Something New About Lizzie Borden

The Fall River Herald News carried this article on the much anticipated book, “Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River” to be published by the Fall River Historical Society “before Christmas”  (3rd time we’ve heard that but this may be the year).

For example, we learn that Lizzie had a live-in travel companion named Trudy who traveled with her to Boston and Washington.    For more tidbits,  read the full article by clicking on the book title above.

Advance sales are available through the FRHS website.

Fall River: You Can’t Go Home Again

Fall River’s Braga Bridge (soon to be painted dark blue)

Fall River is a very different city today than when I first visited there in 1977.  It’s different than it was in the 1980’s and even from the 1990’s.  And to a native Fall Riverite, it is especially different from just 18 years ago.

Haunted attraction in old mill building on Anawan Street.

A person named “Kerri” wrote what I think is a very heartfelt, moving and accurate blog at  ManufacturerThis.org just a couple days ago about Fall River’s decline in the past 18 years when she moved away.   It bears reading.  Here’s an extract:

“It was also a boomtown for iron works, brick makers, and fishermen who supported the manufacturing infrastructure.   But over the last 18 years, Fall River has lost 15,000 manufacturing jobs– in a city of 91,000.   Its unemployment rate is the worst in the state at 14.1%, with New Bedford, MA – a town next door with an economy tied to Fall River’s – second at 14%.”

My only disappointment in reading what she wrote is that neither she nor members of her family got out of their car and walked around.  They might have been even more disappointed if they had.   On the other hand, they might have enjoyed the beautiful vistas from Martha Street and other Hill-crest viewpoints.  They missed walking Main Street, north and south, and observing the mom and pop businesses that have endured for more than 30 years, and the new ones occupying the same floor space of those from a hundred years ago.

By contract, just last month I visited the city where I worked for over 20 years and was bowled over by it’s development.  Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach, California is a thriving, dynamic “happening” place at night with theatres, restaurants, galleries, shops, bistros – people of all ages and origins walking and enjoying themselves.  A highly visible but overtly friendly police presence gives one a sense of safety.  I could not believe it was the town I knew.  Twenty years ago you dared not walk the downtown streets after dark.  The thought occurred to me that this dynamic change could have happened in downtown Fall River.  They could have developed Main Street this way.  But, they didn’t.

I was able to “go home again”, but Kerri wasn’t.  Sad, very sad.

Images of Old Fall River

September 1, 1892

Preliminary Hearing ends; Lizzie held over for Grand Jury and returns to Taunton.

September 2, 1892	Legal document filed allowing Emma Borden as Administrator of Andrew’s estate.
September 3, 1892	Fall River horse cars replaced by trolley cars.

September 2, 1893

Lizzie and Emma move into #7 French Street, Lizzie later names the house “Maplecroft”.

September 3, 1943

92 Second Street house purchased by Wilfred and Alice Gingras from the Fall River Trust Company.

I love old photos of Fall River – some found on the internet, some sold on eBay, some from archival institutions and private collections.  Here are some random photos of Fall River and some of its people in the past:

Slade Ferry Bridge 1905

“Borden” family in 1911 Cotton Centennial Parade

Dr. Dubois office – 1908.

Maplewood Mills – girls packing – 1916.

O’Neil’s spa

LeFleuers pool room – 1910

Durfee Theatre lobby (1929-1973)

Durfee Theatre Stage

Library women at a gathering.

Diving at Globe Wharf

Temperance Bar

Main Street looking North

Piano teacher

Azab Grotto Band

Mayor Buffinton

House fire scene.

Rock Street

Truesdale Hospital – 1905

130 Rock Street

Eagle pool room 318 N. Main – 1915

Alderman’s sleigh

Attorney Blinn

Horse and buggy – 1908

Lincoln Avenue 1900’s

City Hall – after fire of 1886

Drug Store

Mill boys – 1910

Steep Brook school – 1910

Clerk – unknown date

Hotel Wilbur

1st Cotton mill – 1811

The “Welcome” (also called “Victory”) Arch erected on South Main Street between the City Hall and the Granite Block for the July 4th, 1919 celebration welcoming home veterans returning from service during World War 1.

From a real photo post card found in an old Highland Avenue home which, according to the back, shows “The Holmes sisters in their father’s new Reo machine Aug. 1907.” Also written on the back is “Ella- 21 Hanover St. F. R.”

Another real photo post card from an old Highland Avenue estate. Labeled on back- “N.Y. & Boston Express Co. last money wagon in Fall River. 1910 driven by Thomas Fitzpatrick.”  Although likely not armored, the wagon appears to have been made of metal with a rear opening door. It was used to transport currency from the railroad station and steamship wharves to local banks and to provide security for weekly payrolls going to the many city mills.

Durfee Theatre exterior – 1960’s

Aerial view – 1960’s – during construction of Braga Bridge

AA

Ted Kennedy at Al Mac’s Diner

Senator Ted Kennedy – The Lion Sleeps Tonight

“Someday … long after the signs come down and the crowds stop cheering, and the bands stop playing, may it be said of our campaign that we kept the faith.

And may it be said of us, both in dark passages and in bright days, in the words of Tennyson that my brothers quoted and loved, and that have special meaning for me now:

“I am a part of all that I have met
Tho much is taken, much abides
That which we are, we are -
One equal temper of heroic hearts
Strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die. “

~ Senator Edward Kennedy (1932 – 2009)

For those who still harbor hatred for Ted Kennedy, I ask they look up the word “Redemption” in the dictionary – where they will find his picture.

I had the thrill and privilege of meeting him once – and it was in Fall River.

For years Al Mac’s Diner in Fall River, MA has been a favorite eatery of mine. Each visit to the Lizzie Borden house finds me chowing down here at least once. The ambiance is casual “shabby genteel, super friendly, huge portions, cheap prices, and one helleva show at the counter on weekends watching the cook and prepper get those breakfast orders out.

It’s a great place to meet and talk with regular Fall River folk – just as Ted Kennedy did here on the campaign trail. I was there that Tuesday (way to the side – a nano second image) but didn’t have my camera with me!! My friend, Keri Rodrigues from WSAR Radio is the one interviewing Ted.  Anyway, the Kennedy Clan is HUGE in Fall River. JFK even marched down Main Street when he was campaigning for Congressman (or was it Senator?) – a photo of that event was still hanging at Harry’s Diner on Main Street last time I looked.

This video has a long flag waiving introduction so be patient.

Here’s a site showing another image of Al Mac’s and for other local diner’s – take the Diner Tour.

Central Congregational Church auctioned for $250,000

Lizzie Borden’s former church on Rock Street

Here’s how it went down today in Fall River on the public auction of the former Central Congregational Church.

It’s like this: Raped, pilfered and left bleeding, a warden tosses $250,000 at her naked, scared body as if to say: ‘Here, put this on and come with me.’ And so she goes. Who would have thought all her past beauty and home town history could be bought off so cheaply?

Built in 1875, this Gothic Glamour Girl once before fell on hard financial times. But it was her own membership – composed of the shakers and makers of Fall River, that led the charge to raise the then astronomical price of $82,000 to save her. Thanks to the benevolence and deep pockets of some Bordens and Durfees, not to mention the banker Charles Holmes – the Central Congregational Church was saved. Saved by a handful of her citizens. And what was the purchasing power of $82,000 in 1889 dollars compared to today? Better sit down for this one: $1,868,784.

