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

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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.

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