Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-23

The inside story of the events which
preceded the finding of Franks lifeless
body swaying from the limb of the big
oak tree cleared up many phases OF
tragic incident which heretofore have
been yelled in mystery. Points asserted
by the narrator were:
First Frank did not confess. He
twice was asked if he had anything to
say, but on each occasion replied NO.
Asked pointedly if he killed the Phagan
girl he Is said to have made no reply
whatever.
Second, no attempt was made to force
confession. Franks statement just
prior to his death, that he loved and wife
and mother better than he did his life,
came unexpectedly and without question:
ing.
Not Maltreated
Third, Frank was not maltreated in
any way prior to the actual lynching.
Stories that he may have met violent
death before he wan hanged to the gray
oak are without foundation. :
Fourth, Frank walked a distance Of 200
yards from the automobile to the death
sigh or semblance of a protest. He ask
ed that the wedding ring he wore be de-
livered to a newspaper man with the
solemn promise that it would be turned
over to his wife. This wish was carried
out.
Fifth, Frank was told from the start
that he was to be executed as the courts
had directed that he be, and every effort
was made by the so-called vigilance
committee" to see that the legal hang
Ing" as they termed the lynching, was
carried out in an orderly manner.
"A Sacred Duty"
Sixth. the members of the vigilance
committee" felt they had sacred duty
to perform lin carrying out the mandate
OF the courts of the state and of the
United States There was no demon
stration and there is said to have been
no idea of hanging Frank in the public
square at Marietta or in the cemetery
where Mary Phagan lies buried.
Seven automobiles were required to
transport the vigilance committee" from
Marietta to NIilledgeville All the ma
chimes were of a popular make. specially
selected because of difficulty in Identify
ing them. There were probably IS men
in the lynching party.
The machines left Marietta singly Mon
day afternoon and reached the prison
farm shortly after 10 o'clock. After
Warden Smith and Supt. Burke had been
called from their homes and handcuffed
the party proceeded to the prison house
in which Frank was known to be quar-
tered. When the lynching party had en-
tered the prison and its members were
disarmng the outer guards, one OF the
TRUSTEES at the prison, who was also
on guard duty, blew out an oil lamp
burning just outside Franks door. He
also extinguished the dim light burning
in the hospital ROOM A member of the
party was quick to see this. He hailed
the "trusty' and, displaying a revolver,
compelled him to get a match.
Order Frank to Come
Four men entered Franks room. 1--WE
want you to come with U.S. Frank was
told.
There was neither surprise nor terror
in the look Frank turned upon the de-
termined men. In silence he arose and
started to dress himself. Don't bother
with the clothes; come just as you are"
ne was commanded.
INTERESTINGLY and without any appeal
for protection, Frank permitted himself
to be handcuffed. Clad only in a Sleep
ing garment, he walked into the prison
corridor, member of the vigilance
committee" on either side Of him and
two bringing up the rear. When the par
ty had reached the prison porch the lead
ers thought the progress being made was
too slow, so Frank was picked up and
carried down the steps of the prison
house. 1t is strenuously denied that
Frank was dragged or bumped" down
the steps. and it is also denied that one
Of the members of the party helped car
ry him by the hair
Wound Opened by Rope
The wound in Franks throat was not
opened until the weight of his body had
been thrown against the hangman's knot
There apparently was no doubt in
Franks mind as to the meaning of his
abduction. He had been fully aware of
the threats that had been made against
him and Of the holding in readiness Of
the militia several weeks ago. when
there Is every reason to believe the So
called execution 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 "committee''
was seated beside the chauffeur There
were seven cars in Milledgeville at
this time. Only four returned to Ma
rietta, the other three being left be-
hind at Little River as a rear guard.
These were the cars which success
fully baff1ed those who first started
in pursuit of the lynching party.
In Auto Seven Hours
For seven hours, Frank sat in the
automobile which was carrying him
to his death.
! Franks hatless. white clad figure,
sitting erect in the tonneau of tho