Third Time Unfortunate Victim's Remains Have Been Exhumed — Dorsey Says Officials Are Not Looking for Finger Prints, but Other Clews
The body of Mary Phagan was exhumed early on Wednesday, May 7th, 1913, for the second time in two days.
The unofficial explanation given for the exhumation is that a microscopic and minute examination of every wound on the body is to be conducted, with attention to finger prints and other clews.
Solicitor Dorsey indicated that the police are not operating on the belief that finger prints would prove helpful in solving the mystery, noting that even if any prints remain, the body has been embalmed and handled by numerous persons since it was first discovered in the basement of the pencil factory.
Nevertheless, it may be safely stated that a microscopical examination will be made of every mark found on the body. It was reported prior to the departure for Marietta that a Bertillon expert had been engaged, and that should any finger prints be found, photographs would be taken and careful measurements recorded for purposes of comparison.
Will Compare Finger Marks
With those records in hand, authorities will be able to compare them against the finger prints of Frank and Lee, as well as those of any suspects taken into custody at a later time.
Notwithstanding these speculations as to the purpose of the exhumation, Solicitor Dorsey declared on Wednesday morning that obtaining finger print records was not the primary aim. One of the principal reasons for the action, he stated, was to secure a strand of the girl's hair for comparison with hair found on the lathing machine in the tipping department at the factory. It was at that location that detectives previously discovered blood spots on the floor and other evidence of a struggle.
Solicitor Dorsey, on whose order the body was exhumed on both occasions, declined to elaborate further on his reasons.
"I cannot talk in regard to the matter," he said. "The body was exhumed, it is true, at my request. But to reveal further plans would be hurtful."
Thinks She Did Not Leave Factory
The Solicitor expressed full agreement with the theory that Mary Phagan never left the factory after receiving her pay on Saturday noon. He declared that if any search was being conducted for the man seen in the company of a girl on Saturday, April 26th, by employees of the Terminal station, it was not being carried out under his direction.
Dr. Harris is to conduct a more thorough examination of the wounds on the girl's body than has previously been performed. It is believed this examination is intended to confirm a new theory advanced either by Dr. Harris or the Solicitor General.
The results of the chemical analysis conducted in Dr. Harris's laboratory at the State Capitol have not yet been made public.
