Mondo Lizzie Borden

01/28/2025

“that hatchets and skulls will cease to trouble you”

Where Lizzie A. Borden may have been reticent to comment publicly on events in her life following the murders, and her subsequent trial for them, this was not true of at least one other individual involved in the case. On June 28, 1893, Dr. Frank Winthrop Draper, in the capacity of Secretary of the Massachusetts Medico-Legal Society, penned a letter to his colleague, and fellow society member, Dr. William A. Dolan, requesting that the latter present a paper at an upcoming meeting of that esteemed organization. As one would expect, the proposed subject was the Borden case. Addressing the letter to “My dear Doctor,” Draper wrote:

"Now that the great trial has gone by and become historic I hope you will enjoy a well deserved respite from homicidal experiences and that hatchets and skulls will cease to trouble you. I find that the verdict is generally accepted as the correct conclusion from the evidence admitted; but many persons still indulge in a ‘mental reservation’ concerning the accused.

"My purpose in writing is to ask if you will not kindly select some feature of the Borden case, such as the priority of Mrs. Borden’s death, for example, and give the Medico-Legal Society a paper for its October meeting. I write as Secretary of the Society, and altho’ I am aware that you must be rather tired of thinking and talking ‘Borden’ yet I am sure our members will expect and welcome a contribution from you about the affair, knowing what a very prominent and important part you bore in it…. I shall confidently await an affirmative answer, and beg you will not interpret my suggestion about ‘some feature’ as designed to limit you in any way.

Yours very truly,
F.W. Draper, Secy."

Upon receipt of a reply in the affirmative, Draper again wrote, on July 7, to Dolan, whom he addressed as “Dear Sir,” expressing his delight that the latter agreed to present the proposed paper:

"I desire to thank you for your letter of June 30 and to express my great satisfaction that the Medico-Legal Society will have the pleasure of a contribution from you on the Great Case. Your paper will be the feature of the October meeting.

"I have given considerable thought to the question which you suggested concerning the right of medical examiners to control, and if necessary to close for a longer or shorter time, premises in which the dead body of a victim of a homicide is lying. It seems to me that the law (Chap: 26 of the Gen. Stat.) is very broad in defining the medical examiners duties and includes almost every course and agency to enable him to discharge his specific duty, namely, to determine the cause and the manner of a death supposed to be by violence; and if in his judgment, the temporary control of the surroundings of the body is necessary to that end, he does not exceed his authority in assuming that control. In my own experience, there has never been any trouble on that issue. But this is a legal rather than a medical question and I propose to ask some lawyer to give our Society a paper on the subject.

"I see by this morning’s Herald that you had another evidence of wickedness in your neighborhood to untangle. Is there anything in the case that would be interesting or instructive to report at the proper time for the benefit of your fellow medical examiners? If so I beg you to save it for us.

Yours very truly,
F.W. Draper"

It is interesting to speculate if Draper’s comments concerning the jurisdiction of medical examiners over a crime scene was in direct reference to the antics that took place following the discovery of the Bordens, at which time any number of individuals, from officials to private citizens and clergy, appear to have visited the Second Street residence, either to view the remains or console the Borden sisters.

It would be some time before Draper’s wish “that hatchets and skulls would cease to trouble” Dr. Dolan would come to fruition, for a serious state of affairs vexing the Borden sisters would soon bring the subject of skulls to the forefront.

From: Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River, by Michael Martins and Dennis A. Binette, Fall River Historical Society Press.

https://fallriverhistorical.org/product/book-frhs-press-parallel-lives/

10/22/2024

10/16/2024

“CHARGED WITH STEALING”

The incident involved a jeweler and attained a considerable amount of notoriety because of the principal character involved, and the purported crime, larceny. In February of that year, headlines boldly stretched across newspaper front pages must have rankled the individual whose name, once again, found itself there: “CHARGED WITH STEALING – Warrant Issued for the Arrest of Lizzie Borden.” The tale of the incident, appearing first in the Providence Journal, soon made its way to the pages of the Fall River Daily Globe, a paper never known to balk at printing banner headlines when that lady’s name was involved. The Daily Globe reported that a “most strenuous effort” was made to squelch the story; it was said that even the Boston newspapers were “muzzled,” with one “deny[ing] absolutely that there was ground for the outrageous story.”

