Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-06-29
TROOPS HALT MOB
GOV. sLATON OF GEORGIA MEN
AGED BY RIOTERS AFTER HE
SAVES FRANK FROM DEATH.
MARTIAL LAW AT ATLANTA
Executives Mansion Surrounded by
Angry Crowd-SoIdiers Are Stoned
When They Attempt to Dispense
Them at Point of Bayonet.

Atlanta, Ga, June 23.-Bayonets
fixed, khaki-clad battalion Of Georg-
las National Guard surrounds the home
of Gov. John NJ. Slaton, standing eff
a mob of thousands which is crying
for the governors blood.
The entire Fifth regiment was called
out. Atlanta itself, it is expected, soon
will be placed under martial law.
The governor proclaimed martial
law at exactly eleven o'clock and by
shortly after midnight the crowd was
gradually being dispersed. There was
no firing.
Following are the soldiers more Sc
riously hurt:
Lieut.. Arnold Parker.
Major Catron.
Private Pepper.
The first troopers reached the es-
tate of Governor Slaton, six miles
from Atlanta, at eleven o'clock Mon
the executive by telephone that mob
of seven to ten thousand was descend
ing upon his home, shouting for ven
geance for little Mary Phagan, for
whose murder Leo NJ. Frank was to
have paid the penalty on the gallows
on Monday but for Slatons interces-
sion.
Governor Slaton Immediately or
dered out the troops and proclaimed
martial law for a distance of half
mile on each side of his house. The
entire Fifth regiment was called to
arms. One battalion was rushed in
automobiles to the governors coun-
try home. The crowd had a long start
on the troopers, and more than seven
hundred were in front of the govern
or's gates when the militiamen
dashed up.
Bayonets fixed, the troops began to
move forward in a circle, Of which
the governors mansion was the CEN
ter. Muttering, the mob gave way.
On the porch, despite the pleas Of
his wife and friends, the bright moon
light sharply outlining the white Of
his linen. stood Governor Slaton, un-
afraid in the face of mob violence.
Staunchly he stood out, a target,
the cries of the mob beating in his
ears: Give us Slaton. Give us
Georgia's traitor governor"
He wanted to address the crowd,
but his wife and friends dissuaded
him.
At first the mob outside rapidly re-
treated before the steel of the SOL
diers. Then it reformed. Several
hundred gathering near a pile of
bricks began to lombard the troops
with the heavy missiles.
A brick struck and felled Lieutenant
Parker. He fell to the ground, seri-
ously If not fatally injured. Other
soldiers were struck, and some pain
fully injured.
The troops swept forward, prodding
the ranks Of the rioters with their
bayonets
This angered the mob, and it kept
up its attitude of defiance.
Franks death sentence was COM
muted to life Imprisonment by Gov
ernor Slaton on Monday. Announce
ment of the governors decision came
several hours after Frank had been
taken secretly from the jail here and
hurried to the state prison farm at
Miiledgeville. Frank was sentenced to
be hanged here today for the murder
of Mary Phagan in April, 1913.
1T was a plain case of duty as l
saw it," said Gov. John NJ. Slaton, dis
Cussing his action in committing Leo
NJ. Franks sentence. IF 1 had failed
to commute Franks sentence | would
have been guilty of murder, as l see 1t.
OF course, care for the public appro-
bation," he continued, in explaining
his course, but l could not have that
mans blood on my hands under the
circumstances"
Governor Slaton, who committed the
sentence of Leo NJ. Frank, was hanged
in efflgy at Marietta, Ga. A life-sized
dummy strung up to a'telegraph pole
bore an inscription, John NJ. Slaton,
Georgias traitor governor" Mary
Phagan, the victim of the pencil fac
tory murder. formerly resided at
Marietta.
When reports that Franks sentence
had been committed began to circulate
crowds gathered on the principal down
town street corners. The arrest of a
man who attempted 60 dismount po-
liceman by grabbing the horses reins
aroused one crowd to excitement
Many persons followed the officers to
the city hall, block away. Speakers
started to harangue the crowd from
the city hall steps, but were stopped
by an extra force of police. 1t was
said that a delegation was coming
from Marietta, the former home OF
Mary Phagan.
Submarine Sunk by Liner at Sea.