Saturday, May 3rd, 1913 Detectives Meet With Coroner and Solicitor Dorsey

No Changes to Monday's Inquest Schedule

Evidence Said to Be Developing, Though Details Remain Undisclosed

The three key figures leading the Phagan murder investigation, Solicitor General Dorsey, the Coroner, and the Chief of Detectives, convened Saturday morning for a conference lasting over two hours. The officials reviewed the evidence gathered so far and considered the various theories put forward, but declined to share any specifics about what was discussed.

It is understood, however, that the officials have aligned on a central theory: that Mary Phagan never left the pencil factory alive. New evidence said to support this view was reportedly developed throughout the day by Detectives Black, Scott, Starnes, and Campbell, though they too refused to reveal its nature.

There are no indications that the legal process will be altered. The coroner's inquest remains scheduled to resume Monday at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

Dr. J. W. Hurt, the county physician who examined the body of the deceased girl, was among those who met with the three officials at the solicitor's office Saturday morning, though he declined to comment on the case. M. B. Darley, general foreman of the National Pencil Factory, along with two female employees, were also questioned during the conference. None of them are said to have offered information of significance.

Officials Visit the Scene

Following the conference, Solicitor Hugh Dorsey, his assistant E. A. Stephens, the Coroner, the Chief of Detectives, and Detectives Black and Scott made their way to the factory, which had closed for the day, to walk through the scene of the crime. The visit was described as an orientation exercise, allowing the Solicitor General to familiarize himself with the building's layout, distances, and other physical details relevant to the case.

Confession Rumors Firmly Denied

Chief of Police J. L. Beavers and Chief of Detectives Newport A. Lanford both issued strong denials Saturday morning regarding reports of a confession from either of the two men currently held at the Tower in connection with the murder.

The two officials dismissed the rumors, which have spread widely across the city, as baseless gossip that does a serious disservice not only to Leo M. Frank, the factory superintendent, and Newt Lee, the night watchman, but also to the investigators working the case. Both chiefs confirmed that Frank and Lee have maintained their original statements, each insisting they have no knowledge of the crime.

The detectives have been spending considerable time tracking down and disproving the flood of wild rumors that continue to circulate, a task assigned to them by Chief Lanford.

The Factory Was Her Last Known Location

Investigators have so far been able to establish that every reported sighting of Mary Phagan after noon on the previous Saturday was unfounded.