The Most Factual Telling on the Lizzie Borden Case Has Not Yet Been Produced

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  Frank Warren Knowlton
  

One specific letter in The Knowlton-Pearson Correspondence pretty well sums up where we are today relevant to the most interesting book on this case.  Written 35 years after the murders by the son of the prosecuting attorney to the prolific true crime writer who published the first widely read book on the murders we have this:

                         Knowlton to Pearson October 28, 1930

It was only six years after Studies in Murder was published but over three and a half decades since the Superior Court Trial when Frank Knowlton wrote to Edmund Pearson that: 

         “The really interesting book About the Borden case has not yet been     written,”

He could be saying that today, 128 years later.   Knowlton says most of what has been written relates to the circumstances and tries to reason back to find the cause.  He posits that it should be a psychological study of Lizzie imagining her life, comprehensive and in depth.  (We get a shadow image of that through Parallel Lives – Fall River Historical Society – but even that was limited to her society and not the psychology or dynamics of Lizzie and her household).  If a book did deal precisely as Knowlton suggests, we would have a completely different image of this most enigmatic character of American unsolved crime  – now evolved into a bloody icon of almost epic status in the occult pop culture.

What we have today is represented by the very latest of Lizzie Borden t.v. docudramas with an emphasis on the paranormal.  It’s the “Curse of Lizzie Borden” premiering this date but I do not recommend it nor provide any information to promote it.  But like so many that have come before it, it has a “hook”.


“Demons” is the hook with this one. When renewed interest in the paranormal exploded in the early 1990’s, the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast became a recurring focal point for “investigations”. As books, documentaries, films, and t.v. programming grew, so did the need for program content. Productions metastasized and distribution poured into various entertainment programming channels. The caveat is always “entertainment” but the minions of those interested in the occult usually accept the productions as fact. Lizzie Borden, due to her mystique as a person and the case being a classic unsolved crime, was a natural for exploitation. Regurgitation of misinformation has necessitated “hooks” to sustain an audience eager to be thrilled and shriek  with things that go bump in the night.

Spin-off websites and podcasts are part of the metastasizing process. Lizzie Andrew Borden’s evolution from the virginal, church-going middle class daughter of a well-to-do banker and real estate investor, has morphed into a crazed axe-wielding psychopath who haunts 92 Second Street. Thus, the parade of paranormal investigators and their followers continue. “If you build it, they will come.” Alas, we live in an America where half believe in the falsities media presents to them. The subject of Lizzie Borden is a simple case in point to this cancer among us.

 

LIZZIE BORDEN – FICTION vs. FACT

On her veranda at Maplecroft, circa 1922

The information below was provided by Michael Martins and Dennis Binette
August 2013:

Fiction: Abby and Andrew Borden were killed by 40 and 41 whacks. Fact: The actual number of blows was 19 to Abby and 11 to Andrew.

Fiction: Abby and Andrew Borden were killed by 40 and 41 whacks.
Fact: The actual number of blows was 19 to Abby and 11 to Andrew.

Fiction: Andrew Borden forced his family to eat rancid mutton stew for days leading up to the murders.
Fact: According to the testimony of their maid, Bridget Sullivan, at the preliminary hearing, the Bordens had actually had a menu that included fresh swordfish, pork steaks, cakes, cookies, and johnnycakes, along with cold mutton and soup, in the days leading up to the murders.

Fiction: Skinflint Andrew Borden deprived his family by forcing them to live in substandard conditions.
Fact: On the contrary. The Borden house had city water immediately after it became available on Second Street (and before many families on the Hill). There was also a pan-type water closet in the basement of the house that was fed by city water, so there actually was an indoor flush toilet. And, the house was centrally heated, as evidenced by radiators in photographs. The fact that there were no gas or electric lights was not uncommon at the time, especially in that neighborhood.

Fiction: A maniacal Andrew Borden slaughtered Lizzie’s pet pigeons with a hatchet, thereby planting a bloody seed of discontent.
Fact: Although pigeon keeping was a popular hobby in nineteenth century Fall River, there is absolutely no evidence to document that Lizzie ever maintained a loft. During the inquest, Lizzie was questioned by Atty. Hosea M. Knowlton regarding “any killing of an animal” that may have taken place on the Bordens’ Second Street property. Her rather matter-of-fact reply was that her father “killed some pigeons in the barn last May or June.” When asked “With what,” she said, “I don’t know, I thought he wrung their necks.” The birds were subsequently brought into the house, presumably the kitchen, where Lizzie noticed “all but three or four had their heads on.” She asked her father, “Why are these heads off,” to which he replied, “they twisted off.” Asked by Knowlton if the heads were “cut off or twisted off,” she stated, “I don’t know, I didn’t look at that particularly … the skin, I think was very tender.” The somewhat vague exchange of words on the topic of the pigeons, coupled with the unemotional manner in which the responses were delivered, differ from the reaction to be expected from a woman recalling the massacre of her pet birds. The fact that the birds were brought into the house make it apparent that they were likely a utility breed, raised for culinary use, and customarily killed by wringing their necks. It appears that the Bordens were simply going to enjoy a meal of squab.

Fiction: “Lizzie Borden took an axe…”
Fact: The murder weapon was probably a hatchet, not an axe, and, following Lizzie’s acquittal, no perpetrator of the crimes was ever found.

Fiction: The hatchet in the collection of the Fall River Historical Society, that was brought into the courtroom as evidence, was the murder weapon.
Fact: This hatchet, found in the cellar of the Borden house, was never proven to be the murder weapon. No blood was found on it, and the single strand of hair on it was animal, not human. Also, flecks of gold were found in Mrs. Borden’s brain matter at the autopsy. This led the examining doctors to believe that it was a new hatchet that was used to kill her. (New hatchets had gold foil along the edge of the blade, and the manufacturer’s label was also stamped in gilt on the blade – any loose gold would come off with the first use.) No gold was found in Mr. Borden’s wounds. The hatchet found in the Borden cellar was not new at the time.

Fiction: Andrew Borden was a mortician and embalmed bodies, some say in the cellar of the Borden house.
Fact: Andrew Borden never embalmed bodies; in fact, there were no embalmers listed in the Fall River city directories until the 1880s, well after he had retired. As many furniture dealers did, Borden served as an undertaker. In the 19th century, many dealers sold burial furnishings and “undertook” the arrangements for funerals and provided supplies – rented chairs, shrouds, coffins, and transportation from the home to the cemetery. Existing receipts in the collection of the Historical Society clearly detail the services provided by Borden, Almy & Co., and embalming was not among them.

Fiction: Andrew Borden was one of the wealthiest men in Fall River.
Fact: At the time of his death in 1892, Andrew Borden’s estate was worth approximately $250,000 to $300,000. By comparison, Mary Brayton Durfee Young (B.M.C. Durfee’s mother), upon her death in 1891, left an estate worth “in excess of ten million dollars.” There were many individuals in Fall River whose fortunes far exceeded that of Andrew Borden.

Fiction: Lizzie Borden was, in her later life, a friendless recluse.
Fact: As is evidenced by recent research done by the Historical Society, Lizzie had a considerable number of friends, both in Fall River and elsewhere, who were extremely loyal to her. The children of these friends consistently referred to her as “Auntie Borden.” To this day, the descendants of these people still hold her in high esteem.

Fiction: As a child, Lizzie Borden was a peculiar child who was kept out of circulation by her father.
Fact: Thanks to the recent discovery of the diaries of Louisa Holmes Stillwell (“Lulie”), there is the first indication as to what life was like for Lizzie Borden as a teenager. Lulie was a contemporary of Lizzie’s and the two attended high school together and socialized. Through mentions in Lulie’s diaries, we see that Lizzie’s adolescence was no different than that of other girls her age.

Fiction: Andrew Borden was tyrannical and suppressed his daughters.
Fact: By all accounts, Lizzie and Emma were allowed to come and go as they pleased. Both were active in various charitable and social organizations. Lizzie’s proposed fishing trip to Marion indicates that she likely was in the habit of attending house parties, as Emma was, and, of course, Andrew Borden sent Lizzie to Europe on the Grand Tour. Again, Lulie’s diaries show that Lizzie engaged in the same social activities as her contemporaries.

