• Home
  • Articles
    • Abby’s Sisters
    • Another Side of Lizzie Borden
    • Bence & the Prussic Acid
    • Borden Funerals
    • The Borden Monument
    • Bowen’s Preliminary
    • Dr. Bowen
    • Dr. Kelly
    • Brownells of Fairhaven
    • Grand Tour
    • Lizzie’s Horses
    • Lizzie’s School Days
    • Murder in the Well
    • Nance O’Neil
    • Officer Medley
    • Victorian Fashion
    • W&W’s Writer

Lizzie Borden : Warps & Wefts

~ News, articles and photos about The Lady, The Crime, The City and The Era

Lizzie Borden : Warps & Wefts

Category Archives: August 4th

Getting #92 ready for her close-up

09 Monday Aug 2010

Posted by Shelley in August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Borden Spaces and Places, Case Personalities, Crime Scene, Fall River Police Dept., If Walls Could Talk, Murder Most Foul, Pear Essential Players, Potpourri, Read All ABout It, Second Street Happenings, Theories, True Crime, Violent Victorians

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast

This year the house outside was pristine, having just had a new coat of paint. The tent was up for visitors to wait under , shielded from the hot sun, and lemonade and hatchet cookies were ready for refreshment.  Thanks go out this year to Debbie, Anna and Walter for keeping everyone cool and refreshed!

Naturally any photographs on the wall inside which were not family photos were taken down.  Several crime scene photos were shown to visitors as “just having been developed and sent over by Mr. Walsh who was hired by the police department to shoot the crime scenes.”

For the first time this year, inasmuch as “CSI” was in the title of this year’s adaptation, blood spatter was applied to the wall and doors in the sitting room. After trying several concoctions, cherry preserves was found to give the best effect.  John Morse mentions about 60 drops on the door into the parlor.  Emma Borden would wash these off later in the evening on the 4th.  Spatter was also applied to the framed engraving over the black sofa.  Most visitors made a note of this on their exit polls. (photos courtesy of Lee Ann Wilbur)

This year the bed in the guest room where Abby Borden was killed was moved in order to reproduce the photo of Abby taken from the door way.  A blood-spattered coverlet and shams were on the bed as well as a tuft of hair.  More blood was used than on the genuine article which was on display down at the historical society in a special Bordenalia exhibit.

It is remarkable that the crime scene still exists after so many years, so everyone who visits is very forgiving of modern conveniences such as electric sockets, lamps, refrigerators, etc, and turns a blind eye to these minor things which distract from time travel to 1892.

The dress worn by Elizabeth Montgomery in The Legend of Lizzie Borden, and other clothing items usually on display were put in the upstairs bathroom, which at one time was actually a dress closet.  Down in the cellar, the search for hatchets and other possible weapons, conducted by Detective Seaver, gave a glimpse to visitors of just where these items were found, and offers a visit to the Borden cellar, always a place guests wish to see.

Using a detailed sketch of the rooms done by Kiernan in 1892 as reference, Lizzie’s fainting couch was placed where it had been, between the two windows. Lizzie lounged with her pink and white wrapper with cherry ribbons which Officer Harrington would later describe in such detail that it brought a smile from Lizzie in court.

With so many period antiques in place in the house, dressing the house for a performance is easy.  The two crime scenes are particularly accurate in furnishings, and most guests take note of this as they examine the 1892 photographs.  With just a little imagination, it is not hard to go back in time and visualize how the rooms must have looked.  At 9:30 and 11 a.m., a hush always falls on the house as cast and guests recall what was happening so many years ago.

Who was new for August 4th ?

08 Sunday Aug 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizzie Folks", "Lizziewear", August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Borden Spaces and Places, Case Personalities, Crime Scene, Fall River, Fall River Police Dept., House & Testimonies, If Walls Could Talk, Just Plain Lizzie, Pear Essential Players, Second Street Happenings, Uncategorized, Victorian True Crime

≈ 1 Comment

It was a big day at #92 for the cast of the Pear Essential Players as they turned in 10 performances of Lizzie Borden CSI.  Tickets sold out and the gift shop was buzzing with activity from early morning until the end of the day when the evening check- ins arrived.  All  previous records were broken this year.