Flash Forward 120 years: Today’s auction of her raped and pillaged body had no real takers to feed and dress her and nurture her back to her glory and prideful days – none save the bank to whom she was already indebted. There were no deep pocket, benevolent individuals to step forward.   There were no “historical society” members (so often pleading for their own survival).  The roar of preservationist outrage for saving another tattered thread in Fall River’s architectural weave was nowhere to be heard. So for a mere $250,000 she is auctioned off today. She’s tattered, beaten and bruised. In need of serious attention, of which she will not likely receive, save for public safety. As the weeds sprout around her and her internal organs continue to deteriorate, this grand lady will succumb to the passages of time. The silence of the vox populi serves up less surprise than sorrow.

$250,000. Shame on you Fall River. Shame on the people in Fall River who have the financial means – but looked away. Not quite the same generation or values as those that rushed to the call for action in pledges on February 11, 1889.

Big Whoop: Lizzie Borden Sent Victorian Greeting Cards!

If I had a “BFD” category on Lizzie Borden, this post would go in it.  From the administrator of the Lizzie Borden Forum comes this statement:

“The Fall River Historical Society has once again allowed us a small glimpse into the world of Lizzie Borden from their soon-to-be-published Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River.

This one is a doozie! Not only do we see Miss Borden in all her jocularity, but we are given in insight that shatters some entrenched myths about this most enigmatic woman.

Lizzie had a soft side.”

Here’s the card.

Well, of course she did.  It was a proper thing to do, and Lizzie was all about being proper with regards to the social customs of the times.  Sending greeting cards was a common practice in Victorian times and it’s no revelation that Lizzie Borden, always adhering to proper deportment (well, almost always) would send out such cards.   The reveal of such a card signed in Lizzie’s hand is hardly a “doozie”, hardly shows us her “jocularity”, and it hardly “shatters entrenched myths” about her.  Such claims are gross exaggerations, but I consider the source.

Lizzie Letters that have been published for years in various books already tell us much about her:  She was thoughtful, kind, valued the loyalty of her friends, was meloncholy at times, and fully understood what being a Borden meant in Fall River.

David Rehak’s book, Did Lizzie Borden Axe for It? was the first to print the newest found letter in Lizzie’s hand and I think we can make a pretty fair interpretation from it that Lizzie was somewhat vane, and loved the finer things in life.  We already know her home was tastefully furnished with expensive furniture, fixtures, wallpaper, drapes, and nick nacks.  Her pride (and understanding) of being a Borden was something she did not wish to diminish or change.  While she may have altered her first name from Lizzie to “Lisbeth”, she kept her Borden name and stamped its first letter on some of her possessions and even etched it in glass on one of the doors in Maplecroft.  “B” for Borden.  Yep, Lizzie understood the respect, social cache, entitlement, and expected deportment which came with the name “Borden”.

What will be interesting from the collection of letters, cards, journals related to Lizzie in Parallel Lives will be just when and to whom she wrote them and/or just when and from whom they were written to her.  This will serve to indicate who her little circle of friends and acquaintances were.  I’m especially interested in who they were in her later years as I wrote about HERE when detailing her neighbors and speculating on whom might have visited Lizzie at Maplecroft during her last years

I suppose we will continue to get these  little “peek-a-boos” from the FRHS to spike interest in purchasing their new book, an unnecessary endeavor for Lizzie  fans, Fall River history buffs, and Borden case enthusiasts.  It’s like a little game of lifting that Victorian skirt an inch at a time – beyond the tights and petticoats, as the skirt is lifted higher and higher, we await a profound discovery – but, alas, there will be none.

The book will deal primarily with the times in which Lizzie lived, i.e., the environment, customs, mores, day to day life in Fall River’s stratified society and the elite who ran it.

The Lizzie Borden-Earl P. Charlton Connection

The richest man in Fall River was not a Borden, Brayton, Durfee, Remington or Chase.  It was a man who started out with a 5 & 10 cent store – partnered into the Woolworth chain and made a vast fortune that has sustained at least three subsequent generations.

“Earle Perry Charlton, the man for whom the college was named established himself as one of the giants in the annals of chain-retailing industry. He built his company the E.P. Charlton & Co. 5 & 10 Cent Stores from one store in Fall River, Massachusetts opened in 1890 to 53 stores spread across the United States and Canada. By the time of his death in 1930 he had amassed a personal fortune valued at $32 million. He was a visionary, a problem solver, a philanthropist, and above all an honest merchant. He wrote in an article entitled “Mass Selling, an Important Influence,” published in the Boston Transcript in 1929, “That mercantile business would be impossible without…public confidence.”  -The Charlton Story

In 1890- 92 several businesses and organizations were the first to occupy the new Andrew J. Borden Building.  Andrew’s tenants and prospective tenants were in the habit of visiting him at his home at 92 Second Street, which he purchased in 1872.  It’s a very good bet Earle Perry Charlton called upon Andrew there to discuss his occupancy at Andrew’s brand new 3-story structure:  The Andrew J. Borden Building at 41 South Main.  It is very possible even Lizzie met him in her home.

The first floor occupants were:
Charles E. Macomber & Company
and next door at 37 South Main Street was : Knox & Charlton Five and Ten Cent Store – Mr. Seymour H. Knox and Earle P. Charlton, proprietors.

The second floor (39 Main) was occupied by the:
Fall River Christian Science Institute
Mr. Seabury T. Manley (uncle of Miss Alice M. Russell, friend of Lizzie Borden), and Stephen A. Chase (and) Gay’s Gallery of Art,
Mrs. Edwin F. Gay and Mr. Beno Brodkorb, music dealer and teacher.

The next year, the following tenants moved into the building:
Insurance and Real Estate: Mr. Charles C. Cook (financial advisor for the Bordens); and Harry A. Clark & Sons, Mr. Walter M. Barnes, tailor;  Ellen “Nellie” Butler, a dressmaker, and Liza J. Saunders, dress cutting teacher.

Andrew was in the habit of watching his business tenants closely, and when they prospered, he raised their rent.  Charlton only conducted business on Andrew’s property for one year – he was so successful he moved into this building the following year. Charlton’s charitable contributions began early but the evolution of Fall River’s hospitals are, in large part, due to his influence and generosity.

Lizzie Borden was on the Women’s Board of the Fall River Hospital.

Truesdale Hospital was founded in 1905 by Dr. Philemon Truesdale who remained its head until he died in 1947.

In 1926-1927, a new hospital was built through the benefaction of  Earle P. Charlton.

It was at the Truesdale Hospital where Lizzie Borden had her gall bladder operation the year before she died.

Truesdale Hospital 1946

In 1980, Truesdale Hospital merged with Union Hospital to form the Charlton Memorial Hospital at 363 Highland.  It continues to expand and is now part of the Southcoast Hospitals Group.

Whenever you read that “Andrew Borden was one of the richest men in Fall River” – it just wasn’t so.  But THE richest man was Earle Perry Charlton.