Fiction: Andrew Borden’s strict, penny-pinching ways left his family deprived of any luxuries.
Fact: The Borden family appears to have been well provided for. All existing photographs show the Borden women to be well dressed, and Lizzie and Emma were each provided with allowances from their father. Also, Andrew Borden employed a live-in domestic, Bridget Sullivan, even though there were three adult women who did not work living in the household; if he were as unreasonable as he is made out to be, he could have foregone the expense and forced his family to do all of the housework, cooking, and laundry. Recent evidence recently uncovered by the Historical Society shows that Andrew Borden was also in the habit of hiring outside help on a per diem or weekly basis.

Fiction: Lizzie Borden was a kleptomaniac.
Fact: One story concerning Lizzie shoplifting at Tilden-Thurber in Providence appeared in select newspapers, but only for a couple of days’ duration. Then, the story disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, with no evidence to substantiate the claim. It was also rumored that she stole things from Fall River stores, but no evidence has ever surfaced to indicate that this was true. Top

 

Lizzie Borden “Murder Most Foul” Podcasts by James Sutanowski

                                                

James Sutanowski, in his recent Murder Most Foul podcasts, interviewed Fall River Historical Society Curator, Michael Martins, and Assistant Curator Dennis Binette.   Listening closely, even I gleamed tidbits of new information, particularly about these three women:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ricca Allen            Nance O’Neill           Hannah B. Nelson

These are excellent and informative interviews by the foremost experts on Lizzie and her Fall River.  Truly.  And I cannot recommend those wanting to know more about the REAL Lizzie Borden to listen to both these podcasts.

Part I

Part II

                                      Michael Martins, Dennis Binette and moi

Parallel Lives – A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River, edited by Michael Martins and Dennis Binette, curators of the Fall River Historical Society.  I wrote a comprehensive Amazon Review and did a cut and paste HERE.

This book sells on Amazon from a low of $225 to a high of $900+, but one can still purchase it through the FRHS Gift Shop for its original price of $49.99.  A bargain, let alone an investment.   If you could have only one book about Lizzie Borden, this would be it.

So take some time away to improve your knowledge about this heretofore most enigmatic woman.

 

Lizzie Borden – One Book, Lots of Good Reads

 

Could Edmund Pearson Have Hastened Lizzie Borden’s Death?

(I originally wrote this post back in 2010)

Edmund Lester Pearson (1880-1937)

 

Edmund Lester Pearson

He was a noted librarian and prolific writer on true crime.  In 1924 he began a correspondence with Frank W. Knowlton, son of Hosea Knowlton, the district attorney who prosecuted Lizzie Borden in her 1893 trial.   Known as the “Knowlton-Pearson Correspondence” it is a remarkable assemblage – rich in content it clearly shows the eagerness with which Frank accommodated Edmund’s request.  They were contemporaries, and Frank provided the author with “open sesame” to Lizzie’s contemporaries and others still living who knew her and/or were involved in the case.   Pearson had access to all of Hosea Knowlton’s papers on the case, and also the preliminary hearing and Trial transcript. (Knowlton was unsuccessful, however, in tracking down Bridget Sullivan’s inquest testimony – a document still missing after all these decades).

In any event, Pearson’s investigative research resulted in Studies in Murder, first published in 1924, three years before Lizzie’s death.  The book was a series of essays on notable cases, the first and expanded essay was on the Borden case.  This would be the first of many writings in subsequent books by Pearson on Fall River’s most notorious citizen.  But this first book was published while Lizzie still lived.

It is fairly certain that Lizzie Borden had read the very first book on the case published in 1893:  Fall River Tragedy by Edward H. Porter.  I think it further fairly certain she had read Studies in Murder. In the twilight of her years she was at least relieved of the awful annual editorials in the Fall River Globe commemorating the infamous crimes with their consistent innuendos that she had gotten away with the double murders.

Her life had been lived quietly and with the refinement and deportment that were her hallmarks of character.  Her closest associates were her servants and a few loyal friends and relatives.  But now came this publication.  It must have been the talk of the town when it came out.  Knowledge of Pearson’s meetings and inquiries with Lizzie’s contemporaries had proceeded the book itself, and those that assisted Pearson must have discussed it with their own associates.  Perhaps it had been talked about in hushed circles long before its publication and perhaps Lizzie had heard as well through reports of who was talking to whom.  The long essay left no doubt in the minds of the reader that the deed must have been done by Lizzie and only Lizzie.

Think for a moment how this must have affected her.  Guilty or innocent, it must have been a devastating event to have this book circulating in Fall River, the region and all over the country, stirring up painful memories of a horrible time while also serving to provide  interest to a whole new generation.   Lizzie had been described as nervous and depressed, unhappy with her decision to have lived all the rest of her life in Fall River – and now, this.

Could the book have hastened her demise?  Stress, nervous anxiety, depression.  Lizzie had always wanted to be accepted by her peers.  She lived her life kind to others and animals, generously giving and always thoughtful of the needs of others.  And now, this.   It must have played upon her mind and heart, a heart already long burdened and weakened by worry.    Not long after the book’s success and wide readership, Lizzie would be hospitalized for gall bladder surgery and never fully recover.

Hosea Morrill Knowlton

 

Knowlton, Hosea M., white, b. May 1847, 53 yr., b. Maine
Sylvia B. Wife, Jan. 1850, b. Mass.
John W. son, March 1874, 26 b. Mass.
Abby A. dau, mar. 1876, 24, mass.
Frank W., son Aug 1878, 22, Mass.
Edward A., son April 1883, 17, b. mas.
Helen S., dau. Aug. 1884, 14, b. mass.
Sylvia P, dau. may 1890, 10, Mass.
Benjamin H., son, Jun 1892, 8 yr, b. mass.

SYLVIA BASSETT, b. New Bedford, MA, 20 Jan 1852; d. Watertown, MA, 31 Mar 1937; m. New Bedford, 22 May 1873, HOSEA MORRILL KNOWLTON, b. Durham, ME, 20 May 1847; d. Marion, MA, 18 Dec 1902; son of Isaac Case and Mary Smith (Wellington) Knowlton.

Their children, all born in New Bedford were:

John Wellington Knowlton born February 28, 1874.
Abby Almy Knowlton born March 30, 1876
Frank Warren Knowlton born August 1, 1878
Edward Allen Knowlton born April16, 1883

The younger siblings were:

Helen Sophia Knowlton; August 1, 1885
August I. Knowlton;
Sylvia Prescott Knowlton born Ma7 29, 1890
Benjamin Almy Knowlton born June 13, 1892

Frank Warren Knowlton

Attorney General Herbert Parker is not only included in this correspondence but was also one of Pearson’s primary sources for his last essay in his book, Studies in Murder, titled “The Hunting Knife” concerning Mabel Page.

Herbert Parker, a very handsome man

Frank Warren Knowlton, Jr. donated his grandfather’s papers to the Fall River Historical Society in 1989.  (He died in October 11, 2002).

Edit

 

The House That Lizzie Owned – 328 French Street

Next door to “Maplecroft” this house was  once owned by Lizzie Borden. This Victorian  is and always has been a three family home but was once known as the James Davenport House and was built in 1879 by the ninth mayor of Fall River.

Painted last summer with lovely new landscaping and planters added – among other improvements –  it  was listed for $315,000 last August but sold just before Christmas last year for $282,000.

See full information HERE.

Michael Thomas Brimbau

 I wrote about this last October but had wrong information.  Michael Brimbau, the owner since 1992 (and author of The Girl With The Pansy Pin) moved out to work on the charming fixer-upper he purchased on Charlotte White Road in Westport.   Stefani Koorey remained until it was sold.

 

One of those very old homes built with one bathroom on first floor but second bedroom on the second floor.  Improvements have been made.

Mr. Brimbau has also written a clever comedy By the Naked Pear Tree: The Trial of Lizzie Borden, actually a play in which two of the scenes had been performed at the Somerset Library by the Pleasure of Poetry Club .

And yes, that’s Stefani Koorey in the front.  The one with the moustache.   Judging by the photos on the link above, looks like this group had a lot of fun.  By the way, I highly recommend Mr. Brimbau’s book.  It is quite funny and very well written.

 

Did Edmund Pearson Hasten the Death of Lizzie Borden?

