Saturday, 31st May 1913 Conley Tells Graphic Story of Disposal of the Dead Body
Saturday, May 31st, 1913
Following is the complete signed confession of James Conley, the negro sweeper employed at the National Pencil factory, which was made to Chief of Detectives Lanford, Chief of Police Beavers, Harry Scott, of the Pinkertons, and others, late Friday afternoon:
"On Saturday, April 26, 1913, when I came back to the pencil factory with Mr. Frank I waited for him downstairs, like he told me, and when he whistled for me I went upstairs and he asked me if I wanted to make some money right quick, and I told him, yes, sir, and he told me that he had picked up a girl back there and had let her fall and that her head hit against something—he didn't know what it was—and for me to move her and I hollered and told him the girl was dead.
"And he told me to pick her up and bring her to the elevator, and I told him I didn't have nothing to pick her up with, and he told me to go and look by the cotton …More
Saturday, 31st May 1913 Special Session of Grand Jury Called
Saturday, May 31st, 1913
Will Reconvene Next Tuesday for Routine Business Only, Declares Foreman Beck.
Lewis H. Beck, foreman of the Fulton County Grand Jury, which has been called to meet in special session at 10 o'clock next Thursday morning, said Saturday afternoon that the Grand Jury positively would not take up either the Phagan case or the Felder-Beavers row.
The purpose of the special session, Mr. Beck said, was to appoint certain committee. Mr. Beck went a step furthere [sic] and said the Grand Jury had been called for no other purpose except to appoint these committees and that no other business would be transacted.
Announcement of the special session for next Thursday was made Saturday morning. It was called by the foreman himself. Following the announcement, unfounded rumors were circulated to the effect that the Grand Jury would delve deeper into the Phagan murder and possibly also look into the Felder bribery
Saturday, 31st May 1913 Plan to Confront Conley and Frank for New Admission
Saturday, May 31st, 1913
Police Hope Meeting Will Prove Whether Negro Will Stick to Latest Story Under Eyes of the Man He Accuses—Ready to Pay Penalty.
[Important Developments Looked For, but Nothing Sensational Made Public—Insists He Has Told All, but Further Confession Is Expected.
For hours Saturday James Conley, negro sweeper, whose sensational confession accuses Superintendent Leo M. Frank of the murder of Mary Phagan, explained in detail to Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey the dread mysteries of the National Pencil Factory on April 26, explaining many things that had not been clear to the officials, but sticking tenaciously to the story he told the city detectives.
Conley was taken to the Solicitor's office at that official's request and put through a severe cross-examination. With an elaborate diagram, drawn for the Solicitor by Bert Green, a Georgian staff artist, to guide him, the negro traced the …More
Saturday, 31st May 1913 Silence of Conley Put to End by Georgian
Saturday, May 31st, 1913
That The Georgian played a conspicuous part in obtaining the latest and most important confession from Jim Conley, the negro sweeper, in which he admitted his complicity in the crime, was the declaration of Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford late Friday afternoon.
Chief Lanford, in telling of the cross-examination of Conley on Thursday afternoon which resulted in his confession, said that Conley for a long time persisted in maintaining that he knew no more of the crime than what which he had related previously.
After several hours of futile questioning the chief showed him a copy of The Georgian quoting officials of the pencil factory to the effect that they believed Conley the guilty man. It was then that Conley made his startling affidavit fixing the deed upon Frank.
All Questions Failed.
"All lines of questions had been tried without avail," said the detective chief, in relating the incident. …More
Saturday, 31st May 1913 Conley Star Actor in Dramatic Third Degree
Saturday, May 31st, 1913
In all the grim annals of Atlanta's criminal history an illiterate negro, Jim Conley, stands out to-day the principal figure in one of the most remarkable and dramatically impressive "third degrees" ever administered by the city police.
A chief of police, ordinarily stolid and unmoved, and chief of detectives and members of his force, a Pinkerton operative—all men in daily touch with every sort of crime and evil—hung with tensest interest on each word as it came from the lips of the negro, and watched, as wide-eyed as any tyro in man-hunting, the negro's every move as he re-enacted Friday afternoon what he steadfastly asserted was his part in the ghastly Mary Phagan tragedy.
Factory Men Look On.
Dumb under the spell of the drama in which Conley played a triple role—first in his own personality, then as Leo M. Frank, and, finally, as the young girl victim—two employees of the factory listened to …More
Saturday, 31st May 1913 Grand Jury Called to Meet Tuesday in Special Session
Saturday, May 31st, 1913
Meeting Called by Foreman Lewis H. Beck, but He Declined to Say What the Jury Will Investigate
WILL FELDER'S CHARGES BE SIFTED BY JURY?
