Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-08-27
LEO FRANK WAS
GAME TO THE LAST
FIRST AUTHENTIC STORY HOW
HE WAS KIDNAPPED
AND HUNG.
CONFESSION NOT OBTAINED
After 7-Hour Ride In Auto He Walked
200 Yards to Tree Without Fall
tering-He Was Not MaItreated
by the Crowd.

Atlanta, Ca, Aug. 23.-The first aC-
tual story Of what happened on the
death ride of Leo M. Frank from
Milledgeville to Marietta between mid
night and dawn last Tuesday morning
morning, Aug. II. are now available.
The recital did not come through sec
ond or third hands, but in a manner
which apparently placed it's authentic
ity beyond all question.
1.-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 "Bill" Frey's gin mill cleared up
many phases Of the tragic incident
which heretofore have been yelled in
mystery. Points asserted by the mar
rator were:
| He Did Not Confess.
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 a confession. Franks statement
just prior to his death that he loved
his wife and mother better than he did
his life came Unexpectedly and with
out questioning.
Third-Frank was not maltreated in
any way prior to the actual lynching.
Walked 200 Yards to Tree.
Fourth-Frank walked 200 yards
from the automobile to the death tree
without faltering step; without q
sigh or the semblance of protest.
Fifth-Frank was told from the
start that he was to be executed as
the court 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 lynching, was carried out in an
orderly manner. Members Of the
vigilance committee" are said to re-
sent any intimation that Frank was
"maltreated" while in their custody.
| Seven automobiles were required to
transport the vigilance committed"
from Marietta to Milledgeville Only
four returned, including the car in
which Frank rode. All of the machines,
were small cars There were probably
20 men in the lynching party.
Taken From Bed.
Four men entered Franks room in
the hospital ward after overpowering
the guards. The noise at the outer
door had awakened the prisoner, but
he was still lying in bed when his
room was entered by the self-appoint-
ed executioners, who wore hats well
pulled down to meet the automobile
goggles, which served as masks.
I'VE want you to come with u.s."
Frank was told.
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
a fellow convict and swayed perhaps
little dizzily.
Was Not Allowed to Dress.
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 leader
thought the progress was too slow. It
was then Frank was picked up and
carried down the concrete steps. It
is denied that Frank was dragged or
bumped" down the steps, and it is
also denied that one of the members
Of the party helped carry him by the
hair.
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 tourney from