Rufus Hilliard                                                 Ray Mitchell

There were a few new faces this year in the cast including Ray Mitchell who portrayed city marshal Rufus Hilliard and bore an uncanny resemblance to his character!  Michael Brooks took over the role of James Winward, Undertaker and was suitably grave and distinguished.

(photo courtesy of Lee Ann Wilber)

For the first time, the bed in the guest room was moved in order to reproduce a lesser-known photo of Abby Borden.

With a nod to Richard’s Behren’s new book, Lizzie Borden: Girl Detective, Kathryn Woods played Miss Nellie Drew, girl detective and interviewed Uncle John Morse.

Molly O’Brien took over as Miss Manning from the Fall River Herald and also had a few things to ask Uncle John.

photo courtesy of Lee Ann Wilber

The men in blue were out in force this year with Ben Rose reprising Detective Seaver, and new B&B museum employees Justin Dunne and Will Clawson playing Medley and Harrington.  Mustaches were a key element in bringing the characters to life with Hilliard’s famous walrus mustache and Harrington’s “handlebar” stash adding much to the characterization.

 

Will Clawson                     Phil Harrington

 Justin Dunne played a young officer William Medley.  Medley would become Fall River’s first Chief of Police.

 

Justin Dunne                              Chief Medley

Many actors have played Andrew Borden over the years and this year B&B employee Logan Livesey had the tough task of staying perfectly still under the sheet.

Tomorrow: Set dressing the house, our cast regulars, and the cast trip to Maplecroft!

August 4th cast at Maplecroft

05 Thursday Aug 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", "Lizzie Folks", "Lizziewear", 1890 fashion, August 4th, Borden Family, Borden Spaces and Places, Case Personalities, Fall River, If Walls Could Talk, Just Plain Lizzie, Maplecroft, On stage, Pear Essential Players, Potpourri

≈ Leave a comment

The cast enjoyed a great day at the Lizzie Borden  Bed and Breakfast Museum as they, for the 14th year, adapted the facts of the case for performance to the public.  Tickets were sold out well before the afternoon, with starting times on the half hour this year.  An exit poll was given to the visitors and over 60 % of those who filled out the form decided Lizzie was the guilty party, with Uncle John Morse coming in a distant second.  There was a drawing at the end of the day for a gift certificate to the popular B&B.  Some of the cast is shown above after the day was ended, before being treated to a tour of all floors of Lizzie’s home on French St., Maplecroft.   It was a big day for all things Lizzie with the new exhibit also debuting at the Fall River Historical Society. For more about the day visit the Fall River Herald site article http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x84685033/Fall-Rivers-infamous-Borden-murders-reenacted-on-118th-anniversary

More script details and cast photos coming soon!

August 4th means Lizzie Borden in Demand!

31 Saturday Jul 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", "Lizzie Folks", August 3, August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Borden Spaces and Places, Case Personalities, Fall River, Fall River Now and Then, Just Plain Lizzie, Lectures & Exhibits, Lizzie Borden in the Marketplace, Lizzie in Print, Maplecroft, Museums & Exhibits, Painted Ladies, Pear Essential Players, Potpourri, Read All ABout It, Second Street Happenings, Victorian True Crime, Victoriana

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

August 4th in Fall River, Borden Case Week begins

Those interested in the Borden Case will have a week ahead chock-full of things to see and do.  It has been a long time since the conference at Bristol Community College and many who are fascinated with the case and needing a good dose of Bordenalia are heading to Fall River this week to take in as much as possible. Great weather is predicted!

 

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

1.  The Fall River Public Library is hosting a book reading with author Richard Behrens, reading from his new book, Lizzie Borden, Girl Detective beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3rd.  Costumed cast from the annual Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum August 4th performances, The Pear Essential Players, will attend in character with a few words to say about Wednesday, the 4th on Second Street.