100 Awesome Blogs for History Junkies

LINK

My blog made this list – #4 Under “People”.  Nice to be in the company of such terrific bloggers as Laura James of CLEWS.    Many thanks to those who determined and composed the list.

You can click on any of these live links:

“100 Awesome Blogs for History Junkies

If you’re a history junkie, you surely know by now that the Internet is a great tool for finding information. But did you know that blogs are some of the most useful resources out there? Here you’ll find blogs about periods in history, genealogy, war, and lots more.

Periods

Read about specific periods, like the Victorian era and the American Revolution on these history blogs.

1. Cardinal Wolsey’s Today in History: Read Cardinal Wolsey’s blog for thoughts on Tudor, medieval, and early-modern history.
2. Victorian Times: Victorian Times highlights fashion and dresses in Civil War, Dickens, and Victorian style.
3. Boston 1775: Read about the start of the American Revolution in Massachusetts on this blog.
4. The Victorian Peeper: On the Victorian Peeper blog, you’ll read about nineteenth century Britain.
5. Edwardian Promenade: This blog covers the Edwardian period, from about 1880 to 1914.
6. The Victorian Era: Here you’ll read about fun facts from the 19th century.

Art

These blogs highlight the history of fine art.

1. Dracula vs. Eisenstein: This graphic design blog takes its inspiration from art history.
2. Ponder & Dream: Ponder & Dream is all about graphic designs inspired from military history.
3. Shorpy: This “100-year-old photo blog” highlights history in high resolution.
4. The Philatelic Database: This blog offers a look at stamp archives.
5. Food History: Learn about holiday customs and classic recipes on this foodie history blog.
6. Cycling Art: This blog explores the history of cycling through art.
7. Prima la Musica: Check out this blog to get the official word from Mozart.

War

Read these blogs if you’re interested in the Civil War, soldiers, and World Wars.

1. Civil War History: Read Civil War History to learn about the Civil War, as well as new developments in Civil War history.
2. Out of battle: Read anecdotes and articles about the first World War, specifically the 8th Battalion, AIF.
3. Military History Blog: The Military History Blog blogs about the battlefield.
4. Civil War Memory: Read what a high school history teacher and Civil War historian has to say.
5. Old Virginia Blog: Richard Williams, Jr.’s blog is all about the Civil War.
6. WW1: Experiences of an English Soldier: Read Harry Lamin’s letters from the first World War, posted exactly 90 years after they were written.
7. Australian War Memorial: Learn about official records, animals in war, aircraft, and lots more in this Australian war blog.
8. World War II History Blog: In this blog you’ll find news, photographs, “today in history,” and more.
9. Frontier Battles: Frontier Battles is all about wars for and against empire in America from 1607 to 1815.
10. Blog 4 History: Read about American and Civil War history on this blog about the American experience.
11. American Civil War Stories: Revisit the stories of the American Civil War in this blog.
12. 9th Btn Y & L War Diaries: Read the official war diary of the 9th Battalion of the York and Lancaster regiment.
13. What Passing Bells: This blog follows three different families through the first World War.
14. TOCWOC: The Order of Civial War Obsessively Compulsed is a blog about the civil war written by informed amateurs.

Day in History

These blogs offer a daily look at historical events and people.

1. History’s Mysteries: This blog highlights deaths, presidencies, movies and more monuments from history.
2. Inhistoric: Inhistoric explores sports history one day at a time.
3. The Modern Historian: The Modern Historian’s blog offers a look at a day-to-day history around the world.

Religion

Read about historical churches and church history in these blogs.

1. Looking at Sussex Churches: In this blog, you’ll find photos and history of Sussex churches.
2. Church History: Read this blog to learn about the history of the Christian church.

Genealogy

These genealogy blogs share their family history and offer tips for researching your own.

1. iPentimento: Read about the family history of William Livingston Holmes, the first sheriff of Clackamas County in Oregon Territory.
2. Genea-Musings: Get tips, news, humor and more from this genealogy blog.
3. Searching for Family Branches: This blog discusses the importance of genealogy and legacy.
4. Know Your Family History: Check out this blog to get encouragement and tips for genealogy studies.
5. Irish Roots Cafe: The Irish Roots Cafe is dedicated to Irish family history, genealogy, heritage, and more.
6. A Somerset Family History: This researcher shares interesting findings from genealogy studies.
7. Lord and Lady: Visit this blog to follow the blogger’s family genealogy and get access to a large name database.

Cities, Regions, and Countries

Check out these blogs that highlight a specific area of the world.

1. The Bowery Boys: In this blog, the Bowery Boys will explore New York City history.
2. Sparkletack: Sparkletack is a history podcast that celebrates San Francisco.
3. US History Blog: Read American history thought from an independent scholar on this blog.
4. Our Great Southern Land: The blog of Our Great Southern Land follows the history of Australia.
5. History Rhymes: This blogger offers a discussion on American history.
6. My Strange New Mexico: Read about all of the weird goings-on in New Mexico here.
7. Appalachian History: Find stories, quotes, and anecdotes about Appalacia on this blog.
8. Vanishing New York: Vanishing New York looks at pieces of New York City history that are slipping away today.
9. Chicago History: This amateur historian and student shares her findings about Chicago history.
10. The Virtual Dime Museum: This blog discusses Brooklyn and New York City history, including geneaology, pop culture, Victorian news items, and ephemera.
11. Everest by climbers: Learn about Everest history from climbers and beyond on this blog.
12. Kinetic Carnival: The Kinetic Carnival blog is all about the past, present, and future of Coney Island.
13. Local History: This blog takes a look back at the local history of New York City.
14. Brockville History Album: This blog explores the development of the city of Brockville in Ontario, Canada.
15. Lost City: Lost City investigates Old New York as it’s threatened by new development.

Academic

These blogs offer an academic look at history.

1. History News Network: George Mason University’s History News Network shares breaking news about history.
2. History is Elementary: Read about this elementary school teacher’s take on teaching history.
3. Clio and Me: A teacher of European history and researcher of war and society in modern Germany, this blog’s writer has a lot to offer.
4. The Bell Rang: The Bell Rang explores education throughout history.
5. wig-wags: This blog is written by a graduate student in military history.

Antiques

These antiques blogs will show you interesting items from the past.

1. Dumpdiggers: See some of the items that history has left behind in this blog.
2. Antiquarian’s Attic: Read about “forgotten curios and delights” on this blog.
3. Modern Mechanix: On the Modern Mechanix blog, you’ll read spotlights about inventions of the past.
4. Floyd’s Ancient Wonders: Floyd shares his artifacts, archaeology and more on this blog.

Women

Learn about important female figures in history on these blogs.

1. Women of History: Women of History is full of biographies of fascinating women from history.
2. History of American Women: This blog discusses women in the colonies and beyond.
3. Famiss: Famiss is all about women making and discovering history.
4. Scandalous Women: The Scandalous Women blog highlights female figures from Boudicca to Mata Hari.
5. This Intrepid Band: Read about women who served as military nurses from the Boer war to the end of the Great War.
6. History and Women: On the History and Women blog, you’ll read about notorious women who have left their stamp on the world.
7. Civil War Women: This blog features women who made an impact on the Civil War.

Entertainment

Read about entertainment through the years on these history blogs.

