Tuesday April 29th 1913
(Page 1 Column 2)
Gatemen T. R. Malone and H. P. Sibley After Viewing Corpse Declare Mary Phagan Sobbing Loudly and Displaying Vehement Feelings Prevented Strange Man From Boarding Train for Washington Neither of Men Detained by Police Is Mysterious Stranger
H. P. SIBLEY gateman and T. R. Malone special officer at the Atlanta Terminal station have identified the dead body of little Mary Phagan as the same girl whom they saw dramatically prevent a man from leaving on train No. 38 for Washington D. C. Friday morning at 11:01 oclock.
Both men declare a young man apparently about twenty five years of age blue eyes light hair weight about 135 pounds and between 5 feet 8 or 9 inches tall dressed in a dark business suit and wearing a derby hat reached the gate that led down to the tracks from which 38 left a few minutes before train time.
Just as the man reached the gate said Mr. Sibley and showed me his ticket to Washington a pretty little girl in her early teens slipped up behind him and caught him by the arm. He seemed irritated and pushed her away. You are trying to get away from me she cried stamping her foot. You are trying to leave me and you shant do it.
HE REFUSED TO KISS HER.
The man refusing to kiss her again jerked away saying he had paid 1 taxi hire to tell her goodbye. No you didnt screamed the girl you are trying to slip away from me and you cant do it. The man then appealed to me to quiet her and winking asked me if I had seen him come up to the gate before and then go away. I replied that I had but of course did not know where he had gone. This did not seem to quiet the child at all and again she accused him of trying to leave her.
The fellow started down the steps and the girl set up the worst screams I have ever heard and attempted to get past me. I caught her by the arm and held her but she made so much noise and stamped her feet so in her fury that he came back and the two went over to the other side of the promenade to talk it over. She was still very much excited and was crying.
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