 

2.  The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast will have daytime tours on the hour from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. on August 3rd.  Don’t miss the gift shop! Advance tickets are on sale for August 4th performances of CSI Lizzie Borden.  Richard Behrens will also be autographing his book on the 4th in the gift shop. A drawing will be held at the end of the day for a night’s stay for two at the house.  Program GPS devices for 230 Second Street or 230 2nd Street. 

 

3.  Oak Grove Cemetery has convenient black arrows on the pavement from the office gate to the Borden plot and is open from early morning until dark. Many other case personalities are buried in the historic Victorian cemetery.

 

4.  The Fall River Historical Society will be open with a special augmented Borden exhibit, featuring some items which are generally not on display all the time  This is a must-see on the list for visitors coming to Fall River for the day. The society can be found at the corner of Maple and Rock streets.  There is also a great gift shop selling Lizzie Borden merchandise and books.

 

5.  A little drive around the city in the late afternoon might be a great way to end the day.  The Andrew Borden Building is still standing on the corner of Anawan St. and South Main, Lizzie’s little school can also be found in the South End on Morgan Street, and Maplecroft is convenient if you plan to see the cemetery as it is only a short drive from Prospect to French Street. There is much beautiful Victorian architecture to be seen on The Hill and some fantastic restaurants in which to sample the local cuisine for dinner at the end of your day. 

Cast for Annual Presentation at Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum

30 Friday Jul 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", "Lizzie Folks", August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Borden Spaces and Places, Case Personalities, Crime Scene, Fall River, Fall River Police Dept., House & Testimonies, If Walls Could Talk, In the News, Just Plain Lizzie, Murder Most Foul, On stage, Pear Essential Players, Potpourri, Read All ABout It, Second Street Happenings, True Crime

≈ Leave a comment

Some of the cast will be appearing at the Fall River Public Library on Tuesday, August 3rd at 6:30 for a special reading by Richard Behrens from the new Lizzie Borden: Girl Detective!  Tickets are presently on sale at the museum 508-675-7333.  Advanced ticket purchase is suggested to avoid disappointment on the 4th.  Tickets are usually sold out by noon. First performance at 10: 30 a.m.

Cast interviews and photos may be found at http://pearessentialproductions.org/

Lizzie Borden:  Lorraine Gregoire

Detective Seaver  Ben Rose

Abby Borden:   Shelley Dziedzic 

Andrew Borden: Logan Livesey

Bridget Sullivan  Kathleen Troost-Cramer

Emma Borden:  Barbara Morrissey

Addie Churchill:  JoAnne Giovino

Alice Russell:     Kristin Pepe

Uncle John:  Joe Radza

Officer Medley:   Justin Dunne

Miss Manning from the Herald:   Molly O’Brien

“Cub reporter and Girl Detective” from the Herald, and Miss Manning’s assistant: Kathryn Woods

The Distinguished Undertaker Winward:  Michael Brooks

Officer Harrington:  Will Clawson

Marshal Hilliard;  Ray Mitchell

Book Signing August 4th

13 Tuesday Jul 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", "Lizzie Folks", August 4th, Borden Spaces and Places, Fall River, In the Marketplace, In the News, Just Plain Lizzie, Lizzie Borden in the Marketplace, Lizzie in Print, Potpourri, Second Street Happenings

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Lizzie Borden: Girl Detective, Richard Behrens

 

Richard Behrens, author of the new adventure stories of Lizzie Borden: Girl Detective will be signing copies of his book in the giftshop at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast on August 4th from 10:30- 4 p.m..  Copies of the book will be on sale.

