The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-08-26
STORY OF HOW LEO
FRANK WAS LYNCHED

A4AA4N4 "A, Va, AuSuSt - NC IlISt
actual story of what happened on the
death ride of Leo M. Frank from Mill
edgeville to Marietta between mid
night and dawn last Tuesday morning,
became available to the Associated
Press today. The recital did not come
through second or third hands, but in
Ia manner which apparently placed its
authenticity beyond all question.
"The inside story" Of the events
which preceded the finding of Frank .
lifeless body swaying from the limb of
the biggest oak tree in the vicinity by
"Bill" Frey's gin mill cleared up many
phases of the tragic incident which
heretofore have been yelled in mystery.
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 mo-
Asked pointedly if he killed the Phag-
an girl, he is said to have made no re-
| ply whatever.
"Second-No attempt was made to
force a confession. Frank g statement
just prior to his death that he loved
his wife and mother better than he did
his life came Unexpectedly and without
questioning.
"Third-Frank was not maltreated
in any way prior to the actual lynch
ing.
"Fourth-Frank walked 200 yards
from the automobile to the death tree
without faltering step; without a
sigh or the semblance Of a protest.
Told Of His Fate.
| "Fifth-Frank was told from the
start that he was to be executed as the
courts had decided that he be and
every effort was made. by the So
called vigilance committee to see that
the legal hanging, as they termed the
llynching, was carried out in an orderly
manner. Members Of the vigilance
COMMITTEE are said to resent any init
nation that Frank was maltreated
while in their custody.
"Sixth-Automobile were required
to transport the vigilance committee
from Marietta to Milledgeville. Only
four returned, including the car in
which Frank RODE. All of the machines
were small cars. There were probably
% men in the lynching party.
Four "overpower' Guards
Four men entered Franks room in
the hospital ward after overpOwerinp
the guards. The noise at the QUITE,
door had awakened the prisoner, but
he was still lying in bed when his
room was entered by the self-appointed
executioners, who wore hats well pulled
down to meet the automobile goggles,
which served as masks.
"We want you to come with us,''
Frank was told.
Neither Surprise Nor Terror
There was neither surprise nor ter
ror in the look he turned upon the
four determined men. In silence Frank
arose and made as if to dress himself.
He was still feeble from the loss of
blood suffered in an attack by fel-
low convict and swayed perhaps little
dizzily.
Don't Bother With Clothes.''
"Don t bother with the clothes; come
just as you are," he was commanded
INTERESTINGLY Frank permitted him.
self to be handcuffed. Clad only in
sleeping garment, he walked into
the prison corridor. When the party
had reached the prison porch, the leade,
thought the progress was too slow. II
was then Frank was picked up and
carried down the concrete steps. II
is strenuously denied that Frank was
dragged or dumped" down the steps
and it is also denied that one of the
members of the party helped carry him
by the hair.
+ Seven Hours in Auto.
For seven long hours Frank sat in
the automobile which was carrying him
to death place of which he had No
knowledge. 1t required this length Of
time to make the journey from Mill.
edgeville to Marietta. There was but
one delay puncture, whith was quick.
ly mended.
Franks hatless, Whitehead figure
erect in the tonneau of the leading car
was in striking contrast to the sombre
hued men beside him. Although the
roads were black and lonely, the glar
ing electric headlights of the cars fol-
lowing kept the first car brilliantly
illuminated. The highways were de-
serted, however, and there were nc
passersby to witness the tragic process
sion that sped steadily along in a race
with the coming of the dawn.
During all this long Journey onlv twc