---

(I originally wrote this post back in 2010)

Edmund Lester Pearson (1880-1937)

 

Edmund Lester Pearson

He was a noted librarian and prolific writer on true crime.  In 1924 he began a correspondence with Frank W. Knowlton, son of Hosea Knowlton, the district attorney who prosecuted Lizzie Borden in her 1893 trial.   Known as the “Knowlton-Pearson Correspondence” it is a remarkable assemblage – rich in content it clearly shows the eagerness with which Frank accommodated Edmund’s request.  They were contemporaries, and Frank provided the author with “open sesame” to Lizzie’s contemporaries and others still living who knew her and/or were involved in the case.   Pearson had access to all of Hosea Knowlton’s papers on the case, and also the preliminary hearing and Trial transcript. (Knowlton was unsuccessful, however, in tracking down Bridget Sullivan’s inquest testimony – a document still missing after all these decades).

In any event, Pearson’s investigative research resulted in Studies in Murder, first published in 1924, three years before Lizzie’s death.  The book was a series of essays on notable cases, the first and expanded essay was on the Borden case.  This would be the first of many writings in subsequent books by Pearson on Fall River’s most notorious citizen.  But this first book was published while Lizzie still lived.

It is fairly certain that Lizzie Borden had read the very first book on the case published in 1893:  Fall River Tragedy by Edward H. Porter.  I think it further fairly certain she had read Studies in Murder. In the twilight of her years she was at least relieved of the awful annual editorials in the Fall River Globe commemorating the infamous crimes with their consistent innuendos that she had gotten away with the double murders.

Her life had been lived quietly and with the refinement and deportment that were her hallmarks of character.  Her closest associates were her servants and a few loyal friends and relatives.  But now came this publication.  It must have been the talk of the town when it came out.  Knowledge of Pearson’s meetings and inquiries with Lizzie’s contemporaries had proceeded the book itself, and those that assisted Pearson must have discussed it with their own associates.  Perhaps it had been talked about in hushed circles long before its publication and perhaps Lizzie had heard as well through reports of who was talking to whom.  The long essay left no doubt in the minds of the reader that the deed must have been done by Lizzie and only Lizzie.

Think for a moment how this must have affected her.  Guilty or innocent, it must have been a devastating event to have this book circulating in Fall River, the region and all over the country, stirring up painful memories of a horrible time while also serving to provide  interest to a whole new generation.   Lizzie had been described as nervous and depressed, unhappy with her decision to have lived all the rest of her life in Fall River – and now, this.

Could the book have hastened her demise?  Stress, nervous anxiety, depression.  Lizzie had always wanted to be accepted by her peers.  She lived her life kind to others and animals, generously giving and always thoughtful of the needs of others.  And now, this.   It must have played upon her mind and heart, a heart already long burdened and weakened by worry.    Not long after the book’s success and wide readership, Lizzie would be hospitalized for gall bladder surgery and never fully recover.

Hosea Morrill Knowlton

Knowlton, Hosea M., white, b. May 1847, 53 yr., b. Maine
Sylvia B. Wife, Jan. 1850, b. Mass.
John W. son, March 1874, 26 b. Mass.
Abby A. dau, mar. 1876, 24, mass.
Frank W., son Aug 1878, 22, Mass.
Edward A., son April 1883, 17, b. mas.
Helen S., dau. Aug. 1884, 14, b. mass.
Sylvia P, dau. may 1890, 10, Mass.
Benjamin H., son, Jun 1892, 8 yr, b. mass.

SYLVIA BASSETT, b. New Bedford, MA, 20 Jan 1852; d. Watertown, MA, 31 Mar 1937; m. New Bedford, 22 May 1873, HOSEA MORRILL KNOWLTON, b. Durham, ME, 20 May 1847; d. Marion, MA, 18 Dec 1902; son of Isaac Case and Mary Smith (Wellington) Knowlton.

Their children, all born in New Bedford were:

John Wellington Knowlton born February 28, 1874.
Abby Almy Knowlton born March 30, 1876
Frank Warren Knowlton born August 1, 1878
Edward Allen Knowlton born April16, 1883

The younger siblings were:

Helen Sophia Knowlton; August 1, 1885
August I. Knowlton;
Sylvia Prescott Knowlton born Ma7 29, 1890
Benjamin Almy Knowlton born June 13, 1892

Frank Warren Knowlton

Herbert Parker, a very handsome man

Attorney General Herbert Parker is not only included in this correspondence but was also one of Pearson’s primary sources for his last essay in his book, Studies in Murder, titled “The Hunting Knife” concerning Mabel Page.

Frank Warren Knowlton, Jr. donated his grandfather’s papers to the Fall River Historical Society in 1989.  (He died in October 11, 2002).

 

The Kelly House – Lizzie’s Next Door Neighbors

(This is a recycled post….originally created and posted on:   Published on: Jun 30, 2009 @ 16:24 Edit)

Lizzie Borden’s neighbor, Caroline Cantwell Kelley age 31, was the last person outside the family to see Andrew Borden alive.   She lived with her husband, Dr. Michael F. Kelly, age 36,  in the house just one door south of 92 Second Street – the house previously occupied by Alice Russell. It is from Mrs. Kelly’s third child, her daughter, pictured below, that we have learned some of the things said (and surely speculated upon)  about Andrew and the Borden family by those who did not refrain from discussing “that awful business.”

Eva Kelly Betz 1897-1968

Caroline, pregnant with their first child (Christopher Cantwell Kelly, 1892-1919), was heading for a doctor’s appointment when she saw Andrew coming from the east side of the house to the front door.

It would only be about 20 minutes later that the first call for help would go out – Lizzie telling Bridget she must have a doctor and sending her across the street to Dr. Bowen’s.   She knew there was a doctor living next door but she didn’t send Bridget there to fetch him.  Like Bowen, Dr. Kelly may not have been at home either.

The Kelly house has had so many changes to the exterior over the past century that it’s hardly recognizable.   However, if you look through the front door as shown above you can see the original steps and front door to the Kelly house as it was in 1892.

Part of this structure was a Bed & Breakfast even before 92 Second Street became a Bed & Breakfast!  It most recently was a dwelling and hair salon with a paint shop adjacent.  The paint shop was an add-on in an “L” configuration, must like the Leary Press.

This is a view of the rear of the Kelly house as it is today with St. Mary’s in the background.

The so-called Kelly house has been on the market by an unmotivated seller for over a year.  The owners of the LBB&B next door have been inside and concur the old Paint shop business is laid out much like the old Leary Press.  As for what will happen to it, perhaps Bristol County will buy it, tear it down and use it for in-close parking for the new Court House – accommodation for the judges and attorneys.   Wouldn’t suprise me.

Back to Eva Kelly Betz.  We first learn of her from Agnes DeMille’s highly collectible book above, published by Little, Brown & Co., 1968.   (Review of Dance of Death).  It was from Eva that Ms. DeMille obtained so much of the information she used in her book about the Borden family.  Eva remembered growing up there, and while the founding families didn’t talk about the infamous Borden case, the Irish Catholics certainly  did.

Agnes DeMille and Senator Joseph Welch ventured to Fall River in their research of the case, primarily for input for Agnes’ ballet, Fall River Legend, which still plays in New York every year.  While there, their chief hostess was Eva Kelly Betz.  They also met with the granddaughters of the Defense attorney Jennings and District Attorney Knowlton.  The first half of the book deals with the Borden case and the second half with planning and execution of the ballet.  Quite a wonderful book and another collectible.

Both Eva Kelly Betz and author Edward Radin (The Untold Story, Simon & Schuster, 1961 – he believed Bridget did the murders), were invited guests of DeMille’a at the premiere performance of the ballet.

(Click on images below for larger view).

If, as Eva states above, Andrew had some of his first wife’s jewelry “but no one in the family knew about it”, it must have been a startling surprise to Lizzie and Emma.

Although Eva Caroline Kelly Betz was born 5 years after her brother, Christopher Cantwell Kelly, she lived until 1968, nearly 50 years more after his death at the age of 27  in 1919.  Her best known book, William Gaston:  Fighter for Justice was published in 1964, and is considered a collectible.    She mentions she taught school in Fall River and while there is an Eva Kelly in the 1921 FR Directory (she would have been 24), her mother, Caroline, is not listed.  I can’t help but feel sorry for Caroline, having lost first her husband and then two years later her son.

By her own accounts, the Kelly’s were readers and writers.  (You’ll note she does not mention in this piece that growing up she lived next door to the infamous Lizzie Borden).   She characterizes her parents as “intellectual” (unlike Ellen Egan – sorry, had to slip that in).

