Monday, 16th March 1914: Burns Daughter, Here With “dad,” Watches Frank’s Case Closely, The Atlanta Journal

Reading Time: 18 minutes [3173 words]

Detection appears to be the one thing that is not a hobby of Miss Florence Burns, daughter of William J. Burns, the detective, for, although Miss Burns, who is in Atlanta with her father, admits she knows little about the third degree and the Bertillon system, she is enthusiastic about mountain climbing, a great traveler, an accomplished musician and linguist, a student of art at Columbia college and, above all, beautiful.

Miss Burns confesses to being a suffragette and a tangoist.

"I am not a militant suffragette and have never marched in a votes-for-women parade," she said, "but I do think the women should be given the ballot. I clearly love to dance and am quite partial to the tango."

Miss Burns arrived here Sunday afternoon with her father.

She is en route for Miami, Fla., where she will spend her vacation with her mother.

"All I have learned about detection and detective is what my father has told me", she says.

"Of course, I have always been interested in his cases and have followed their progress closely ever since I was a little girl. I am very much interested in this Frank case, which is attracting a great deal of attention in the north."

Miss Burns went on to tell of her experiences in Europe, over which she travelled alone.

She was especially enthusiastic over Switzerland and the Alps, The Blue Ridge will be her next mountain-climbing feat, she declared.

PAGE 1, COLUMN 4

BURNS PROMISES TO CLEAR UP PHAGAN MURDER MYSTERY WILLIAM J. BURNS, THE FAMOUS DETECTIVE, AND HIS DAUGHTER, MISS FLORENCE BURNS.

PAGE 1, COLUMN 7

SLEUTH CONFIDENT OF ABILITY TO FIND THE GUILTY PERSON

Gives Promise to Public

He Will Follow Every Clue

Pitilessly,

Regardless of Who Truth May Hurt

INSPECTS FACTORY WHERE CRIME WAS COMMITTED

Three Ministers of Atlanta,

Insisting Frank has Not Been Convicted Fairly, Appeal in Sermons for New Trial

In a statement to a Journal reporter Monday William J. Burns, the great American detective practically gave his promise to the public that he would, before he got through, clear away all mystery surrounding the murder of Mary Phagan, for which crime Leo M. Frank is sentenced to hang on April 17.

"I have no doubt concerning the ability of myself and that of my associates to clear up this affair," declared Mr. Burns.

"I am not relying on my own efforts alone. I have associated with me some of the country's greatest experts on criminal investigations of this particular kind, and the public may rest assured we will find the truth."

"And the truth is all we are after. I have been enabled to clear up far more baffling mysteries than is presented in this case, and when they were cleared up they appeared to have been very simple problems.

All I ask is that the public keep an open mind, just as I am keeping.

I am simply seeking the truth and am confident I will find it.

I would not, of course, do anything to thwart justice.

I believe in capital punishment for murderers and whoever killed Mary Phagan should be hanged for the crime.

EXPECTS CO-OPERATION.

"Those who employed me in this case are fully apprised of my attitude, and they know that I will make the truth known, regardless of who it affects.

I take it for granted that the city detectives and the solicitor general will join hands with me in developing the truth; in fact, I am quite sure they will co-operate with me in this quest."

Mr. Burns stated that, after a long conversation with Frank, during which he closely observed the prisoner's actions and mental processes, he is convinced Frank is not a pervert, as was charged by Jim Conley at Frank's trial.

"In my work I have had occasion to come in contact with abnormal people of all kinds, and I know them and their characteristics well," Burns said.

"Many perverts occupy high places in society and in business. It is not a difficult matter for me to locate one, however. Abnormality has its unfailing marks. Frank is a normal man. I am satisfied of this fact."

Mr. Burns said he expected to interview Jim Conley, but he did not know just when he would seek an interview.

He laughed at the popular impression that he expected to submit Conley to "third degree" methods.

"In making this investigation it is, of course, desirable that I talk with Conley," he said, "and I do not anticipate that anyone will throw any obstacles in my way.

I see by the newspapers that Conley says he will be glad to look me in the face and answer all my questions. That is all I can ask."

Burns began his work Monday by making a visit to the National Pencil factory where Mary Phagan was murdered.