The stuff of legend surrounds the ambiguous occurrence at the Tilden-Thurber Company in Providence, a prestigious jeweler in that nearby city often frequented by many affluent customers from Fall River. As best as can be surmised, Lizzie, known to be a “frequent visitor to this city and a customer” of that jeweler, had allegedly visited the concern and, upon her departure, it was said that two painted porcelains were missing. The matter was immediately reported to Henry Tilden, who made note of the affair. Some time later, a woman entered the store, bearing a porcelain plaque in need of repair, which was recognized by the clerk as one that previously had been discovered missing.

A slightly different report of the account made no mention of this earlier suspicion of Lizzie, but describes a woman, the wife of a man employed by a Providence bank, who entered the jewelry firm with a painting on porcelain, wishing to have it framed. Examination of the item alerted the clerk, who believed it was a piece from their collection. Upon investigation, it was discovered that, not only this work but another smaller one was missing as well. In both cases, the woman informed the Tilden-Thurber clerk that the porcelain had been a gift from Lizzie A. Borden. The woman in question is believed to be Mrs. Preston Hicks Gardner, née Mary Eliza Hoyt; she and her husband, the latter an employee of the Providence banking institution, Hospital Trust Company, were friendly with both of the Borden sisters.

Tilden-Thurber “secured the services of the police department and Detective [Frank H.] Parker was sent to Fall River to investigate.” It was at this time that it was said to have been discovered that the second painted porcelain was at Lizzie’s residence and, in response to inquiries “concerning it and the picture she had given to a friend … she stated that she had bought them both at the store of the Tilden & Thurber Co., paying $16 a piece for them.” This deflated price stood in contradiction to what the jeweler professed was the actual value, at least $100 for the two pieces. “The question of veracity between Miss Borden and the clerks who were in charge of the pictures … was thus raised by Miss Borden’s statement” and it was there that the matter was to remain.

No statements were made to the press concerning the affair, although the Providence Chief of Police, Reuben R. Baker, did “not deny … that a warrant charging Miss Lizzie Borden with larceny … was issued, and Judge [William Howard] Sweetland, being the judge of the district court [did not] care to make any statement concerning the swearing out of this particular warrant.” Lizzie’s attorney, Andrew J. Jennings, “steadfastly refused to say anything for publication except that he did not believe the story.” It was known that the warrant was “never served,” in spite of its issuance, and the paintings were believed to be in the possession of their owners. Concerning the dubious circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the items from Tilden-Thurber, it was said that the recipient of the painted porcelain made full restitution for the price of the merchandise.

Inexplicably, the incident disappeared from the front pages as rapidly as it had appeared. One reason offered as an ending to the story, albeit sarcastically, was that Tilden-Thurber was “led to see that the claim of [Lizzie] that she purchased the articles was correct even though there was no record of such a happening and despite the complaint of the clerk to the heads of the company.” But regardless of the minimal coverage by the press, and whatever the resolution, the incident left behind it a stigma that continued to haunt her as did the mystery of the events that occurred on August 4, 1892. Tales of an uncontrollable Lizzie abound, describing her visiting local merchants to do her “shopping” under the watchful eyes of various and sundry clerks, who later saw that Andrew J. Borden was sent the bill for anything procured by his daughter. In view of all we know of Borden’s strict management of his personal and business affairs, it is hardly likely that he would have tolerated such embarrassing behavior on the part of one of his offspring. The rumor mill, however, has produced an inordinate number of shoplifting tales, all evolving from this sole, unexplained instance which, for only a few days barely four years after her acquittal, again thrust Lizzie’s name onto newspaper front pages. For many individuals, these unsubstantiated occurrences became accepted as fact.

Mrs. Ellis Gifford, née Mary Hamilton Beattie, whose husband was the proprietor of C.E. Gifford & Co., was one of those who believed the stories of Lizzie’s alleged pilferring. The octogenarian stated that when Lizzie entered her husband’s establishment, he watched her “very carefully,” as would “the clerks, if my husband was busy,” adding that Lizzie “had plenty of money to buy everything she wanted. It was a compulsion.” It is believed by some individuals that Mrs. Gifford possessed positive evidence that Lizzie stole items from her husband’s store when, in fact, she had actually only stated that Lizzie was “watched.”