Michael F. Kelly, M.D., 1856-1916
His wife, Caroline Cantwell, 1861-1951
Their son, Christopher Cantwell Kelly, 1892-1919
Eva Kelly Betz, 1897-1968
Joseph P. Betz, 1895-1965
Peter Betz, 1924-1959

All of the above are buried at St. Patrick’s cemetery in Fall River.

 

The Fall River Tragedy – Rare Book FREE Online

(Recycled from March, 2009)

The first book to be published on the Lizzie Borden case was right after her Trial in 1893 by Edwin Porter, a reporter for the Fall River Globe and a chum of some of the police officers who provided some inside information.

The first edition, the original, is not easily found and when it does appear, such as on eBay, usually sells for $300 or more.  Some antique book dealers list it as high as $2,000.  The book itself is really not all that rare.  I addressed this issue in detail in a previous blog which can be found by clicking HERE.

Lizzie’s lawyer, Andrew Jennings, on behalf of the Borden sisters and John Morse,  threatened Porter and the publisher with legal action if any pictures of “the family” appeared.  Well, pictures of the “dead family” appeared and no suit followed.

When the book was first published, it was sold on subscription, and one of the “Lizzie Legends” is that Lizzie bought out the printer and had the copies burned.  Not true.  A goodly number were purchased – and to some Fall River notables at that. The one found AT THIS SITE was owned by Charlotte Brayton and she donated it to the Harvard Library.   The Braytons were one of the prominent founding families of Fall River.

By clicking to advance the pages , you will immediately see the handwritten inscription on the inside cover:  “Israel Brayton”.  This particular Israel Brayton* was born in 1874 and died in 1961.  He married Ethel Moison Chace (1880-1960), and they had three children, including Charlotte Brayton (1913 to 1994).  Charlotte never married.  For whatever reasons, Charlotte preferred to donate her father’s copy of The Fall River Tragedy to Harvard rather than the Fall River Historical Society.  Lucky thing for us she did.

The book is rich in photos of key players not found in other books and includes the old “Ferry Street” homestead, the house Andrew deeded to the girls over the Whitehead fiasco.  Well, that house was practically a prototype of the home he purchased in 1872 at 92 Second Street.  Greek revival, two-family home.  Andrew was worth a small fortune by 1872 but he didn’t exactly move “up”.   Anyway, here’s a picture of both houses:

Virtually, the same house.  Two stories and an attic built for 2 families with identical floor plans on the first and second floors.   Lizzie was 12 when they moved and she could not have been too impressed.  The only difference was after a short while they had “the whole house”.  So that was different.

Thanks to the Harvard Library, and thanks to Charlotte Brayton, you can now READ, AND PRINT OUT THE ENTIRE BOOK FOR FREE – AND AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED.   NO WORD DOCUMENT HERE.  HERE YOU CAN ENJOY IT JUST AS IT WAS LAID OUT – NOT RETYPED IN WORD FORMAT AND UPLOADED TO A FORUM SITE WITHOUT ANY IMAGES.  HERE YOU GET THE REAL DEAL.   ENJOY!  IT’S FREE!

CLICK HERE —>  FALL RIVER TRAGEDY

*Source: The Braytons of Somerset and Fall River by Roswell Brayton, page 34. (Note: Charlotte is pictured with several generations of Braytons in this book; also pictured are her father and mother.)

 

“Auntie Borden” in Movie “Sleuth”

Lizzie Borden is occasionally mentioned in a film or TV show but seldom is she referred to by the name many of the children of her friends called her long after the infamous trial of 1893.  Those children called her “Auntie Borden”, so we have learned from the magnificient book, Parallel Lives – A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River.  Indeed, only those who have read this book learn of that fact as it was revealed for the very first time when the book was published in November of 2011.  Imagen my complete surprise when I heard it mentioned while watching the 1972 movie “Sleuth”.

“Auntie Borden” in her later years.

About 35 minutes into the film, Lawrence Olivier (as playwrite Andrew Wyke)  is attempting to find a costume for Michael Caine  (Milo Tindle) to pretend to be a burglar in their plot to have Michael Caine’s character steal a cache of jewels.  Olivier steps on a floor button and up pops a female skeleton to which Olivier says:  “Oh, there you are Auntie Borden”.   I cracked up and immediately Googled the playwrite.

Anthony Shaffer  was born just one year before Lizzie Borden died (1926), but it is likely as a young adult he heard of the Borden case and when he came to write Sleuth included the subtle reference to one of America’s most notorious unsolved crimes.    He was fond of true crime as we learn from his tribute web page, and he may have read the books on the case published up until his death.

Anyway, it made my ears perk up to a film I had seen 3 times previous but never caught the reference.  I shall look for it in subsequent “Sleuth” films.  Michael Caine, dear man, and a wonderful actor, enhanced his own career by playing both parts in different screen adaptations of the play “Sleuth”.

And that’s all, Auntie Borden.   🙂

 

Lizzie Borden Ponderables

Have you ever wondered why:

Winnie French was so adamant to testify on behalf of Grace Howe & Helen Leighton at the Probate Hearing against Charles Cook’s claim of ownership of the Henry House?

Orrin Gardner had so little tribute in ink when he died, although it was highly deserved?

What specifically Bailey Borden sold of Lizzie & Emma’s possession in his Fall River store acquired from Hamilton Gardner?

Why there was so little reporting of Lizzie writing a blank check to Ernest Terry as she lay dying on her last day of life?  (All those people at the bank knew.)

Why Charles Cook parked his car in Lizzie’s garage and then charged the heating to her estate?

Why Ernest Terry went to work for Charles Cook after Lizzie died?

Why Grace Howe, with a keen eye for antiques, left so much of it?

Why so many of Lizzie’s good books ended up with Marian Reilly?

Well, I hope to have answers to some of this to post later.

Back home and much to catch up with.

***********

Note:   Some people wonder the same thing as stated in this comment I received from “Norman Pound”:

“Inquisitive thirst comes on strong as I wait for your book and/or screenplay! This theatrical passage is evidence that it is impossible to endure another year without the pleasure of your literary talent and aptitude for investigation collected in manuscript form. Us Lizzie lovers await, chatting numerously, “When Phaye? When?””

The answer is:  “I don’t do things in a hurry.”  

There’s much to wonder about in the Lizzie Borden case, whether at its core or on the periphery.  Here’s just a few things:

Have you ever wondered if Lizzie knew Nance O’Neil had married Alfred Devereaux Hickman in 1916, becoming his second wife?   (A widower for only one year, his first wife died in 1915).

And, have you ever wondered if Lizzie went to any of those movies Nance O’Neil was in?  She certainly lived long enough to read, if not actually see, Nance’s transition from the theatre to the silent screen and then in speaking roles.

And – as to those movies – here’s an interesting tidbit:

John B. Colton (1889–1946),  was a New York dramatist whose plays include Nine Pine Street (1933), based on the Borden murder case.  (He also co-wrote Rain (1922), based on a Somerset Maugham story).   But here’s the thing – Colton co-wrote “Call of the Flesh”, a film featuring Nance O’Neil released August 16, 1930.  And less than 3 years later on April 27, 1933, Nine Pine Street premiered at the Longacre Theatre and starred Lillian Gish as “Effie Holden.”  It played for 28 performances and closed in mid May, 1933.  Do you wonder if  Colton spoke to Nance about Lizzie Borden and was thereby inspired to write Nine Pine Street?  Something to ponder.

Here’s what was going on around that time:

February 18, 1933	New York Magazine article on LMH “the mysterious alter ego of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
March 24, 1933	4th & Final Probate Court acctg. filed by Cook on Lizzie’s Will – period Nov. 28, 1932 thru March 3, 1933.
March 3, 1933	Grace Hartley Howe & Helen Leighton sign 4th & Final Account of Probate.
March 4, 1933	Franklin Delano Roosevelt is inaugurated as the 32nd U.S. president.
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.

