Chapter 18: Leo Frank Historical Marker Approved in 2006; Dedicated 2008 Final

Word Count: 1115 Words, Reading Time: 5 Minutes

Last Updated on July 28, 2024 by Mary Phagan

Coming Events:  Joe Kirby Editorial Page editor of the Marietta Daily Journal, April 16, 2006

"'Lunch and Learn' Series at the Marietta Museum of History, the Frank trial will be re-explored by assistant Cobb District Attorney Van Pearlberg, one of the most knowledgeable of the younger generation of local Phagan/Frank, aficionados. The event will take place April 25 starting at 10:30. Tickets are $30 per person, with reservations required." Attending will be Mary Phagan-Kean, great-niece of murder victim, Mary Phagan.

A convicted murderer gets a historical marker.

So why does a convicted murderer get a historical marker?  Leo Frank was found guilty by a jury who heard facts and evidence of the case.  The jury convicted him and recommended the death penalty.  Why is the jury and appeals [13 total and not one appeal felt that Leo Frank was not guilty] all the way to the Supreme Court being discredited?   The jury and the judges were not corrupted or irresponsible in the performance of their duties.

Letter to Georgia Historical Society regarding Historical Marker for Leo Frank Lynching:  October 16, 2006

1050 Rockcrest Drive

Marietta Georgia 30062-3013

 

Georgia Historical Society

501 Whitaker Street

Savannah, Georgia 31401

October 16, 2006

 

Dear Ms. Crisp:

In the October 7, 2006 Atlanta Journal and Constitution, I read that the Georgia Historical Society approved a state historical marker for the 1915 lynching of Leo M. Frank in Marietta.  I have great concerns regarding this marker especially since Leo M. Frank is still the convicted murderer of my great aunt, Little Mary Phagan.

My family has no objection to anyone expressing their opinions on this case but we do insist organizations such as the Georgia Historical Society preserve history by making sure that the truth and facts are not distorted by groups that “use this case for their own purposes”.   Unfortunately, different groups have not told the complete facts regarding the posthumous pardon that was issued to Leo M. Frank on March 11, 1986.  The posthumous pardon states:

“In 1983, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles considered a request for a Pardon implying innocence but did not find “conclusive evidence proving beyond any doubt that Frank was innocent.”  Such a standard of proof, especially for a 70year-old case, is almost impossible to satisfy.

Without attempting to address the question of quilt or innocence, and in recognition of the State’s failure to protect the person of Leo M. Frank and thereby preserve his opportunity for continued legal appeal of his conviction, and in recognition of the State’s failure to bring his killers to justice, and as an effort to heal old wounds, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, in compliance with its Constitutional and statutory authority, hereby grants to Leo M. Frank a Pardon.”

Leo M. Frank, is and remains, the convicted murderer of Little Mary Phagan.   I am enclosing a copy of the posthumous pardon for your review.

The city of Marietta has a historical marker over the gravesite of Little Mary Phagan.  This marker is not the original marker.  A group was not happy that the original marker included that the pardon for Leo Frank “did not address his guilt or innocence”.  The original marker was taken down and replaced with the current marker that ends with the statement “Leo M. Frank was issued a posthumous pardon in 1986.  This is not an accurate fact and distorts history.

I do hope that you consider all the facts if the pardon is part of the state historical maker. I believe that the issue regarding his guilt or innocence in reference to the posthumous pardon is an important fact and is necessary to maintain historical accuracy and should not be omitted in regards to the posthumous pardon. The fact is that Leo M. Frank is still guilty and is the convicted murderer of Little Mary Phagan.  I appreciate your consideration in this matter.

Should you have further questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me.  I will be out of the country until October 28.

Sincerely,

Mary Phagan-Kean

Mphagank@aol.com

770-977-9490

404-403-8526 Cell

Response from Ms. Crisp:  October 25, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erected 2008 by The Georgia Historical Society, the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, and Temple Kol Emeth. (Marker Number 33-1.) It was removed by the Georgia Department of Transportation when road construction at the site made it unsafe for public viewing. Once construction was complete, GDOT created the current green space as a permanent home for the marker.

Inscription:

Near this location on August 17, 1915, Leo M. Frank, the Jewish superintendent of the National Pencil Company in Atlanta, was lynched for the murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory employee. A highly controversial trial fueled by societal tensions and anti-Semitism resulted in a guilty verdict in 1913. [This particular claim is central to the belief that anti-Semitism infected Frank’s murder trial and tainted the guilty verdict which didn't happen according to Steve Oney, ADL expert who refuted this claim in 2003.  So why are these organizations [The Georgia Historical Society, the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, and Temple Kol Emeth, Historians] continuing to deliberately promote and deceive the public.] After Governor John M. Slaton commuted his sentence from death to life in prison, Frank was kidnapped from the state prison in Milledgeville and taken to Phagan’s hometown of Marietta where he was hanged before a local crowd. Without addressing guilt or innocence, and in recognition of the state’s failure to either protect Frank or bring his killers to justice, he was granted a posthumous pardon in 1986.

Atlanta, August 23, 2018 – The Georgia Historical Society was honored to join the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, and Temple Kol Emeth for a ceremony rededicating the Leo Frank Lynching historical marker at the intersection of Roswell Road and Highway 401 in Marietta today.

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM
The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) administers Georgia’s historical marker program. Over the past 20 years, GHS has erected over 250 new historical markers across the state on a wide variety of subjects. GHS also maintains the more than 2,100 markers installed by the State of Georgia prior to 1998. Online mapping tools allow users to design driving routes based on historical markers, and a mobile app helps visitors locate and learn about markers nearby.Visit georgiahistory.com for more ways to use Georgia’s historical markers and experience history where it happened.