It’s Hot, It’s Summer, It’s Time Again

07 Wednesday Jul 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizzie Folks", August 4th, B&B Questions, Borden Spaces and Places, Crime Scene, Fall River, Fall River Police Dept., If Walls Could Talk, Lectures & Exhibits, On stage, Potpourri, Second Street Happenings

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

August Fourth Borden Re-Enactments, Pear Essential Players

With the arrival of scorching temps and high humidity, the cast of the Pear Essential Players (P.E.P.) layer on the petticoats, corsets and false beards in preparation for the August 4th re-enactment at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast.  Rehearsals will begin in two weeks, and this year the script is new.  Written every year by night tour innkeeper Shelley Dziedzic, this year’s script will harness the flavor of popular CSI programs.  Here is what the B&B website has to say about the annual event:

“Thirty minutes have passed since Abby Borden’s body has been found upstairs in the guest room.  #92 has become a beehive of activity with Fall River’s Men in Blue flocking to the crime scene.  Doctors, bystanders, policemen, newspaper reporters, neighbors and friends are all converging on the little drab house on Second St.   Inside on the Second Floor, Miss Lizzie Andrew Borden is reclining on her fainting couch, medicated with bromo caffeine.  Uncle John has wandered bewildered into the dining room, trying to make sense of what he has just heard.  Bridget Sullivan is frightened in the parlor, already planning to pack and flee that very afternoon. The lifeless bodies of Andrew and Abby Borden are covered with bloody sheets, awaiting procedures and the ministrations of the undertaker.  Sister Emma is rushing back home on her way from Fairhaven.  Helpful neighbors mill around looking for answers and trying to be useful in comforting Lizzie and assisting the police. Meanwhile, the police begin the questioning and searching.  Our visitors will be “deputized” as they begin their tour of the crime scene, and will be encouraged to “assist” the police with their photographic equipment and by carefully surveying the crime scenes.  They may even be motivated to ask a question themselves and to be on the lookout for CLUES! By means of the police questioning, the visitors to the house will hear the story as it happened, unfolding through the answers of the family members.  As the tour of the premises ends, visitors will be asked to cast a vote on the GUILTY PARTY, based on what they have seen and heard during their inspection of the scene of the crime. ”

 There will be a few new faces in the cast this year and a few new characters from out of the past.  Information on ticket sales, parking and times will be posted here and on the B&B site soon.  The first performance will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 4th.  This will be the fourteenth year that the house on Second Street has reproduced the historic details of the famous case in an entertaining and educational way. 

The Kelly/Hart Connection

17 Thursday Jun 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizzie Folks", August 4th, Borden-related gravesites, Case Personalities, Fall River, Fall River families, Oak Grove Cemetery

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Abraham Hart, Augustus Buck, Dr. Michael Kelly, Philomena Kelly Hart

Abraham & Lydia P. Hart, Oak Grove Cemetery

Abraham Hart was one of the last to see Andrew Borden alive on the morning of August 4th when Andrew stopped by the bank.  Mr. Hart would later tell police that Mr. Borden looked weak and feeble.  Abraham Hart would be one of the pallbearers on the morning of Saturday, August 6th at the short service at #92 Second Street and procession to Oak Grove Cemetery.

Dr. Kelly’s wife, Mary Caroline Cantwell Kelly was the last (but one) to see Andrew Borden alive as he entered his front door moments before his murder.  Mrs. Kelly was expecting a baby at the time and was on her way to the dentist.  Mrs. Kelly’s second child, Mary Philomena married the grandson of Abraham Hart, Bertrand K. Hart.  Both are buried in the Gifford/Hart plot at Oak Grove, directly across from the Rev. Augustus Buck, Lizzie’s minister and champion throughout her ordeal.  All are together for eternity in a fascinating entertwining of personalities who had Lizzie Borden in common.

Below:  The mossy stone of Rev. Buck.

Lizzie Borden- W.A.S.P.

26 Wednesday May 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", August 4th, Borden Family, Famous Massachusetts Cases, House & Testimonies, Just Plain Lizzie, Lizzie in Print, Read All ABout It

≈ Leave a comment

Florence Virginia King (b. January 5, 1936, Washington, D.C.)  an American novelist, essayist and columnist penned the following about the Borden case and Lizzie for the National Review in 1992. It may be read at this link http://old.nationalreview.com/king/king200408061231.asp

 True Bordenphiles will spot all of the errors- but still good reading all the same.