And here’s something else I have always wondered about:

Why didn’t Abby have Bridget fix eggs on that August 4, 1892 Thursday morning instead of the 5 day old cold mutton and mutton soup?  After all, Uncle John Morse had picked them up from Frederick Eddy at Andrew’s farm in Swansea just the evening before and brought them back per Andrew’s request.  Those eggs were most likely in the kitchen pantry Wednesday night and Thursday morning.  I wonder if Abby asked Andrew what he wanted for breakfast and suggested the eggs.  I wonder if Andrew, with both testeronic and assertive dominance said: “No.  I’ll be selling those eggs.  Serve the mutton.  Waste not, want not.”   If so, one cannot help but wince and sigh yet again for poor Abby.

Too bad Lizzie didn’t get up earlier.  Abby might have asked her what she wanted for BREAKFAST instead of (according to Lizzie’s Inquest Testimony) what she wanted for dinner, i.e., the noon day meal.  I wonder if Lizzie would have stomped her foot and said: “Mutton?!!  No!!! I want eggs!”

Just a few things to wonder about.  There’s more, but I’m out of time and American Idol is on with the results of the next four to get booted off.

Hmmm, something to ponder.

 

“Funding Unsuccessful” for Lizzie Borden Editor

UPDATE 8/7/2012:  From today’s Fall River Herald –Here’s some wonderful Kickstarter results from a guy who seems to care more about Fall River than his own self interests.  Judging by the amount of money he raised in the first few hours there are plenty of others who like his idea and the donation rewards given to the contributors.  Kudos to Furtado!

Check out his video HERE for his slide show with great pics of Fall River and his telling of why he’s doing this.

UPDATE 8/4/2012:

While at the Fall River Historical Society today, August 4th, a FRPD Officer gave me a copy of a “Harrassment Notice” filed by Stefani Koorey saying I should stay 50 feet away from her. Apparently she was waiting for me to show up, then called the FRPD to say I was there. Does she really think I make these trips to harrass her? She’s not on my Agenda of people to see and places to go. But with her, it’s “all about Stefani”. Actually, I think it was retaliation for the below blog post:

Stefani Koorey was trying to raise over $13,000 to publish the next several issues of The Literary Hatchet via Kickstarter.  (In four years, she’s produced five issues). For a $5,000 donation you would be able to have your name on the masthead for five future issues, receive printed copies free, AND………wait for it…….”dinner with the editor”.  That’s right.  (By contrast, I donated $1,000 towards the printing cost for the Fall River Historical Society’s magnificent book, Parallel Lives and received a special Benefactors Edition, a primary collectible valued well over $1,000).  Anyway, back to Stef”s Fundraiser “FAIL”:

10 Backers.  3 Comments.  Read about it HERE.

I even donated twice – once in the name of my cousin (Sylvia Burton).

The Literary Hatchet, is a slick publication with excellent content, well edited and cheaply priced.  Thing is, nobody (well, practically nobody) reads them.  Same with her Forum.  It may be poor marketing or perhaps something a little darker and “popularity based”.

I personally think people were turned off by the manner in which she set up the donated contribution to the “rewards” distribution.  As I’ve stated before:

Some people are in serious need of radical Ego reduction surgery.

I was very surprised she received only 10 donors – well, 8 actually if you deduct the two I made.  She only raised $180, thus the project failed.  I had thought she would raise at least $252 – the same number of people who voted for her in the last Fall River mayoral race.

To her credit, however, she did edit and write the photo captions for Fall River Revisited, which is a neat little collectible on Fall River history.

 

Random Thoughts on Lizzie Borden, Doomsday Preppers, Mary Cantwell, Hunters & Gatherers

“Lizzie Borden Took an Axe and….”  WHOA!  STOP RIGHT THERE!.   NO SHE DIDN’T!  NO, SHE DID NOT!  IT WASN’T AN AXE – IT WAS A HATCHET!  CAN YOU PEOPLE GET THAT STRAIGHT ONCE AND FOR ALL???!

LOOK, I’LL ILLUSTRATE THE DIFFERENCE FOR YOU:

<——–AXE                      HATCHET——->

Here, let me illustrate a little further:

Now, granted, that’s just the head of a handle-less HATCHET, but it’s STILL a hatchet.  Oh, I know, “hatchet” doesn’t fit into that inaccurate quatrain quoted more often than reruns of that Elizabeth Montgomery made-for-TV movie.  But look, here she is and what is she holding?

A HATCHET!!  And a pretty good replica of what was presented at the Trial, sans the handle, of course.  Anyway, it was a HATCHET.  A HATCHET, AND NOT AN AXE.

Point is, that particular quatrain and the images from that specific movie have created a mindset of Lizzie Borden not only being guilty, but a one dimensional,  psychopathic persona with whom most of the “cult” followers are familiar.  People who read books and who have studied the case know differently.  However, those gawd-awful paranormal shows and misinformation regurgitated from one documentary to another have permanently encapsulated the poor woman into a blood-drenched, demented killer.  But no matter.

Perhaps we can start by re-writing that “haunting melody”????

LIZZIE BORDEN TOOK A HATCHET

AND GAVE HER MOTHER 19 WHACKITS

WHEN SHE SAW HER WORK WAS FINE

SHE GAVE HER FATHER ANOTHER NINE.

Come on.  Give it a try.  It has a nice beat and you can skip rope to it. Any bibliophiles out there wanna put it on YouTube?  Be my guest.

###

A friend recently wrote me that Lizzie Borden was a replicant cyborg sent from the future to kill Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Borden.  I found that interesting and began thinking:  What if she was a 19th Century Doomsday Prepper in Fall River?

Just as modern day Doomsday Preppers, Lizzie Borden would have contemplated her reasons:  A collapse of the economy and the loss of her father’s fortune and what that would mean to her own financial security; a hostile takeover of the drunken Irish mill workers; an aerial attack by France dropping exploding cheese and wine bottles from giant air-filled balloons killing two thirds of the town’s population and half its horses.  Or maybe she just felt she had to prepare for *something* because doom and gloom was a recurring characteristic of her basic personality.  After one adopts this premise, it follows she would have begun her preparations with the planned elimination of dour Andrew and long-suffering Abby.  I think those plans would have included disposing of the hatchet in such a manner it would never be found.  After all, she came from the future (OUR future) and she may have studied on reverse engineering of manufactured steel and bio-chemical reconfigurations and transformed the hatchet into handkerchiefs.  Hey, it’s possible.

###

It was her July 26, 1992 article by which I was informally introduced to Mary Cantwell.  I was in NYC on July 26th and 27th of that year enroute to Fall River for the 1992 Centennial Conference on Lizzie Borden.  I was so struck by her humor (let alone accuracy in her column) and thrilled she had spoken to my friend, the late John Corrigan.

When I first arrived in Fall River, I showed the article to Florence Brigham, then Curator of the Fall River Historical Society.  Florence put me in touch with Mary Cantwell and we subsequently enjoyed a correspondence over many years.  We shared the fact we had raised our children on our own as working mothers in two decades (70’s and 80’s) where workplace policies were not considerate of our situations.  One of her low points was being dumped by James Dickey, (he wrote Deliverance) for a “ravish me now’ much younger blonde.  Men.  Can’t live with ’em. Can’t kill ’em.  (I forget who originated that).  Which brings me to this next random selection.

###

I have this theory about why men are pigs.

Men have their sexual organs outside – usually perpendicular and on the hunt.  Women, on the other hand, have their sex organs placed internally. “Internalized sex.”  Get it?  Oh they gather, sure, but they think differently.  We like the romantic aspect of the act – men just like the act.  Gross generalizations here, but this post isn’t supposed to be more than a paragraph or two  and look what I’ve done?

So I’ll shut up for now and go back to writing Lizzie Borden’s Burn Book Diaries.  Boy, oh boy, is *she* gonna have her day!!!   🙂

 

Carolyn Gage’s Plays on Nance O’Neil, Lizzie Borden and Bridget Sullivan

Carolyn Gage is a prolific, award winning playwright who’s one-act plays are as captivating as she is.  A lovely human being, she exemplifies “Live Life Liberated” in word and deed as well as her joyful exuberance as illustrated in this image.

She has written a play of Nance O’Neil and her alleged laison with Lizzie Borden:

The Greatest Actress Who Ever Lived

Carolyn Gage in character as Bridget Sullivan for reading of her play, “Lace Curtain Irish”

Here’s the web page showing the dates and locations where these plays are being performed.  If you live anywhere near these locations, do yourself a favor and relish in the writing and performance of Carolyn Gage.

 

Lizzie Borden Past & Present plus The Knowlton Papers Available Here!