1. Cartoon Brew: Cartoon Brew looks back at animations past.
2. Living With Legends: Hotel Chelsea Blog: The Hotel Chelsea blog highlights events, ghosts, authors, and more from the hotel.
3. The History Movies: This blog offers a look at movies and videos from the past.

People

These blogs take an in-depth look at specific people through history.

1. The Abraham Lincoln Blog: Read this blog to learn about Abraham Lincoln’s life and legacy.
2. American Presidents Blog: The American Presidents blog is all about presidents and first ladies.
3. Beloved Eleanor: Beloved Eleanor highlights Eleanor of Castille, a medieval queen and wife of King Edward I of England.
4. Tattered Fabric: Fall River’s Lizzie Borden: In this blog, you’ll read about Lizzie Borden’s life and crimes.
5. Lincoln Studies: This blog offers a look at Lincoln and the American Civil War.
6. What would Lincoln do?: This blogger considers how Lincoln would handle today’s world.

Odd & Interesting

If you’re interested in history that’s a little offbeat, check out these blogs.

1. Damn Interesting: Damn Interesting often highlights unusual historical events.
2. Vintage UFO: Read tales of UFOs and flying saucers past on this blog.
3. What Really Happened: This blog highlights a history that is hidden from public view.
4. CLEWS: Learn about historic true crime on this blog.
5. So Soon No More: Find alternate history, sarcastic humor and more on this blog.
6. Executed Today: In this blog, you’ll see who was executed today in history, and learn about their lives and how they came to be executed.
7. Questionable History: Brittany’s blog about history highlights interesting facts and findings she’s come across in her quest for information.
8. Obscure History: The Obscure History blog presents little known facts and events in history.

Documents & Literature

You’ll find literature, writings, drawings and more in these blogs.

1. BibliOdyssey: BibliOdyssey explores historic books, writings, and drawings.
2. Strange Maps: The Strange Maps blog highlights unique and interesting maps from today and yesterday.
3. Civil War Literature: Read about books, autographs, and other writings from the Civil War in this blog.

General History

Read these blogs to see a wide variety of highlights through history.

1. The People History Blog: In The People History blog, you’ll read about stories that made the news each year.
2. Informed Comment: Juan Cole’s blog is all about the Middle East, history, and religion.
3. World History Blog: Check out the World History Blog to see lots of different aspects of world history.
4. 101 Greatest Olympic Moments: Explore some of the most exciting times in modern sports history through this blog.
5. His-Story: This blog highlights the important events in the history of the world, particularly Indian history.
6. You’re History: This blog offers a friendly look at entertainment, events, and more in history.
7. Mystic Chords of Memory: This history lover shares her photos and travels.
8. My Adventures in History: Follow this blogger around as she explores adventure in history.
9. The History Tavern: The History Tavern shares interesting stories and anecdotes from the past.
10. Branding Fire: Branding Fire discusses both history and entrepreneurship.”

Happy Fourth of July!

And thank you Richard Borden for, well, for all those other Bordens. 

Ownership of the House Next Door to “Maplecroft”

UPDATE:  Not only do I get emails like this one from “JC” (also scroll down to see “Recent Comments” on the right side of this page) but there were several negative comments on the FRHN online site about Ms. Koorey.  People posted that she was not liked, had caused some grief to friends of people in Fall River, and was all about “look at me! Look at me!” in her unabashed self promotion.  I’ve found out Ms. Koorey demanded the FRHN remove those comments.  Clearly she’s frantic to protect a reputation that is already tarnished.  Here’s “JC’s” comment with the IP address partially deleted by me:

—–Original Message—–
From: JC [mailto:donotreply@wordpress.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2009 1:12 PM
To: phaye@npgcable.com
Subject: [Tattered Fabric: Fall River's Lizzie Borden] Comment: “Ownership of the House Next Door to “Maplecroft”"

New comment on your post #2512 “Ownership of the House Next Door to “Maplecroft”"

Author : JC (IP: 71.2211.clsp.qwest.net)

E-mail :

URL    :

Whois  : http://ws.arin.net/cgi-bin/whois.pl?queryinput=71.22

Comment:

“What a great listing for researching Fall River online.  Thanks for the links.

btw, sk is not received well here in FR.”

****************

Stefani Koorey posted on her blog, “Mondo Lizzie”, about a grass roots project which attempts to put people in touch with the history of the houses they live or lived in to foster pride in their community.  Below is the video posted in the Fall River Herald News of 6/18/09.

A separate article explains the project further and provides the link to the project home page and it can be read HERE.

It confused me when Stefani referred to “my house”, implying ownership of  328 French Street  – the house next door to “Maplecroft” (where Lizzie Borden resided for the entire second half of her life).  Stefani has incorporated this property with its ownership history into the project as  if it were her own house.

At the project home page given in the second article, a nifty comprehensive listing is provided of public access sites for researching data on properties, such as deeds, mortgages, grantor/grantee, etc.  I used many of these over the years and thanks to the digital age, over the past several years access can be done “remotely”.  Using these public records sites for property research is easy.

For example, if you don’t know who the owner of a property is you can find out through the public access records of  PATRIOT PROPERTIES which is very easy to use.  This fairly new public records online site gives information on sale price, assessed value, deeds, mortgages, any liens, etc., etc.  Pretty cool, huh? Just type in the Fall River Street name and scroll down to the property address and click to get the information.    By typing in the street name of  “French” and scrolling down to the address of 328, you get the name of the owner -  and it isn’t Ms. Koorey.

Bristol County Registry of Deeds on Rock Street

The  BRISTOL REGISTRY OF DEEDS online public access is fairly new, i.e., the past year. By typing in the name of the person or business who owns the property and clicking Search, you get information on Deeds and Mortgages, date of sale, etc.   (I used to have to wait until my visits to Fall River and spend hours inside the Registry of Deeds on Rock Street to get this type of data).

If you’ve already tried these two resource sites you’ll see how easy it was to verify true ownership of 328 French Street.  One has to wonder why a person would convey a false impression as to their status as a property owner, especially when that person makes it known they quit their tenured teaching job as a junior college theater history professor to move to Fall River primarily to live next door to “Maplecroft” and chase the Lizzie Borden legend.   Sadly, when Ms. Koorey was on WSAR Radio this week helping to promote the Lizzie Borden Live! play, she asked the radio host, Mike Herren, to mention on air that she was still looking for a job.  He did and I was quite embarrassed for her.  I wondered if she chose to give an impression of being a Fall River property owner to lend more credibility to her project which is targeted for Fall River property owners?  Perhaps that impression was better than merely stating she was a transplanted Floridian to Fall River of just one year.