It was the belief of Mrs. Richard C. Brigham, a close friend and associate of Mary, that the veil of suspicion drawn over Lizzie caused Gifford’s employees to keep a sharp eye on their infamous customer, and that this feeling was shared by the jewelry store proprietor and his wife, as well as other shopkeepers across the city. In actuality, this suspicion on their part remains just that, a suspicion, as no evidence has, as of yet, surfaced to indicate otherwise. Careful examination of the extant records for Gifford’s has not resulted in evidence that would indicate that any item identified as stolen is in any way connected to Lizzie. Rather, business transactions associated with her name appear alongside those of countless others who legitimately patronized the establishment. Since these private records were never intended to be seen publicly, it would seem that any unscrupulous actions, and their subsequent resolutions, would, by necessity, be indicated in the official business records; proper reporting would dictate that this be done in order to maintain an accurate accounting of the store’s inventory.

From: Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River, by Michael Martins and Dennis A. Binette, Fall River Historical Society Press.

https://fallriverhistorical.org/product/book-frhs-press-parallel-lives/

10/08/2024

What we know of Lizzie's youth is through this woman. Lulie!

10/03/2024

New Lizzie Borden Podcast episode out. An interview with Michael Martins of the Fall River Historical Society

In this episode we interview the curator of the Fall River Historical Society, Michael Martins, about the past few years of work at the Society and the chang...

10/01/2024

Another great post by the Fall River Historical Society.

09/24/2024

The Mantelpieces at Maplecroft.

08/28/2024

The Borden Sisters Shop at Gifford’s

Existing photographs document the fact that Fall River women of all social classes displayed a fondness for jewelry, be they of great intrinsic value, or decorative costume pieces. Interesting to peruse is the Diamond Record that was maintained by C.E. Gifford & Co., detailing their sales of that precious stone over a fifty-year period, beginning in 1878. In this ledger, one finds the names of many individuals, some well known and others not, and the particulars of the diamond ornaments they purchased.

Listed among the clientele are Emma L. and Lizzie A. Borden, both of whom acquired pieces from Gifford’s over a period of several years. In 1896, Emma made three purchases of jewelry set with diamonds: on October 24, a ring with one emerald and a pair of one-carat diamonds set in eighteen-karat gold, for $518; on December 1, a ring with two diamonds totaling slightly more than one carat, set in eighteen-karat gold for $416; and on December 9, a ring set with a single diamond of slightly more than one carat, the stone of which is recorded as having a “slight blemish,” for $156.

The first purchase recorded for Lizzie is dated April 7, 1899, at which time she bought a ring set with two diamonds totaling 2.66 carats, accented by six smaller stones, for the sum of $521. Over the next few years, there were three additional purchases: on June 28, 1900, a ring with three sapphires totaling 1.50 carats and one diamond of seventy-two points set in eighteen-karat gold, for the sum of $169; on January 25, 1902, a cluster ring set with twelve small diamonds totaling nearly a carat, for the sum of $131; and on September 15, 1905, a platinum ring set with a single 2.75 carat diamond, for the sum of $724. As with her sister, it is impossible to ascertain whether Lizzie purchased these pieces for herself or intended them as gifts, but it is likely that some were included in the legacies of jewelry she would later make to friends in her will.

In addition to Gifford’s, the Borden sisters patronized other jewelry establishments. This was especially the case with Lizzie, who was to find it increasingly uncomfortable, as the years progressed, to shop in Fall River due to the notoriety attached to her name. In New Bedford, at the shop of Charles Edgar Woodworth, Lizzie purchased a set of fruit knives, their iridescent mother-of-pearl handles mounted in embossed sterling silver; her sterling silver tea and coffee service, as well as other serving pieces, elaborately engraved with her monogram, bear the retailer’s mark of New York’s famed Tiffany & Company, a store from which she made several purchases.

