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The Atlanta Georgian,
Tuesday, 26th August 1913,
.
Though he has been convicted or the most terrible crime in the history of the South, the friends who have stood steadfastly by Leo Frank during the four long months since Mary Phagan's body was found have not deserted him. They still persist that he is innocent and declare that time will uncover the guilty person and give the young factory superintendent his freedom.
Rabbi David Marx, one of Frank's staunchest supporters, who has been with the convicted superintendent almost constantly since he was first arrested on suspicion of being connected with the crime, was one of the most surprised men in Atlanta when the verdict was returned. He had confidently expected an acquittal, but even with the sentence of death hanging over Frank's head, the devotion with which Rabbi Marx has stood by Frank-which has been the admiration even of those who believed Frank guilty-does not falter.
Rabbi Marx Astounded.
Dr. Marx was with Frank when the latter was notified of the verdict, and he suffered almost as heavily as the convicted man.
"I am stunned and surprised," Dr. Marx said. "I can not believe it. I know Leo Frank is innocent-I know he is incapable of such a crime. My faith in him has not been shaken by the verdict of the jury. I ask that the public suspend final judgement until an appeal for a new trial is made."
Shortly after Frank had been notified of the verdict Dr. Marx left the jail for a conference with Frank's attorneys. He returned later to lend what comfort he could do to the prisoner, and remained with him in his cell until a late hour.
Fair Trial, Says Lanford.
Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford, head of the department which aided in securing the evidence that convicted Frank, has issued a statement declaring that the trial of the factory superintendent was the fairest he had ever seen.
"I have never figured in a case where the prisoner was given more privileges and liberties than Frank has received," Chief Lanford declared. "A body of twelve men in high standing in the community have found him guilty of the murder of Mary Phagan, and, in my opinion, the verdict was a just one. I think nearly everyone who is familiar with the case believes him guilty."
"It is very gratifying to the members of my department that the jury, after careful deliberation, found Frank guilty. I am not surprised at the verdict, however, nor are any of the detectives who have worked on the case."
"We have worked very had since little Mary Phagan was murdered and have tried to get at the truth regarding the terrible crime. We have been severely condemned by a few persons, most of whom are unfamiliar with the case and with police methods of obtaining evidence, but the verdict of the jury is a complete vindication of our department. We feel that we have received the greatest reward possible-the conviction of the man responsible for the death of Mary Phagan."
Phone Worked Overtime.
The interest in the residence sections of the city was fully as great as downtown when the verdict came in Monday. Officials of the Southern Bell Telephone Company have made the statement that never in the history of the company have the city telephones been in such universal use as Monday afternoon. Three times as many calls were registered between 3 and 6 o'clock, when the excitement was at its greatest height, as have ever been registered before during an entire day. A special corps of operators was on duty at the exchanges, but they were swamped with the volume of the calls and were unable to attend to more than half of them.
"Old Newt" Lee Is Released From Tower.
Old Newt Lee, as he was referred to by both sides in the Frank trial, the negro night watchman at the National Pencil Factory, who discovered the body of Mary Phagan, was released Tuesday from the Fulton Tower just four months to a day after his fateful find.
The order for his release was signed by Judge Roan and taken to the jail by his attorneys, Graham and Chapelle. Graham left with the negro for the police station, where h got a knife and some other personal effects taken from him at the time of his arrest.
Lee was spruce and as cheerful as a darky in watermelon time as he said goodbye to the Tower. He was rigged up in a new outfit and looked more prosperous than he probably ever has in his life.
"He came here in rags, but he is leaving with quite a bunch of luggage," said one of the deputies.
The negro said he had a home before the tragedy, but had lost it since."
"All I know is I'm going to look for work, boss," he said, "I sure got to work to live. I feel weak, just in my body, boss. I feel alright in the head, because I never did have nothing to do with that murder and now, they all knows it.