A Bit About Bowen

19 Wednesday May 2010

Posted by Shelley in August 4th, Borden-related gravesites, Case Personalities, Crime Scene, Fall River families, If Walls Could Talk, Mutton Eaters Online, Oak Grove Cemetery

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Dr. Bowen of Fall River, Lizzie Borden's Physician, Seabury Warren Bowen

Dr. Seabury Warren Bowen was the focus for last month’s Mutton Eaters Annual Meeting at the Borden home in Fall River.  Facts were pooled by members over the year and shared at the gathering.  The fruits of the research are featured in this month’s Mutton Eaters Online for May https://lizziebordenwarpsandwefts.com/2996-2/ or accessed at the tab at the top of this page.  Also of interest is Dr. Bowen’s tesitimony, also found at the top of the web site home page. Thanks to all the Mutton Eaters, the Worcester Historical Museum, Lauren Hewes, Robyn Christensen, Lorraine Gregoire, Lee Ann Wilber and all who made this article possible.

Harrington makes Lizzie Smile

14 Wednesday Apr 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", After the Trial, August 4th, Borden-related gravesites, Case Personalities, Fall River, Fall River Police Dept., Potpourri

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Lizzie Borden's Pink Wrapper

Officer Harrington of the Fall River Police Department had some serious doubts about Lizzie Borden from the very hour after Andrew Borden’s death.  Called to give testimony on a number of observations he had made on August 4th- none brought so much reaction from Lizzie as Harrington’s precise description of what she was wearing when she changed her clothing up in her room shortly after the body of Abby Borden had been found in the guest room by neighbor, Addie Churchill.

“It was a house wrap, striped with pink and light stripes, alternately.  Pink was the predominate color.  In the light stripe was a diagonal formed by lighter stripes, some parallel and others bias.  It was fitted to the form in a tailor-made manner.  It had a standing collar.  It was closely shirred, gathered closely at the front.  From the waist to the neck it was puffed with a number of folds.  On either side, directly over the hips, was a narrow red ribbon.  This was brought around in front and tied in a bowknot.  It was cut with a demi-train or bell skirt which the ladies were in the habit of wearing last year.”

 Newspapers reported that Lizzie smiled broadly at this unusually detailed report issuing from a male, and actually laughed softly and turned around in her seat to see what the crowd which was packed into the small courtroom thought about it all.

Trial Testimony of Officer Phillip Harrington, June 8, 1893.

Phillip Harrington was born on April 17, 1859, making him just one year older than Lizzie Borden.  The son of Irish immigrants, James and Mary Harrington, Phillip was one of four children born to the couple in Fall River.  He was appointed to the police force on March 2, 1883.  He was well-liked by his associates and very popular in Irish and Catholic social circles in the city.  On February 10, 1893 he was appointed Captain and went on to duty at the central station first as a night officer, then on to daytime duty.  His marriage to Kate Connell, daughter of John Connell, ticket taker for Old Colony Steamboat Company, was quite an event in fashionable Catholic circles and was performed at St. Mary’s , right across the street from the Borden house.  Capt. Harrington had not been well for some time but was feeling better the day of his nuptials.  Stopping off in Newport before taking the night boat to New York to commence his honeymoon, Harrington was taken violently ill and could not continue.  He lingered some days in excruciating pain, nursed faithfully by his bride. He passed  away on October 28th  at the home of Councilman McCormack, who had been one of the wedding ushers. The wake held on Whipple Street continued right up until the hour of the Requiem Mass- 6,000 passed by the coffin.  The funeral on Halloween was one of the largest seen at St. Mary’s, with the city marshal, police force and friends packing the church to capacity. A thousand more stood outside the church and joined in the procession to St. John’s Cemetery on Brightman St.  Harrington lived long enough to see Lizzie Borden acquitted.  He was 34 at the time of death.  As far as his knowledge of ladies’ clothing- he had lived with his sister Mary before his marriage, and no doubt learned much about the topic from her. 

On his birthday Saturday, April 17th, the Second Street Irregulars will be visiting the grave of Capt. Harrington to leave a pillow of white carnations, the floral tribute given by his bride.

