The Murder of Mabel Cline: A Chilling Chapter in The Wright Hotel History

In 1928, 32-year-old Mabel Cline, an independent woman from Florida, made her way to Chatsworth, Georgia, where she checked into the Historic Wright Hotel. Though she arrived alone, Mabel was frequently seen in the company of a local man named Ted Fortner.

Tragedy struck on August 10, 1928, when hotel staff grew concerned after Mabel failed to check out as scheduled. Upon alerting law enforcement, a horrifying discovery was made: her lifeless body was found in her room, bearing multiple stab wounds. The brutality of her death led investigators to believe she had known her attacker, and initial suspicions of robbery arose when her purse was found rifled through.

The investigation began in earnest, with investigators interviewing hotel staff, guests, and locals. Whispers of a possible love triangle surfaced, alongside rumors that Mabel had received threatening correspondence prior to her demise. The autopsy confirmed that, in addition to her stab wounds, Mabel had fought back against her assailant, an indication of her desperate struggle for survival.

The murder sent shockwaves through the community, raising safety concerns for the hotel’s guests and tarnishing its reputation. Media coverage of the case was extensive, bringing notoriety to both Mabel’s murder and the historic hotel.

As the investigation unfolded, multiple witnesses testified to having seen Ted Fortner with Mabel shortly before her death, as well as observing him leaving the hotel around the time the crime occurred. These statements contributed to Fortner being charged with Mabel Cline's murder.

When the trial commenced, it became evident that, while the evidence was substantial, it was largely circumstantial. Much of the case rested on witness testimony, lacking the strong physical evidence needed for a conviction. Fortner's character was scrutinized, with his nervous demeanor and evasive responses during questioning casting further doubt on his innocence.

In 1929, the jury acquitted Fortner of all charges, leading to significant tension within the community. This case marked the first major criminal trial in Chatsworth and was met with intense media scrutiny.

To this day, Mabel Cline’s murder remains unsolved, as no additional evidence surfaced to charge anyone else after Fortner’s acquittal. Local lore adds an eerie twist, suggesting that Mabel’s spirit continues to roam the hallways of the Wright Hotel, forever a part of its storied past.