vanishingevidence

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Tuesday, April 29, 1913: Notes May Have Been Written to Protect Night Watchman

The Atlanta Georgian highlighted theories that the incoherent notes found with Mary Phagan were crafted to shield night watchman Newt Lee. One reinterpretation suggested the killer told the girl to “play like the night watch did it,” then blamed another negro. This raised questions about the killer’s possible connection to Lee.
The Atlanta Georgian – Tuesday, April 29, 1913
Support the truth: Get the second revised edition of Mary Phagan-Kean’s book, The Murder of Little Mary Phagan (2025 edition). Available on Amazon or directly at www.littlemaryphagan.com. Proceeds fund a documentary honoring Little Mary. First edition free download on the site.

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Tuesday, April 29, 1913: Slayer’s Bloody Handprint Found on Girl’s Arm

The Atlanta Georgian reported a major new development in the Mary Phagan murder case: distinct fingerprints, stamped in blood, were discovered on the right sleeve of the 14-year-old girl’s lavender silk dress. The clear imprints of two fingers and a blurred thumb appeared just below the shoulder, as if made by a powerful hand gripping her arm.
The discovery was made during a detailed examination of the victim’s clothing. Detectives and Pinkerton agents viewed it as a strong, tangible clue, planning to use the Bertillon system (early fingerprint identification) to compare prints from suspects. Dr. J. W. Hurt, the county physician, also conducted a private examination of the body but withheld details.
The Atlanta Georgian – Tuesday, April 29, 1913
Support the truth: Get the second revised edition of Mary Phagan-Kean’s book, The Murder of Little Mary Phagan (2025 edition). Available on Amazon or directly at www.littlemaryphagan.com. Proceeds fund a documentary honoring Little Mary. First edition free download on the site.

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Police Puzzle Over Two Mysterious Notes in Phagan Case

Published the same day the body was found, this Atlanta Georgian story focuses on the two incoherent notes recovered from the cellar. The notes appeared to accuse a Black man and raised immediate questions about their authorship — the victim in her final moments or the actual killer trying to deflect blame.
The Atlanta Georgian – Monday, April 28, 1913
Support the truth: Get the second revised edition of Mary Phagan-Kean’s book, The Murder of Little Mary Phagan (2025 edition). Available on Amazon or directly at www.littlemaryphagan.com. Proceeds fund a documentary honoring Little Mary. First edition free download on the site.

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Handsome Youth Mullinax Held in Mary Phagan Slaying

The Atlanta Constitution’s April 28, 1913 report on the arrest of 28-year-old Arthur Mullinax. Taken into custody while leaving his sweetheart’s home, he faced questioning over eyewitness accounts placing him with Mary Phagan near the factory after midnight. He denied any close relationship with the victim.
The Atlanta Constitution – Monday, April 28, 1913
Support the truth: Get the second revised edition of Mary Phagan-Kean’s book, The Murder of Little Mary Phagan (2025 edition). Available on Amazon or directly at www.littlemaryphagan.com. Proceeds fund a documentary honoring Little Mary. First edition free download on the site.

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Atlanta Constitution’s Historic First Article on the Phagan Murder

The very first newspaper report on the murder of Little Mary Phagan, published the morning her body was found. This Atlanta Constitution piece describes the basement scene, the watchman’s discovery, the two notes, physical evidence, and the immediate police focus on Newt Lee and possible accomplices.
The Atlanta Constitution – Monday, April 28, 1913
Support the truth: Get the second revised edition of Mary Phagan-Kean’s book, The Murder of Little Mary Phagan (2025 edition). Available on Amazon or directly at www.littlemaryphagan.com. Proceeds fund a documentary honoring Little Mary. First edition free download on the site.