Fall River Globe, Oct. 31, 1893

To be a fly on the wall!

05 Monday Apr 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", "Lizzie Folks", August 4th, Borden House Interiors, Borden Spaces and Places, Case Personalities, Crime Scene, House & Testimonies, If Walls Could Talk, Just Plain Lizzie

≈ 1 Comment

If we could only go back to August 4, 1892 in a time machine, there are plenty of places  in #92 Second Street one would wish to be on that fateful day.  Borden neighbor, Addie Churchill, was first on the scene after being attracted to the spectacle of Bridget Sullivan racing up and down the Borden driveway.  Lizzie’s cool quip,

 “Oh do come over Mrs. Churchill, someone has killed father”-

or words to that effect have resounded down the century as being somewhat strange under the circumstances.  Addie enters the house and gets the story from Lizzie, who is sitting in the turn of the lower steps of the back stairs.

(Prelim.) Addie Churchill

Q. What did you do or say?

A. I opened one of the windows and said “Lizzie, what is the matter?”

Q. Go right on now,

A. She said “O, Mrs. Churchill, do come over; somebody has killed father.”

Q. Go right on, if you please.

A. I closed the window, and went directly through my house out the front door, and went over to her house, and opened the screen door, and went in. Then she sat on the second stair at the right of the screen door, the back stairs.

Q. The stairs, as I remember the plan, came down, the foot of the stairs is very near the back door?

A. Just as the right of the door as you go in.

Q. She was sitting then opposite where she had been standing?

A. Yes Sir.

Q. What happened then?

A. I put my hand on her arm, and said “O, Lizzie”, I said “Where is your father”? She said “in the sitting room”. I said “where were you when it happened”? She said she went to the barn to get a piece of iron, and came back, heard a distressed noise, and came in, and found the screen door open.

Can you picture her there?

Monsterquest visits Lizzie Borden B&B 2008

28 Sunday Mar 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Lizzie T.V., Second Street Happenings, Spooky Lizzie's - Paranormal Second Street, YouTube Lizzie

≈ Leave a comment

Youtube has a release of the 2008 episode of History Channel’s Monsterquest which was filmed at the house in January. The usual favorite topics are included, the “children in the well” tale of the disturbed Mrs. Ladowick Borden who lived next door and threw 3 children in the cistern (only 2 are mentioned here), the roving rocker in Bridget’s bedroom, and the ghost of “Michael” in the chimney room on the third floor.  This episode also marked the last appearance of Ed Thibault as Andrew Borden.  Ed, one of the very early Borden Case scholars, worked at the Borden house for many years and gave lectures far and wide to schools and civic groups. He is now retired from the “LizBiz” although his wife Eleanor is often seen in her capacity as Saturday night tour guide for the house.  House co-owner Lee Ann Wilber plays Lizzie in the Monsterquest production, with Shelley Dziedzic as Abby Borden.

(still photography from Monsterquest filming session, January 2008)

All four episode segments are available on Youtube.

DVD Legend of Lizzie Borden

27 Saturday Mar 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", August 4th, Borden Family, Lizzie Borden in the Marketplace, Lizzie T.V., Potpourri

≈ Leave a comment

Filmed as a made-for-TV-movie, the 1975 Legend of Lizzie Borden with Elizabeth Montgomery is an eagerly-sought after commodity for guests visiting the Borden house. For those abandonning VCRs for Blue-Ray format, taping the film from a television airing no longer fills the bill. For about 11 dollars, a DVD copy can be had from Lost Movies at the link below.

http://lostmovies.webs.com/legendoflizzieborden.htm

Ric Rebelo releases clip

16 Tuesday Mar 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Borden Spaces and Places, Case Personalities, Crime Scene, Fall River, If Walls Could Talk, Murder Most Foul, On Screen, YouTube Lizzie

≈ Leave a comment

Documentary -maker, Ric Rebelo of Fall River has released a preview of his upcoming two hour documentary about the Borden case. Visit the link below for an eight minute clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5ZAIkPjLhQ

Travel Channel March 11, 2010

15 Monday Mar 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Borden Spaces and Places, Fall River, If Walls Could Talk, In the News, Lizzie T.V., On Screen, Second Street Happenings

≈ Leave a comment

Photos from last Thursday’s filming.  The new Mr. Borden could double as Abraham Lincoln.  A few are rather eerie!

