Friday, 6th June 1913 Grand Jury Probes Detective Leaks
Friday, June 6th, 1913
Court Officials Worried Over News Growing Out of the Phagan Murder Mystery.
It is understood on good authority that the grand jury has been called upon to make a searching investigation in the apparent "leakage" in the detective department, which has enabled the newspapers to publish every important development in the Phagan murder mystery before such development had, often times, been brought to the official attention of the solicitor general's office. It is said that certain court officials deemed the matter of such importance that they called the attention of the grand jury to it in the hope that the responsibility might be properly placed and a repetition of the "leaks" prevented.
It is a matter of history that as soon as some new angle to the case developed it was given the widest publicity, and the case of the state, in all its details, is today known to the attorney for the defense as thoroughly as it …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 Mother Here to Aid Frank in Trial
Thursday, June 5th, 1913 With the time when Leo M. Frank will go on trial for the murder of Mary Phagan rapidly approaching, perhaps no greater reinforcement to the accused pencil factory superintendent in facing his ordeal has been made than that in the person of his mother, who is now in Atlanta at the Selig home. Mrs. Frank came on from Brooklyn, where she makes her home, and where Frank himself formerly resided. She will remain until after the trial. A woman of considerable age, Mrs. Frank has shown wonderful bravery in coming to share her son's burden. Stands by Son. Mrs. Frank has taken her place in the Selig household as the pillar of cheerfulness and hope, friends of the family declare. Her unbounded confidence in the ultimate release of her son, despite the horrible accusations made against him, is said to have prove the saving grace of the stricken household. Since her arrival the mother has thrown aside every interest …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 Colyar Arrested Again on Knoxville Warrant
Thursday, June 5th, 1913 Deputies in Sheriff's Office Take Him in Custody When He Appears as Witness A. S. Colyar, waiting upon the grand jury's summons as a witness, Thursday morning at the court house, was arrested by deputies from the sheriff's office, adjoining the grand jury room. The deputies exhibited a warrant from Knoxville, Tenn., charging forgery alleged to have been committed several years ago. No requisition accompanied the warrant. The sheriff wired to Knoxville that a requisition must be filed and approved within a reasonable time or he will release Colyar. Colyar was not jailed. He was retained near the grand jury room, to await the jury's call. Bond was to be fixed later by the sheriff, and it was expected that would be furnished. Colyar was arrested not long ago by the city police upon what is said to have been and appears to have been this same charge now embodied in a warrant, the arrest being made …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 Grand Jury Probe of Vice Conditions Finished Thursday Thursday, June 5th, 1913 Jury Adjourned Until Next Tuesday Without Drawing Any Bills—Inquiry Not Likely to Be Resumed, It Is Said LANFORD TELLS JURY OF COL. FELDER'S ENMITY Declares It Dates Back to Case He Made Against Charlie Jones and Was Accentuated by Dictograph Episode The most interesting testimony given to the Fulton county grand jury Thursday was that of Detective Chief N. A. Lanford, who a few minutes before he was called to the stand had engaged in a near-fight with Colonel Thomas B. Felder. Chief Lanford is himself authority for what transpired in the grand jury room, where he remained in the neighborhood of a half hour. "I was questioned principally about vice conditions," he said, "although a number of questions were asked me concerning the dictographing of Felder and others." "Some of the grand jurymen inquired why Felder seemed so bitter toward me. I told them that as far as I knew his feeling …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 Lanford and Felder Come Near Fighting
Thursday, June 5th, 1913 Deputies Step Between Belligerents Before a Blow Is Struck by Either A physical encounter between Chief of Detectives Newport A. Lanford and Colonel Thomas B. Felder, attorney, was averted narrowly by the interference of bystanders in the grand jury ante-room at the court house Thursday morning at 10:30 o'clock. Colonel Felder was sitting in the ante-room, awaiting the grand jury's pleasure, taking with others there. He declared that he had received an anonymous letter warning him that he was going to be assaulted Thursday morning. During the morning, said he, a telephone message had confirmed the letter. He jokingly besought Deputy Sheriff Plennie Minor to stand by him if anything happened. At that juncture Chief of Detectives Lanford stepped through the door into the room, having arrived just at that moment from police headquarters. "Good morning," said he generally. "You didn't speak to me," said …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 My Husband is Innocent, Declares Mrs. Leo M. Frank In First Public Statement
Thursday, June 5th, 1913 Wife of Accused Pen[c]il Factory Superintendent Arraigns Solicitor General Dorsey for What She Terms the Torturing of Witnesses Into Making Desired Affidavits—Says Treatment of Her Negro Cook by Solicitor and Detectives Taxed Patience DECLARES MR. FRANK'S DEMEANOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT OF AN INNOCENT MAN Says Many Slanders Have Been Circulated Concerning the Alleged Unhappy Married Life of Herself and Her Husband—"He Could Not Have Been the Good Husband He Has Been to Me if He Were a Criminal," Asserts Mrs. Frank For the first time since her husband, Leo M. Frank, was arrested more than four weeks ago on suspicion of having murdered Mary Phagan, the pencil factory girl, the accused man's wife on Thursday broke her silence and issued a statement in which she vigorously attacks Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey and the city detectives for the methods which she charges …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 Frank Wanted Gun to Take His Life
Thursday, June 5th, 1913
Sensational Affidavit Made for the Police by Minola McKnight, Servant in Leo Frank's Home.