 

Have you been wanting affordable copies of Len Rebello’s Lizzie Borden Past & Present? And have you been on the hunt for the Fall River Historical Society’s The Knowlton Papers? Well, you’ve landed in the right place.

Now – Are you looking for these?

 

Well, I’ve got several of each and the prices will be the best you can get. You can purchase  one (or both).  Simply email me at phaye@outlook.com

These are $145 each.  The Knowlton Papers are generally around $400 these days.  All have dust jackets.

Lizzie Borden Past & Present by Leonard Rebello are in vg condition with dust jackets.  Some of the Rebello’s are autographed by the author and come with mylar covers.  Again, only $145 each  or $165 for autographed copy.

These books are OOP and hard to find, especially at this price.

First person to email and send in payment, and payment clears, gets the books!   🙂

 

William H. Moody for the Prosecution of Lizzie Borden

(Recycled)

The prosecution team in the matter of the Commonwealth vs. Lizzie Andrew Borden was led by 3 times Governor George D. Robinson but included the formidable William Henry Moody, whose stellar career surpassed all others associated with the case.  An extraordinarily handsome man, in my opinion, he remained a life-long bachelor.

If Lizzie continued her reading of Harper’s Weekly, she may have seen the December 29, 1906 issue below and its cartoon cover story on one of the men who played a part in a “most interesting occasion.”  Most all of the text which follows comes from that article.

William Henry Moody was born on December 23, 1853, in Newbury, Massachusetts, the son of farmers. He graduated from Phillips Andover Academy in 1872 and Harvard in 1876, leaving Harvard Law School after four months to read law under Richard Henry Dana. After admission to the state bar in 1878, Moody practiced law in Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he was elected city solicitor (1888-1889). In 1890, he was named the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Massachusetts.

In 1895, he was elected as a Republican to fill a vacant seat in Congress, and subsequently elected three more times. He impressed his congressional colleagues with his command of legislative details and debating skills, and served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Theodore Roosevelt first met Moody in 1895 and quickly came to admire a man with a similar physical build, athletic interests, and a progressive Republican perspective. In 1902, Roosevelt appointed Moody as secretary of the navy.

Moody served in that capacity for two years, working to expand and improve the U.S. naval fleet, and reform the navy’s organization.

In June 1904, the president named him as the U.S. Attorney General. In his new position, Moody became a key advisor to the president and played a leading role in the prosecution of the administration’s antitrust lawsuits, successfully arguing Swift and Company v. United States (1905) before the U.S. Supreme Court. He agreed with Roosevelt’s distinction between “good” and “bad” trusts.

The Justice Department under Moody negotiated agreements with large business corporations that it deemed were working in the public interest, such as International Harvester and U.S. Steel, but prosecuted Standard Oil because its economic power and business activities were considered contrary to the public interest. As attorney general, Moody took a case concerning peonage of blacks to the Supreme Court, and ordered contempt proceedings against a sheriff who allowed a black rape suspect to be lynched.

Harper’s Weekly was concerned about the centralization of governmental power during the administration of Republican Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909), and in December 1906 criticized an address in which Secretary of State Elihu Root called for federal intervention in situations where the states failed to act. Root’s speech, which the newspaper assumed was actually written by President Roosevelt, is excerpted in the caption of the featured cartoon. The cartoon warns that William Moody, whom the president had recently named to the U.S. Supreme Court, will be a judicial tool by which Roosevelt can expand federal powers at the expense of state control through new “constructions of the Constitution.” On the right, Secretary of War William Howard Taft sits studying the “Simplified Constitution” while waiting his turn for the next appointment to the Supreme Court.

When Justice Henry Brown resigned from the U.S. Supreme Court in 1906, President Roosevelt tried unsuccessfully to convince Taft to take the position and then considered appointing a Southern Democrat. Finally, on December 12, 1906, the president announced the selection of Moody, emphasizing the attorney general’s nationalist philosophy by describing him as a follower of Alexander Hamilton and John Marshall, not states’ rights advocates Thomas Jefferson and John C. Calhoun. The Senate approved the nomination on December 17.

During Moody’s brief tenure on the Supreme Court, he wrote 67 opinions, including 5 dissents. His most famous dissent came in the Employers’ Liability Cases (1908) in which his minority opinion upheld the constitutionality of a congressional statute protecting employees involved in interstate commerce. The constitutional power to regulate interstate commerce, he argued, included the authority to legislate labor-management relations. Despite his general support of enhanced federal powers, Moody’s most important majority opinion (later overturned) ruled that the federal constitutional provision in the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination did not apply in state courts (Twining v. State of New Jersey, 1908). Moody’s judicial career was cut short when he developed debilitating rheumatism in early 1909 and was increasingly forced to neglect his judicial responsibilities. In 1910, Congress passed legislation that permitted Moody to qualify for federal retirement benefits, and he retired from the Supreme Court.

A saddened President Roosevelt remarked, “there is not a public servant, at this particular time, that the public could so ill afford to lose.” Eventually incapable of moving his arms and legs, Moody lived seven more years with the painful disease, cared for by his sister until his death on July 2, 1917.

 

LIZZIE BORDEN “ALONE” PAINTING AT MAPLECROFT

See also: https://phayemuss.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/lizzie-borden-alone-painting-at-maplecroft/ UPDATE: NOTE THE LATEST COMMENT WHICH IDENTIFIES TO WHOM LIZZIE GAVE THIS PAINTING. PERHAPS HIS NAME WILL BE IN THE BOOK, PARALLEL LIVES.

UPDATE: “ALONE” ARTIST IDENTIFIED My stepbrother (who was so cool to give me a brand new Garmin GPS tracker for Christmas) was looking over my blog today and came across this entry and said: “Hey! I know that artist!” Well it turns out its Herman Alfred Leonard Wahlberg, a Swedish artist born in Stockholm February 13, 1834 and died October 4, 1906.   Nordic landscape painting was popular during those years, and this Swedish landscape is typical of the Dusseldorf version of wilderness paintings. Known as just “Alfred Wahlberg” you can see a picture of him here. 

(Original post follows): There are numerous known and unknown people all over Fall River and environs who have “stuff” that belonged to Lizzie. On my last visit while shopping at an outlet store at the Durfee Mills I chatted with the store owner who told me she had an old rocking chair that belonged to Lizzie and if I came back she’d show me a picture of it. I never made it back but we did exchange addresses and I’ve yet to write her. Meanwhile, here’s something I can relate and show now.

(Original post from 2007) Some months ago, Jeff Masson of Somerset, MA noticed an elderly gentleman admiring the house he lives in and Jeff, his mother and this man got to talking. Eventually the subject of Lizzie Borden came up (Jeff is a frequent visitor to the Lizzie Borden B&B and has a keen knowledge of the Bordens and others buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River.) During the conversation the gentleman, Elliott Barrows of Somerset, related that he had a painting that was given to his grandfather by Lizzie Borden.

The story goes that Lizzie had some work done at her house she named “Maplecroft” #7 French Street (now 306) in Fall River, and it was Mr. Barrows’ grandfather who did the work – “handyman” kind of work, not major construction. The painting below apparently hung in Lizzie’s house and Lizzie, so the tale goes, gave Mr. Barrows the painting as partial payment for his labor. Just exactly when this occurred is not known. Mr. Barrows subsequently brought the actual painting back to Jeff’s house and allowed him to keep it for a while and to photograph it, which are the images you see here. Remarkably, Mr. Barrows stated the painting had been appraised for $8,000.

The handwritten notation on the back of the painting reads as follows:

“This picture framed for the house of Lisbeth and Emma Borden, 306 French St. Fall River, Mass whose father Andrew Jackson Borden and stepmother, Abby Durfee Gray Borden were murdered at their house, 92 Second St., Fall River, Mas, Aug. 4, 1892. The trial was held in June 1893.”  (and below) “Alone” by (unreadable) Art Supplement to the New York Recorder Sept 30th, 1894. The Knapp Co. Str.  N.Y. Famous Paintings of Europe.” 

It is very hard to distinguish the lettering in the name of the artist but it appears to be an “L” or “F” and then “V” and Rberg or Aberg. I believe this is a swedish artist.

There is a rather famous painting by Dawn Parkinson titled “Alone” showing a lone seagull soaring past a white chaulked cliff. Searching through various artbooks, Googling the name in assorted variations yielded no results. Unfortunately Mr. Barrows was not available for an interview on my most recent visit to Fall River. I’m currently awaiting follow-up from “Cemetery Jeff”. I know several people pursuing this find further as well, so maybe more information will be forthcoming.

