Wednesday, May 28th, 1913<br /><br />Negro Sweeper, It Is Stated, Acknowledges That He Erred in Former Statement to the Detectives.<br /><br />POLICE NOW SATISFIED WITH NEGRO'S EVIDENCE<br /><br />Conley Is Taken to Frank's Cell, But Prisoner Refused to See Him Except in the Presence of His Lawyer.<br /><br />In a gruelling three-hour third degree at police headquarters last night, James Conley, the negro pencil factory sweeper, is reported to have made the statement that he erred in the date of his original confession and that he wrote the murder notes at Leo Frank's dictation at 1 o'clock on the Saturday of Mary Phagan's disappearance instead of the preceding Friday.<br /><br />In an effort to confront the suspected pencil plant superintendent with this acknowledgement, Chief Beavers, Chief Lanford and Harry Scott, of the Pinkertons, took the negro to the Tower at 8 o'clock, where they tried to gain admission to Frank's cell. Sheriff Mangum refused entrance unless permitted by Frank.<br /><br />When word came to him that the police chiefs and the Pinkerton man desired to confront him with Conley, the prisoner positively refused them an audience, declaring that he would have to first consult his counsel, Attorney Luther Rosser.<br /><br />Secrecy Shrouds Confession.<br /><br />Secrecy shrouds the negro's reported confession amendment. All three men who subjected him to the third degree admit that he has made a statement of importance, but will neither deny nor affirm the rumor of his change of dates. Chief Lanford was seen by a reporter for The Constitution at police headquarters a few minutes after the negro had been returned to his cell.<br /><br />He admitted that an important admission had been made by Conley, and, that as a result, he would be used as a material witness against Frank.<br /><br />He was asked if the negro had revised the date on which he declared he wrote the Phagan murder notes.<br /><br />"I can't say at present. I will not be able to talk for some time yet. Not until the negro makes another affidavit at least," he replied.<br /><br />Judging from this, Conley will be required to attest to a new sworn statement of his confession. Chief Lanford would not commit himself on that subject.<br /><br />Saying that he was not entirely surprised at the result of the examination under which Conley was placed last night, the detective chief said that it was one of the most significant developments of the entire investigation, and that it was valued as highly as any evidence now in his possession.<br /><br />Harry Scott, assistant superintendent of the Atlanta branch of the Pinkertons, who assisted the police officials in the third degree, would not commit himself regarding the rumored amendment to the negro's admission. He said, though, that an acknowledgement of importance had been gained from the prisoner, and that it was damaging to Frank.<br /><br />Police Were Worried.<br /><br />