Fully as startling as the recent confession of James Conley, an affidavit purporting to have been sworn to by Minola McKnight, the servant girl of the Frank household, was given out to the newspapers yesterday afternoon by Chief Lanford. The detectives assert it is the "final straw" in the mass of evidence they boast of having accumulated.
Attesting to a statement that Frank was nervous and excited on the tragedy night, the negress swears Mrs. Frank told of having to sleep on a rug in the bedroom and of her suspicion that her husband was drunk. The servant girl also declares that Mrs. Frank had stated that Frank asked for a gun with which to kill himself, and that he asked, "Why could I be guilty of murder?"
The affidavit further states that Frank arrived home on the crime date about 1:30 o'clock in the afternoon, …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 Jury Will Probe Dictagraph Row
Thursday, June 5th, 1913
A. L. [sic] Colyar, Jr., George M. Gentry and G. C. Febuary Summoned at Request of Chief Lanford
An investigation of the separate phases of the row resulting from the dictagraph traps laid by city detectives for Attorney Thomas B. Felder and Mayor James G. Woodward is believed to be forecast on the grand jury by the summoning before it of A. L. Colyar, Jr., George M. Gentry and G. C. Febuary. All these men played an important part of the performance and were summoned it is claimed at the request made by N. A. Lanford, chief of the detective department.
One of the most startling features of the afternoon session was the probing into the affairs of Police Commissioner William P. Fain. Allen Young, a real estate dealer, was put upon the stand and is said to have been asked to furnish proof in regard to the revelations in which Fain was said to have been the central figure in a carousal in an Ivy street house. …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 Challenges Felder to Prove His Charge
Thursday, June 5th, 1913
Attorney Reiterates Graft Accusations Following Lanford's Defiance—Offers More Proof.
Newport A. Lanford, Chief of Detectives, issued a statement Thursday morning defying Colonel Thomas B. Felder, or anyone, to substantiate the charge of graft made against him and his department in the Grand Jury's probe of vice conditions and alleged corruption in the detective and police departments.
"I defy Felder, or anyone, to prove to the Grand Jury that a penny of graft has ever gone into the detective department, and I defy him to substantiate one of his blackmailing utterances against me. He can't do it, and he knows he can't."
Colonel Felder, in turn, reiterated Thursday morning every charge of corruption he has made against Chief Lanford and his detectives. He said he had presented a great amount of evidence along this line to the Grand Jury and was in readiness to present more when that body called him at …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 Cook Repudiates Entire Affidavit Police Possess
Thursday, June 5th, 1913
Utter repudiation of the affidavits which she was alleged to have sworn to incriminating conversations in the home of Leo M. Frank, indicted for the slaying of Mary Phagan, was made Thursday by Minola McKnight, negro cook for the accused factory superintendent and his wife's parents.
The woman denies absolutely every statement attributed to her by the police, and denies that she even signed the paper made public by the police.
The Georgian presented the McKnight affidavit to its readers with the distinct admonition that it must not be accepted as credible evidence until passed on in a court of law. The affidavit was so full of strange incoherencies and the need for some explanation was so apparent that a further investigation was decided upon.
