Monday, 21st July 1913, Protest of Solicitor Dorsey Wins
Monday, July 21, 1913
Presents Evidence Showing Indictment of Negro Would Hinder Frank Prosecution.
Here are the important developments of Monday in the Phagan case:
The decision of the Grand Jury of Fulton County not to bring at this time an indictment against James Conley.
The information that there is a strong probability of another postponement of the trial of Leo M. Frank.
The Grand Jury's refusal to reopen its investigation of the Phagan murder mystery was a decided victory for the Solicitor after that body had overridden his request that no session be called to take up the matter in any of its aspects.
A report that Judge L.S. Roan, who will preside at the Frank trial, had signified his desire that the case be put off until fall, gave rise to the expectation that another postponement will take place, and that the date probably will be set for some week in September.
Defense Said To Be Willing.
The defense also is said to be …More
Monday, 21st July 1913, Grand Jury Meets to Consider Jim Conley Case
Monday, July 21, 1913
Protest of Solicitor Will Be Heeded
Foreman Declares Inquisitorial Body Will Not Ride "Roughshod" Over Dorsey.
With Solicitor Dorsey reaffirming his certainty that Jim Conley will not be indicted before the trial of Leo M. Frank and declaring that he will fight with all his vigor any movement in that direction, the Grand Jury members gathered in the Thrower Building Monday morning in response to the call of Foreman Beatie to decide whether they will reopen their investigation of the Phagan murder mystery.
A strong probability that no action would be taken during the day arose when it became known that there were only eighteen of the grand jurors in the city, a bare quorum. In the event that all of the eighteen did not appear, there still was the opportunity to go out and summon talesmen at random to serve on the Grand Jury, but no statement was made as to whether this legal privilege would be …More
Monday, 21st July 1913, Will Not Indict Jim Conley Now, Grand Jury’s Decision
Monday, July 21, 1913
Solicitor Dorsey Makes Brief Announcement to This Effect After Grand Jury Session Lasting Over an Hour
NO ANONYMOUS LETTERS WANTED BY THE JURORS
Solicitor Dorsey Will Now Concentrate Efforts Against Having Frank Jury Drawing From Grand Jury List
Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey has for a second time blocked an attempt by members of the grand jury to indict James Conley, the negro sweeper, who confessed complicity in the Mary Phagan murder.
The grand jurymen who had called a meeting over the protest of the solicitor to consider taking up a bill against the negro listened to the prosecuting official for more than an hour Monday morning, and then authorized him to announce that the matter will not be taken up at this time.
DORSEY MAKES STATEMENT.
The solicitor wrote out his statement, which is as follows:
"I am authorized by the grand jury to say, first that no action will be taken at this …More
Monday, 21st July 1913 Four Women Caught In Vice Net Escape From Martha Home
Monday, July 21, 1913
Four young women, three of whom had been caught in Chief Beavers' vice dragnet last week, escaped from the Martha Home during chapel exercises Sunday night.
The women were Effie Drummond, who after being caught in a raid on Mrs. Lula Bell's place at Peters and Fair streets, declared she was a minister's daughter from North Carolina, and had been the victim of a white slaver; Maude Doughetry, apprehended at the same house; Beatrice Renfro, companion of A.N. Trippe, a Whitehall street clerk, arrested on complaint of Tripp'e [sic] wife, and Myrtle Bell, who was placed in the home at the request of her parents.
The dragnet has been recast for the fugitives.
Sunday, 20th July 1913, Hugh Dorsey Is Seeking to Be Grand Jury And Solicitor Too, Say Leo Frank’s Counsel
Sunday, July 20, 1913
SOLICITOR SCORED FOR HIS ATTITUDE IN CONLEY'S CASE
Rosser and Arnold Charge Dorsey Seeks to Convict Leo Frank, Guilty or Innocent, Out of Professional Pride
"SHUTTING EYES TO TRUTH, DORSEY PROTECTS NEGRO"
Attorneys Intimate That Dorsey Fears to Let Truth Be Known – Attitude Throughout Case Is Criticized
The attitude of Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey throughout the Phagan investigation, and especially in his attempt to block a grand jury indictment of Jim Conley, is scored in an interview made public by Luther Z. Rosser and Reuben R. Arnold, counsel for Leo M. Frank.
"The solicitor is seeking to convict Leo Frank innocent or guilty, in order to gratify his professional pride," Leo Frank's attorneys say.
In the course of the interview the two famous attorneys, who have been engaged to defend the man accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, charge that the solicitor …More
Sunday, 20th July 1913, Mincey Story Declared Vital To Both Sides in Leo Frank Case
Sunday, July 20, 1913
By AN OLD POLICE REPORTER.
