The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-09-02

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vile, or may have been due to sway
ing against the trunk of the oak tree
as Frank was being lifted to his
; death.
The ghastly Scared wound in
Franks throat was not open until
the weight of his body had been
thrown against the expertly tied
hangman's knot placed beneath the
right point of the chin.
Knew What 1t Meant.
There apparently was no doubt in
Franks mind as to the meaning of
his abduction as he was lifted into
one of the machines waiting outside
The prison farm had been fully
aware of the threats that had been
made against him, and Of the hold
ing in readiness of the militia sew
eral weeks ago when there is every
reason to believe the so-called Eek
ecution" first was planned.
Two men climbed into the back
seat of the car in which Frank had
been placed, one sitting on either
side. Another member of the COM
mittee was seated beside the chauf-
feur. There were seven cars in Mil
ledgeville at this time Only four
got back to Marietta. The other
three being left behind at Little
River as a rear guard. These were
the cars which successfully baffled
those which started in pursuit of the
lynching party.
For seven long, momentous hours
Frank sat in the automobile which
was carrying him to a death place of
which he had no knowledge. 1t re-
quired this length of time to make
the journey from Milledgeville to
Marietta. The roads were often
rough and bumpy, but the party
maintained a speed of about 20 miles
an hour. There was but one delay
puncture which was quickly mend
ed.
Striking Contrast.
Franks hatless, white clad figure,
erect in the tonneau of the leading
car was in striking contrast to the
somber-hued men beside him. AL
though the roads were black and
lonely the glaring electric headlights
of the cars following kept the first
car brilliantly Illuminated. The
highways were deserted, however,
and the farm houses which were
passed were mere shadows darkened
as they were for the slumber hours.
There were no passers-by to witness
the strange and tragic procession
that sped steadily along in a race
with the coming of the dawn.
During all this long journey only
two syllables left Franks lips. What
his thoughts were can never be
known. The men who had determ-
ined that he should die left him
alone with his meditations.
Soon after he had been placed in
the automobile Frank was told he
was being taken to his place of exc
cution.
"The courts of Georgia have SEN
fenced you to be hanged and they
never reverse that sentence. 1t has
developed upon us to carry out their
Decree"
Frank did not finch. The wonder
full stoicism which had marked his
long confinement in prison, and with
which he had met all the reverses
which followed his many legal at
tempts for liberty did not desert him
in the last hours of his life.
It. was we'll after the determina-
ton of his captors had been disclos-
ed to him before Frank was asked
the question::
Nothing to Say.
els there anything you would like
to say before your execution?" At
first there was no reply. Then slow
ly and perhaps painfully the recent
ly wounded man shook his head.
"No."
The monosyllabic negative was
scarcely audible above the throb of
the racing engine.
For long time following this the
only sound was that OF the plunging
automobiles. Frank was again per-
mitted the seclusion of his thoughts.
Then he was asked if he had kill
ed the Phagan girl, and the~captors
say he made no reply. This question
was not repeated until near the
Journeys end, and again it is said
there was no reply.
The final Interrogation was:
"Is there nothing you wish to