Friday, 15th August 1913 Women Tell of Seeing Frank On Way to and From Factory On Day That Girl Was Murdered, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
The first of a chain of witnesses who were produced to prove Frank's movements during the time he left the pencil factory for dinner was Miss Helen K. Curran, a pretty stenographer, who stated that she met him at Jacobs' pharmacy on Whitehall street and Alabama.
She was questioned by Mr. Arnold.
"Where were you on April 26?"
"A little after 1 o'clock I was standing at Jacobs' drug store at Whitehall and Alabama streets. It was about 2:05 o'clock."
"Did you see Frank?"
"I had been standing for five minutes on the corner when I turned around and saw him standing against the wall."
"What time was it?"
"About 10 minutes after one."
Father Works for Montag.
Hooper began cross-examination.
"Your father works for Montag?"
"Yes."
"There was a big crowd on the streets on the 26th, wasn't there?"
"Yes."
"Wasn't the corner at …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Wife and Mother of Frank Are Permitted to Remain in Court, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
At the opening of the morning session yesterday Solicitor Dorsey motioned for the court to exclude the wife and mother of Leo M. Frank, Mrs. Lucille Frank and Mrs. Rae Frank, on account of the sensational outburst of the mother Wednesday afternoon, when she denounced the solicitor for attacking the character of her son.
In reply to the solicitor's move to have the mother and wife of the defendant excluded from the court room, Attorney Arnold made a strong speech in their behalf, saying:
"It is a new doctrine to me where a wife and mother of the defendant cannot sit in court with him in the hour of his trial. I promise there will be no more outbreaks in court. Mrs. Frank, his wife, has sat through the trial, quietly and orderly. My friend's conduct, I would think (meaning Dorsey) was a little more culpable than that of the mother's. A man, …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Two More Character Witnesses Are Introduced by the Defense, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Another character witness was introduced by the defense in Harry E. Lewis, of Brooklyn, N. Y., former neighbor of Frank, and a former assistant to the district attorney.
"Did you ever know Frank?" he was asked by Mr. Arnold.
"Yes, for about twelve years."
"How?"
"He was my neighbor."
"Did you know him until he came south? What was his character?"
"Good."
Cross-examination by Mr. Hooper.
"Have you known him since he came south?"
"No."
"You may come off."
The second character witness of the Thursday session was Herbert Lasher, of Fleischman, N. Y., a former college mate of the suspected superintendent.
"Did you know Frank?"
"Yes, I was at Cornell with him."
"You lived in the same house with him?"
"Yes, and ate at the same table."
"What was his character?"
"Good."
Cross-examination.
"Have you known him since he left Cornell?"
"Yes, I corresponded …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Sister of Mrs. Leo M. Frank Tells Jury About Card Game, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Mrs. A. Marcus, a sister of Mrs. Leo Frank, followed Mrs. C. F. Ursenbach, another sister. She was among those who played cards at the Selig home on April 26.
"Did Frank and his wife play cards with the rest?" Mr. Arnold asked.
"No."
"Where were they?"
"Mr. Frank sat in the hall reading and his wife was in and out of the room."
"What time did they go to bed?"
"Something after 10 o'clock."
"Was Frank nervous?"
"No."
"Anything unusual about him?"
"No."
"You say Frank sat in the hall reading, did you?" asked Attorney Hooper on cross-examination.
"Yes," the witness replied.
"He broke up the poker game, didn't he?"
"No."
Mrs. Marcus was then excused.
Friday, 15th August 1913 Sig Montag Tells of Employment Of Detectives and Two Lawyers, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Sig Montag, president of the National Pencil company and associate in Montag Brothers, was put on the stand at the close of the morning session. He testified that during part of the time named by Jim Conley in the dates at which he swears he watched for Frank on the first floor the Clark Woodenware offices occupied that portion of the factory building.
He was examined by Mr. Rosser.
"What was your connection with the pencil factory from May last?"
"First secretary and treasurer, then president."
"How often did Frank come to your office?"
"Once a day except on Sundays."
"Did you see him on April 26?"
"Yes."
"What time did he come to your office?"
"About 10 o'clock that morning."
"Who occupied the first floor up to a year ago?"
"The offices of the Clark Woodenware company."