The most important and interesting development of the week in the Phagan case was the Mincey affidavit, directing suspicion more surely in the direction of James Conley than ever before, if the affidavit is that of a credible witness.
If what Mincey says is true—if his evidence can be made to "stand up" in court—then he is far and away not only the most important witness yet discovered, but his testimony will serve to clear up the mysterious Phagan case in its most obscure phases.
Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey has attacked Mincey's credibility. Naturally, he would do that.
If Mincey is worthy of belief and is speaking the truth, he has dealt the State's case against Frank a deadly blow, from which it can not hope to recover.
If he does not speak the truth, and that can be established, it will redound to the hurt of the defense, for it will have a bracing-…More
Sunday, 20th July 1913, Mincey Ready to Tell Story to Grand Jury
Sunday, July 20, 1913
Man Who Says He Heard Negro Confess Now Is at Rising Fawn, Georgia
W.H. Mincey, the school teacher who made an affidavit declaring Jim Conley confessed to him on the afternoon of the murder of Mary Phagan that he killed a girl, will appear before the Grand Jury to repeat his startling story when that tribunal convenes Monday to consider the Phagan matter, it was reported Saturday night.
Mincey, who is now at Rising Fawn, Georgia, has expressed his willingness to come to Atlanta for this purpose. His evidence, which has proved the most important of all that has come to light since Conley's affidavit directing guilt at Frank, is considered of the greatest weight in bringing the Grand Jury to its consideration of indicting Conley.
Hugh Dorsey, Solicitor General, insisted Saturday that his every effort would be directed against the indictment of Conley.
The Solicitor will not fight in Conley's defense …More
Sunday, 20th July 1913, Dorsey Fights Movement to Indict Conley
Sunday, July 20, 1913
Solicitor Is Bombarded With Letters to Proceed Against Negro as Slayer of Mary Phagan.
THE GRAND JURY IS CALLED
Hottest Battle of Famous Case To Be Waged Behind Closed Doors of Inquisitory Body.
Solicitor Dorsey is fighting vigorously the movement in the Grand Jury to indict Jim Conley Monday for the murder of Mary Phagan, despite the bombardment of letters from many citizens and by the sentiment of some of its own members.
It is for the consideration of these letters and petitions, asking the reopening of the Phagan matter, that the meeting has been called.
It was in the face of Solicitor Dorsey's bitterest opposition that the meeting was called at all. Foreman Beattie issued his defiance after a previous Grand Jury had been defeated in its efforts to reopen the case with a view of indicting Jim Conley and after Dorsey explicitly had expressed his strongest disapproval of such a move.
Crucial Battle …More
Sunday, 20th July 1913, Attorney William Manning Smith for Jim Conley Makes a Statement
The Atlanta Georgian
Sunday, July 20, 1913
"Not Necessary to Indict Negro to Close His Mouth," Declares William Smith.
William M. Smith, attorney for Jim Conley, the negro now being held as a material witness in the Mary Phagan murder case and whose indictment for complicity in the crime will be considered by the Grand Jury Monday, brought to the office of The Sunday American Saturday night a statement in behalf of his client.
In a letter accompanying the statement, Mr. Smith conveyed a doubt as to whether this newspaper would print what he had to say.
The attorney's statement in full follows:
The Grand Jury list published showed the names of some men whom I know, and know they are on the square, and, if they once understand the real situation, there will be a bear fight before Jim Conley is indicted at this time.
Of course it would be great work, if the State could be forced to so indict Conley as …More
Sunday, 20th July 1913 Prison System of Georgia Attacked by Episcopalians
Sunday, July 20, 1913
The Episcopalian diocese of Georgia, at its annual convention, appointed a social service commission, which has since met and formulated the following special report on prison and child labor conditions in this state.
"Resolved, That the prison system of the state of Georgia, and the methods of punishment now in use and as commonly administered, are unworthy of an enlightened and progressive state.
"Resolved, That we hereby indorse the splendid efforts of the Prison Reform association of this state, and offer to them our hearty co-operation in securing needed reforms.
"Resolved, That we send copies of these resolutions to as many members of our legislature as possible, and urge them to support those bills now pending which bear on the subject of prison reform in the state of Georgia and which are advocated by the prison association.
"Resolved, That we also urge upon our representatives their …More
Sunday, 20th July 1913 Mrs. Nina Formby Will Not Return for Trial
Sunday, July 20, 1913
Woman Swore That Leo M. Frank Tried to Engage Room on Night of Murder
Mrs. Nina Formby, who signed an affidavit in the Frank case in which she swore the superintendent has endeavored to engage a room at her house, 400 Piedmont avenue, during the Phagan murder night to which he might bring a girl has fled to Chattanooga and will not appear at the coming trial on July 28. This announcement was made to a Constitution reporter last night by the woman's legal representative, John Gossett. Gossett states that she is fearful of facing cross examination on some phases of her story.