Meanwhile, and more importantly, for those wanting to do further research, here are the public records resources:

• Deeds and Abstracts list land owners. These are found at the Bristol County Registry of Deeds, 441 North Main Street.
• Maps and Atlases show the city from the past. These can be found at three locations: The Fall River Public Library in the Fall River Room, the Bristol County Registry of Deeds, and the Fall River Historical Society.
• City Directories tell us who lived at what address and what their occupation was. City Directories can be found in Microfilm at the Fall River Public Library, in an incomplete set at the Bristol County Registry of Deeds, and at the Fall River Historical Society.
• Published histories about the City of Fall River are available at the Fall River Public Library, and online at the Keeley Library.
• Old copies of the Fall River Daily Globe [1889-1929], the Evening Herald [1905-1928], the Daily Evening News [1868-1926], and the Fall River Herald News [1929-present] can be found on Microfilm at the Fall River Public Library. There are also reels of microfilm with other early Fall River newspapers, a few dating from before the Civil War. Recent issues of the Herald News are available in print. Old newspapers can be a valuable source of information as well as providing a portrait of daily life in different time periods; unfortunately, they are not indexed and often lack a table of contents, so researchers should be prepared to spend some time, especially with 19th century materials. Also note that newspaper obituaries were not standard until around the 1920s; ancestors who died in the 19th or early 20th century may not have had a printed obituary.
• US Census Records are on Microfiche at the Fall River Public Library, and online through AncestryPlus.com (use this source for free with a Fall River Public Library card) at the Fall River Public Library. Census Records are available for the years 1850, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930.
• Water Permits indicate when water mains and/or meters were installed, which can then be used to verify the date of construction of a building. You can find this information by calling the Fall River Water Department at 508-324-2720.
• Survey of Historic Properties are forms that were completed when the city was applying for historic status from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. These pages contain valuable data and information regarding properties all over the city of Fall River. You can find this information at the Fall River Historical Society.
• The Obituary Index can be used to research people and relatives who lived in your house. The index is online at the Fall River Public Library.
• The Fall River Collection at the Fall River Public Library has materials relating to the people and history of Fall River. The collection includes vintage postcards, maps, vital records, city documents, church records, family histories and books. Here you will find information on immigrant groups, businesses, mills, the Fall River Line, schools, churches, historic buildings and the history of Fall River.
• Other sources at the Fall River Public Library include: Vital Records – Various city demographic records, such as births, marriage intentions and deaths, are available in microfiche for the years 1803-1889. These are not indexed and are arranged by date, not name, so searching can be a challenge. Draft Registration Cards – World War I draft registration cards are available on microfiche. Local Histories and Genealogies – Many books of Fall River, Massachusetts and New England history are available in the Fall River Room. There are also genealogical and biographical works, including some individual family histories. 
Church Records – A limited number of church records have been transcribed and are available in the Fall River Room.
• Fall River Property Assessment Data is now online at Patriot Properties.
• Local Fall River History Slides are online.
• Durfee High School Yearbooks are online for selected years.

Lizzie Borden and the Fall River Animal Rescue League

It’s been a week of Portuguese Water Pirates.  No wait.  That’s wrong.  In any event, in honor of Bo Obama, here’s a recycled post tribute of Lizzie Borden and the Animal Rescue League of Fall River.

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Lizzie Borden not only left a huge amount of money to the Animal Rescue League of Fall River when she died on June 1, 1927, but she was also one of its initial financial contributors when it was created in 1914.  Her friend, nurse Helen Leighton and Helen’s friend, school teacher Gertrude Baker were there at the beginning and became founding members of the League.

Helen Leighton

Gertrude Baker

Below is the founding document establishing the League as a corporation by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  (Right click images for larger view).

Reading over the Annual Reports from my collection, its interesting to contrast how the League began.  Here’s a sample Report and a history document recapping its early beginnings.

Click on the link below for a scanned image of the April 15, 1926 “12th Annual Report of the Secretary” of the Animal Rescue League of Fall River who, at that time, was Annie E. Allen.

12th Annual Report-1926

Little did the Board of Directors know that less than 14 months later they would be the recipients of large bequests from the Wills of Lizzie ($30,000) and Emma ($20,000) Borden.  Subsequent “Annual Reports” reveal these monies were invested so well that income is still derived from this fund.

The “History” tells us that early fundraising after its incorporation was done in private homes – perhaps even Lizzie’s?  And that they even dressed up as playing cards and had various games.  I like to think Lizzie participated and had some fun.  Stuffy Emma would probably have deferred even if she had still be living at “Maplecroft”.   It was the League who took care of the burial of Lizzie’s dogs according to later Reports filed.

history-1

history-2

Today, the Faxon Animal Rescue League, (formerly the Animal Rescue League of Fall River) located at 474 Durfee Street, pays tribute to the Borden sisters by keeping their photographs on the wall in their lobby.  You can see their pictures in the upper right corner of that photograph as is shown here.

The Month of April – Lizzie Borden

So here’s a partial and selective extraction from my continuous work-in-progress Historic Timeline of Fall River and Lizzie Borden.

