Thursday, 1st May 1913 Frank Tried to Flirt With Murdered Girl Says Her Boy Chum

On May 1, 1913, testimony at the ongoing inquest into the death of 13-year-old Mary Phagan centered on accusations of improper behavior by the factory’s superintendent, Leo Frank. George Epps, a 15-year-old acquaintance of the victim, testified that Mary had expressed fear of Frank’s persistent attempts to flirt with and pay attention to her. Epps stated that Mary had requested he meet her at the factory to escort her home, citing her discomfort with Frank’s behavior. The inquest also featured testimony regarding the factory's atmosphere and potential use for illicit purposes. Mechanics Harry Denham and Arthur White, who were working in the building on the day of the murder, provided accounts of their interactions with Frank, noting they were locked in the factory by him for a period. Other witnesses, including Edgar L. Sentell, claimed to have seen Mary Phagan near the factory late Saturday night, contradicting timelines provided by others. Furthermore, investigators discussed the discovery of bloody hair strands near Mary’s workstation, which fellow employees identified as hers. J. M. Gantt, a former paymaster recently fired by Frank, was also subjected to intense questioning about his relationship with the superintendent and his presence at the factory after he had left the company. Throughout the proceedings, Frank largely remained silent, having told reporters earlier that he did not wish to discuss the accusations being leveled against him.