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
Friday, 18th July 1913 Broyles Comes Back at Mayor Woodward and Mayor at Him
Friday, July 18, 1913
*Editor's Note: Small sections of text are missing due to scanning near a crease.
Recorder Says Mayor Is Defeating Justice and Impeding Officers in Their Attempts to Check Crime
MAYOR STYLES BROYLES "A POLITICAL ACCIDENT"
Says Recorder Plays Golf on Sunday and Then Fines Boys for Their Sunday Baseball Games
Another direct statement by Recorder Nash R. Broyles, Friday morning, of his opinion of Mayor Woodward's clemency toward criminals convicted in police court, was issued by the recorder in writing, coupled with a verbal comment that the mayor "tells so many falsehoods that it would be futile to attempt to answer them."
In his new expression, Recorder Broyles apologizes to the hog which he contrasted with the mayor Thursday, in [which he] says that the mayor knows less about law than a hog does about political economy.
Following is the recorder's written statement:
"I care nothing for the …More
Friday, 18th July 1913 Woodward-Broyles Breach Widens
Friday, July 18, 1913
REVERSAL OF VERDICTS IS DENIED BY JUDGE
Apologizes Also to Porcine Family for Likening Woodward's Legal Knowledge to Theirs.
Recorder Nash Broyles penned a polite note of apology to the whole hog family Friday.
With the same hand he picked up the cudgels with which again to belabor his honor, Mayor Woodward.
The Mayor, quoth the recorder, was the author of a ridiculous and absurd falsehood and it was a regrettable libel upon Mr.Hog to have to submit to a comparison with Atlanta's Mayor.
As for the Mayor, he declared he was tired of wasting verbiage on the Recorder and that he would have nothing more to say in their quarrel. He intimated, however, that he had it in his mind to override the Recorder again by pardoning another prisoner.
Here are Recorder Broyles' comments on the Mayor:
Apologizes to Porcine Family.
"I care nothing for the Mayor's abuse. Condemnation from such a character should be considered praise …More
Friday, 18th July 1913, Detectives Working to Discredit Mincey
Friday, July 18, 1913
POLICE HALT GRILLING OF CONLEY
Detective Bent on Questioning Negro Is Barred From Cell by Chief Lanford.
With Pinkerton detectives taking the trail in search of W.H. Mincey, whose startling accusations against Jim Conley stirred the police department and won the negro another "sweating" from Solicitor Dorsey, the Mincey affidavit Friday became the storm center about which the prosecution and defense in the Frank case waged their battle.
Despite the degree of indifference with which the detectives and prosecuting officials affected to look upon the remarkable statements of Mincey, it became known Friday that every effort was being bent toward locating him and turning the light on his past history.
Pinkertons Have Clew.
It is understood that the Pinkertons have obtained information of Mincey's whereabouts, as it has been known since The Georgian published its exclusive story of the affidavit and later …More
Friday, 18th July 1913 Wordy War Over, Says Woodward
Friday, July 18, 1913
In Final Fling at Broyles the Mayor Declares He Is Through With Controversies With City Officials.
The word war raging between Mayor James G. Woodward and Judge Nash R. Broyles, police magistrate, which grew out of the mayor's use of the pardon prerogative, grew tense yesterday, when both sides hurled bitter excoriations at the other.
Mayor Woodward took a final fling at Recorder Broyles in a statement last night.
"I sympathize with Broyles," Mayor Woodward said. "He is, in my opinion, a political accident. No one takes him seriously. He is mad with the courts for reversing him, and he is trying to take it all out on me. Really, I am sorry for the fellow."
The mayor announced that he is through with controversies with any city officer. He stated that in the future he will welcome criticism when it is made to him, face to face.
"And when I have anything to say to Judge Broyles I'll tell it to him."
What Each Thinks …More
Friday, 18th July 1913 Many Rumors Afloat Regarding Grand Jury
Friday, July 18, 1913
Among These Is One That Effort Will Be Made to Indict Conley.
That the grand jury would meet possibly today or tomorrow and take steps toward indicting James Conley, the negro sweeper of the National Pencil factory, was a persistent rumor in circulation Thursday. From Foreman W.D. Beattie came the statement that he had not called for a meeting of the grand jury and that as far as he knew there would be no such action taken. Solicitor Hugh M. Dorsey also declared that he had issued no call for the grand jury and knew nothing of any such action.
"I have not issued a call for a meeting," explained Mr. Beattie, "and as far as I am concerned the grand jury will not take steps to indict Conley. Of course, the members of the grand jury have the right to come together and to take any steps they may desire, and I am speaking only for myself in saying that no steps will be taken to start an investigation of Conley's …More
Thursday, 17th July 1913 Youth Accused in Vice Ring on Trial
Thursday, July 17, 1913
Joe North, Alleged White Slaver, Declines to Talk Before Hearing in Recorder's Court.
Joe North, alleged white slaver, arrested on the statement of Effie Drummond, a young woman who told the police he lured her into a rooming house, will be tried before Recorder Nash Broyles at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon and every effort made to get from him the names of other persons in the "vice ring," to which Chief of Police James L. Beavers says North owes allegiance.
North was arrested Wednesday night after a search of very nearly a week. He was put through a severe grilling Thursday morning by Chief Beavers, but declined absolutely to make any statement until he was forced to do so by the court.
Effie Drummond, the girl who was arrested in the raid on the house at Fair and Peters streets operated by Lula Bell, will be brought in from Martha's Home to repeat her sensational story of how she came to Atlanta …More
Thursday, 17th July 1913 Woodward Enemy to Society, Says Recorder Broyles
Thursday, July 17, 1913
*Editor's Note: Some words in the middle of this article are missing due to scanning blur near a page fold.
Recorder Replies to Mayor's Charges of "Czar-Like" Police Court and Scores Him Severely
"KNOWS MUCH LAW AS HOG DOES ECONOMY," HE SAYS
The Judge Says, "Never Argue With an Ignorant Man, for You Can't Convince Him He's Wrong"
Recorder Nash R. Broyles, in replying to Mayor James G. Woodward's criticism of his heavy sentences, quotes the philosopher who says, "Do not argue with an ignorant man, for you can never convince him that he is wrong."
"While Woodward does not know as much about law as a hog does about political economy," the recorder remarked between the trial of cases Thursday morning, "I don't mind making a statement to put the facts before the public.
"This man Griff Freeman, whose sentence the mayor reduced until it was a negligible quantity, is the most notorious blind tiger …More
Thursday, 17th July 1913 Mayor Asked to Probe Action of Police
Thursday, July 17, 1913
Declaring that police officers placed him under arrest while he was attempting to convey a woman in the throes of an epileptic fit to a hospital and forced him to be the companion to a negro in riding in the patrol wagon to the police station, Mongin F. Smith, vice president and secretary of the Eagle Stamp Works, Thursday afternoon carried a trenchant complaint of police stupidity to Mayor Woodward for investigation.
"The young woman whom we were endeavoring to place in a hospital was Miss Mabel Parker, a performer at the Old Mill Theater on Whitehall street," declared Mr. Smith. "She was taken with a convulsion when she learned of her brother's near death Wednesday afternoon.
"Aided by B.T. Glenn, manager of the theater, we placed her in an ambulance and drove to the Grady Hospital. While endeavoring to secure her a ward in the hospital, we were approached by two policemen who, as I understand, had …More