He was accompanied by Captain C. W. Burke, a detective in the employ of the defense, and by Attorney Leonard Haas, one of Frank's counsel.

Burns went direct to the basement to the point where the body was discovered and commenced a minute examination of the physical points in the case.

FAMILIAR WITH EVIDENCE.

Burns, dressed like a prosperous business man on his way to keep a luncheon engagement, and very much (Continued on Page 2, Col.3.)

PAGE 2, COLUMN 3

SLEUTH CONFIDENT OF ABILITY TO FIND THE GUILTY PERSON (Continued from Page 1.)

Unlike the detective of fiction, walked silently with the attorney and the detective, listening carefully to their explanations of the hearing on the case of various points.

Seldom did he speak, and only then to call attention to some point that had been overlooked.

Each question showed the famous detective is thoroughly familiar with the evidence in the case.

"Even at this late date," he said, "the facts can be found."

Mr. Burns arrived in Atlanta Sunday afternoon, accompanied by his daughter, Miss Florence Burns.

Theya re at the Georgian Terrace hotel.

Miss Burns leaves Monday evening for Miami, Fla., to join her mother, who has spent a portion of the winter there.

An interesting feature of the case Monday was an invitation extended by Leo M. Frank to the members of the Southern Newspaper Publishers' association, who may be interested in his case, to visit him in the Tower and ask any questions they may desire answered.

Frank's invitation was extended to the publishers through two of his friends and the presiding officers at the convention made it known to the association.

PASTORS URGE NEW TRIAL.

Three Atlanta pastors, representing as many denominations, urged a new trial for Frank from their pulpits Sunday.

Dr. L. O. Bricker, of the First Christian church, pleaded for a new trial for Frank, on the ground that at the time of the first trial the minds of the people of the community were so inflamed because of the nature of the crime that it was practically impossible to give him the sort of trial any accused man should have.

Dr. Bricker went further and declared Frank should have a new trial for the reason that the evidence introduced at the trial was not sufficient to support the verdict.

To this, he declares, practically the entire legal fraternity of the city agrees.

Ending his plea, Dr. Bricker said:

"Justice has nothing to fear nor to lose in granting the accused a new trial.

IF Frank was proven guilty once, he can be proven guilty again; facts do not change.

If he was convicted by false witnesses and is a victim of a criminal conspiracy, it ought to be known before it is too late, for the truth will be known some-day.

If we do not know it now, and if then it is found that we, in our haste, put to death an innocent man, the memory of it will live with us to our dying day and the responsibility for it will face us at the judgement bar of God, and Atlanta will never be able to remove the blot from her fair name."

Dr. A. R. Holderby, asking a new trial for Frank during the course of his sermon at the Moore Memorial church, said:

"It would not be fair to hang a sheep-killing dog on the evidence on which Frank has been convicted. If this man is executed and it is later found he is not guilty, then the state of Georgia will be guilty of an atrocious murder."

Dr. Holderby declared he had no intention of criticizing the courts, but made a simple plea for justice.

Dr. Julien Rodgers, of the East Atlanta Baptist church, asserted Frank has not been convicted fairly.

"I wouldn't hang a yellow dog on Jim Conley's testimony, much less a white man, whose character heretofore had gone unchallenged," said Dr. Rogers.

As to the testimony against Frank besides that of Conley, Dr. Rodgers says there has been so much "jockeying and reneging" that it is impossible to tell when the affidavit makers are telling the truth and when they are not.

PAGE 9, COLUMN 4

EDMONDSON ANXIOUS TO WHIP MINISTER

In Letter to Journal, Says He Will Beat Man Who Accuses Him of Extortion

LAGRANGE, Ga., March 16, 1914.

Editor The Journal:

In your issue of March 9, 1914, you published a letter purported to have been given out by someone in the office of Solicitor Hugh Dorsey and purporting to have been signed by some preacher in La Grange, Ga., in which letter the statement is made that I have prostituted my office as constable here for my purpose of extorting money from the friends of Leo M. Frank.

Of course, this "preacher" did not let his name appear as having been signed to this letter, and I will give you the reason; He is a pusillanimous liar and dares not give his name.