The cook's statement, giving the case a new and startling turn, is therefore presented just as the police affidavit was—for what it is worth and not …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 I Know My Husband is Innocent, Asserts Wife of Leo M. Frank
Thursday, June 5th, 1913
Following the complete denial by Minola McKnight, cook in the household of Leo M. Frank, of the statements she is alleged to have made in the sensational police affidavit given out Wednesday, Mrs. Leo M. Frank Thursday made her first public statement on the Mary Phagan mystery.
Mrs. Frank makes an eloquently pathetic defense of her husband and attacks Solicitor General Dorsey's methods in the securing of evidence, charging torture and a deliberate determination to distort facts. Mrs. Frank denies absolutely that her husband in any way demeaned himself so as to indicate he had been involved in a tragedy on the day Mary Phagan was slain or any other day. Here is Mrs. Frank's complete statement:
Atlanta, Georgia, June 5, 1913.
Editor The Georgian—Sir: The action of the Solicitor General in in arresting and imprisoning our family cook because she would not voluntarily make a false …More
Thursday, 5th June 1913 Negros Affidavit Not Given Much Credence
Thursday, June 5th, 1913
Even the City Detectives, It Is Said, Attach Very Little Importance to Document
Very little importance, it is said, is attached by the city detectives to the sensational and incoherent affidavit of Minola McKnight, the negro cook at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Selig, 68 East Georgia avenue, where Leo M. Frank, the pencil factory superintendent, and his wife reside.
Attorney Luther Rosser, chief counsel for the indicted superintendent, read the affidavit with apparent amusement. He had no comment to make, but it was evident that Mr. Rosser did not regard the affidavit seriously.
Mr. and Mrs. Selig and Mrs. Frank read the affidavit in The Journal, and although they would make no statement for publication, they appeared to view the negro woman's testimony as absurd and ridiculous on the face of it.
But little of the cook's testimony, even should she stick to her story until the day of the trial, will …More
Wednesday, June 4th, 1913
Says She Heard Frank's Wife Tell Mother Frank Had Threatened Suicide
Incoherent Statement by Employee of Frank Household That Must Not Be Taken as Legal Evidence Until Heard and Corroborated in Court.
Another sensational but strangely incoherent affidavit in the Mary Phagan mystery was made public this afternoon when the police gave out what purports to be a startling statement sworn to by Minola McKnight, negro cook in the Frank household, who was grilled for two hours at police headquarters Tuesday.
The statement quotes the McKnight woman as declaring that she overheard Mrs. Leo Frank tell her mother that Frank had talked of murder and had threatened to get a gun and shoot himself.
The Georgian informs its readers once again that police affidavits are not evidence until they have been accepted in court, and that judgment as to their reliability should be withheld until then.
Statement of Negroes in Full
The McKnight woman's statement is given for what it is …More
Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Felder Exonerates Beavers
Wednesday, June 4th, 1913
Witnesses Summoned in Dictograph Controversy, Although Foreman Says Vice Probe Is Not Complete
BEAVERS AND FELDER ASK INVESTIGATION
Felder's Charges Against Lanford to Be Heard With Dictograph Case—Felder Says the Records Are Forged
Four witnesses were called Wednesday morning by the Fulton county grand jury to testify in regard to the existence of vice in Atlanta. They were Colonel Thomas B. Felder, who was on the stand but a few minutes Tuesday; A. J. Young, a real estate man; J. E. Skaggs, agent of the Southern Express company, and Police Chief James L. Beavers.
Neither of these witnesses would indicate along what lines he was questioned by the grand jury. It is understood, however, that Colonel Felder submitted a supplementary list to the list of alleged disorderly houses furnished Tuesday by Attorney Carl Hutcheson and that he also turned over to the grand jury a number of affidavits relative to houses …More
Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Cook Is Released on Signing Paper
Wednesday, June 4th, 1913
Minola McKnight, the negro cook at the home of Leo M. Frank, was released from custody by the police late Tuesday afternoon, after she had signed the sensational affidavit now in the possession of the detective department.
The woman had previously retained an attorney, who threatened habeas corpus proceedings
Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Leo M. Franks Trial Will Occur Week of June 30
Wednesday, June 4th, 1913
Although no definite decision has been arrived at by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey, the indications are that Leo M. Frank, the pencil factory superintendent, who is under indictment for the murder of Mary Phagan, will be put on trial during the week beginning June 30, instead of the week of June 23, as had been expected.