By many accounts, Lizzie delighted in presenting friends with gifts, which included pieces of jewelry and articles of silver, which she selected especially for them. A favorite gift for young boys was a gold ring, engraved with an appropriate inscription; among those who received one was Richard C. Brigham, a token, perhaps, of the friendship she enjoyed with his mother, and her sincere fondness for the child. Lizzie shared a close relationship with members of the family of Charles J. Holmes, and to his grandson, Charles Calvin Holmes, born in 1897, the son of Charles Lincoln Holmes and his wife, the former Anna S. Pratt, she also made a present of a gold child’s ring.

Following her acquittal, Lizzie acknowledged the support she had received with gifts presented to select individuals whose friendship she treasured. To one Fall River woman, perhaps among the closest of her confidantes, she presented a cased set of twelve sterling silver dinner forks in the Audubon pattern, the pieces hand-engraved with the letter “B,” the initial of the recipient’s surname. It appears that silver was her gift of choice; to Mr. and Mrs. William King Covell, she gave a cased set of six pie forks, similarly engraved with the letter “C.” Many years later, in the early 1920s, she purchased a pair of sterling compotes; these she sent as a wedding gift to a popular Fall River couple, despite the fact that she had not been in contact with that family for many years. In this instance, at least, it appears that Lizzie was not one to forget past kindnesses.

From: Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River, by Michael Martins and Dennis A. Binette, Fall River Historical Society Press.

https://fallriverhistorical.org/product/book-frhs-press-parallel-lives/

08/19/2024

Great post by the Fall River Historical Society.

08/04/2024

In honor of August 4th, the FRHS has released an rare recording of Dr. Jordan Fiore discussing the Lizzie Borden case on WALE radio, circa 1973. Enjoy!

Interviewed by Jean Bancroft and Don Mclean.WALE radio, circa 1973.Jordan Fiore had a life-long interest in the Lizzie Borden case. "I saw Lizzie once in Fal...

06/24/2024

Just completed Episode 31 of the Lizzie Borden Podcast. I interviewed the great Fall River historian Dr. Philip T. Silvia Jr.

We talked about early Fall River History, Irish immigration into the city, the local media and their biases, and, of course, Lizzie Borden.

Enjoy!

In this episode we interview Fall River historian and professor emeritus of history at Bridgewater State University, Dr. Philip T. Silvia Jr. He has edited t...

03/05/2024

Dr. Mason

Although Dr. MacRae was her “family physician,” Lizzie also counted Dr. William Mason, a prominent Fall River general practitioner, among those who attended to her medical needs; Dr. Mason served in consultation with Dr. MacRae.

A Fall River native, William was the son of George Reed Mason, a newspaper reporter, and his wife, née Harriet C. Munroe. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, and attended the B.M.C. Durfee High School, graduating with the class of 1911. Entering Harvard University, he earned his A.B. in 1915, after which he entered Harvard Medical School, receiving his M.D. four years later. He served his internship at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and, declining the offer of a position on its staff, returned to Fall River where he established a practice, with an office in the Truesdale Clinic.

Dr. Mason “had a great bedside manner” and would often “josh with his patients” in a light-hearted attempt to make them more comfortable. “He was very well liked,” recalled a former student at Truesdale Hospital School of Nursing, and “could tell a joke with a straight face, and when you laughed, he laughed.” He was “known to do his rounds late at night accompanied by a small dog that would sit quietly by the bed while he examined his patients.” Lizzie A. Borden was fond of the fun-loving Dr. Mason, with whom she shared a common affinity for the same breed of dog; Dr. Mason had a Boston terrier named “Sally.”

The physician called on Lizzie at Maplecroft on several occasions, and later recalled that “during her final illness [she] was seen by [him] at her home in consultation with Dr. Annie Macrae.”