So far as I am concerned, twelve as good men as there are in Troup County and that means as good as men are in any county in Georgia or anywhere else for that matter passed upon my case and promptly returned a verdict of not guilty.

There was no warrant of any kind against me, nor can there be one for charges of this nature against any officer in the state of Georgia, all of which your preacher should know if he would take the trouble to inform himself upon the law in cases of this kind before he rushes into print.

If I had been accused by the grand jury of Troup County of any other offense against the laws of the state of Georgia, it would still have been left to the verdict of twelve men, good and true, to say whether I was guilty or innocent.

I want to say to say that the information that I gave out in the Leo Frank matter was such as came to me in the usual course of my business and did not personally concern me, and, further, I want to say that the preacher or any other man who says that I attempted to use the information that I had to extort money from Frank's friends or to raise $256 to pay Gus Reed's fine, or for any other purpose, is a liar, or for any other purpose, is a liar, and I will so tell him at any time or place he may select, and I will back up what I say with every ounce of manhood in me.

I want to say personally to this preacher correspondent that he is a dirty, pusillanimous scoundrel and an infamous liar, and if he will make himself known, if I don't publicly whip him on the streets of La Grange or anywhere else I can find him that he has nerve enough to show his dirty, cowardly face, I will swallow anything else he may say about me, quit my office and never ask the good, or otherwise, people of my town or county to be my friends any longer.

So now, Preacher, come out and be a man; sign your name to what you write and publish and take what comes, or continue in the dark without daring to sign your name (I shouldn't wonder that you are ashamed of it) to your unmitigated lies and take your reward when I do find you out.

Yours truly, E. B. EDMONDSON.

PAGE 17, COLUMN 5

FURTHER INDORSEMENT FOR EDITORIAL ON FRANK

Letters

Approving Journal's Appeal for New Trial

Continue to Pour

In Letters strongly indorsing The Journal's editorial published last Tuesday afternoon and headed "Frank Should Have a New Trial" continue to pour into The Journal office.

Every mall brings a large number of these letters.

A few of the letters of indorsement are published below.

They are from Rev. J. W. Lee, pastor of the Baptist church at Batesville, Miss.:

H. L. Watts, superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Baptist church at Winona, Miss.; W. Trox Bankston, editor of the West Point News;

W. H. C. Brose, of the Southern Belting company, Atlanta;

Homer A. Mc Afee, Atlanta real estate dealer;

W. M. Howell, chief inspector of the Valdosta health department;

W. G. Kirby, president Eady-Baker Grocery company, West Point, Ga.; Mrs. Pattie Stone, of Farill, Ala.; John H. Barnes, superintendent of the Marietta Knitting company, Marietta, Ga.; and P. B. Williford, real estate dealer of Americus, Ga.

These letters follow:

FROM REV.

J. W. LEE.

Batesville, Miss., March 12, 1914.

The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Ga.

I want to express my approval and appreciation of your editorial, "Frank Should Have a New Trial."

Your editorial is timely and I am sure expresses the feelings of the vast majority of the people who were not in the atmosphere of the court room which was charged with an electric current of indignation.

Yes, "let justice be done though the heavens fall."

Yours for righteousness and justice, J. W.

LEE FROM H. L.

WATTS.

Editor The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Ga.

My Dear Sir:

I have read with genuine pleasure your splendid article regarding Leo M. Frank and his case, recently published in your valuable paper, and copied in the Commercial Appeal of yesterday, and I wish to express to you my hearty appreciation and full indorsement of this article and your manly act.

The good people of Atlanta are to be congratulated upon having a great paper like The Atlanta Journal made so because it has a man at its helm, a real man, for it took a man to write the article that you have written and to take the position you assume in this vital and important matter.

Every right-thinking man and woman in all this southland is with you in this matter, and indorse fully what you have said.

It would be indeed and in truth judicial murder, to execute Frank under existing circumstances.

Cordially and sincerely, H. L. WATTS,

A "Gideon" and Supt.

Sunday School First Baptist Church, Winona, Miss.

FROM EDITOR BANKSTON

West Point, Ga., March 14, 1914.

Mr. James R. Gray,

Editor Journal, Athens, Ga.

