Buckhead in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Gov. John M. Slaton
1866-1955
Photographed By Jerry Klinger, June 17, 2015
1. Gov. John M. Slaton Marker
John Marshall Slaton was born in Meriwether County and graduated from the University of Georgia before practicing law in Atlanta. Slaton served in both houses of the Georgia legislature and two terms as governor (1911-12 and 1913-15). While in office, he modernized Georgia’s tax system and roads. Concerned by the sensationalized atmosphere and circumstantial evidence that led to the notorious 1913 conviction of Jewish businessman Leo Frank in the murder of teenager Mary Phagan, Slaton granted Frank clemency in June 1915. Slaton’s commutation of Frank’s death sentence drew national attention but hostile local backlash resulted in Frank’s lynching in August 1915 and the end of Slaton’s political career. Slaton lived on property adjacent to today’s Atlanta History Center and Slaton Drive (named in his honor). He is buried in Oakland cemetery.
Erected 2015 by Georgia Historical Society, Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Atlanta History Center. (Marker Number 60-14.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. series list.
Location. 33° 50.477′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Civil War Siege Cannon (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Swan House (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Swan House (approx. ¼ mile away); “The Storyteller” (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Buckhead Theatre / The Social Center Reimagined (approx. 0.3 miles away); Meet You at the Buck's Head / The Commercial Core Reimagined (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ward's Div. Encamped (approx. half a mile away); 4th A.C. at Buckhead (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . The Lynching of Leo Frank The Commutation of Gov. John Slaton. (Submitted on May 28, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
2. Gov. John M. Slaton
Unknown photographer, via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1910
3. Leo Frank (1884–1915)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2016, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 480 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 5, 2016, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on May 28, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on November 21, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
