Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

Atlanta Journal

Thursday, June 5^th, 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 be admissible in court. It is largely alleged hearsay evidence and, therefore, barred.

The woman, in her affidavit, swears that Frank came home to lunch on the Saturday of the Mary Phagan murder, about 1:30; that he did not eat anything and that he remained only about ten minutes. If the negress knows of her own knowledge that this is true she can so testify in court. However, Mr. Selig, Frank’s father-in-law, will swear as he did before the coroner’s inquest, that Frank ate lunch with him and afterwards lay down on a lounge for a nap. Mrs. Selig will reiterate her testimony at the inquest, which was to the effect that Frank came home about 1:30 o’clock and that she and her daughter, Mrs. Frank, were dressed and ready to go to a grand opera matinee; that soon after his arrival they left.

The McKnight woman, in her affidavit, declares that some time on Sunday she overheard Mrs. Frank tell her mother, Mrs. Selig, that Frank came home drunk the night before, that he was very restless and acted queerly; that he told her (Mrs. Frank) that he was in trouble and begged her to get his pistol in order that he might kill himself.

This portion of the woman’s testimony, even if true, would be hearsay and not admissible.

Friends of the indicted superintendent are inclined to make light of the cook’s affidavit. They call attention to the fact, as brought out at the coroner’s inquest, that eigth [sic] or ten friends of the Selig family were at the Selig home on the Saturday night in question, and that it will be easy to prove by them whether Frank was drunk or acting queerly. It is also recalled that the evidence before the coroner was that on that Saturday evening Frank sat out in the hall of the Selig residence and read a magazine for about two or three hours before retiring.

And the point is made that if Frank had been acting so strangely during the night Mrs. Frank would hardly have waited until some time next day to confide in her mother, but that she would most likely have called in both her mother and father at the time, for they were sleeping in an adjacent room.

Detective Chief Lanford stated Thursday morning that he did not expect any developments in the Phagan case during the day as both he and Police Chief Beavers would be before the grand jury during the greater portion of Thursday.

According to the detective chief, James Conley, the negro sweeper, has made no further admissions. He still holds to the story contained in his third affidavit in which he declares he assisted Frank to carry the Phagan girl’s body to the pencil factory basement and wrote the notes found beside the body at the dictation of the factory superintendent. No effort has been made during the past few days to obtain additional disclosures from Conley.

MRS. FRANK HERE.

Frank’s mother, who arrived in Atlanta ten or twelve days ago, is said to have visited her son’s cell in the tower several times during last week. Usually, it is reported, she goes in the evening to avoid the gaze of the curious.

Mrs. Frank has been stopping at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Selig, and is said to have exhibited wonderful bravery in sharing her son’s burden.

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Atlanta Journal, June 5th 1913, “Negro’s Affidavit Not Given Much Credence,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Solicitor Dorsey in his office; a snapshot of the Phagan case prosecutor taken by a Georgian photographer.

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

Atlanta Georgian

Tuesday, May 13^th, 1913

Detectives Not Centering All Their Efforts on Frank and Lee Now.

Detectives in Phagan mystery are not centering all their efforts upon Frank and Lee. New theories have been advanced, new clews examined and every possible theory is being investigated.

It was because of these rumors on the streets to-day that a report was spread that an entirely new lead was being followed by Solicitor Dorsey that might eliminate both Frank and Lee.

Solicitor Dorsey paid very little attention to the reports.

“There are no developments so far,” he said, “which would tend to swerve the prosecution from its present course. The cases of the two men held will be placed before the Grand Jury as soon as the evidence against them can be properly shaped, unless other developments justify a change.”

New Theory Investigated.

The new theory alluded to has been submitted by a private detective employed by the Solicitor’s office. The man, whose identity has not been revealed, has been working along lines entirely at variance to those pursued by the prosecutor. Mr. Dorsey stated that while as yet no evidence has been produced to substantiate the proposed solution, that his investigators have taken the matter up and will go to the bottom of it. Every available means will be used to prove or disprove the detective’s theory.

An important affidavit was added Tuesday to the great mass of evidence already collected by Solicitor Dorsey.

Another affidavit considered of importance was that made by Miss Maggit Wyatt, 44 Pickett Street, who formerly was employed at the pencil factory.

Miss Willie M. Ross, 259 Crew Street; who is said to have heard screams in the pencil factory at 4:30 on the afternoon of the tragedy, appeared at Mr. Dorsey’s office in the morning and made an exhaustive statement which she signed.

Dorsey Will Welcome Burns.

When asked later what she knew of the case, Miss Ross declared she had absolutely no knowledge of it.

Solicitor Dorsey, when asked about the report that Detective Burns was coming to Atlanta to take charge of the investigation, declared that he would welcome Mr. Burns.

Colonel Felder, whose correspondence with the great detective gave rise to the report that he would enter the investigation, stated Tuesday morning that he would know positively by Wednesday whether Burns would comply with his request. Mr. Burns is due to arrive in New York from Europe some time Tuesday.

The Grand Jury probably will hold an extra session this week to “clean up” the routine docket in order that there will be nothing to interfere with the Phagan case when it is presented by Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey.