Dear Mr. Gray:

In open defiance of public opinion, which seems to have crystalized when the jury in the Frank case returned a verdict of guilty, the editorial in The Journal would indicate, in no mistakable words, that in order that justice be done the accused, he should be given a new trial.

If Leo M. Frank is guilty, he should pay the penalty of his atrocious crime; if innocent, his death to satisfy public clamor would forever blot the name of Georgia as foul and her proud claim of "Wisdom, Justice and Moderation," a misnomer.

I believe the press of Georgia will unanimously stand with The Journal in the position you have so courageously taken.

Fraternally yours,

W.

TROX BANKSTON.

FROM W. H. C.

ROSE Atlanta, Ga., March 11, 1914.

Mr. J. R. Gray, Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Ga.

Dear Sir:

It gives me great pleasure to commend the forceful manner in which the editorial of yesterday covering the Frank case.

Such manly attitude is so much admired by all fair thinking people.

With best wishes, I remain,

Yours very truly,

W. H. C. ROSE.

FROM HOMER A. M'AFEE.

Atlanta, Ga., March 11, 1914.

Mr. James R. Gray, Editor Atlanta Journal, Atlanta Ga.

Dear Sir:

It gives me pleasure to write you a letter of commendation on your great editorial of March 10 on the Frank case.

I have been waiting for some newspaper to have nerve enough in the midst of public clamor to the contrary, to come out boldly and demand that justice be done, even as you so well expressed it, "Though the heavens fall."

I am so happy to feel that The Journal, in my opinion the leading newspaper of the south, should have taken such an aggressive step, coming as it did when the state of Georgia is on trial before the eyes of the world.

In my opinion it will do more than anything else towards preventing our commonwealth from being a party to a judicial murder, and I hope you can come again, so if possible to clarify public opinion on this subject.

With best regards, I am,

Yours very truly,

HOMER A. M'AFEE.

FROM W. M. HOWELL.

Valdosta, Ga., March 14, 1914.

Sirs:

If I may do so let me commend the editorial of this morning's issue on the Frank case.

From what I know of the case, and I have kept up closely with it,

The Journal's position is correct and timely.

Very truly yours,

W. M. HOWELL.

FROM W. J. KIRBY.

West Point, Ga., March 13, 1914 Mr. James R. Gray, Editor Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Ga.

Dear Sir:

Permit me the liberty of complimenting you most highly on your courageous editorial of the 17th, in which you plead for a new and fair trial for Leo M. Frank.

I think that all right-minded and desirable citizens of our grand state will coincide with you in the thoughts expressed in your message to the people.

Yet the honor and the initiative for fair play and a square deal will be yours, and the courage with which you "tackled" a proposition which has practically divided the state bears out my contention that The Journal is the best, strongest and cleanest paper in the south.

Assuring you of my personal admiration and appreciation of your courage, honesty and desire for justice, I am,

Sincerely yours,

W. J. KIRBY, President.

FROM MRS.

PATTIE STONE.

Farill, Ala., March 13, 1914.

Editor The Journal:

Thank God, the people are getting over their excitement concerning the death of poor little Mary Phagan in time to give Leo Frank a fair trial.

I have read every word The Journal has had to say on this subject, and it has dealt fairly with all parties concerned.

Far out from the towns, in the valleys and on the mountains, Leo Frank was condemned before he had his trial.

Yours truly, MRS.

PATTIE STONE.

FROM JOHN H. BARNES.

Marietta, Ga., March 14, 1914.

Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Ga.:

Dear Sirs Having been a reader of your valuable paper for a quarter of a century, I feel like I Can congratulate and commend you for the stand you took in your recent editorial in regard to Leo M. Frank, in asking for a new trial for the unfortunate fellow.

I feel, and have felt all the while, that he was and is the victim of circumstances.

Very truly yours,

JOHN H. BARNES.

FROM P. B. WILLIFORD.

Americus, Ga., March 14, 1914.

Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Ga.:

I enjoyed reading your editorial a few days ago on the Frank trial.

You expressed my sentiments better than I could, and I fully indorse all you say about the unfairness of this trial.

You voice the sentiment of a great many of the best thinking people as regards this is unfortunate man.

He may be guilty, but let's give him a square deal and a fair trial.

Sincerely, P. B. WILLIFORD.