JAMES MILTON GANTT, Sworn In For The State, 9th To Testify

James Milton Gantt, witness for the State, at the Trial of Leo Frank in the Fulton County Superior Court of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1913 (Testimony Portion From July 28 - August 21, 1913; Closing Arguments August 21-25, 1913)
James Milton Gantt, former shipping clerk (discharged April 7 for $2 payroll shortage), testified:
Pre-murder

Knew Mary Phagan as child; Frank knew her—“You seem to know Mary pretty well” (Saturday correction).
Pay envelopes: Girls swapped with Frank’s knowledge.
Frank: “Best office force”; clock visible from desk (safe closed).

Saturday, April 26

~6:00 p.m.: Saw Lee outside; Frank in window.
Frank: Jumped, stepped back, pale, nervous, stuttered—“What kind of shoes?”
Allowed entry with Lee escort; found shoes (tan + black).

Cross-examination

Coroner’s inquest: No “know Mary well”—recalled after arrest (April 28–May 1).

Gantt’s “nervous Frank” and “Mary familiarity” became State’s motive.
Defense shredded: $2 dispute, jail recall, no prior Mary link—“disgruntled ex-clerk” turned prosecution’s “smoking gun” into revenge.