Consider Extra Session.

The Solicitor and his assistant, F. A. Stephens, discussed Monday the advisability of an extra session for one day before Friday, the regular meeting day, and may issue a call to the jurors to assemble Wednesday.

The Solicitor explained, however, that it probably would take the two sessions this week to dispose of the routine, and the Phagan case might not reach the jury until Friday of next week, or an extra session to be called the first part of the week.

Mrs. Rudolph Frank, mother of Leo Frank, was seen for the first time at her home in Brooklyn Monday by the newspaper reporters. She de-

Burns, Called in Phagan Case, is Nearing U.S.

New Arrest is Expected Tuesday in the Baffling Factory Crime Mystery.

Continued From Page 1.

clared her belief in her son’s entire innocence. She has been greatly affected by the shadow which is hovering over her son’s life, but had said nothing of his plight to her neighbors until Monday, as she had been hoping against hope that he would be liberated by the Coroner’s jury.

Mother Thinks He Is Innocent.

“My son is entirely innocent,” she is quoted as saying. “But it is a terrible thing that even the suspicion should fall on him. I have every confidence that he will be proved guiltless of the terrible crime.

“He is suspected merely because he was the last one who is known to have seen her on the day she was killed. I know it will be shown that he had no knowledge of who put the girl to death.”

Mrs. Frank has not seen her son since nearly three years ago, when she and her husband came to Atlanta to attend the marriage of young Frank to the daughter of Emil Selig. It is understood that she is planning to return to Atlanta to be with Frank in the event that he is indicted by the Grand Jury.

She always has been proud of her son and happy at his rapid rise in the business world. Although only 29 years old, he has been the superintendent in charge of the National Pencil Company’s plant for several years. Before coming to Atlanta about five years ago, he was with the National Meter Company, of Brooklyn. He is a Cornell graduate.

Burns Leaves New York.

The arrival of William J. Burns is expected in New York Tuesday afternoon. As announced in The Georgian Monday the great detective has been engaged to work personally upon the Phagan mystery. He is expected to come here at the solicitation of Colonel Thomas B. Felder, who is representing the friends and relatives of the slain girl.

Colonel Felder interviewed Raymond Burns, son of the famous detective, in New York, and a cable was at once dispatched to England, where Burns had been looking for J. Wilberforce Martin, the wealthy Memphian whose mysterious disappearance stirred two continents. Burns quickly found that Martin was safe and unharmed and withdrew from the case. The detective will be in Atlanta Thursday on his way to Macon, where he has been invited to speak before the Georgia State Bankers’ Association.

Chief of Detectives Lanford just smiles when Solicitor Dorsey’s “mysterious sleuth” is mentioned. Mr. Dorsey announced several days ago that he had the best detective in the world on the job.

Who Is “Mysterious Sleuth?”

“The sleuth is either Detective John Starnes or Patrick Campbell,” said Chief Lanford. “Both of these men are attached to the local staff and are working under the solicitor.”

The solicitor continued to deny that the man was a local detective.

“I intend to withhold his name until the proper time,” he said. “He is out of the city at present working on several new phases of the Phagan case. Upon his return I may be able to give out some startling information.”

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Atlanta Georgian, May 13th 1913, “New Theory is Offered in Phagan Mystery,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

Atlanta Constitution

Tuesday, May 13^th, 1913

“I Am Confident That He Will Be Proven Not Guilty of This Terrible Crime,” She Tells Reporter

HAS NOT SEEN HER SON SINCE HE WAS MARRIED

W. J. Burns Secured to Take Charge of Phagan Mystery Investigation—Engaged by Friends of Murdered Girl

ANOTHER ARREST EXPECTED IN PHAGAN MYSTERY CASE

It was reported on good authority this morning that officers working upon the Mary Phagan murder would make a new arrest today or tomorrow which is expected to throw an entirely new light upon the case.

None of the officials have discussed this new phase of the mystery and whether or not their activity of the past few days has resulted in the unearthing of clews leading to an arrest is unknown.

My son is entirely innocent but it is a terrible thing that even a shadow or suspicion should fall upon him I am sure of his innocence and am confident that he will be proven not guilty of this terrible crime.

Mrs. Rudolph Frank, aged mother of Leo M. Frank, who is held in the Tower as a suspect in the Mary Phagan mystery case, made this statement yesterday afternoon to a representative of The Constitution at her home in Brooklyn.

She had just informed her friends of the arrest of her son in Atlanta and of the charge made against him in the Gate City. She had not told them earlier because of her belief that he would be quickly set at liberty.

Mrs. Frank has not seen her son since she came south with her husband to attend his marriage. It is probable, however, that she will soon come again to be with him at the trial.

Last night The Constitution received the following telegram from its New York representative:

Story From New York

New York, May 12—(Special)—Mrs. Rudolph Frank, of No. 152 Underhill avenue, Brooklyn, mother of Leo M. Frank, general superintendent of the National Pencil company of Atlanta, Ga., made it known to her friends today that she had received news from Atlanta that her son has been held for the grand jury in connection with the murder of Mary Phagan, 14-year-old employee of the company.