Bridget Sullivan: Molly O’Brien

Lizzie Borden:  Lee Ann Wilber

Mr. Borden: Dan LeLievre

Mrs. Borden: Shelley Dziedzic

30 Odd Minutes visits #92

03 Wednesday Mar 2010

Posted by Shelley in "Lizbits", August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, If Walls Could Talk, Lizzie T.V., Spooky Lizzie's - Paranormal Second Street

≈ Leave a comment

Recently the crew from the paranormal TV web site http://www.30oddminutes.com/ (which films uncut and unedited) came to check out the Borden house.  The young host is particularly charming and the thirty-odd minute session is a good representation of what most paranormal crews attempt during their investigations in the house.  Have a look at http://www.blip.tv/file/3291682  Episode 27 Live at Lizzie Borden’s.

Here is the site teaser for the episode:

“In Episode 27 we come to you “Live” from the haunted Lizzie Borden house in Fall River, Massachusetts. Okay, not totally “live” because we filmed the episode about a week before it aired. Nobody does a documentary like the 30 Odd Minutes crew! And Lizzie Borden is no different. Just like our studio show we do the whole thing live, straight-through, in one take. You get a tour of the house, learn about some of the history, hear from the manager, Lee Ann, and learn from our special guests: EVP specialist, Mike Markowicz, and the host of Spooky Southcoast Radio, Tim Weisberg. You just don’t know what will happen during this show. Do we uncover evidence of the paranormal or just a prank? Tune in to find out! If the truth is out there… 30 Odd Minutes will find it… but only by sheer accident.”

Patrick Doherty

19 Friday Feb 2010

Posted by Shelley in August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Crime Scene, If Walls Could Talk, Murder Most Foul

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Fall River Police Dept., Patrick Doherty

1896 photograph courtesy Fall River Police Dept.

Patrick Doherty arrived at the Borden house slightly after 11:30.  His observations about the crime scene in the guest room are worthy of note, especially his remarks on the blood of Abby Borden, which would give good indication that her death was considerably before the death of Andrew Borden. Doherty was in the thick of things that morning, first having a good look at Andrew Borden’s wounds:

“I noticed there was one wound down here, across the eye, that was very deep. It looked to me on the left side of the face, the right side was on the sofa, and the eye seemed to be knocked out, hanging by some thread or something. There was another wound came down by the nose, or down by the cheek bone, the cheek bone was open wide, by the cheek bone clear down to the neck was laid right open.” (Preliminary)

 Then Doherty followed Dr. Bowen upstairs to examine the body of Abby. Doherty moved the bed. His was the first examination, before the arrival of medical examiner, Dr. Dolan:

” I went to the foot of the bed; I looked at her. She was laying face downwards between the dressing case and the bed. I noticed three or four blood spots on the pillow sham, and a bunch of hair on the bed.

Q. How large a bunch?

A. Well, it was a small bunch.

Q. It was not a switch or false hair?

A. No, I think it was human hair that had been pulled out, or something, been cut out, or something.

Q. Give me some idea how much.

A. About half as big as that, I should think.

Q. On the bed?

A. On the bed. I wanted to examine the woman, but there was not room between the bed and dressing case to walk. I walked back to the foot of the bed, up around the north side of the bed, and I pulled it out about three feet, away from her.

Q. Towards the street?

A. No, pulled it against the north wall, away from her head.

Q. So to make the space between the bed and the dressing case, wider?

A. Yes. I pulled it away, and I went in, and I stooped down and I saw that she was lying in a pool of thick black blood, and her head was all cut.