The painting certainly evokes melancholy sadness and makes us wonder what it meant to Lizzie. I can not think it meant a great deal because to just give it away as partial payment to a handyman is not what one would do with a piece of art for which they had a strong emotional attachment. Perhaps this painting was a gift she received rather than a purchase made. Perhaps gazing upon it evoked emotions for an already sad and depressed woman to be even sadder. Maybe it clashed with that garish wallpaper of Victorian times. Who knows. But it’s a great little story, isn’t it?

 

“Parallel Lives” To Show Us a Different Lizzie Borden

Well, it’s almost here.  Maybe as close as the middle of next month.  We all know “of” Lizzie Borden as the central figure in America’s most baffling unsolved classic crime.  We know “of” her as a spinster school teacher who was charged (but acquitted) of the grisly hatchet murders of her father and stepmother on August 4, 1892 in Fall River, Ma.  We know “of” her in our mind, influenced by the thousands of images of her wielding a bloody axe (wrong), dripping in blood, who wanted daddy’s money and feared her stepmother would get it.  We know “of” her as a reclusive, shunned matron of “Maplecroft”,  the house she lived in the entire second half of her life.

When the 1992 Lizzie Borden Centennial was held in Fall River, hundreds came from all over to offer up and share in various theories.  Most prevalent was the incest theory.  Polls taken then showed the majority of Conference attendees still favored the “Lizzie did it” point of view.  But that has all been based on what we thought we knew “of” Lizzie.  After four days of presentations and various events and new books, we all went away no nearer to the truth –  let alone a viable solution to the enigma – nor enhancing our knowledge of who, really, was Lizzie Borden.

Lizzie’s Time

Lizzie was born the year the Pony Express was started, when Elizabeth Cady Stanton addressed the state’s legislature on the subject of women’s suffrage, and Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities was published.  There were only 33 states in the Union, and public conveyance was mostly by steamship and horse-drawn wagon.  She died the year two-way television was first demonstrated, “The Jazz Singer” premiered, and when the whole world was celebrating Lindberg’s solo flight across the Atlantic to Paris.  This was an era of great progress in America’s history as well as the rise and fall of industrial New England.

Now, spanning that same period – 1860 to 1927, comes the Fall River Historical Society’s “Parallel Lives-A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River.”  It is a book that  has been many years in the making, (I think I was pre-menopausal when they began), and it is a monumental and meticulous effort on the parts of Michael Martins and Dennis Binette, curators of the Society.  At  1000+ pages and 500+ photographs, this book promises to give us a new mindset of Lizzie and possibly change our opinions as to whether she “did it” or “didn’t do it”.

Sources hidden for generations until now

Aside from the voluminous amount of information housed in the archives of the Fall River Historical Society on Fall River’s history, that structure houses the world’s largest collection of documents and artifacts about the Borden case.  While most of what they have has either been revealed or made accessible to the public, the Society still had a significant amount of materials about Lizzie and her town’s history not published before, and this all appears in the book. However, little did Michael or Dennis know of what was to come.

Upon hearing of Martins/Binette Parallel Lives work-in-progress, dozens of people all over the country – and even outside of the U.S. – came forward voluntarily to present long held family secrets and treasures. Information and insight flowed forth from attics and old boxes, albums, etc. that were held within the families and passed down to sons and daughters, nieces and nephews.  All was kept from public view or scrutiny until now.  No sooner would Michael and Dennis be unexpectedly showered with one source of information who knew Lizzie, but then another and another would surface.  The journals, photos, cards, letters kept pouring in.  Like amoeba, it seemed to self reproduce until they had so much information about Lizzie Borden and her times it required a tome of more than 1000 pages.

We “hear” Lizzie speak through letters never revealed previously.  We “hear” others speak about their relationships with Lizzie, long standing relationships – people who knew her well.  We learn of specific things she did and places she went.  We learn about what she thought and how she responded within her world of Fall River’s “closed” society.  We gain a richer understanding of what it meant to be a Borden and the wide spread influences and power that name evoked. We learn of specific acts of kindnesses previously only alluded to. We learn much of this from the relatives and descendents of those that knew Lizzie Borden personally.  Not just “of” her.

This massive work isn’t about the crime per se, nor does it propose new theories.  It presents us with her world, her town, her peers, customs, morals, traditions, scandals, successes, and so much more that contributed to who and what she was as a child, girl, young woman, middle aged woman and elderly woman.  Through those letters, journals, photographs, remembrances, we finally we get to know Lizzie Borden.

Parallel Lives will thrill and astound all Borden case enthusiasts and experts.  To the latter it will be a primary treasured collectible, a golden resource in the cornicopia of what we know so far about Lizzie and, particularly, Fall River’s history of those six decades.  For the world-wide minions who know of the case – from as little as that inaccurate quatrain to a basic knowledge of the family and her post-Trial life – this book may not be so coveted or sought after.  At least not initially.  But because the book promises to shatter myths and resolve some mysteries about this case and the enduring, inscrutable Miss Lizzie it will garner massive attention through the media.  We will hear about it on television news, electronic news sites, in the printed newspapers, journals and magazines,  and the millions who hunker down with various social networking on the internet.  It will become a topic of conversation.  First regionally, then nationally then world-wide.  I’ve no doubt Michael and Dennis will be invited or interviewed remotely for a variety of talk shows and t.v. news special features as the public awareness of this watershed publication grows. In short, as news of its content spreads via multi media exposure, having a copy of the book will become de rigueur.  Its sales will soar. Lizzie Borden always gets attention and this book – this book registers on the same excitement level as  DeMille’s The Ten Commandments, “Who Shot J.R.?”, and Lindberg’s landing in Paris.

The Fall River Historical Society has a Facebook page that has been providing updates about the book’s production and publication.  I encourage you to read the comments of Michael Martins and Dennis Binette to learn precisely, specifically the amazing research effort and amount of sweat equity they both put into this book and why it is such a remarkable, beautifully crafted and valuable piece of work.

The exact publication date has not yet been announced.  The price of the book has not yet been set.  But we will have answers to this very soon,.  You can pre-order at the FRHS site HERE.

 

Incredibly Priced Lizzie Borden Collectibles for Sale – Part 1

NOTICE: 

I’ve received several emails about the Spinner books and so am providing a couple links.  Scroll down HERE to see all the out of print Spinner books such as those listed.  HERE is another good link for general information on all the Spinner publications.

I have also indicated in purple below the items that have already been sold since posting this blog.  Remember, more are coming!

These collectible items are guaranteed to be the lowest price you’ll find anywhere.  Many of these items include surprise bonuses, often worth more than the item itself!

These items will be sold on a first come first serve basis upon receipt of a money order or personal check.  NO PAY PAL.  Send an email to me at phaye@npgcable.com stating the Item(s) number(s). and your address.  I will reply with the total price.  But note that some items are FREE DELIVERY.

More items will be listed in a few days on my Collectibles page, so if you don’t see what you want here, watch for “Incredibly Priced Lizzie Borden Collections for Sale – Part 2”.  CLICK ON IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEW.