Recalling Lizzie’s hospital stay, Dr. Mason wrote:
"[She] was operated upon in the Truesdale Hospital in February 1926 [and was] seen there by me and … held my newborn daughter [Nancy] in her arms and with … my wife [née Nancy Campbell] exchanged books, messages and goodies. "

On February 17, 1926, Mrs. Dr. Mason had given birth to her second child, a daughter, named Nancy after her mother, and was convalescing at Truesdale Hospital. Shortly after his daughter’s birth, a jubilant Dr. Mason called on Lizzie in her room, stating, “Oh, I’m very excited, my wife gave birth to a little girl.” Offering her congratulations, she remarked, “I have never seen a newborn baby.” With that, Dr. Mason “turned to the nurse and said ‘Will you please bring Nancy up from the nursery?’” Accordingly, “they brought the baby up” and a delighted Lizzie contentedly “held the infant in her arms in her bed.”

It was not long before the public was made aware that Lizzie had undergone surgery and was a patient in the hospital, with the Fall River Herald News reporting, on February 24:

"Miss Lizbeth A. Borden, 306 French Street, is ill at the Truesdale. It is understood that Miss Borden was operated on about three weeks ago and that she is well on the way of convalescence."

Other newspapers reported the story in a similar manner. Author Edmund L. Pearson maintained that Lizzie’s stay at the hospital “was nearly ended before the staff were aware of her identity,” a point reiterated by Victoria E. Lincoln who wrote that “the nurses and interns pretended, out of kindness, not to recognize her.” This scenario was very likely the case, and probably the result of a directive from Dr. Truesdale, who would not have tolerated any breech of privacy on the part of his staff members.

It appears, however, that some Truesdale nurses set a limit to the length of time they maintained a patient’s confidentiality, at least in the case of an individual as well known as Lizzie A. Borden. It was later reported that “nurses who knew Miss Borden as a patient … mentioned to their friends, it is said, that she was a woman of decided opinions and will, more masculine in appearance and ways than feminine.” Perhaps the veracity of this statement, in its entirety, should be questioned. It is undeniably certain that Lizzie knew her own mind and, possessing the means to bring her wishes to fruition, was intent on doing so. Yet individuals with whom she was intime often commented on traits that were decidedly feminine in character, standing in sharp contrast to the masculine personality portrayed by the nurses.

Florence M. Pipon wrote of Lizzie’s hospitalization in a letter to her sister:

"She had an OP in the hospital & they had an awful time with the Press who found she was there – she recovered & became very fond of the surgeon. She lived several years after, I think she had a cancer – but Aunt Annie never told me."

During Lizzie’s stay at Truesdale, her automobile, which was “recognized by all,” became a familiar site on the grounds; “her chauffeur would often go up to the hospital, probably to bring her things.” Apparently, even in the well-appointed Truesdale Hospital, the patient required the assistance of her attentive Maplecroft staff, and craved the comforts of home.

It is unknown who among Lizzie’s friends visited her during her illness, though one can safely postulate that those who were apprised of her condition were thoughtful enough to do so. Grace H. Howe had two reasons to call at the hospital at that time; her sister-in-law, Mrs. Edward M. Hartley, née Mary Parker Pierce, was also a patient there. On February 22, 1926, Mary Ella Brigham wrote in her diary, “Mrs. Edward Hartley at Truesdale’s”; four days later the diarist went “up to [the] Hospital to see” her. It is unknown if Mary Ella was aware that her old friend, Lizzie, was hospitalized at the time, though it is likely that she did, especially so due to her friendship with members of the Hartley family. It appears that Mary Ella, who had not been in Lizzie’s company for over two decades, had no intention of permitting the latter’s illness to be a means of reconciliation. She did not call on Lizzie.

The extent of Lizzie’s stay is unknown, but it was certainly in excess of three weeks, evidenced by the reportage awarded the event in the newspapers. When she returned to Maplecroft, a trained nurse, engaged to assist in her recovery, undoubtedly was at hand, as was her ever-devoted staff.

From: Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River, by Michael Martins and Dennis A. Binette, Fall River Historical Society Press.

https://fallriverhistorical.org/product/book-frhs-press-parallel-lives/

01/31/2024

In this episode we interview Dennis Binette, co-author of many books published by the Fall River Historical Society, including The Knowlton Papers, Women at ...

12/19/2023

Wedding Bells?