A letter has been placed on file in Gossett's office in which the Formby woman asks for a continuance of a trial in which she will be arraigned before a justice court. August or September are the months to which she asks the case be put. The letter says that she will not be in Atlanta until that time. She has obtained a position …More
Sunday, 20th July 1913 Frank’s Lawyers Score Dorsey for His Stand
Sunday, July 20, 1913
Luther Rosser and Reuben Arnold Declare He Is Going Out of His Way to Dictate to the Grand Jury.
EXCEEDS PROVINCE OF SOLICITOR GENERAL
Grand Jury Will Meet at 10 O'Clock Monday Morning to Take Up Conley Case. Call Is Sent Out.
In reply to Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey's statements in regard to the proposed indictment by the grand jury of James Conley, the negro who has confessed complicity in the murder of Mary Phagan, Attorneys Reuben R. Arnold and Luther Z. Rosser issued a statement Saturday afternoon in which they openly attacked the stand taken by the solicitor in protesting against the indictment of the negro.
That the solicitor is exceeding his legal functions as a state officer is one point that the lawyers defending Leo M. Frank make in their statement, and they also severely criticise the solicitor for his detective work in the Phagan murder.
The card also contains a reference to the …More
Saturday, 19th July 1913 Woodward Uses Clemency Again
Saturday, July 19, 1913
Asserting That He Considers Recorder Mentally Irresponsible, the Mayor Announces Controversy Closed.
With the declaration that no utterance by Recorder Nash R. Broyles will induce him to resort to blackguardism or swerve him in the matter of exercising clemency, Mayor James G. Woodward yesterday reduced the sentence of George Poulas, a Greek retsaurant [sic] keeper, who was fined $100 or thirty days in the stockade for alleged violation of the near beer laws.
The extent of the mayor's clemency was to reduce the fine assessed against Poulas to $49 or twenty-nine days in jail. Poulas was tried and convicted before W.H. Preston, acting recorder.
Considers Testimony Weak.
Mayor Woodward stated that his reason for pardoning Poulas was because the only witness against him was a 12-year-old negro boy.
"The testimony shows," said the mayor, "that the negro boy had been in the employ of Poulas, and was discharged. By …More
Saturday, 19th July 1913 Scott Believes Conley Innocent, Asserts Lanford
Saturday, July 19, 1913
Chief's Statement Follows the Publication of Report That Pinkertons Are Now of the Opinion Sweeper Is Guilty.
"OPEN TO CONVICTION," SCOTT TELLS REPORTER
"Our Testimony in Case Will Be Fair and Impartial," He Says—Grand Jury Called to Consider Indicting Conley.
DEVELOPMENTS OF DAY IN MARY PHAGAN CASE
Meeting of grand jury called to take steps leading to indictment of James Conley on the charge of murder, over protest of Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey, who declares that indictment of Conley will be useless procedure.
Reported on Friday that the Pinkertons have changed their opinion in case, and now believe Conley guilty of murder, and Leo M. Frank innocent.
Harry Scott, field manager of Pinkertons, is denied permission to see Conley in his cell and subject him to quiz, although always allowed this privilege in past.
"Scott told me he still believes Conley innocent and Frank guilty," says Chief …More
Saturday, 19th July 1913 Grand Jury Meets to Indict Conley
Saturday, July 19, 1913
Call Is Issued After Solicitor General Hugh Dorsey Had Flatly Refused Request of Foreman.
A call for the Fulton grand jury to meet at 10 o'clock Monday to take steps leading to the indictment of James Conley, the negro sweeper of the National Pencil factory who accuses Leo M. Frank, its superintendent, of the Mary Phagan murder was issued yesterday by Foreman W.D. Beatie [sic] after Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey had flatly refused the foreman's request to call the meeting.
The move to indict Conley is wrong and should not be made, the solicitor told the grand jury foreman when discussing the matter with him and the call which went out was over the head of the state's legal representative in Fulton county.
Smith Attacks Action
[…] representative of Conley declared in a statement which he issued Friday afternoon that the indictment of Conley would probably follow the meeting and he also attacked the …More
Saturday, 19th July 1913 Natural Crank, Mayor’s Shot at Broyles
Saturday, July 19, 1913
"Dyspeptic, Fanatic, Stoneheart, Monomaniac" Are Other Terms in "Final" Retort.
Mayor Woodward Saturday said he was finally dismissing Recorder Nash R. Broyles from his mind with the statement:
"He is a natural dyspeptic, crank and a fanatic. If he ever had a heart it was turned to stone. Therefore, it is natural that he should become a monomaniac over the subject of using his czar-like authority in his own petty sphere. I don't care anything more about him."