It is understood that the solicitor will be ready with the prosecution for the later date, and that if the defense does not ask a delay the trial will begin at that time.
For several days Solicitor Dorsey, assisted by City Detectives Campbell and Starnes, has been preparing the case against Frank. In addition to the numerous affidavits obtained from prospective witnesses, the solicitor has had prepared a very large diagram of the pencil factory interior upon which he has indicated everything which he thinks will be of importance to the prosecution.
One rather mystifying …More
Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Sensational Affidavit Made by Minola McKnight, Negro Cook at Home of Leo M. Frank
Wednesday, June 4th, 1913
In This Affidavit Minola Tells of Conversation That Occurred Between Mrs. Frank and Mrs. Selig, In Which Mrs. Frank Is Alleged to Have Said Frank Was Drinking on Night of Tragedy, and That He Wanted a Pistol to Kill Himself
MRS. FRANK SAID, SO NEGRO COOK SWEARS, THAT FRANK MADE HER SLEEP ON THE FLOOR THAT NIGHT
Negro Says Further That Frank Came Home at 1:30 o'Clock on Fatal Saturday, but Remained Only About Ten Minutes, and That He Left Without Eating His Dinner—Affidavit Is Vague and Confused—It Is Given Here In Full
An affidavit, sworn to by Minola McKnight, the negro servant at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Selig, where Leo M. Frank and his wife live, was made public by Chief of Detectives N. A. Lanford Wednesday afternoon. In the affidavit Minola McKnight tells of alleged conversations at the Selig home in which Mrs. Frank is quoted as having said that …More
June 04, 1913, Fain Named in Vice Quiz as Resort Visitor The Atlanta Georgian
Wednesday, June 4th, 1913
Police Commissioner Accused Before Grand Jury of Brawl in Disorderly House.
As a climax of revelations made before the Grand Jury in its probe of vice conditions in Atlanta, Police Commissioner William F. Fain was named as the central figure in a carousal said to have been held in a house on Ivy Street some months ago, according to evidence presented at the Wednesday afternoon session.
Mr. Fain was also accused of brutally treating one of the women in the party. When the police answered the woman's screams and raided the place, it was said that Fain was arrested, but was immediately released by order of a man high up in police circles.
This startling information was given the Grand Jury by a real estate operator and friend of Fain's who was summoned by the tribunal to give testimony.
Whisky For Resorts.
Before the witness left the hearing, it is declared that he laid bare one of the …More
Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Vice List Wanted by Chief Beavers; Promises Probe
Wednesday, June 4th, 1913
Head of Police Department Invites Carl Hutcheson to Furnish Him With List of Houses.
MORE WITNESSES WILL GIVE TESTIMONY TODAY
Grand Jury Determined to Go to Bottom of Vice Allegations, But Will Not Touch Bribery Charge at Present.
Renewed activities on the part of the police "vice squad" have come with the taking up vice probe by the grand jury, which was started yesterday morning, when a number of principals in the Felder-Beavers controversy were summoned to tell what they know of alleged operation of vicious houses and hotels in Atlanta.
The grand jury will probe deeply into the charges hurled at the police by Attorneys Thomas B. Felder and Carl Hutcheson, following the dictagraphing of Colonel Felder and Mayor James G. Woodward by city detectives, and the charges that Colonel Felder had attempted to bribe G. C. Febuary, clerk to Police Chief James L. Beavers. This was made apparent …More
Wednesday, 4th June 1913 Servant of Frank is Liberated After Long Examination
Wednesday, June 4th, 1913
Despite Gruelling Third Degree, Woman Maintains Denial of Having Told Conflicting Stories.
FACED BY HUSBAND, SHE CONTRADICTS HIM
Her Release Came After Her Attorney Had Threatened to Take Out Habeas Corpus Proceedings.
Minola McKnight, the servant girl held in the Mary Phagan case, was given her freedom early last night, and left police headquarters for her home on Pulliam street. She was not liberated, however, until the detectives had obtained her signature to an affidavit telling what she knew of Frank's actions the day of the murder.
Her husband, who was also carried to the police station at noon, was freed a short while before his wife left the prison. He was present during the third degree of four hours, under which she was placed in the afternoon. He is said to have declared, even in the presence of his wife, that she had told conflicting stories of Frank's conduct on the tragedy …More