Guard of Secrecy Is Thrown About Phagan Search by Solicitor

Dorsey refuses to name new witnesses, citing fear of outside interference; declares evidence in hand far surpasses Stover girl's testimony in importance

Saturday, May 10th, 1913

Dorsey Satisfied With Progress

Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey declared Saturday afternoon that he was well satisfied with the progress of the Mary Phagan murder investigation, and made a pointed remark that he would not be releasing the names of new witnesses to the press. His reason was direct: he would not allow what he called "manufacturers of public opinion" to make contact with them before they appeared before the grand jury.

Dorsey spent the entirety of Saturday working the case and announced he intended to continue through Sunday, pressing to have his evidence ready for presentation to the grand jury as early as possible next week.

Medical Report to Be Rushed

The solicitor held a private conference Saturday with Dr. H. F. Harris of the State Board of Health, who conducted the examination of Mary Phagan's body. Dr. Harris said he would complete his report in time for it to be placed before the grand jury when that body takes up the case next week. Dorsey declined to reveal what the physician had found thus far.

Also under continued examination was the bloodstained shirt discovered in the back yard of night watchman Newt Lee's home. The solicitor indicated he was far from satisfied that investigators had correctly determined its significance.

Exclusive and Valuable Evidence Secured

Beyond what he would say publicly, Dorsey confirmed only that evidence he described as "exclusive and valuable" had been obtained. He declined to elaborate, stating that details would be disclosed at the proper time.

The evidence, he said, is the product of work carried out by private detectives retained for the case, including the individual he referred to Friday as "the best detective in America."

Dorsey brought up the evidence when asked about the statement of Monteen Stover, the 14-year-old former employee of the National Pencil Company, whose account directly contradicts the inquest testimony of Superintendent Leo M. Frank. While he acknowledged the Stover girl's statement was of interest, he was emphatic on one point: the other evidence already in his possession was far more important and far more tangible.

The Contradiction at the Heart of the Case

Stover's account places her inside Frank's office at exactly 12:05 on the afternoon of Saturday, April 26th, the day Mary Phagan's body was later discovered. She found the office completely deserted.

Frank, by contrast, testified at the inquest that he had not left his office at any point between noon and 12:25, when his foreman Lemmie Quinn arrived. He further testified that Mary Phagan came to collect her pay at approximately 12:05 during that same period.