Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.
Atlanta Journal
Saturday, May 24th, 1913
Certain residents of Bellwood, the part of Atlanta where live Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Coleman, the parents of little Mary Phagan, wish The Journal to put them publicly on record in denouncing as absolutely untrue certain published reports to the effect that a subscription has been collected from them to employ Attorney Thomas B. Felder or any other lawyer, to assist in the prosecution of the alleged slayer.
Saturday morning, J. W. Hammond, of 161 Bellwood avenue, delivered the following statement to The Journal:
“There is absolutely no truth in the report that a subscription has been started by the residents of Bellwood to employ Thomas B. Felder to assist in the prosecution of the slayer or little Mary Phagan. I have lived out there for a long time, and certainly would have been approached had such a move been started.
“When I heard of the list, and yet did not see it, I could not understand why the persons circulating it had not been to me.
“I began to inquire around, and soon became convinced that no such move had been started.
“The people out here know of no such thing having been attempted, and certainly all of us would have been more than willing to give—had we wanted Mr. Felder.
“He simply ‘butted in.’”
J. M. Redd, proprietor of a drug store at 195 Bellwood avenue, declared to The Journal, with Mr. Hammond, that he had never been approached for funds and had heard of no such list being circulated.
George C. Barron, of 151 Wheeler street, how is conducting a series of revival meetings in Bellwood, was another who desired to be quoted. He said that he had heard nothing of the subscription being gotten up. Continue Reading →