April 18, 1774	Paul Revere and William Dawes warn “The British are coming.”
April 19, 1775	Minutemen of Lexington and Concord battle British regulars and start the American Revolution.
April 01, 1778	Oliver Pollock invents the dollar sign, i.e. “$”.
April 30, 1789	George Washington becomes the first U.S. President.
April 4, 1803	First town meeting held at home of Louisa Borden.
April 30, 1803	US more than doubles its size thru the Louisiana Purchase.
April 1, 1844	Abraham Borden invests money for his son Andrew & William Almy to start furniture business. (Andrew is 22 years old).
April 24, 1844	Andrew, Abraham & William Almy purchase lot on Anawan St. for $1500.
April 20, 1854	William S. Borden, son of Deacon Charles L. Borden, is born (Arnold Brown’s “illegitimate son of AJB”)
April 22, 1854	City Charter adopted for Fall River, establishing 6 Wards.
April 22, 1854	James Buffington elected first Mayor of Fall River. Southard Miller elected Alderman of City of Fall River.
April 17, 1859	Philip Harrington, later to be Captain of Fall River Police, is born.
April 3, 1860	Pony Express service begins in St. Joseph. Mo.
April 9, 1865	General Lee surrenders to General Grant, ending Civil War
April 10, 1865	Nathaniel B. Borden dies; former Mayor, Senator, mill owner and bank president. (Married 4 times).
April 14, 1865	Abraham Lincoln assassinated at Ford Theater. (Lizzie is almost 5 yrs old.)
April 26, 1865	American Civil War: Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrenders to Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman at Durham, NC
April 26, 1872	Andrew buys 92 Second St. house from Charles C. Trafton for $10,000. (Lizzie is almost 12 years old).
April 19, 1873	Bessie Borden born. Daughter of Jerome C. Borden.
April 25, 1873	Emanuel Taylor, mill worker, has his arm cut off on machinery. Dr. Seabury Bowen summoned and performs surgery.
April 24, 1884	At 6 PM fire started amongst cotton in the basement of Sagamore Mill No.1
April 14, 1890	John Morse goes to Warren, RI to visit his Uncle Charles Morse for a year and a half. (LR75-76)
April, 1892	Borden barn is broken into while Andrew and Abby are at Swansea farmhouse.
April, 1892	Lizzie tells dressmaker Hannah Gifford that Abby is a “mean, old thing”.
April 3, 1893	Emma & Lizzie sell 74 acres of land to Leander E. Gardner. (LR556)
April 10, 1893	Judge Blaisdell resigns as Judge of the Second District Court.
April 24, 1893	District Attorney Knowlton writes Attorney General Pillsbury that he’d like to “get rid” of the Trial of the case.
April 16, 1894	New Bedford Bar Association formed. Hosea Knowlton is founding member.
April 17, 1897	UFO crashes in Auroa, Texas, dead “alien” found and buried. (Dallas Morning News p5)
April 19, 1897	First running of the Boston Marathon.
April, 1899	Rev. Buck tenders his resignation to Central Cong. Church after 32 yrs of service (HistoryCCC194)
April 17, 1901	William S. Borden is found dead hung from a tree in Fall River with empty bottle of Carbolic Acid by his side..
April 1, 1902	Lizzie purchases east side of Belmont from Mary Swift. (LR559)
April 3, 1905	Nance O’Neil begins 3-week engagement at Tremont Theatre in Boston; leaves for Australian tour one month later.
April 18, 1906	San Francisco earthquake and fire kills 452.
April 22, 1909	John Morse travels from Iowa to Boston.
April 15, 1912	White Star liner Titanic sinks on her maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg; 1,500 die.
April 6, 1913	Boston Sunday Herald special edition: “Lizzie Borden 20 Years After the Tragedy” by Gertrude Stevenson.
April 13, 1913	Boston Sunday Post publishes interview with Emma Borden by reporter Edwin Joseph McGuire.
April 29, 1913	The all purpose zipper is patented.
April 6, 1917	Woodrow Wilson signs Declaration of War against Germany, allowing U.S. to engage in World War I.
April 15, 1919	Strike by Boston operators disrupts telephone service throughout New England.
April 9, 1920	Melvin O. Adams dies at the of 70 in Boston, Mass.
April 15, 1920	Bandits kill guard, shoot paymaster at shoe factory in Braintree, MA (Sacco & Vanzetti case).
April 14, 1924	Lizzie forms a partnership with Jacob Dondis in her half share of the AJ Borden Bldg on So. Main and Anawan.    (LR56)
April 29, 1924	Hannah B. Reagan, former police matron, dies at the age of 73 in Fall River.
April 8, 1927	Two way test of “Television” with AT&T President Gifford & Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover.
April 13, 1933	Emma’s estate sells Maplecroft. (LR561)
April 27, 1933	The play: Nine Pine Street opens on Broadway at Longacre Theatre starring Lillian Gish as Lizzie Borden.
April 18, 1936	Louis McHenry Howe dies at Bethesda Naval Hospital;  Eleanor Roosevelt contacts Grace Howe (Lizzie’s cousin and major legatee) in Fall River and notifies her of her husband’s death. Louis lies in state in the East Room of the White House.
April 19, 1936	Grace and son Hartley travel from Fall River to Washington, DC.
April 22, 1936	President Franklin D. Roosevelt attends Louis McHenry Howe’s burial funeral in Fall River at Oak Grove Cemetery.
April 10, 1944	Orrin Augustas Gardner, cousin and major legatee in Emma’s Will, dies in Deighton, MA.
April 13, 1945	Franklin D. Roosevelt dies. Harry Truman sworn in as President.
April 22, 1948	Premier of Agnes DeMille’s Fall River Legend ballet in NYC.
April, 1952	Edward R. Snow’s radio broadcast stating a boy found undisturbed dust in barn loft on August 4, 1892.
April 10, 1982	Edward Rowe Snow dies at the age of 80.
April 6, 1997	Memorial for Hartley Howe at Fall River Marine Museum where he had been a Trustee.
April, 2003	Robert Dube’ files application with FR Planning Board to build single home on driveway of 306 French; some neighbors protest; Dube’ later rescinds application.
April 8, 2003	The Herald News reports Robert Dube’, owner of 306 French St. (“Maplecroft”) is listing home for sale at $725,000.
April 27, 2005	Demolition begins of Leary Press adjacent to 92 Second St.
April, 2008	Third printing of David Rehak’s Did Lizzie Borden Axe for It? Is published. Contains newly found Lizzie letter.

Fall River – A City Overwhelmed in an Economic Crisis

While towns and cities across the nation suffer during this economic crisis, Lizzie Borden’s Fall River with its nearly 17% unemployment (more than twice the State’s average)  has laid off nearly 150 city workers of which the majority are police and fire personnel.   When a community starts laying off  “first responders” you know they are in deep trouble.  Police patrol levels are down to 1976 levels and most special services have been eliminated or seriously cut back.

Click HERE for a brief video from Boston.com on what is happening to Fall River.  This is a very graphic and depressing report, and certainly does the City no favors in attracting new business or residents.

Even the arts community is suffering from lack of civic support and must deal with inept, unresponsive city officials lacking vision, ethical leadership and appreciation for what the City once had, what it has left, and what still can be saved.

Local activists recently held a rally against the Fall River Redevelopment Authority’s action on proposals to renovate the old Durfee Textile School.  The activists wanted the building to be primarily for artists with no low income housing.  That very afternoon the City went with Peabody Associates (which the group did NOT want) who will have mixed use of condos and arts.  So the group lost.

Stefani Koorey recites a metaphoric poem in the video where she is introduced as “Goofy” and begins by declaring she chose to move to Fall River. The video is about 35 minutes long but once you click it to start and it comes on, slide the bar to 14 minutes, 48 seconds (14.48) and Stefani will be introduced.

Of more importance to Borden buffs who have visited Fall River – but what is off the town’s radar in terms of project priorities – is the bank foreclosure on Abbey Grill, aka the “Central Congregational Church”.

Side view 2008

When the Fall River Herald News reported the closure of the Abby Grill most online citizen comments seemed in agreement that this historic and beautiful and unique edifice  should be torn down and made into a parking lot!

The property will be the subject of an auction next week but given there are hundreds of thousands of dollars in needed repairs and upgrades, prospects for saving it from the wrecking ball seem slim.  This structure is as iconic to Fall River as is the Braga Bridge, Battleship Cove, St. Anne’s and many of the old mills with their towering smoke stacks.

Front view 2006

Fall River’s golden decade was the 1870’s but it never fully recovered from the mid 1920’s when most of the mills had failed.  Today it suffers from lack of industry, severely reduced police and fire services, closing schools, increased crime, high unemployment and a general population that cares little for the historic fabric that made  Fall River  so important to America’s Industrial Age.

Running silent and unseen beneath the surface of  the City,

the Quequechan River empties out into the Bay.

Quiet too are the tears that flow by those who love Fall River

Tears that grieve for its yesteryears

and saddened for its Today.

Random Shots of Fall River

Here’s some shots I just picked at random from my different digital albums of Lizzie Borden’s home town – Fall River. Also some of nearby locales. Enjoy.

Mary Borden Hartley rests near her father, Cook Borden – the mother and grandfather of Grace Hartley Howe.

The beautiful church seats at The Narrows, 45 Anawan Street.

Staircase at The Narrows – imagine the millions of steps up and down by the factory workers, holding the railing, descending after a 14 hour day.

Central Congregational Church

Academy Building Courtyard fronting on Second Street

Sitting Room closet shows bounded Trial transcript. and my “Journey to Maplecroft” game on second shelf.

Rear view of the “Kelley house”, directly south of 92 Second.

The “Henry House”

Kennedy Park

Main Library, post renovation.

Sitting at the bench, New Bedford Superior Court

Oldest house in Fall River

One of the few remaining “grand” carriage houses

Lafayette-Durfee House

From the corner of the grand old carriage house looking at the former Sarah Brayton house.

