Murder at the Pencil Factory: The Killing of Mary Phagan 100 Years Later (A True Crime Short)

By R. Barri Flowers

From award winning criminologist R. Barri Flowers and the bestselling author of THE PICKAXE KILLERS and THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS, comes a powerful new historical true crime short, MURDER AT THE PENCIL FACTORY: The Killing of Mary Phagan 100 Years Later.

On the afternoon of April 26, 1913, thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan arrived at the National Pencil Factory in Atlanta, Georgia, where she worked, to pick up her paycheck.

The next day, Mary’s bloody, battered, and bruised dead body was found in the basement of the pencil factory, the victim of foul play.

The Jewish-American factory superintendent Leo Frank was arrested, tried, and convicted for the murder in a controversial trial. Frank himself became the victim of a lynch mob, when they broke him out of prison and hung him from a tree.

But was Leo Frank truly guilty of Mary Phagan’s violent death? Or did the real killer get away with cold-blooded murder? Read this compelling tale of child murder, anti-Semitism, racism, and legal twists and turns that rival any true crime case today and decide for yourself.

Included is a complete and riveting bonus story from the bestselling true crime book, SERIAL KILLER COUPLES, by R. Barri Flowers, in which ruthless killers Alvin and Judith Neelley abducted thirteen-year-old Lisa Millican from a mall in Rome, Georgia, and sexually violated, tortured, and murdered her.

An added bonus is an excerpt from the author’s bestselling true crime short, THE PICKAXE KILLERS: Karla Faye Tucker and Daniel Garrett, who brutally murdered two people in a death penalty crime that shocked the nation.

PRAISE FOR TRUE CRIME BOOKS BY R. BARRI FLOWERS

"Selected as one of Suspense Magazine's Best of 2011 books." -- John Raab, CEO/Publisher on THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS

“A gripping account of the murders committed by husband-and-wife serial killers Gerald and Charlene Gallego." -- Gary C. King, author of Blood Lust on THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS

“A model of exposition not to be missed by anyone interested in the annals of American criminal behavior.” -- Jim Ingraham, Ph.D., professor emeritus of American Studies at Bryant University on THE PICKAXE KILLERS

"R. Barri Flowers always relates an engrossing story." -- Robert Scott, author of The Last Time We Saw Her on THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS

"Striking, well-written tales sparkle in this ocean of murder." -- Diane Fanning, author of Mommy's Little Girl on MASTERS OF TRUE CRIME

“Exhaustively researched, each storyteller brings their own unique prose to these pages, creating what will soon become a true crime classic." -- Kevin M. Sullivan, author of The Bundy Murders on MASTERS OF TUE CRIME

“This book should be a mandatory purchase and read for any true-crime buff.” -- Steven A. Egger, PhD, associate professor on MASTERS OF TRUE CRIME

“Incredible cases, psychopathic killers, unwitting victims, along with the very best writers, make for an exciting, no-holds-barred, soon-to-be true-crime classic.” -- Dan Zupansky, host of True Murder on MASTERS OF TRUE CRIME

"An indispensable sourcebook for anyone interested in American homicide, from law-enforcement professionals to armchair criminologists." -- Harold Schechter, author of The Serial Killer Files on THE DYNAMICS OF MURDER

“Vivid case studies of murder to complement this well researched criminology text." -- Scott Bonn, Ph.D., criminology professor on THE DYNAMICS OF MURDER

• Language: English
• Publisher: R. Barri Flowers
• Release date: May 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301379514

R. Barri Flowers

R. Barri Flowers is the award winning author of romantic suspense, mystery, thriller and crime fiction with thirteen Harlequin titles published to date. Chemistry and conflict between the hero and heroine, attention to detail, and incorporating the very latest advances in criminal investigations, are the cornerstones of his crime and thriller fiction. He enjoys travelling around the country and abroad to scope out intriguing settings for future storylines, books, and miniseries.

Book preview

MURDER AT THE PENCIL FACTORY:

The Killing of Mary Phagan 100 Years Later

(A True Crime Short)

Copyright 2013 by R. Barri Flowers at Smashwords. All rights reserved.