Chief Beavers Silent—Colonel Felder Not Informed About Meeting, but Says It's Matter of Indifference to Him
A special session of the Fulton county grand jury has been called for next Tuesday morning at 10 o'clcok, the purpose of which is unannounced and unknown.
The call was issued by the foreman, Lewis H. Beck, who declines to state what matters will be considered by the grand jury. The impression is general that Foreman Beck has yielded to the demands of Police Chief James L. Beavers that a searching probe be made into the charges preferred by the city detectives against Colonel Thomas B. Felder, involving an alleged attempt to bribe Secretary G. C. Febuary to take certain papers from the safe of the chief of detectives, and also to thoroughly inquire …More
Friday, 30th May 1913 Conley Says He Helped Frank Carry Body of Mary Phagan to Pencil Factory Cellar
Friday, May 30th, 1913
Helped Frank Dispose of Mary Phagan's Body Conley Now Confesses
Negro Sweeper Who Swore to Detectives That He Wrote Murder Notes Found Near Dead Girl's Body Now Admits His Complicity in Case, According to Statements Which Have Stirred Police Headquarters as Nothing Since Murder.
LANFORD AND BEAVERS PLEASED OVER RESULT OF GRILLING NEGRO, THEY ANNOUNCE TO REPORTERS.
Police and Detective Heads Refuse to Go Into Details of Negro's Statement Or to Discuss What He Said, But Declare That It Will Prove a Big Factor in the Murder Case—Negro Will Be Subjected to Another Third Degree Today.
Dumbfounding his hearers with the confession that he had helped Leo M. Frank lower the lifeless body of Mary Phagan into the darkness of the pencil factory basement, James Conley, the negro sweeper, is authoritatively said to have made that astounding admission during a strenuous third …More
Friday, 30th May 1913 Negro Conley Now Says He Helped to Carry Away Body
Friday, May 30th, 1913
Chief of Detectives Lanford admitted Friday morning that Jim Conley, under the rack of the third degree, had made the astounding confession that he had assisted Leo M. Frank in disposing of the body of the murdered Mary Phagan. His new statement is believed to contain even more startling admissions than have not yet been made public.
If the negro sweeper is to be believed after his long series of deceits and lies, this forms the most damaging evidence that has been brought against Frank since suspicion was first pointed in his direction a month ago.
All hinges on the negro's credibility. Conley, if his truthfulness can be established in this instance, after he has lied persistently for weeks, seems to be the only person in the world who may be able to connect Frank directly with the crime.
To Ask Indictment.
It became so assured by Friday morning that Chief Beavers was concealing circumstances …More
Friday, 30th May 1913 Conleys Confession is Given in Full Details
Friday, May 30th, 1913
"On Saturday, April 26, 1913, when I came back to the pencil factory with Mr. Frank I waited for him downstairs like he told me, and when he whistled for me I went upstairs and he asked me if I wanted to make some money right quick, and I told him, yes, sir, and he told me that he had picked up a girl back there and had let her fall and that her head hit against something—he didn't know what it was—and for me to move her and I hollered and told him the girl was dead.
"And he told me to pick her up and bring her to the elevator, and I told him I didn't have nothing to pick her up with, and he told me to go and look by the cotton box there and get a piece of cloth and I got a big wide piece of cloth and come back there to the men's toilet, where she was, and tied her, and I taken her and brought her up there to a little dressing room, carrying her on my right shoulder, and she got too heavy for me …More
Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Conley Says Frank Took Him to Plant on Day of Slaying
Wednesday, May 28th, 1913
Negro Sweeper in New Affidavit Denies His Former Testimony and Makes Startling Assertions; Now Declares He Wrote Notes Saturday.
James Conley, negro sweeper, in an affidavit made Wednesday, said that he was lying when he said he went to the National Pencil Factory on Friday. He said that he made the statement that it was Friday when Frank (as he says) told him to write the death notes, because he was afraid he would be accused of the murder of Mary Phagan if he told the truth.
He said he felt that if he said he was there Saturday the police would connect him with the murder. Conley said he got up between 9 and 9:30 o'clock Saturday morning, he knew the time because he looked at the clock on the Atlanta University from his front door. He returned indoors and had breakfast.