"Where were their offices?"
"Right up front."
Factory Model Displayed. …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Pittsburg Witness Tells of Franks Standing in School, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
John W. Todd, of Pittsburg, PA., purchasing agent for the Crucible Steel company, who was with Frank at Cornell university, followed Mrs. Emil Selig to the stand.
He was asked if he knew the general character of Frank while at college and replied that he did and that it was good. He was let off with no cross-examination and went over and shook hands with the defendant and his wife and mother. He then passed by the press table and shook hands with a newspaper man who formerly worked in Pittsburg. After staying a while and listening to the testimony of other witnesses and making queries about Jim Conley, Mr. Todd left the court room.
Friday, 15th August 1913 Mother-in-Law of Frank Denies Charges in Cooks Affidavit, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Following the testimony of those who claimed to have played poker at the Emil Selig home on the night of April 26, Mrs. Selig, Leo Frank's mother-in-law was placed on the stand and asked a number of questions about the happenings at her house on Sunday, April 27. To most of the questions from the state on cross-examination she replied that she had forgotten.
When the witness took the stand, Attorney Arnold called on the state for the affidavit which Minola McKnight, the Selig's cook, signed at police station and later repudiated.
"Mrs. Selig," said Mr. Arnold, "I wanted to ask you some questions about statements in this affidavit and find out if they are true.
"Is it true that there was talk in your home about the time of the murder? Leo Frank being caught with a girl at the factory and that the negro cook asked if it was a Jew girl or a …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Miss Eva May Flowers Did Not See Any Blood on Factory Floor, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Miss Eula May Flowers, an employee of the National Pencil factory, was put on the stand following the two Cornell professors.
"Were you at the factory on April 26?" asked Mr. Arnold.
"Yes."
"What department are you in?"
"The packing department."
"Who got the data and when from you for the financial sheet made up on April 26?"
"Mr. Schiff got it from me about 6 o'clock Friday afternoon."
"You say you always turned in your report on Friday afternoons?" asked Attorney Hooper, who took up the cross-examination.
"Yes," the witness replied, "either on Friday afternoons or early Saturday mornings."
"Were you there Saturday at all?'
"No."
"What did you say was your particular department?"
"The packing department."
"Did you see any blood on the floor following the day of the murder?"
"No."
Miss Flowers was excused.
Friday, 15th August 1913 Milton Klein, Visitor of Frank, Is Grilled by Solicitor Dorsey, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Milton Klein, a wholesale lumber dealer, a frequent visitor of Frank's while he was in the tower, was the last witness of the day. He was cross-examined at length by Solicitor Dorsey, whose object apparently was to show that it was Klein who prevented the detectives confronting Frank with Jim Conley.
The direct examination of Klein by Attorney Arnold was as follows:
"How long have you known Frank?"
"Ever since he came here."
"Was his character good or bad?"
"It was good."
"When was the last time you saw Frank?" asked Solicitor Dorsey on cross-examination. "Did you see him last Thanksgiving day?"
"Yes, sir."
"Where did you see him?"
"At a dance at the orphan's home. I also saw him in the afternoon about 6 o'clock of that day."
"What was the dance for?"
"It was for the benefit of the B'nai B'rith. Frank had charge of the arrangements, and …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Many Men Swear to Good Character of Superintendent of Pencil Factory, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Classmates and Instructors at Cornell Come to Atlanta to Testify to His Clean Life While at College and to Show Their Loyalty to Old College Friend.
DORSEY ASKS REMOVAL OF LEO FRANK'S MOTHER AND WIFE FROM COURT
Judge Warns Them That Another Scene Like That of Wednesday, When Mrs. Rae Frank Denounced Solicitor, Will Result in Barring Them—Leach Proves Good Witness for the State Although Called to Testify by Defense
More witnesses were examined Thursday than on any day since the trial of Leo M. Frank began.
However, there was little adduced from the testimony that was of striking interest or that savored of the dramatic.
For the most part the day was taken up with character witnesses—men who have known Frank for years and who have volunteered to swear to his good character.
The only incident of the day that was in any way dramatic …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Frank Not Nervous on Night Of Murder Says Mrs. Ursenbach, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Mrs. Charles F. Ursenbach followed her husband on the stand. During the cross-examination by Attorney Hooper she was asked scores of detailer questions about the words and manner of Leo Frank on the Sunday that the body was found.