Cover Image Copyright DeZet, 2013

Used under license from Shutterstock.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

OTHER TRUE CRIME BOOKS BY R. BARRI FLOWERS

The Dynamics of Murder: Kill or Be Killed

Mass Murder in the Sky: The Bombing of Flight 629 (historical short)

Masters of True Crime: Chilling Stories of Murder and the Macabre (editor)

Murders in the United States: Crimes, Killers, and Victims of the Twentieth Century

The Pickaxe Killers: Karla Faye Tucker & Daniel Garrett (true crime short)

Prostitution in the Digital Age: Selling Sex from the Suite to the Street

Serial Killer Couples: Bonded by Sexual Depravity, Abduction, & Murder

The Sex Slave Murders: The True Story of Serial Killers Gerald & Charlene Gallego

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PRAISE FOR TRUE CRIME BOOKS BY R. BARRI FLOWERS

Selected as one of Suspense Magazine's Best of 2011 books. — John Raab, CEO/Publisher on THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS

A gripping account of the murders committed by husband-and-wife serial killers Gerald and Charlene Gallego.... Flowers knows his stuff. Compelling reading. — Gary C. King, author of Blood Lust on THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS

A model of exposition not to be missing by anyone interested in the annals of American criminal behavior. — Jim Ingraham, Ph.D., professor emeritus of American Studies at Bryant University on THE PICKAXE KILLERS

R. Barri Flowers always relates an engrossing story. — Robert Scott, author of The Last Time We Saw Her on THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS

Striking, well-written tales sparkle in this ocean of murder. Crimes spanning a century and stretching across an ocean are a diverse collection of the macabre. — Diane Fanning, author of Mommy's Little Girl on MASTERS OF TRUE CRIME

Exhaustively researched, each storyteller brings their own unique prose to these pages, creating what will soon become a true crime classic. — Kevin M. Sullivan, author of The Bundy Murders on MASTERS OF TUE CRIME

This book should be a mandatory purchase and read for any true-crime buff. It is, indeed, an exceptional collection of true-crime stories. — Steven A. Egger, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of Criminology Program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake on MASTERS OF TRUE CRIME

Incredible cases, psychopathic killers, unwitting victims, along with the very best writers, make for an exciting, no-holds-barred, soon-to-be true-crime classic. — Dan Zupansky, host of True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History on MASTERS OF TRUE CRIME

An indispensable sourcebook for anyone interested in American homicide, from law-enforcement professionals to armchair criminologists.... Consistently fascinating read. — Harold Schechter, professor of American Literature and Culture and author of The Serial Killer Files on THE DYNAMICS OF MURDER

Vivid case studies of murder to complement this well researched criminology text. Mr. Flowers' clear and concise writing style make this important new book a terrific addition to the classroom and home library. — Scott Bonn, Ph.D., professor of Criminology and media analyst on THE DYNAMICS OF MURDER

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In memory of Mary Phagan and other children whose lives have been cut short as crime victims.

And to Michigan State University's School of Criminal Justice that gave me my start as a student and propelled me to a longtime career as a literary criminologist.

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As the author of the bestselling true crime reference book, MURDERS IN THE UNITED STATES: Crimes, Killers, and Victims of the Twentieth Century, I have researched thousands of homicide cases in this country.

The tragic tale of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan, who was murdered a century ago, stands out as one of the most shocking crimes in its brutality and the aftermath. As such, it has stood the test of time and is worth taking a fresh look at for true crime fans and historians as part of my true crime series, R. Barri Flowers Murder Chronicles.

Best,

R. Barri Flowers

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Murder at the Pencil Factory: The Killing of Mary Phagan 100 Years Later

Alvin Neelley & Judith Ann Neelley - Bonus Excerpt from Serial Killer Couples

The Pickaxe Killers: Karla Faye Tucker & Daniel Garrett - Bonus Excerpt

About the Author

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MURDER AT THE PENCIL FACTORY

The Killing of Mary Phagan 100 Years Later

On Saturday April 26, 1913, Mary Phagan, age thirteen, became the victim of a violent death at the National Pencil Factory in Atlanta, Georgia where she was employed. Her job at the factory was putting erasers into the metal casing atop pencils. The appalling crime left residents of the city outraged and wanting justice for the victim. Fingered for the crime and convicted was factory superintendent Leo Frank, a Jewish-American, who would be hanged by a lynch mob in spite of controversy surrounding Frank's guilt. The century old case was every bit as captivating and