Mayor Woodward again went over the head of Recorder Broyles Friday when he reduced the sentence of George Poulos, a restaurant keeper on Alabama street, who had been fined $100 and sentenced to 30 days in the Stockade fo [sic] violating the prohibition law.
The Mayor said he was much surprised that the Recorder did not make the fine $49 and the sentence 29 days so as to stay outside the jurisdiction of the Mayor.
It was expected that Mayor Woodward …More
Saturday, 19th July 1913, Dorsey Resists Move to Indict Jim Conley
Saturday, July 19, 1913
GRAND JURY SPLIT BY LATEST MOVE
Public Opinion Forces Consideration of Move to Indict Conley for Phagan Slaying.
Solicitor Dorsey is fighting vigorously the movement in the Grand Jury to indict Jim Conley Monday for the murder of Mary Phagan, despite the bombardment of letters from many citizens and by the sentiment of some of its own members.
It is for the consideration of these letters and petitions, asking the reopening of the Phagan matter, that the meeting has been called. That it will result in the indictment of the negro is thought certain.
It was in the face of Solicitor Dorsey's bitterest opposition that the meeting was called at all. Foreman Beattie issued his defiance after a previous Grand Jury had been defeated in its efforts to reopen the case with a view of indicting Jim Conley and after Dorsey explicitly had expressed his strongest disapproval of such a move.
Crucial Battle Coming. …More
Saturday, 19th July 1913, Jury Is Determined to Consider a Bill Against Jim Conley
Saturday, July 19, 1913
Protest of Solicitor Fails to Stop Session to Consider Phagan Evidence on Monday
DORSEY STILL BELIEVES JURY WON'T INDICT
Solicitor Says Frank Defense Wants Jury to Try Him Drawn From the Grand Jury List
Grand Jurors Who Will Consider Conley's Case
This is the Fulton county grand jury which has been called to meet Monday over the protest of the solicitor to take up the case of Jim Conley, the negro sweeper at the National Pencil factory:
W.D. Beatie, foreman.
T.C. Whitner.
John S. Spalding.
W.C. Carroll, East Point.
H.B. Ferguson.
Garnet McMillan, East Point.
Edward H. Inman.
A.W. Farlinger.
M.A. Fall.
Julius M. Skinner.
Oscar Elsas.
George Bancroft.
W.H. Glenn.
S.E. McConnell.
Thomas J. Buchanan.
Sameuel A. Carson.
Eugene Oberdorfer.
A.Q. Adams.
W.O. Stamps.
W.T. Ashford.
There are only twenty citizens on the grand jury which has been called to meet Monday by Foreman W.D. Beattie …More
Friday, 18th July 1913, Pinkertons Now Declare Leo M. Frank Is Innocent
Friday, July 18, 1913
*Editor's Note: Small sections of text are missing due to scanning near a crease.
NOTED SLEUTHS WHO HAD ACCUSED FRANK NOW CHANGE THEORY
Harry Scott, Field Chief of the Pinkertons, Refuses to Discuss the Agency's Change of Theory.
AGENTS HAVE WORKED ON CASE ALONG WITH POLICE
The Pinkertons Were Employed by the National Pencil Factory Immediately Following the Murder
That the Pinkerton detectives, who for so many weeks held to the theory that Leo M. Frank is guilty of the Mary Phagan murder, now lay the crime to the door of Jim Conley, is a recent development of interest to the students of the murder mystery.
While Harry Scott, the field chief of the Pinkerton operatives, who have been working on the case practically from the first, employed by the National pencil factory to find Mary Phagan's murderer, regardless of who the criminal might be, refuses to discuss the case, the Journal has learned …More
Friday, 18th July 1913, Grand Jury Is Called Monday to Indict Jim Conley
The Atlanta Journal
Friday, July 18, 1913
*Editor's Note: Small sections of text are missing due to scanning near a crease.
GRAND JURY CALLED TO TAKE UP MATTER OVER DORSEY'S HEAD
Foreman W. D. Beattie Calls Body to Meet Monday and Take Up Evidence Against Negro in Mary Phagan Girl’s Case as Murderer
SOLICITOR REFUSED TO ISSUE THE CALL
Notwithstanding the Solicitor's Protest, Foreman Calls a Meeting Anyhow—Dorsey Issues a Statement
Over the vigorous protest of Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey, the foreman of the grand jury has called a meeting for Monday for the specific purpose of considering an indictment against James Conley, the negro sweeper, who claims that he assisted Superintendent Leo M. Frank in disposing of the body of Mary Phagan, after she had been murdered in the National pencil factory on April 26.
The solicitor general was approached Friday morning by W. D. Beattie, real estate dealer, who is the …More