"What is your relation to Mrs. Leo Frank?" asked Mr. Arnold.
"I am her sister."
"Did you hear about the message from Mr. Frank saying he could not go to the ball game with your husband that Saturday?"
"Yes, I got it from the servant."
"At what time?"
"At about 12:30."
"Did you see Frank on Sunday?"
"Yes."
"What time did you first see him?"
"At about 12:30."
Knew of the Tragedy.
"Did you know of the tragedy then?"
"Yes."
"Were there any scratches on his face?"
"No."
"Was he nervous?"
"No more so than anyone would naturally be."
Solicitor Dorsey objected to this kind of an answer and it was ruled out.
Mr. Hooper then …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Frank in Jovial Mood While Poker Game Was Going on at His House on Night of 26th, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Mrs. M. Marcus, a relative by marriage of Mrs. Leo M. Frank, was the first witness called at the afternoon session. She was one of the friends of the Franks and Seligs who played cards at their home, 68 East Georgia avenue, on the night of April 26.
She swore Frank acted naturally during all the time that she saw him and that he even got to laughing at a baseball story he was reading in a magazine and tried to break up their poker game by reading it to them.
"Did you see Mr. Frank on April 26, and when?" asked Mr. Arnold.
"I saw him when I went to Mr. Emil Selig's home to play cards that night. Mr. Frank opened the door."
"What time did he go to bed?"
"About 10:30 o'clock."
"Anything unnatural about him?"
"No."
"Were you in the habit of playing cards there?" asked Attorney Frank A. Hooper, on cross-examination.
"Well,…More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Factory Mechanic Tells of Blood on Floor From Mans Wounded Hand, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Charley Lee, a mechanic in the pencil factory, who admitted on cross-examination that he had received a raise in salary within the past two weeks, was called to testify to a number of accidents on the second floor from which blood had been spilled in vicinity of the dressing rooms where blood spots were found after the tragedy.
"Do you remember an accident in the metal room on October 4, 1912?"
"Yes, a man named Duffy was cut on the finger and bled freely."
"Was his finger cut to the bone?"
"Yes."
"Did he go to the ladies' dressing room while his finger was bleeding?"
"Yes."
Solicitor Dorsey on cross-examination.
"What do you get for wages?"
"Thirty-two and a half cents an hour?"
"How long have you been getting that rate?"
"For two weeks."
"What did you get prior to that?"
"Thirty cents an hour."
"Did you tell anybody what you were …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Factory Forewoman Swears Conley Said He Was Drunk on April 26, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Miss Rebecca Carson, a forewoman in the pencil factory, who made the startling statement that Jim Conley had admitted to her that he was drunk on the Saturday of the murder was put on the stand.
"Did you see Leo Frank at any time on April 26?"
"Yes, I saw him on Whitehall street near Hunter between 2:20 o'clock and 2:25."
"Did you speak to him?"
"Yes."
"Did you come to the factory Monday morning following the murder?"
"Yes."
"Did you see Frank?"
"Yes."
"Jim Conley?"
"Yes."
"Did you talk with Conley?"
"Yes."
"What did he say?"
"I asked him where he was on the previous Saturday and he told me he was so drunk that he didn't know where he was or what he was doing. My mother said, ‘Jim, they haven't got you yet,' and he answered that he hadn't done nothing to be gotten for.
"He told my mother and I that Frank was as innocent as either of us …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Elevator Made Loud Noise Said Employee of Pencil Company, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Harry Denham, an employee of the National Pencil company, was put on the stand after the Pittsburg man had testified to the character of the defendant.
Denham was asked a number of questions about what happened in the building on the day of the murder and through him the defense made the point that the elevator made a loud noise when it ran. Denham swore that the elevator shook the entire building when it stopped and when it started.
"Were you at the factory on Friday, April 25?" he was first asked.
"Yes."
"Were you there Saturday, the following day?"
"Yes."
"What did you do there that day?"
"I worked on the machinery, repairing it."
Was Using a Hammer.
"What kind of work did you do between 12 and 1?"
"I was using a hammer."
"How late did you stay there that day?"
"I left about 3:15 o'clock in the afternoon."
