Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-06-24
LEO M. FRANKS SENTENSE IS
COMMITTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Condemned Man is Struggled From
Prison in Atlanta 1T Midnight.
Hurried TO the penitentiary Where He
Win Spend His Remaining Days.
Was Taken in an Ambulance From
Prision to The Penitentiary.

ATLANTA, Ca, June 21--An-
noncement was made here today that
Governor Slaton had committed the
death sentence of Leo M Frank, who
was to have been hanged tomorrow
for the murder Of Mary Phagan, to life
Imprisonment. He was taken at once
to the state penitentiary, where he will
be given clerical position.
ATLANTA, a.,June II The death
sentence of Leo NJ. Frank has been
committed to life Imprisonment and the
Brooklyn man who was to die tomor-
row for the death or Mary Phagan,
was removed secretly from the Jail
here early today under a heavy guard.
Frank was taken abroad Georgia
Central train for Macon. There he was
placed in an auto to be taken to the
state prison farm at Milledgeville, so
miles. distant, where he arrived at
o'clock. Governor John M. Slaton to-
day officially confirmed the commuta-
tion of Franks sentence and issued an
5000 word statement outlining his po-
sition.
| With reporters watching the Jail,
Frank was slipped out Of back door
and rushed to the railroad station.
There tickets were purchased and the
party boarded train. Frank was TAX
en- in an ambulance to the station and
| it was supposed the passenger was a
sick man. From Atlanta to Macon
the trip was without incident Frank
train knew he was aboard At Macon
the train was met by an automobile
Frank and his guards left the train
! and entered the machine. The party
left at once for the state farm at Mil
ledgeyille, whore he probably will be
given some light work
The governors statement read in
part: "The murder committed was d
most hideous one. A young girl was
strangled to death by cord tied
around her throat and the offender de-
serves the punishment Of death The
only question is as to the identity Of
the criminal. The responsibility is on
the people Of Georgia to protect the
lives Of her citizens and to maintain
the dignity Of her laws and IL her
choice must be made between the APP
4 probation of citizens Of other states
and the enforcement Of our laws
against offenders, whether powerful or
weak, we must choose the latter al
Tentative"
I Il was feared by Governor Slaton
chat the news Of the COMMUNICATION Of
Franks sentence to life Imprisonment
would cause eie < in this city. 1t
was to avoid an attempted lynching
that Frank was removed secretly be-
fore the news Of the governors action
was given out It was shortly after
midnight that Frank was smuggled
from the Jail and hurried to the rail-
/ way station ia an ambulance. Frank
had a handkerchief over his face and
he seemed like a very sick man. News
Of the removed Of the prisoner and the
Ientension Of executive clemency didnot
cause any great surprise here as such
action had been widely expected The
decision Of the governor was not gem
orally known in Atlanta until this NOR
ming. Governor Slaton reached his de-
cision early Sunday, but only few of
his most confidential friends knew Of
it,
Feeling all over Georgia was at such
high tension that it was intended to
have the prisoner safely landed at the
state prison before giving out the
news.
Ias police az 3 O'Clock dispersed
crowd Of men in Marietta street, who
were indulging in threats against Gov
ernor Slaton OF account Of his decision
in extending clemency to Leo Frank
Most Of the men were from Cobb
county, where Mary Phagan lived be-
fore she came to Atlanta Five were
arrested and the crowd then scattered.
4 we OI ri TIME cTNcTNf,,