Dorsey Launches Independent Investigation Into Phagan Murder Case
No New Leads Since Suspects' Transfer to Tower; Officials Dismiss Swirling Rumors; Coroner's Inquest Set to Resume Monday at 2 P.M.
Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey has quietly deployed investigators of his own into the Mary Phagan murder case, it emerged Friday — marking what many consider the most significant development of the day. Dorsey declined to reveal how many men he has working the case or what, if anything, they have uncovered.
The city spent much of Friday drowning in unfounded rumors, including widespread whispers that one or both suspects had confessed. Officials were forced to repeatedly deny the claims, calling them entirely without basis.
Coroner Paul Donehoo, who has subpoenaed more than 100 witnesses, confirmed the inquest will resume Monday at 2 o'clock. He cautioned against impatience, noting that in many difficult cases, months have passed before detectives could pin guilt on the right person.
A Growing Army of Investigators
Beyond the city detectives and Dorsey's team, the National Pencil Company's Pinkerton agents are also active on the case, with two additional operatives joining Friday. Pinkerton representative Harry Scott was direct about his mission: "It doesn't matter whom it hits — we want to find the guilty man and hand every piece of evidence to the state." Colonel Thomas B. Felder, hired by citizens near the Phagan home, is also reported to have a private detective agency working the mystery.
Suspects Moved, Headquarters Quiets Down
Following Thursday's transfer of Leo M. Frank, superintendent of the National Pencil factory, and nightwatchman Newt Lee to the county jail on coroner's warrants, police headquarters returned to relative calm. Chief of Detectives Lanford ordered his men to stop speaking publicly about the case after complaining that even limited statements had been exaggerated and misquoted.
The transfer was prompted partly by legal concerns — both men were arrested in connection with a state, not a city, matter, raising questions about the legality of holding them at police headquarters.
Two Suspects Released
Arthur Mullinax, held on a witness account placing him with Mary Phagan near midnight on the Saturday of her death, was fully cleared and released. He took it in stride. "I knew I was innocent," he said, "and was confident everyone else would know it too." His only concern was whether he had lost his job. Chief Lanford personally promised to help him get it back.
James Milton Gantt was also freed after habeas corpus proceedings. The warrant against him was dismissed.
Militia Scare Fizzles
