Frank Nerveiess and Confident.
As for Frank himself, there never
was more remarkable prisoner in the
Fulton County tower. The man seems
10 have no nerves. In jail now for over
two years, he is as self-contained, con-
fdent and certain Of himself as he was
on the first day Of his arrest. He does
not believe it is possible that the State
of Georgia will let him hang. He as
serts his innocence continually. lie
has not changed in the least since the
day of his trial. Confinement seems 10
have had no effect upon him physically
or mentally.
81 am content TO wait" he said to-
day. "It may be long time before
the truth will come out, but l do not
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