Seashells at the sea shore.

Center courtyard off the kitchen at Central Congregational

You can’t stand here and get this shot anymore.

Refrigerator at Lizzie Borden B&B.

Home for the Aged – rear view.

Views from Swansea, across the street from Marconi’s

Bet you’ve never seen this shot before.

David Rehak book, Did Lizzie Axe for It?  has first time published portrait of Andrew Borden seen above.

Center Street as seen through window of New Bedford Whaling Museum

Old Gardner cemetery in Swansea

Newport

The Month of February

Fall River looking down North Main – late 1880’s.

Lobby poster for Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer, 1927 -the year of Lizzie’s death.

A sampling of what happened back in Lizzie Borden’s day during the month of February.

Date	Event
February 1, 1894	Spinners line street between Spring & Columbia on both sides of Main St., declaring strike.
February 1, 1893	Robinson joins Lizzie’s defense team.
February 2, 1920	#230 (formerly #92) Second Street house purchased by Mark Mandel from John W. Dunn.
February 2, 1928	Pocassett Mill fire – City Hall, Union Bank bldg, etc. destroyed – over $35 million in property loss.
February 2,1894	Emma signs discharge of Executor duties of AJB estate, witnessed by Henrietta & Elizabeth Morse.
February 2-4, 1926	Lizzie enters Truesdale Hospital for gall bladder operation.  Registers as “Mary Smith”.
February 2, 1902	Philip H. Borden dies in Fall River.
February 3, 1854	Abraham Borden deeds house on Ferry Street to Andrew.
February 4, 1927	The film “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson premieres as the first “talkie”.
February 6, 1940	Weetamoe Mill fire, loss of $450,000.  This mill was owned by the City of Fall River.
February 6, 1844	McKee Rankin (Nance O’Neil theatrical agent) is born in Canada.
February 6, 1879	Charles Churchill, husband of Adelaide, dies at age 35.
February 7, 1965	Nance O’Neil, 90, dies in the Actors Fund Home, Englewood, New Jersey (nursing home).
February 7, 1910	Emma & Lizzie deed 9 acres land e/side Gardner’s Neck Rd, Swansea to Preserved Gardner.
February 10, 1905	John Morse leaves Iowa for Boston.
February 10, 1893	Officer Phillip Harrington,  FRPD, promoted to Captain.
February 11, 1888	Women’s Board of Fall River Hospital is formed.  Miss Anna H. Borden, Treasurer.  (She went on 1890 Grand Tour with Lizzie).
February 11, 1880	Edmund Lester Pearson born in Newburyport, Mass.
February 11, 1889	Service at Central Congregational Church calls for pledges of $82,000 to clear debt.  (Did Andrew contribute?)
February 12, 1892	Former President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is declared a national holiday in the United States.
February 12, 1834	Mass. General Court Assembly changes name from “Troy” to “Fall River”
February 14, 1890	Chicago learns it will be the site for the next World’s Fair.
February 15-16, 1916	Major fire in downtown Fall River – 30 businesses destroyed, over $1.5 million in property loss.
February 16,1897	Providence Daily Journal prints story of Lizzie’s shoplifting at Tilden Thurber.
February 16, 1898	USS Battleship Maine blows up in Havana harbor, 266 killed.
February 17, 1933	2nd Probate Court accounting filed by Charles Cook on Lizzie’s Will for period May 2, 1929 thru Jan.1, 1932.
February 17, 1933	3rd Probate Court accounting filed by Charles Cook on Lizzie’s Will: period May 2, 1929 thru Nov. 28, 1932.
February 18, 1904	Edwin H. Porter, dies in FR at age 39
February 14, 1910	Lizzie sells 18 acres in Swansea (Gardner’s Neck Road)
February 19, 1829	Phebe Ann Borden, Andrew’s sister, born in Fall River.
February 20, 1912	John Vinnicum Morse signs his Last Will & Testament in Hastings, Iowa.
February 22, 1896	Governor Robinson dies at the age of 62 in Chicopee, Mass.
February 24, 1924	1924 Woodrow Wilson dies.
February 25, 1968	Gertrude M. (Russell) Callow, Lizzie’s maid (1912-1913) dies at the age of 79 in Fall River.
February 26, 1829	Hiram Harrington born (marries Lurana Borden, Andrew’s sister).
February 26, 1883	Mary B. Young addresses Fall River City Council proposing her gift of $400,000 for new High School- becomes B.M.C. Durfee High School).

Merry Christmas from the Bordens (2008)

It has been speculated on how Lizzie Borden and her family celebrated Christmas.   Click these links to find out.  Be patient on the loading – it’s worth it!

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE WITH THE BORDENS AT CHRISTMAS!

WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG

BORDEN CHRISTMAS HOE-DOWN

SNOWBALL FIGHT

SNOWBALL FIGHT-VARIATION ON A THEME

THE DANCING BORDENS!

THOSE PESKY BORDEN ELVES

ANDREW’S ENCORE

Meanwhile, down at the Mellen House, here’s what Mayor Couglin, Dr. Dolan, Marshal Hilliard, Inspector Fleet, and pharmacist Eli Bence were doing back in Christmas 1893.

YOU GO GUYS!

I’ll be adding a few more between now and Christmas, so check back soon. 

“Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”

No, not the 1974 Scorsese film but instead the public sentiment in Fall River about Lizzie Borden that surfaces at varying levels of interest and concern.  The town, chamber of commerce, businesses involved in tourism, history buffs, and the resident curious care but not so much for others who believe she should be kept in perspective within the bigger picture of the place in which they live.  So when a new Fall River resident criticizes the sale of a piece of property remotely connected to the Borden case – the 4th estate – and the natives – speak out.

Yesterday’s Fall River Herald had a piece in “Our View” which illustrates this sentiment quite well.   Below is an extract, but you can read the full piece HERE.

“Thumbs down to those criticizing the purchase of 18 Hillside St. by Charlton Memorial Hospital, which plans to combine the land with other area property purchases to use for parking or an expansion of hospital services. The purchase is drawing some controversy because the house at one time was rented to Alice Russell, a friend of Lizzie Borden who testified she saw Lizzie burning a dress in the kitchen stove three days after the 1892 double murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. Lizzie was tried and acquitted of the crimes.
“I am saddened by how Fall River takes care of its history,” said Stefani Koorey, author of “The Hatchet,” a quarterly publication about the murders. “I am sickened that another piece of the story that is Fall River will soon face the wrecking ball.”
First of all, a brutal double murder hardly represents Fall River’s identity, and any suggestion that it does is rather insulting to the city’s 92,000 residents, most of whom will never have any connection to a capital crime. The murders were simply one moment in the city’s history, albeit a famous moment.  Secondly, 18 Hillside St. played no part whatsoever in the historic events. Russell, who was not even a central character in the grisly drama, moved into the house in 1909, 17 years after the murders, long after her friendship with Lizzie Borden had ended.  Any connection to the Borden story is pure fabrication. Charlton shouldn’t think twice before swinging the wrecking ball.”