He got three silver dollars from his wife to exchange for paper money so that she would not lose it. He continued: …More
Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Conley Reported to Admit Writing Notes Saturday
Wednesday, May 28th, 1913
Negro Sweeper, It Is Stated, Acknowledges That He Erred in Former Statement to the Detectives.
POLICE NOW SATISFIED WITH NEGRO'S EVIDENCE
Conley Is Taken to Frank's Cell, But Prisoner Refused to See Him Except in the Presence of His Lawyer.
In a gruelling three-hour third degree at police headquarters last night, James Conley, the negro pencil factory sweeper, is reported to have made the statement that he erred in the date of his original confession and that he wrote the murder notes at Leo Frank's dictation at 1 o'clock on the Saturday of Mary Phagan's disappearance instead of the preceding Friday.
In an effort to confront the suspected pencil plant superintendent with this acknowledgement, Chief Beavers, Chief Lanford and Harry Scott, of the Pinkertons, took the negro to the Tower at 8 o'clock, where they tried to gain admission to Frank's cell. Sheriff Mangum refused entrance unless …More
Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Woman Writes in Defense of Leo M. Frank
Wednesday, May 28th, 1913
Mrs. Rebecca Brannon Declares Her Belief in Innocence of Factory Superintendent.
Mrs. Rebecca C. Brannon, 356 Forest Avenue, a well known Atlanta woman, has written a letter to The Georgian in defense of Leo M. Frank. Mrs. Brannon, in her communication, avows a strong belief in the pencil factory superintendent's innocence, and denounces the hardships which the law has thrust upon him.
In line with its policy to present all sides of the Phagan case, The Georgian herewith prints Mrs. Brannon's letter:
In the name of God, humanity, and justice, I beg the public to suspend judgment in the case of Mr. Leo M. Frank, indicted for the murder of Mary Phagan, until he has had a fair trial before a jury of his peers.
I consider Mr. Frank an innocent man. Is it because he is a Jew that the negro's word is taken as gospel truth, and reflection cast on his testimony? From the first, pap seemed to be put in Newt …More
Wednesday, 28th May 1913 Chief Beavers to Renew His Vice War
Wednesday, May 28th, 1913
Declares That He Will "Clean Out" Disorderly Places When Hutcheson Furnishes List.
Renewed crusades to clean out vice in Atlanta have been precipitated by the publication Tuesday of an open letter to Chief of Police Beavers by Carl Hutcheson, an Atlanta attorney.
Chief Beavers called up Hutcheson with a demand for his information, asking names, addresses and character of occupants, and declared Wednesday that he would proceed to clean up if the requested information was furnished.
Hutcheson is now preparing a list of the places which he declared are immoral and told the chief he would place the list in Beavers' hands three days hence. Hutcheson was asked by the chief to swear to the character of the inmates of each house he names and to sign his name to his affidavit, and will be called as a witness in prosecuting the landlords.
"We will have some clean-up sure," said Chief Beavers Wednesday. "When I …More
Thursday, 29th May 1913 A. S. Colyar Released From Bond on Thursday
Thursday, May 29th, 1913
Tennessee Authorities Failed to Forward Requisition Papers on Date Agreed
A. S. Colyar, the Tennessean, who figured conspicuously in the recent dictograph sensation involving bribery charges and countercharges of graft between Colonel Thomas B. Felder, Mayor Woodward and others, on the one hand and Chief of Police Beavers and Chief of Detectives aLnford [sic], on the other was released from his bond Thursday at 2 p. m. by Chief Beavers.
Colyar's name jumped into the news when the dictograph matter became public and the following day there came a wire from the Knoxville police to the Atlanta police, asking that Colyar be arrested and held for them. They charged an indictment for forgery. Accordingly, Colyar was arrested. He said the charge was four years old and had never been prosecuted. He alleged a conspiracy.
A few hours later, Colyar was released on bond.
Thursday was the day set by the …More
Thursday, 29th May 1913 Detectives Seek Corroboration of Conleys Story
Thursday, May 29th, 1913
They Declare That They Are Anxious to Get at the Truth of the Murder Case, Regardless of Who Is Guilty
Little if any credence is placed by the city detectives in the theory of the officials and employes of the National Pencil factory that Mary Phagan was killed by James Conley, the newro [sic] sweeper, and that his motive was robbery.
The detectives have accepted as true Conley's second affidavit, in which he swears that he wrote the notes found by Mary Phagan's body, and that he did so about 1 o'clock on the day of the murder, at the dictation of Superintendent Leo M. [F]rank, who is now under indictment by the grand jury.
