Thursday, 19th August 1915: May Find Mobbers By The Handcuffs On Burke’s Wrists, The Atlanta Constitution

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Prison Commissioners Believe That Owners Can Be Found by Appealing to Retailer and Manufacturer.

GOVERNOR HARRIS WILL ISSUE STATEMENT TODAY

Commissioner Davison Declares That State Department Did Not Have Money to Guard Frank Properly.

RAGSDALE'S STATEMENT.

I.N. Ragsdale, acting Mayor of Atlanta in the absence of James G. Woodward, last night sent the following Telegram to The New York World, in answer to a request from that newspaper for a Statement: "The Daily and the Weekly Press of Georgia is practically unanimous in condemning Mob Law and urging the Governor to take action in the Frank Case at once. He is investigating now, and will probably offer a Reward tomorrow that will bring the Guilty Parties to Justice. While a large percentage of our people believed Frank guilty, yet they are Law-Abiding, and heartily disapprove of the action of the Mob. I.N. RAGSDALE."

The identity of at least one member of the Mob that lynched Leo Frank is likely to be disclosed through a pair of nickel-plated handcuffs which were left Monday night on the wrists of Superintendent J. E. Burke, of the Prison Farm, at Milledgeville, when the Mobbers sped away with Leo Frank in one of their Automobiles to a point near Marietta, where Frank was hanged to a tree.

These handcuffs, according to a Statement made by Chairman R. E. Davison, of the state Prison Commission, Wednesday afternoon, when he arrived in Atlanta from Milledgeville, have distinguishing marks, and the Chairman states that he has been reliably informed that the purchaser can readily be ascertained through the aid of the Manufacturer and Retailer.

Will Hold Conference.

Governor Nat E. Harris has called a conference with the three members of the State Prison Commission this morning, after which, it is likely, he will offer a reward of $500 for the capture, with evidence to convict, of the first five members of the Mob that lynched Frank. The Total Funds at the disposal of the Governor are only $3000, so Governor Harris will offer practically all the Funds in this one Case.

The Governor intended holding a Conference with the three members of the Prison Commission Wednesday afternoon to probe into the Details of the abduction of Leo Frank from the Prison Farm. However, Judge T. E. Patterson was called to Columbus on Business for the Commission, and the Conference was postponed until this morning.

Following this morning's Conference, Governor Harris will give out a Statement concerning the lynching of Leo Frank.

"I want to speak a word for the good name of the State of Georgia," said Governor Harris, "and I am preparing my Statement concerning the Frank lynching now."

"An awful crime has been committed against Georgia," continued Governor Harris, "the breaking into the State Prison, the abduction of the State's Ward, and subsequent lynching of him by the Mob must be probed to the fullest."

Will Offer Reward.

"I will probably offer the highest Reward permitted by the State Laws for the capture of each man who had anything to do with the lynching of Frank, which is $500."

For half an hour Wednesday afternoon, Governor Harris was closeted with Prison Commissioner E. L. Rainey, of Dawson, who came to Atlanta with Judge Patterson Tuesday, leaving the State Prison Farm at Milledgeville on the first train after Leo Frank was abducted.

Commissioner Rainey outlined in detail the Assault on the Prison Guards, telling the Governor how each Guard was overcome by detachments of the Mob.

Chairman Davison told the story of the attack on the Prison Farm to a Constitution Reporter shortly after his arrival in the City from Milledgeville Wednesday afternoon, and declared that as the State Prison was not barricaded to resist attacks by armed Mobs, it was impossible to check Monday night's assault.

"We kept all the guards on night and day duty at the main Building in which Frank was incarcerated for several weeks," said Chairman Davison, "until they kicked so much that two of them quit their jobs, and we were compelled to reduce the night Guard to just five men."

"We had no money to employ additional Guards for Frank's Defense."

Governor Harris Wednesday was in receipt of telegrams for many New York Papers and other Papers requesting a Statement concerning the lynching, and the steps to be taken to discover the Lynchers. The Governor will give out his Statement today.

Numbers of letters were received at the Governor's Office from people in various parts of the Country urging Governor Harris to probe to the bottom of the lynching.

Sheriff Is Probing.

Deputy Sheriff Hicks, of Cobb County, who was on the Scene of the Frank lynching about 7:30 o'Clock Tuesday morning, being one of the first to arrive there, was in Atlanta Wednesday, and made a Statement to a Constitution Reporter.

"I do not believe that more than seven or eight men, riding in three automobiles, lynched Leo Frank," said the Sheriff. "Marietta is the quietest place in the World, so far as rumors going about of the lynching. I will say, though, that the best Information I can gain points to there being only about seven or eight men present when Frank was lynched."

"I am doing all in my power to discover who the Lynchers were, and, if they can be ascertained, I will surely assist."

Coroner's Inquest.

The Coroner's Inquest, which had begun in Marietta Tuesday morning, was postponed until next Tuesday. The Special Counsel will probably be employed by the Coroner to assist in the Probe; the County Commissioners of Cobb having authorized such action.

A special meeting has been held by the County Commissioners who expressed a determination to sift the tragedy and co-operate with the Governor. But there will be no action taken, it was stated on Tuesday, until some definite procedure has been decided on by State Authorities.

Regardless of the proposed Investigation into the State Prison regarding the ease with which Frank's Liberators were able to capture him, Warden James Smith said on Wednesday that he knew of nothing he could do to aid in the Investigation.

"The Mob overpowered me and everyone connected with the prison," he said. "The work was done too quickly, and we were taken by surprise."

"So far as I know, there is nothing left to be brought out at an Investigation."

Rap Lack of Resistance.

Editorial Comment of many Southern Papers criticized the lack of Resistance on the part of the State Prison Officials.

