Omaha daily bee., 1915-08-18
LEO FRANK DIES
VICTIM OF MOB;
PRISON FORCED

Continued from rage one)
lanta, from a dormitory ana escaped With
HIM
Persistent reports early today were that
Frank had been iynched. For hours
aftorward no trace OF the automobiles
bearing the party could be found. but
at daylight newspaper mon picked up the
trail at q point ON Little river. near
Batonviilo. Ga J.. X. jackson. q white
farmer. living near a bridge over the
Little river. said that shortly after mid
night he heard several automobiles stop
there. Soon afterward he heard loud
talking and then many shots. Ito heard
the automobiles leave in the direction OF
Eatonville after the firing. A hurried
search Of the immediate vicinity failed
10 reveal anything that would Indicate
that Frank had met summary vengeance
there
The armed men arrived at tho prison
farm practically unnoticed. All means
OF wire communication from the institu-
tion to Milledgevrlo, three miles away.
were destroyed, and all wires. except one
telephone line from Miilegevillc, also
were cut
Five men went 70 the house Of Warden
D. EANiAhf AHANfItNu nun anu Nldut
him prisoner. At tho same time a small
squad OF men went 20 the home OF ].
~ Burke superintendent Of the farm.
Burke was forced to 30 with them TO the
gate nearest the dormltory Tho party
rushed IN. got Frank. and hurried him 20
ono OF the automobiles. He was forced
down into the car. while a member OF
the party IL said 10 have flourished a
L.. - -. n
been guarding Warden Smith left him
and Joined the party at the gates. The
automobiles then started off in a north
eriy direction.
With only a limited number OF guards
at the prison and wire communication
with MIlledgeville interrupted. immediate
pursuit was impossible.
Absence OF definite news that Frank
had been lynched caused many 70 believe
that possibly friends took him away and
that the display OF the rope and tho
shooting were parts Of a plan 10 cover
the real intentions Of the party. Frank
was sufficiently recovered from the
wound in his throat. inflicted by another
prisoner month ago. TO leave the prison
hospital Sunday.
superintendent IL Handcuffed.
II was called 10 the door Just as I
was preparing 20 retire" said Captain
J. NJ. Burke. superintendent OF the state
prison farm today two strong men
grabbed me and snapped handouts on my
wrists. -Four others stood guard over me-
demonstrated and they declared Il was
no use for me 10 squirm az they had como
for Leo Frank and were going to get
him.
Il was marched up to the penltentlary
building by a guard which was doubled
as we proceeded. When we reached the
building demand was made for the
gate to be opened. Meanwhile one OF the
men began cutting the wires and in
formed the prisoner II he did not open
II he would be killed as soon as an en-
trance was effected. The gate was UNI
locked and a night guard came forward.
but he was immedia.eIy covered and
ordered TO throw up his hands. When
half way up the steps dozen men
rushed by mo and made dash for
Franks room. Ono prisoner declared that
four men took Frank by his arms and
legs. while a firth grabbed him by the
hair and he was dragged out and bumped
Down the stone steps. Frank did not
utter a word. but apparently was suffer-
ing intensely and groaned from pain In
flicted in handling him in his wounded
condition. The affair was all over within
five minutes, Il seemed 70 me.
ipurlna the entire time l was hand
ouffed and under guard. The whole pro-
cedure was well ordered an methodical
and only a few words were spoken. a
leader did ali the talking. Only two OF
the men were masked. but l did not
recognize any OF them. The leader said,
Now. boys. for the swamp. Then In less
time than IL takes to tell II. they were
off,"
MRS. Frank Was Expecting II.
Mrs. Leo AZ. Frank received the news
that her husband had been lynohed In
a manner that led those present to be-
lieve that she had been expecting Il. She
was preparing TO 80 10 an uncle's home
at Athena. Ca. whom she was told what
had occurred. She 10 reported as bearing
| up we'll