Mrs. Frank has not seen her son since two years ago last fall when she and her husband went to Atlanta to be present at his marriage.

Leo Frank, although only 29-years-old has advanced so rapidly and was so well thought of by his employers that he was given charge of all three plants of the company at Atlanta. Young Frank went south about six years ago. He is a Cornell graduate and is very highly thought of and greatly respected in Atlanta according to his mother’s statement. He is a church man, has taken a leading part in organized charitable work and is a member of several clubs in the southern city.

“I know my son is entirely innocent but it is a terrible thing that even a shadow of suspicion should fall upon him,” said Mrs. Frank. “You see, my boy was the last one so far as the police know who saw the girl alive. He gave her her pay envelope on Saturday, two weeks ago, and she was not seen alive after that. I am sure of his innocence and am confident he will be proven not guilty of this terrible crime.”

Young Frank was employed by the National Meter company in Brooklyn before he went south to Atlanta. The Franks live in a handsome home in an exclusive neighborhood. His father is a traveling man.

William Burns Secured.

William J. Burns, heralded as America’s greatest detective, is to personally begin a hunt for the murderer of Mary Phagan. Upon his arrival from Europe in New York this afternoon, it is said he will come immediately to Atlanta.

Colonel Thomas B. Felder, who has been retained in the Phagan mystery by relatives and friends of the slain girl, is responsible for the engagement of the famous sleuth. Several days ago he journeyed to New York for the express purpose of consulting officials of the Burns agency.

As a result, Raymond Burns, son of the noted detective, cabled his father in Europe, where the latter has been investigating the whereabouts of Wilberforce Martin, the Memphis millionaire, whose disappearance recently created international sensation. Burns wired back that he would take up the local mystery and would embark immediately for America.

Burns is scheduled to be in Atlanta Thursday en route to Macon, where he has been invited to speak before the convention of the Georgia State Bankers’ association. His address, “A New Era in the Detection of Crime,” is to be delivered Friday afternoon.

Has Never Failed on a Case.

The noted detective’s reputation of having never personally undertaken a mystery which he did not solve, inspires hope in the thousands throughout the city and state who have become interested in the baffling case.

Mr. Felder would not divulge the source of the funds which are to employ Burns, but is inferred that they have been obtained by subscriptions donated by friends of relatives of the slain girl, in which manner he himself was retained. Neither would he state the amount necessary to engage Burns.

No New Developments.

The Phagan mystery remained in its normal, unsolved state Monday. Although the detectives worked diligently throughout the day, no new clues were discovered or no developments unearthed. Solicitor Dorsey spent the day examining witnesses and preparing evidence at hand for submittance [sic] to the grand jury.

For the first time during his imprisonment, Leo Frank was visited by his wife. Heretofore she had been too ill to reach the Tower. She remained for an hour or more and was in tears upon emerging from the prison. Frank, too, was visibly affected by the visit. He apparently is regaining the health impaired by the effect of imprisonment and the grueling to which he was subjected by detectives and at the inquest.

The mysterious sleuth employed by Solicitor Dorsey, whose identity has never been revealed, but whose fame is said to be widespread left the city Monday morning on some secret mission which is puzzling newspaper reporters and the detective staff at police headquarters.

Mr. Dorsey will not tell his strange detective’s destination or the nature of his errand. Such an atmosphere of mystery has been created around the solicitor’s sleuth that many persons are striving as hard to disclose his identity as they once strove to find the murderer.

Knows Dorsey’s Sleuth.

Chief Newport A. Lanford, in charge of the detective department at police headquarters, told a reporter for The Constitution last night that he could reveal the identity of Solicitor Hugh Dorsey’s mysterious sleuth who has been heralded as a “world-beater.”

“He’s either Detective John Starnes or Patrick Campbell,” said the chief. “Both of these men are attached to the headquarters’ staff, and are working under the solicitor. I believe they are the only detectives employed by Mr. Dorsey, and there’s not a doubt in my mind that one of them is the mysterious sleuth.”

Mr. Dorsey said:

“Campbell and Starnes are doing good work, all right, and they are capable detectives, but neither of them is the man to whom I referred when I said ‘America’s greatest sleuth.’ For reasons best known to myself, I intend to withhold his name until the proper time for disclosures. He is out of the city at present, working on the Phagan case, and upon his return I expect to be able to give out some startling evidence he plans to unearth.”

Character Testimony.

Although three witnesses with testimony of that nature were introduced in the coroner’s inquest, and detectives have obtained a park policeman as a witness, character testimony cannot be introduced by the prosecution unless Frank’s character is put into issue by the defense.

This was made definitely known Monday by Solicitor Dorsey, who declared that but few efforts were being put forth to obtain evidence derogatory to the suspect’s character and conduct. It has been rumored that the 100 or more employees of the pencil factory were subpoenaed, to give testimony against the superintendent’s character. Only three of that number were examined. The coroner and members of his jury say, however, that such was not the intentions of his jury.

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Atlanta Constitution, May 13th 1913, “My Son Innocent, Declares Mother of Leo M. Frank,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)