The body of Frank reached Washington, D. C., at midnight En Route to Brooklyn, where the Funeral and Burial will be held. Newspaper men who have sought to speak with Mrs. Frank on the Route have been denied an Audience with her. Members of the Train Crew stated that the Funeral Party did not excite unusual attention, and that there had been no untoward incident to mark the last Journey of the South's most famous Prisoner.

The Party will reach Brooklyn this morning. No definite Plans have been made for the Funeral Services.

Patterson Silent.

Columbus, Ga., August 18. (Special.) Prison Commissioner T. E. Patterson is here on Official Business and when seen by Local Newspaper men and questioned concerning the Abduction from the State Farm of Frank, said he had absolutely nothing to say concerning the incident. Judge Patterson will be here until Thursday.

Passes Through Greensboro.

Greensboro, N. C., August 18. Only a few persons gathered around the car, in which the Frank Funeral Party traveled during the Train's stay of ten minutes here this afternoon. Mrs. Frank, who was said to be almost prostrated, remained in her Stateroom, with curtains drawn.

WOODWARD IS RAPPED BY GOVERNOR SLATON

Mayor Is "Old and Garrulous," Says Former Governor in Answer to Speech.San Francisco, August 18. Former Governor John M. Slaton, of Georgia, who commuted the death sentence of Leo M. Frank to one of life imprisonment, today issued a statement condemning an address delivered last night by Mayor J. G. Woodward, of Atlanta, and terming the mayor "old and garrulous." He called the Frank case a "football of politics."

Commenting on Mr. Woodward's statement that three-fourths of the people of Georgia, including himself, believed Frank guilty and condoned the lynching, Mr. Slaton said: "Similar utterances made before the lynching naturally resulted in subsequent lawlessness. In one breath he proposes to defend the fair name of Atlanta and Georgia and in the next breath he casts on them the most terrible condemnation."

"Mayor Woodward suggested I could not with safety return to Georgia within a year. Such a statement is not only a gross reflection on the state, but is absurd and ridiculous and it is further stimulative of the mob impulse, coming from an official who should stand in favor of law and order. It is in accordance with utterances of others who expect to utilize the Frank case for political preferment."

"I was born in Georgia, and I love her and her reputation. I shall return there in accordance with my original intentions."

"I think Mayor Woodward's statement is an affront to the people of Georgia instead of a defense. He is old and garrulous."

Defends Frank Lynching.

San Francisco, August 18. J. G. Woodward, mayor of Atlanta, Ga., in an address here last night declared that Leo M. Frank suffered the "just penalty for an unspeakable crime." The Atlanta mayor at the same time warned former Governor Slaton, now in California, not to return to Georgia.

Mayor Woodward's address was made at a banquet of the California State Assessors' Association. Little or no applause greeted his remarks, although he was listened to with close attention.

Mayor Woodward said: "I am going to take occasion tonight to tell of the events that have put Georgia on the map in a very indescribable light. I am going to endeavor to set you right. People throughout the United States have obtained their ideas of the Frank case from a poisoned and subsidized press and press reports."

"Common decency prevents me from telling you the revolting truths of the murder of Mary Phagan. I wish you all knew the truths, as I know them. I know them, for I have been with this case ever since it started, and I have read every line of evidence that was introduced. I know that there is not a member of the jury that tried Leo M. Frank, who would change his decision if put to the test again."

"Georgia is the leading state in the South. Its people cannot be classed with tramps, hoodlums, bandits and lawbreakers, but things had come to a point where every avenue of the law had been exhausted and the judgment of the courts set aside by one man, and the people felt that it was up to them to take the law into their own hands."

"While we people of Georgia deplore the deed of Monday night, we know what is behind it, and I want it understood that it is simply emphasizing the fact that, when it comes to a woman's honor, there is no limit we will not go to avenge and to protect."

"There were only two people implicated in the death of Mary Phagan. I know the Negro did not commit the deed, and as positive that 75 per cent of the people of Georgia are convinced that the man lynched Monday night committed the deed, and they are on the ground, and ought to know."

"As mayor of Atlanta, I have received tons and tons of letters and petitions and requests asking that something be done for Frank, and they have all gone into his wastebasket, for, like all Georgia people, who are in a position to know the truth, I know the facts."

"I know Jack Slaton, have known him for 30 years ever since he was a young man. I have been friends with him, and, while I hate to say it, I would not advise him to return to Georgia for a year if ever."

Dr. Compton Denies Charges Against Prison Officials

Milledgeville, Ga., August 18. (Special.) Dr. Guy D. Compton, prison physician for the state penitentiary here, issued a statement tonight in reference to reports that have gained general circulation, all of them derogatory to the prison management and harshly criticizing prison officials.

"The reports," said Dr. Compton, "appeared to me at the time to be so untenable, that I did not give them any recognition and did not believe they would be generally considered by the public as worthy of notice."

"However, in view of recent occurrences and the resultant opinion of the general public, I believe that some reply should be given to the accusing statements, absurd though they are. The statement in the anonymous letter published, to the effect that Chairman R. E. Davison, of the Prison Commission, had told me that we should throw all the medicine in the dump heap and use leather, is absolutely untrue and nothing of the kind was ever mentioned to me."

"The further statement that the prisoners have been mistreated or severely whipped is wholly untrue, for if such had been the case, it would have come under my observation and been reported to the Prison Commission. All the accusations of this character lodged against Warden Smith and also criticizing the Prison Commission are false and can hardly be attributed to any other motives than misdirected efforts for revenge against the state's punishment of crimes."

Doctor Compton states that he is in readiness to make any further extensive statements that may be required in the premises.