Pinkerton Report: Leo Frank Case
Source: Leo M. Frank Collection, MS-237, Box 1, Folder 1, American Jewish Archives, 3101 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45220
Reporting Officer: Assistant Superintendent Harry Scott
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 1913
We attempted to obtain the lantern used by the night watchman, Newt Lee, on the night he discovered the body of Mary Phagan, but learned it is in the possession of Solicitor General Dorsey.
Detective Black and I then followed up on the statement given by Lemmie Quinn to Chief Lanford and me last night. We called at 31-B Pulliam Street and interviewed Mrs. Lemmie Quinn. She stated that Mr. Quinn left home between 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon, probably about 11:45 a.m., judging by the Saturday whistles, and that he said he was going to the factory. She added that such a visit was not unusual for him on holidays. On his way, he stopped at Wolfsheimer’s Meat Market on Whitehall Street and ordered boiled ham, radishes, green peppers, and pineapples. She did not see him again until 7:00 p.m., when he returned home with his father, Mr. J. H. Quinn of 710 Broad Street, Columbus, Georgia. Mr. Quinn remained home the rest of the night.
Mrs. Quinn further stated that her husband first heard of the murder about 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 27, 1913. He told her he was going out to buy a cigar and met a policeman in the cigar store, who informed him of the crime. Mr. Quinn then went to the undertaking establishment, viewed the body of Mary Phagan, and met a girl named Grace Hicks there. He telephoned home to inform his wife of the murder. When he returned home Sunday, he told her that he had been to the factory shortly after noon on Saturday, April 26, 1913, and that he hesitated to tell the police because he feared being locked up for the entire week and losing his home. Mr. Quinn stated he arrived at the factory between 12:00 noon and 12:20 p.m. He had walked from home at a slow pace and may have been delayed at Wolfsheimer’s Market, which, being Saturday and planning to close for the afternoon, would have taken at least five minutes to fill his order. He verified this timing at the market that morning.
Detective Black and I left the Quinn residence at 11:06 a.m. and walked very slowly along Mr. Quinn’s reported route, stopping five minutes at Wolfsheimer’s store, then proceeding to the factory, arriving at 11:25 a.m.
Upon arrival at the factory we interviewed Alonzo Mann, the office boy, residing at 109 South Gordon Street. Employed at the factory for only one month, he stated that he arrived at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, and found Mr. Holloway already inside. He left at 11:30 a.m., leaving Mr. Leo M. Frank and Miss Hall, the stenographer, in the office. After leaving the factory, he went to the Vaudette Motion Picture Theater and met his mother at 12:00 noon. During the afternoon he watched the Memorial Day parade, visited several moving picture shows, met his brother about 5:00 p.m., and then went home, arriving around dusk.
American Jewish Archive, Cincinnati, Ohio
Pinkerton Report: Leo Frank Case
Statement of Alonzo Mann May 7th, 1913
Atlanta, Georgia
Given to: F. C. P., Atlanta, Georgia
Location: National Pencil Company, Atlanta, Georgia
Date: Wednesday, May 7, 1913
I went directly to the National Pencil Company factory and arrived at about 7:00 a.m. The front door was open and I went upstairs to the office. I do not recall who was in the office when I entered. Soon after my arrival, I saw Mr. Hollaway, Mr. Irby, and “Mack,” the drayman, who took some rubbers and an umbrella that belonged to Mr. Schiff and then left. Mr. Hollaway and Mr. Irby remained in the office for about thirty minutes, perhaps longer, and the three of us talked.
Later, at about 8:10 a.m., Mr. Leo M. Frank came in. I do not think that Messrs. Hollaway and Irby were there when Mr. Frank arrived. I am sure they were not in the office proper, because when Mr. Frank entered he spoke to me and said, “There is not anyone here but you and me,” and I replied, “No.” I do not remember what took place in the office after that. I do not remember who came in or went out.
Sometime during the morning Mr. Frank went out. I supposed he went to Montag Brothers, but I do not know. I cannot recall how long he was gone. It did not seem long. I cannot say whether it was thirty minutes or one hour. I do not remember. I know that he returned before I left.
I left the office at 11:30 a.m. and went to the Vaudette Theatre on Whitehall Street, where I was to meet my mother at twelve o’clock. I met my mother just at twelve noon as she came out of the theater. We then went to Thompsons’ Printing Company on Marietta Street, where my brother was employed, and remained there for about five or ten minutes. After that we went down Marietta Street to Peachtree Street, where I left her.
I retraced my steps on Marietta Street on my way to the gas office. At the Bijou Theatre I met a boy named Philip, whose last name I do not know, and he went with me to the gas office, which we found closed. This was at about 12:35 p.m. Leaving the gas office, Philip and I went to a haberdasher’s on Marietta Street, where I purchased a cap and remained about five minutes. We then separated, and I went to a nearby barbershop on Viaduct Place. I had to wait some time before I could be served. The barber took some time cutting my hair, and I was in the shop about twenty-five or thirty minutes.
Statement of Alonzo Mann May 9th 1913
Atlanta, Georgia
Given to: L. P. W., Atlanta, Georgia
Location: National Pencil Company Factory, 37–39 South Forsyth Street, Atlanta, Georgia
Date: Friday, May 9, 1913
When I left the office at 11:30 a.m., I left Mr. Leo M. Frank and Miss Hall in the office. At 11:30 a.m. Mr. Frank told me that I could go. On leaving the office, I went to the Vaudette Theatre on Whitehall Street, where I met my mother at twelve o’clock noon. I then went to Thompson’s Printing Company with my mother, walked about the streets, visited two moving picture shows, and went home about 6:00 p.m.