Monday, 28th April 1913 Police Think Negro Watchman Can Clear Murder Mystery

Developments in the case came quickly on Monday, but detectives still had no conclusive evidence fixing the murder. They believed Mary Phagan was killed inside the factory, in the metal room on the second floor, then her body was lowered by elevator to the basement and dragged across the damp floor to where it was found. Four men were under arrest: Newt Lee, the night watchman; J. M. Gantt, the discharged bookkeeper; Arthur Mullinax; and Gordon Bailey, the elevator boy. Police especially focused on Lee and Gantt, believing Lee knew who committed the crime and that Gantt’s movements might help explain how the murder unfolded. A major discovery was a sleeping compartment in the basement, built from wooden boxes and crocus bags. Investigators found small footprints nearby and concluded the space may have been used as a rendezvous. The police believed Mary may have been lured there, assaulted, and then killed, with the body dragged out afterward. Detectives also said that blood in the metal room and hair found in a lathe proved the killing happened on the second floor rather than in the basement. They believed Mary was attacked, beaten unconscious, and then strangled with hempen cord. Newt Lee denied hearing screams or knowing anything about the murder, but police did not believe his claim of ignorance. They thought he knew how the body was moved and possibly who helped lower it into the basement. Superintendent Leo M. Frank was questioned for several hours but was not arrested. He later left headquarters with his lawyers and friends. The coroner’s jury also inspected the metal room and basement, but witness testimony was postponed until Wednesday. Witnesses added more detail to the timeline. L. T. “Charley” Hall said he saw a couple walking toward the factory around 12:05 a.m., and a woman called police asking about Mullinax, then hung up when questioned. The factory was closed for the day because of the tension among employees, and a young coworker, Magnolia Kennedy, identified the hair on the lathe as Mary’s. Detectives also confirmed blood spots on the floor near a closet, using an alcohol test to rule out paint or grease