However, they are somewhat puzzled by the discrepancies in the time of certain occurrences as sworn by Conley and testified at the coroner's inquest by other witnesses.
Harry Scott, the Pinkerton detective who is working with the city detectives on the Phagan murder case …More
Thursday, 29th May 1913 Chief Asks Hutcheson for Protected List
Thursday, May 29th, 1913
Lawyer Not Ready Yet, Is Answer—Beavers Says He Is Disappointed
Chief of Police James L. Beavers called Attorney Carl Hutcheson over the telephone Thursday morning and asked if the list of "protected disorderly houses," which Mr. Hutcheson promised in a card several days ago was ready.
Mr. Hutcheson is said to have replied that the list is not yet ready and that he will telephone the police official when it is completed.
Chief Beavers in the telephone conversation is said to have reminded Mr. Hutcheson that Thursday is the third day since the publication of Mr. Hutcheson's card stating that the list could be furnished in three days.
Chief Beavers is said to have declared in the telephone conversation that he had hoped to receive the list of disorderly houses in his morning mail, and was very much disappointed in not finding it.
The chief told Mr. Hutcheson that if the latter had the list in his …More
Thursday, 29th May 1913 Former Pencil Worker Outlines His Theory
Thursday, May 29th, 1913
Gustave Haas, of 165 Pulliam street, who at one time worked at the National Pencil factory, and is familiar with the arrangement of the building, has furnished The Journal with his theory of the Phagan murder.
He believes the motive was robbery, and it was done by a negro who laid in wait for some of employees to get their pay. Little Mary Phagan happened to be his victim, and according to Haas, he threw the body down the elevator shaft after a scuffle. Then he strangled the almost lifeless body to death. He had already robbed her of her mesh bag, which he thought contained a lot of money.
Haas believes the sweeper and the night watchman both had their part in the crime.
Thursday, 29th May 1913 Burns Joins in Hunt for Phagan Slayer
Thursday, May 29th, 1913
All Evidence Gathered by His Operatives Sent to the Noted Detective.
James Conley, the negro sweeper at the National Pencil Factory who has turned suspicion on himself with a maze of contradictory statements, was put through a gruelling third degree examination at police headquarters this afternoon. Pinkerton Detective Harry Scott said as the grilling began before Chief Beavers and Chief Lanford that he expected to glean important information. Scott had interviewed factory employees and was convinced that there were many things to be cleared up before the negro's second affidavit, on which the police rely so much, could be accepted.
With the maze of contradictory statements sweeping an avalanche of suspicion upon the head of James Conley, the negro sweeper, the potent information was unearthed Thursday that Detective William J. Burns personally will take charge of the investigation into the Mary Phagan …More
Thursday, 29th May 1913 Negro Sweeper Tells the Story of Murder Notes
Thursday, May 29th, 1913
James Conley Makes New Affidavit, Swearing That He Wrote at the Dictation of Leo M. Frank.
EVIDENCE CHAIN NOW COMPLETE, SAY POLICE
Conley Declares Frank Gave Him $2.50 for Writing the Notes—He Writes "Night Witch" for Night Watchman.
James Conley, the negro sweeper at the National Pencil factory, in which little Mary Phagan was murdered, made a new affidavit Wednesday morning in which he threw additional light on the case, incriminating Leo M. Frank, and which detectives think will solve the long-drawn-out mystery.
"Write ‘night watchman,'" he is said to have been commanded by detectives Wednesday morning. The result was ‘night witch,' just as in the note found by the body of the murdered girl. This, the detectives declare, is the strongest corroboration of his statement that he wrote the notes at the direction of Frank, the factory superintendent.
The city detectives are said to put full …More
Thursday, 29th May 1913 Felder Bribery Charge Expected
Thursday, May 29th, 1913
Believed Beavers Will Try to Have Grand Jury Consider Accusations Against Attorney.
That bribery charges against Colonel Thomas B. Felder and others will be placed before the Fulton County Grand Jury by police officials, was the indication when G. C. February, secretary of Chief of Detectives Lanford, and the person alleged to have been offered $1,000 in bribe money, secured a subpena Thursday afternoon for A. S. Colyar, Jr., to appear before Solicitor General Dorsey and give testimony Friday morning.
The subpena formally summoned Colyar, who was the author of the dictographing of Felder and Mayor Woodward, to appear before the Grand Jury. The preliminary hearing, however, will be in Solicitor Dorsey's office.
That February carried away with him a number of subpena blanks is taken to mean that others will be called upon to testify.
At the hearing of testimony Friday morning it is believed that Lanford and …More