Evening star., 1915-08-23
FRANKS DEATH TRIP
TOLDBY AUTHORITY
First Story of What Actually
Occurred Revealed to As
S0ciated Press.
VIGILANCE COMMITTEE
DID NOT ABUSE VICTIM
Prisoner, Brave to Last, Gave No
Confession, Refusing to Re
ply to Questions.

ATLANTA. Ga. August c3.-The first
actual story of what transpired on the
death ride of Leo NJ. Frank from Mil
ledgeville to Marietta. between mid
night and dawn last Tuesday morning
has just become available to the As
sociated Press. The recital did not
come through second or third hands,
but in a manner which. seemingly,
placed its authenticity beyond all ques-
tion. The narrator. however. will not
be a witness before the Cobb county
grand jury. which. September l, will
be asked to undertake a thorough in
vestigation of the lynching of the man
alleged to have been the slayer of
little Mary Phaaan.
1t also became known today that
Gov Nat +. Harris during the past
few days has received several anony-
nous threatening letters purporting to
warn him not to go too far in his
investigation of the lynching.
The inside story" of the events
which preceded the finding of Franks
lifeless body swaying from the limb
Of the biggest oak tree in the vicinity
OF blif Frey's gin cleared up many
phases of the tragic incident which
heretofore have been veiled in mystery.
F1rst-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 a confession. Franks statement
Just prior to his death that he loved
ms wife and mother better than he did
his life came Unexpectedly and without
questioning.
Frank Not Maltreated.
Third-Frank was not maItreated i,
any way prior to the actual Iynching.
Stories that he may have met a violent
death before he was hanged to the Frey
oak are without foundation.
Fourth-Frank walked distance of
200 yards from the automobile to the
death tree without faltering step.
Fearing perhaps that his body might
never reach his relatives. he asked that
the wedding ring he wore be delivered
promise that it would be turned over to
his wife. This wish was carried out.
Firth-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 hanging" as they termed the
iynching. was carried out in an orderly
manner. Members Of the vigilance
committee are said to resent any inti-
while in their custody.
sixth-Ihe members Of the vigilance
committee" felt they had a sacred duty''
to perform IN carrying out the mandate
OF me courts of the state and of the
United States. There was no idea of
ha ngfng Frank in the public square at
Marietta or in the cemetery where Mary
phasan lies buried There was. how
ever. a determination that the execution
should take place in Cobb county. In
asmuch as all the members Of the com
mittee' are said to be residents of Cobb
county the reason for this Is obvious.
Trip Of Lynchers.
Seven automobiles were required to
transport the vigilance committee, from
Marietta to Miledgeville. All were small
cars of popular make, selected because
of the difficulty in identifying them
There were probably twenty-eight men
IN the lynching party.
The machine left Marietta sinely dur
ing the afternoon of Monday last, and
1t was shortly after 10 o'clock when the
prison farm was reached 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.
Four men entered Franks ROOM
We want you to come with u.s."
Frank was told.
Unresistingly and without appeal of any
sort for protection Frank permitted him.
self to be handcuffed
When the party had reached the prison
porch, the leaders thought the progress
being made was entirely too slow. 1t
ried down the concrete steps of the
prison house 1t is strenuously denied
that Frank was dragged or bumped"
Death Trip Begins.
Two men climbed into the back seat
of the car in which Frank had been
placed. one sitting on either side. An
other member of the committee" was
seated beside the chauffeur
For seven hours Frank sat in the au-
tomobile which was carrying him to a
death place.
During all this long journey only two
syllables left Franks lips. Soon after
he had seen placed in the automobile
Frank was told he was being taken to
his place of execution.
THE courts of Georgia have sentenced
YOU to be hanged and they never re-
upon us to carry out their decree"
Frank did not finch. The wonderful
stoicism did not desert him in the last
hours of his life.
1t was well after the destination of
his captors had been disclosed that
Frank was asked the question:
"Is there anything you would like to
say before your execution"
At first there was no reply. Then !
slowly, and perhaps painfully, the re-
Gently wounded man shook his head.
No" |
For long time following this Frank |
was again permitted the seclusion of |
his thoughts. Then he was asked If he |
lad killed the Phagan girl. and the cap |
tors say he made no reply. This ques- |
ton was not repeated until near the |
end. and again 1t is said there |!
was no reply.
The final Interrogation and reply |
we're:
"Is there nothing you wish to say?"
No"
Hanged Hour After Dawn.
These four questions were the sole |
in the death car 1t was a |
'ull hour after dawn that the four cars