Fall River gossipmongers must have savored the rumors circulating throughout the city in early December, 1896, regarding the supposed impending marriage of a resident so well known that the very mention of her name was bound to attract notice. Under the headline “WEDDING BELLS,” there appeared, on December 10, an article in the pages of the Fall River Daily Globe stating that, “Miss Lizzie A. Borden of French street is soon to marry a Mr. Gardner, of Swansea.” With the sub-headings “Report That She Is to Be Married Shortly” and “A Mr. Gardner of Swansea the Probable Groom,” the following was stated:

"A rumor to the effect that Miss Lizzie A. Borden of French street is soon to marry a Mr. Gardner, of Swansea, has gained wide circulation about the city and Swansea, where it is pretty generally credited. A local modiste is now engaged in making an elaborate trousseau for Miss Borden. It has been given out that the garments are for a European trip, but as one of the dresses is known to be a beautiful white satin creation, the knowing ones simply smile when asked about the matter. It is said the affair will take place about Christmas or New Year’s."

Undoubtedly stunned and embarrassed by the rumors, it was likely Lizzie who, through an intermediary, saw to it that the following appeared in the “Our Folks and Other Folks” column in the Fall River Daily Evening News the next day:

"A rumor that has been current for a week or more, announcing the engagement of Miss Lizzie A. Borden, and a young gentleman of Swansea, found its way into the out-of-town papers this morning. There is no foundation to the rumor and the News is authorized to deny it."

One of the “out-of-town papers” was the Boston Globe, whose article “Is Lizzie Borden To Marry?” was picked up by the wire services and reprinted in newspapers throughout the country.

“the Probable Groom”

The supposed groom was Orrin Augustus Gardner, a twenty-nine-year-old cousin of the alleged bride, and a resident of Touisset, a village located in the southern part of Swansea. The relationship between the two was that of third cousin, both being great-great-grandchildren of John Vinnicum and his wife, née Susannah Tripp. To the Vinnicums were born three children, among them John II, from whom Orrin was descended, and Sarah, who married Captain Joseph Morse, and from whom Lizzie was descended.

The son of Henry Augustus Gardner and his wife, née Caroline Cole Mason, Orrin was their first child, born on July 21, 1867. A brother, christened Frank Henry, was born two years later, followed, in turn, by another brother, William Wilson, born in 1875. The next year, Caroline gave birth to her fourth and final child, a daughter whom they named Mabel; sadly, the child lived only seventeen days. Orrin and his two brothers grew up on the family farm, their early education likely received in the public schools in Swansea.

Following graduation from high school in Warren, Orrin attended Bryant & Stratton Commercial College and, later, the Rhode Island State Normal School, both in Providence. His teaching career was occupied with positions in Tiverton, Somerset, and Swansea, the last town in which he later served as superintendent of schools. He gained employment in Fall River in 1898, as an instructor at the North Steep Brook School, remaining in that capacity for the next five years. In 1903, he accepted the position of principal and ninth grade teacher at the Highland School and, in 1908, transferred to the N.B. Borden School in the same capacity. For a number of years, he arranged student excursions to the nation’s capital, for which he became well known. Among the many students who visited Washington, DC, with him was Richard C. Brigham, the young son of the George S. Brighams.

Orrin served as an agent for the trustees of the State Industrial School for Boys, and, following retirement from that position, taught at St. Andrew’s, a private school for boys in Sewanee, Tennessee. Upon his return to New England, he resided at Riverby, his family home in Touisset, later relocating to a convalescent home in Dighton, Massachusetts, where he died, unmarried, in 1944.

The closeness of the relationship Orrin maintained with his cousin, Lizzie, is unknown, as is the raison d’être for his name being linked to hers in rumor. Whatever the case, their friendship did not continue into the later years of Lizzie’s life, evidenced, in part, by the fact that his name is not listed among the cousins to whom she left legacies in her will. The same cannot be said for his rapport with his cousin, Emma, with whom he maintained a very close relationship. Certain members of the Swansea branch of the Gardner family remained steadfastly loyal to Emma throughout her lifetime and sympathized with her, disassociating themselves from Lizzie when the sisters eventually became estranged.

From: Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River, by Michael Martins and Dennis A. Binette, Fall River Historical Society Press.

https://fallriverhistorical.org/product/book-frhs-press-parallel-lives/