1913-05-13-franks-life-in-tower

Of all the prisoners currently confined in the Tower, Leo M. Frank stands apart as the one who commands the greatest public attention, even as the investigation into Mary Phagan's death continues without resolution.

Hundreds of curious citizens present themselves at the prison each day in hopes of catching a glimpse of the man at the center of the mystery, only to be turned away. Jailers field a constant stream of questions about how Frank is managing his days behind bars.

Only his attorneys, his closest relatives, and a small circle of friends have been granted access to him. Frank himself has steadfastly refused to speak to reporters or submit to questioning of any kind. On the charges laid against him by the state, he has maintained complete silence.

Cheerful With Friends

With those he knows, however, Frank presents a remarkably composed and even upbeat face. His laughter is often heard echoing through the grim corridors of the Tower. Despite that outward brightness, the weeks of confinement have visibly taken their toll, and he has grown noticeably pale.

Frank is held in Cell No. 2 in the south corridor. His daily routine has settled into the following pattern:

He rises each morning at seven o'clock, shaves with a safety razor supplied by one of the jailers, and dresses for breakfast. His morning meal arrives at half past seven, and he eats it from a low bench that serves in place of a proper table. All of Frank's meals are prepared at his home and delivered to the Tower, and he is permitted to eat whatever he wishes. So far, confinement has done nothing to diminish his appetite, which remains that of a healthy man.

Reads Papers Carefully

After breakfast, Frank is given the morning newspapers, which he reads with close attention, particularly anything relating to his own case. Whatever the printed pages may say about him, he has never been observed to comment on any of it.

He is an avid reader. The single electric lamp in the corridor does not provide sufficient light for comfortable reading from within the cells, so Frank has obtained a candle, and by its flickering flame he works his way through magazines and other periodicals.

Friends begin arriving around nine o'clock in the morning and converse with him through the bars. Dinner is brought to him at two in the afternoon. The rest of the day passes in much the same manner, with more visits from friends and long stretches of reading to fill the hours.

Wife Embraces Him

When Mrs. Frank came to see her husband for the first time since his confinement, on Sunday afternoon, he was permitted to receive her in the consultation room rather than at his cell. The reunion between husband and wife was a moving one.

In tears, Mrs. Frank wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and kissed him. The visit lasted nearly an hour, after which Frank was returned to his cell.