The “Alice Russell” house

Here is the original Herald article (and the outraged responses) that prompted the “Our View” article.  It gives the background of the property and the Alice Russell connection.  Click HERE.  Not exactly the kind of press Stefani Koorey likes to see of herself.

“This home is at best on the extreme periphery of the Borden saga, if it were Maplecroft itself, that would be a different story. Also, for the record, grand jury indictments are not ‘handed down’, they are handed up.”

“first of all the mayor has nothing to do with this situation, second im so sick of lizzie borden this and lizzie borden that.. fall riverites should be ashamed of lizzie borden. what did she do to benefit fall river anyway….if Stefani was so sickened about the house she could have bought it herself, where does she get off even making a comment about it and why does the herald news even print that crap… Go charlton memorial hospital, you are making fall river a better place every day. progress is progress….”

“What history does this house have except that Lizzie Borden visited it? Lizzie Borden –that’s something Fall River should preserve. I we going to preserve all the houses on 4th and 5th street 100 years from now and say the ‘Bloods’ and the ‘Cripts’ lived here and killed 100 rival gang members???”

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On another note (no pun intended) here’s a little known opera titled “Maplecroft” depicting Lizzie’s post trial life by Paul J. Bothelho produced in 2001.   The video is dark and surreal, the music stunning.  Click HERE.

Carr-Osborne House

Lizzie Borden would have loved to have lived in this one:   The Carr-Osborne House at 456 Rock St., across the street from the Fall River Historical Society, is a Greek Revival, built by Joseph Durfee in 1843.  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and underwent an extensive renovation when Bob Karam of Karam Financial Group bought the property in 1985. It is also known as the Durfee-Carr-Osborne House.

From Fall River – A Pictorial History, Judith A. Boss, 1982.  (Right click for better image)

Frederico Santi & John Gacher bought the property from the Presbyterian Church for an incredible bargain at $28,000 back in November of 1977.  Having exquisite taste and a Newport business in antiques, these two gentlemen renovated the house and equipped it with the finest of furnishings. Some interiors can be viewed HERE.

When they decided to sell in 1985, it sold the very day the “For Sale” sign went up.  It was purchased by Karam Financial Group and converted into offices for Karam Financial Services.   The Karam Brothers, politically and socially connected, are a bit notorious in Fall River and own extensive properties from shopping malls to WSAR Radio and oodles in between.  These are the kind of guys who can pick up a phone and make things happen – or not.  It’s curious to ponder who may have tipped them off as soon as that “For Sale” sign went up….

The earliest pictures in Karam’s office of the house show cows grazing on the front lawn.

$28,000 in 1977.  Imagine that.  

Fall River’s Friends Cemetery

Lizzie Borden’s burial site at Oak Grove Cemetery is the most visited gravesite on the entire grounds.

Lizzie’s headstone center, right

But Fall River has many other cemeteries.  Seldom visited is the Friends Cemetery at the foot of Hood Street.  Lizzie Borden descended from a line of Quakers.

The Quakers buried here are vitually unknown for not many of the headstones (of those that *did* have headstones), remain today.

Quakers, known for their modesty, believed having headstones was a sign of vanity.

Residential structures were built right over the graves so this cemetery was actually larger than it appears.

This is one of the very few markers that has legible writing on it.

This view shows part of the original stone wall.  Hardly a space getting respect and reverence, the Friends Cemetery is often used as a “relieving” area for those walking their dogs.

From the Fall River Library website, here is a listing of all the cemeteries in Fall River.

Cemeteries in Fall River

Agudath Achim Jewish Cemetery Newhall Street Contact: Adas Israel Synagogue 508-674-9761	Beth El Cemetery N. Main St. Fall River, Mass. 02722 Contact: Temple Beth El (508) 674-3529
Hebrew Cemetery McMahon St. Contact: Adas Israel Synagogue 508-674-9761	North Burial Ground 1360 N. Main St. Fall River, Mass. 02722 (508) 672-3041 Established 1810
Notre Dame Cemetery 1540 Stafford Rd. Fall River, Mass. 02721 (508) 673-1561 Established 1883	Oak Grove Cemetery 765 Prospect St. Fall River MA 02720 508-324-2750 Established c. 1873 Historical Note: burial place of Lizzie Borden (1860-1927), acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother in 1892.
Our Lady of Light Cemetery Fall River, Mass. 02722 (508) 672-1207 Contact: Notre Dame Cemetery	St. John’s Cemetery 258 Brightman St. Fall River, Mass. 02722 (508) 679-2535 Burials: 1858-1891
St. Mary’s Cemetery Amity St. Fall River, Mass. 02722 (508) 679-2535 Burials: 1875-1891	St. Patrick’s Cemetery 2233 Robeson St. Fall River, Mass. 02720 (508) 679-2535 Established 1876

St. Anne’s Church & It’s Notable Shrine

Located on South Main Street, across from Kennedy Park in Lizzie’s Borden’s Fall River, is this magnificent Catholic Church built by French Canadian immigrants in the early 1900’s.  It is one of the iconic skyline structures immediately recognizable upon the Braga Bridge approach to Fall River.

This structure was put on the National Historic Register of buildings in 1983.

St. Anne’s Parish was founded in 1869 when there were about 500-600 French families in the city.  The Church was founded in 1894.  In 1900, Fall River had a population of slightly more than 100,000 people, of which nearly 40,000 were French.  The surge of French Canadian immigrants at the turn of the Century came from the agricultural crisis in Quebec.  They had a profound influence in the labor, language and culture.  Even by the 1930’s, Fall River still kept sort of a French flavor, and even today one comes across more French and Portuguese names in its local politics, legal profession, and many of the middle class businesses.

French Canadians rose to prominence in Fall River, including Edmund P. Talbot, Fall River’s Mayor from 1923-1926 and again from 1929-1930.   Past Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr. is Franco-American.  Ties to church and community is what kept the former mill workers (including the Portuguese and Irish) to remain in Fall River while most of the founding families split when the hard times hit.   Now the French Canadians and those from the Azores are the weavers of a restored tapestry to Fall River’s rich history.  Their hands are no longer on levers and pulleys and spindles,  but their fingerprints are all over what is left and plans for what will be.

Little known to tourists and passing visitors (mostly because it’s not advertised in city brochures) is the below ground level Shrine to St. Anne within the Church.  One has to know where to enter:  an unmarked outside door on the north side.  According to Fall River “Officer Dave” whom I met at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast, the Church at one time opened up this space for the homeless.  In short order there were thefts, vandalism and even a death.  The space had also become a safe haven for illicit drug use.  So the parishioners had to re-think that whole be-kind-to-those-less-fortunate thing when it came to free and easy 24/7 access to the Shrine of St. Anne.

The subterranean Shrine is open most all hours to the general public.   It is spacious with a number of “exhibits, as I prefer to call them.  The Shrine of Mother Theresa is astonishingly realistic from all angles.

I forgot what or who this was supposed to be.  I just remember it striking me as rather creepy.

St. Anne was Jesus’ maternal grandmother – although you won’t find that in the bible.

Candles for prayer.

After you delight in the “Shrine Exhibit”, just down the road at Globe Four (really Five) corners, at Globe and South Main is one of the best secrets in town.  You can get the best soft serve ice cream anywhere, right here, in this little French Canadian nieghborhood.