Item #1:  Lizzie Borden – A Study in Conjecture by Mrs. Belloc Lowndes.  1st edition with dust jacket.  Rare.                Price:  $65.00 plus postage

Item #2:  Collectible fan produced for the World Premiere of Slaughter on Second Street, a play by David Kent.  This fan was issued in limited quantity for the 1992 Lizzie Borden Centennial held at Bristol Community College, Fall River, August 1992.               PRICE:  $10.00 (with Bonus)

Item #3:  Compendium book, “The Legend 100 Years after the crime – a conference on the Lizzie Borden Case, edited by Prof. Jules Rychebusche.  This book contains essays submitted from the Call for Papers for the 1992 Centennial on Lizzie Borden.     PRICE  $25 plus postage  (with Bonus)

Item #4:  Three Casebooks as shown.  Includes 3 sepia tone Bordenia postcards and postcard of Rebello’s Lizzie Borden Past & Present.  Casebook issues feature various crimes, solved and unsolved, and includes one special featured crime among the others in each issue.  From left to right in the images below:  “The Perfect Murder” (William Wallace); “Death for Sale”, (Judge Peel, Mother Duncan & Childs & MacKenny); “The Fatal Triangle” (Harry Thaw).      SOLD      Price  $15.00.  FREE DELIVERY

Item #5:  The Earl Charlton Story.   Earl P. Charlton was one of the first tenants of Andrew Borden’s new building on Main & Anawan Streets.  Starting out a a 5 & dime he partnered with Woolworths and became the richest man in Fall River.  His contributions have resulted in the premiere hospital of Fall River.                             Price:  $10 plus postage

Item #6:  Currently the premiere book on Lizzie Borden by Leonard Rebello (pending the publication of the Fall River Historical Society’s Parallel Lives, this book usually sells for $200 or more.  It is the definitive ‘go to” book.    AUTOGRAPHED.           Price:  $75.00 plus postage

Item #7:  Liberty Magazine, Fall 1972.  Includes wonderful 8-page article on the Borden case with illustrations, including the cut out images of the Borden house.                 Price $10 plus postage (with special Bonus)

Item #8:  Lizzie Borden Research & Reference CD ROM, includes Witness Statements, Coroner’s Inquest, Preliminary Hearing and Trial.  Also has over 2,000 images, complete books in WORD (Private Disgrace, Fall River Tragedy, etc. etc.), special essays and MORE.  Fantastic bargain. This is most comprehensive and a researcher’s dream.       Price $20 FREE DELIVERY PLUS BONUS!

Item #9:  Police Files, June 1964, with another terrific article on the Borden case.                                                  PRICE $7.00 with surprise Bonus.

Item #10:  DVD  The Curse of Lizzie Borden (Director’s cut), and book The Most Evil Women in History by Shelley Klein, like new with dust jacket.                                                   Price $15.00 plus postage.

Item #11:  Spinner – People & Culture in Southeastern Massachusetts – Vol. II.  This has wonderful, in depth articles and tons of photos, particularly of New Bedford & Fall River.  Long out of print and hard to find. Wonderful history.                                                         Price $15.00 plus Bonus.

Item #12:  This is a two volume series of photographs I took when visiting the “Lizzie Borden Story” in Salem, Ma.  The exhibit has since gone out of business but my photos take you on a chronological excursion of everything displayed.  If you never went there, this “history” is preserved in these photographs.      SOLD      Price:  $15.00.  FREE POSTAGE.

Item #13:  Spinner – People & Culture in Southeastern Massachusetts – Vol. 1. and The Run of the Mill, a Pictorial Narrative of the Expansion, Dominion, Dedcline and Enduring Impact of the New England Textile Industry by Steve Dunwell, 1978.  Out of Print.      PRICE: $35 Plus postage.

Item #14:  Historic Fall River – a special publication prepared for the City of Fall River by The Preservation Partnership, 1978. 120 pages of illustrations and text on Fall River’s architecture, i.e. Victorian, Romanesque, Gothic Revival, etc., and Fall River neighborhoods.  Any Borden case afficionado will recognize many of the structures.  Long out of print, hard to find.      SOLD       Price:  $25 plus postage.   Comes with a BONUS!

Item #15:  David Rehak’s Did Lizzie Borden Axe for It?.  Revised 2005.  This book has been printed in 3 different revisions.  To own all 3 is a collector’s objective.  Second book is Agnes deMille’s A Dance of Death – the story of her research into the Borden case which resulted in her ballet,  Fall River Legend.                        Price: $22.00 plus postage.

Item #16:  DVD The Legend of Lizzie Borden – 1975 Paramount Pictures made-for-t.v. starring Elizabeth Montgomery.   Price:  $15 plus Bonus!

Item #17:  Collectible Lizzie Borden ceramic coffee mug, plus model of the Lizzie Borden house woodcut which was issued in limited quantity and hard to find.                  Price:  $22 plus Postage.  SPECIAL BONUS.

Item #18:  The Knowlton Papers – edited by the Fall River Hitorical Society, Michael Martins and Dennis Binette.  This is a coveted collectible that usually sells between $200 and $400.  This book is surely to go up in value and be in demand when Parallel Lives is published.  Excellent condition and comes with the dust jacket.                   Price: $90 plus postage.                     

 

On the Lizzie Borden Case, Have You Ever Wondered…

Add-ons:

Have you ever wondered why:

Winnie French was so adamant to testify on behalf of Grace Howe & Helen Leighton at the Probate Hearing against Charles Cook’s claim of ownership of the Henry House?

Orrin Gardner had so little tribute in ink when he died, although it was highly deserved?

What specifically Bailey Borden sold of Lizzie & Emma’s possession in his Fall River store acquired from Hamilton Gardner?

Why there was so little reporting of Lizzie writing a blank check to Ernest Terry as she lay dying on her last day of life?  (All those people at the bank knew.)

Why Charles Cook parked his car in Lizzie’s garage and then charged the heating to her estate?

Why Ernest Terry went to work for Charles Cook after Lizzie died?

Why Grace Howe, with a keen eye for antiques, left so much of it?

Why so many of Lizzie’s good books ended up with Marian Reilly?

Well, I hope to have answers to some of this to post later.

Back home and much to catch up with.

***********

Note:   Some people wonder the same thing as stated in this comment I received from “Norman Pound”:

“Inquisitive thirst comes on strong as I wait for your book and/or screenplay! This theatrical passage is evidence that it is impossible to endure another year without the pleasure of your literary talent and aptitude for investigation collected in manuscript form. Us Lizzie lovers await, chatting numerously, “When Phaye? When?””

The answer is:  “I don’t do things in a hurry.”   😉

There’s much to wonder about in the Lizzie Borden case, whether at its core or on the periphery.  Here’s just a few things:

Have you ever wondered if Lizzie knew Nance O’Neil had married Alfred Devereaux Hickman in 1916, becoming his second wife?   (A widower for only one year, his first wife died in 1915).

And, have you ever wondered if Lizzie went to any of those movies Nance O’Neil was in?  She certainly lived long enough to read, if not actually see, Nance’s transition from the theatre to the silent screen and then in speaking roles.

And – as to those movies – here’s an interesting tidbit:

John B. Colton (1889–1946),  was a New York dramatist whose plays include Nine Pine Street (1933), based on the Borden murder case.  (He also co-wrote Rain (1922), based on a Somerset Maugham story).   But here’s the thing – Colton co-wrote “Call of the Flesh”, a film featuring Nance O’Neil released August 16, 1930.  And less than 3 years later on April 27, 1933, Nine Pine Street premiered at the Longacre Theatre and starred Lillian Gish as “Effie Holden.”  It played for 28 performances and closed in mid May, 1933.  Do you wonder if  Colton spoke to Nance about Lizzie Borden and was thereby inspired to write Nine Pine Street?  Something to ponder.

Here’s what was going on around that time:

February 18, 1933	New York Magazine article on LMH “the mysterious alter ego of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
March 24, 1933	4th & Final Probate Court acctg. filed by Cook on Lizzie’s Will – period Nov. 28, 1932 thru March 3, 1933.
March 3, 1933	Grace Hartley Howe & Helen Leighton sign 4th & Final Account of Probate.
March 4, 1933	Franklin Delano Roosevelt is inaugurated as the 32nd U.S. president.
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.

And here’s something else I have always wondered about:

Why didn’t Abby have Bridget fix eggs on that August 4, 1892 Thursday morning instead of the 5 day old cold mutton and mutton soup?  After all, Uncle John Morse had picked them up from Frederick Eddy at Andrew’s farm in Swansea just the evening before and brought them back per Andrew’s request.  Those eggs were most likely in the kitchen pantry Wednesday night and Thursday morning.  I wonder if Abby asked Andrew what he wanted for breakfast and suggested the eggs.  I wonder if Andrew, with both testeronic and assertive dominance said: “No.  I’ll be selling those eggs.  Serve the mutton.  Waste not, want not.”   If so, one cannot help but wince and sigh yet again for poor Abby.

Too bad Lizzie didn’t get up earlier.  Abby might have asked her what she wanted for BREAKFAST instead of (according to Lizzie’s Inquest Testimony) what she wanted for dinner, i.e., the noon day meal.  I wonder if Lizzie would have stomped her foot and said: “Mutton?!!  No!!! I want eggs!”

Just a few things to wonder about.  There’s more, but I’m out of time and American Idol is on with the results of the next four to get booted off.

Hmmm, something to ponder.