"Did anybody come up to see you?" …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Eight Character Witnesses Come to Defense of Superintendent, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Following Mrs. E. A. Marcus, eight character witnesses were placed on the stand. They were V. H. Kriegshaber, Max Goldstein, Sidney Levy, Rabbi David Marx, D. I. McIntyre, and insurance man and member of the firm of Haas & McIntyre, Dr. B. Wildauer, a dentist, and John Findley, superintendent for Dittler Brothers and formerly master mechanic for the National Pencil company.
"Do you know Frank?" asked Mr. Arnold of Mr. Kriegshaber, who was first called to the stand.
"Yes."
"Is his character good or bad?"
"It is good."
"How often have you come into contact with Frank?" asked Mr. Dorsey on cross-examination.
"Not frequently," replied the witness.
"He is a young man, isn't he?"
"Yes."
"And you a rather old man?"
"Yes, I suppose you'd call me old."
Protests Against Disorder.
"There was a laugh at the way in which Mr. Kriegshaber replied that he …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Defense Witness Admit Barrett is Sensible Fellow, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Henry Smith, a mechanic in the pencil factory, who admitted on cross-examination that he had received a raise in salary in the past two weeks, went upon the stand to tell of Barrett's attitude in the case.
"What department do you work in?"
"The metal department."
"Do you know of a man named Barrett who used to work there?"
"Yes."
"Ever hear of him getting a reward if Frank was convicted?"
"I've heard him talk of it."
"Did he ever go through the motions of counting money?"
"Yes, he used to go by me and laugh and make motions like counting bills."
Cross-examination by Hooper.
"This man Barrett was a sensible fellow, wasn't he?"
Arnold objected, but was overruled.
"Yes."
Friday, 15th August 1913 Character of Frank Good, So Many Witnesses Declare, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
R. A. Sohn, superintendent of the Jewish Orphans home, was called to testify on Frank's behalf.
The witness said that his residence was at No. 408 Washington street. He said that he has known Frank a good many years and that his character was good.
He was excused without undergoing cross-examination by Solicitor Dorsey.
Alex Dittler, secretary of the Jewish Alliance and an officer of the Federation of Jewish societies, also testified to Frank's good character.
The witness said that he has been a resident of Atlanta more than thirty-eight years. He was deputy city marshal under Marshal Humphrey and occupied the position of acting recorder of deeds in the clerk's office of the superior court many years ago.
I have known Frank since he came to Atlanta and know his character to be good.
Arthur Heyman, a member of the law firm of Dorsey, Brewster, Howell …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 Cars Often Ahead of Schedule Declares a Street Car Man, The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta Constitution
August 15th, 1913
Following Denham, J. R. Leach, a division superintendent for the Georgia Railway and Power company, took the stand. He was asked a number of questions by the defense about street car schedules, and on cross-examination proved a good witness for the prosecution by declaring that street cars frequently arrived in town some minutes ahead of their schedule and that the motorman and conductors were often punished for this. W. M. Mathews and W. T. Hollis who swore to bringing Mary Phagan to town on the day of the murder had declared that cars never reached town ahead of their schedules.
"Do you know the schedules of the street cars?" Mr. Arnold asked after the usual questions to show the jury who the witness was.
"Yes."
"Do you know the schedules of the Georgia avenue and the Washington street lines?"
"Yes."
Time to Cross Bridge.
He then told that …More
Friday, 15th August 1913 What They Say Wont Hurt Leo Frank; State Must Prove Depravity
Atlanta Georgian
August 15th, 1913
By JAMES B. NEVIN.
There is nothing apparently so plain to outside observation as character—just character—and there is, strange to say, nothing so difficult at times to prove.
"They say" and "but" are the two most notorious scandalmongers in the universe—"they say" so and so' and he or she is all right, "but!"
Character, upon which so much depends in this world, upon which civilization itself and decency and right is founded, is, nevertheless, the most elusive of all things when it comes right down to brass tacks of proving it beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Human nature, too, for some curious and vague reason, seems rather to relish the downfall of character and the undermining of reputation—and that, moreover, the while it is vehemently and rather piously assuring itself that it does nothing of the kind!
Kind words travel on leaden feet—gossip gallops in seven-league …More