Q. Face down, or back down?

A. Face down.

Q. How were her arms?

A. This way, something like that. I just put one finger here, and raised this a little bit so I could see under the hair around the ear better.”(Preliminary)

 Afterward, Doherty ran down Spring St. to place a call to the city marshal.  The telephone was in the undertaker’s shop which was opposite the Catholic Church (St. Mary’s). When Doherty returned to #92 Dr. Dolan was on the spot, and after speaking with the maid, Bridget Sullivan, Doherty enlisted Officer Mullaly in making a search of the house. The cellar door was locked, and rooms were searched with the exception of Emma’s room.

“Q. What did you find in your search?

A. We did not find anything.

Q. Were you one of those who assisted in finding the hatchets?

A. I was there when the officer had the hatchet; I did not find it.

Q. And the axes?

A. Yes sir.

Q. What officer had it when you first saw it?

A. Mr. Mullaly.

Q. You did not see where he got it?

A. I did not see where he got it. I saw him take it from a shelf about as high as his head.

Q. Did you make any examination of the hatchet yourself?

A. I just looked over his shoulder at it, that is, stood by his side and looked at it. ” (Preliminary)

Doherty also had an interview with Lizzie:

“A. I said “Miss Borden, where were you when your father was killed”? She said “I was in the barn”. I said “is there any Portuguese working on the farm over the River for your father?’ She said “no sir”.”Who works for your father?” She says “Mr. Eddy, and Mr. Johnson; and Mr. Eddy has been sick.” I asked her if either Mr. Eddy or Mr. Johnson were in town this morning, or up here to the house this morning. She said “no sir.” “Neither Mr. Eddy nor Mr. Johnson would hurt my father.”

Q. Anything more?

A. No Sir.

Q. Did she say anything about a noise, or hearing any noise?

A. Yes Sir. I asked her, I said “Miss Borden, did you hear any screams, or outcries”? She said “No sir. I heard some kind of a peculiar noise”. I says “can you describe the noise”? She says “no, not very well; something like scraping”. That is all the conversation I had with her.”(Preliminary)

 Doherty was also sent to inspect the properties surrounding the Borden house and went to examine the views from the Chagnon house behind the Borden barn.  Doherty would also give a good description of the dress Lizzie had on that morning as being a light blue background, a “challie” cotton print with a dark blue figure or spot on it, a description which is similar to that given by others.

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Lizzie Borden Warps and Wefts

Lizzie Borden Warps and Wefts

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 325 other followers

Follow us on Youtube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1_TB4CnZLk&t=13s

Articles

  • Bence & the Prussic Acid
  • Visit to Maplecroft
  • Abby’s Sisters
  • Another Side of Lizzie Borden
  • Articles
  • Borden Funerals
  • Bowen’s Preliminary
  • Brownells of Fairhaven
  • Dr. Bowen
  • Dr. Kelly
  • Dressing Miss Lizzie Fashions
  • Grand Tour
  • Lizzie’s Horses
  • Lizzie’s School Days
  • Murder in the Well
  • Nance O’Neil
  • Officer Medley
  • Services
  • Site Policies
  • The Borden Monument
  • The Elegant Augusta Tripp
  • The Real William Moody- A Muttoneater Quest
  • Victorian Fashion
  • W&W’s Writer
Warps-The threads which run lengthwise in a woven fabric, crossed at right angles to the weft. Wefts-The horizontal threads interlaced through the warp in a woven fabric. In 1876, Fall River had 1/6th of all New England cotton capacity and one-half of all print cloth production. The "Spindle City" as it became known, was second in the world to only Manchester, England.

Carved In Maplecroft’s Mantel

And old time friends and twilight plays, And starry nights and sunny days. Come trooping up the misty ways, When my fires burn low.

Lizzie and those pigeons

Lizzie's Inquest Testimony

Q. Can you tell of the killing of any animal? Or any other operation that would lead to their being cast there, with blood on them?
A. No sir. He killed some pigeons in the barn last May or June.
Q. What with?
A. I don't know, but I thought he wrung their necks.
Q. What made you think so?
A. I think he said so.
Q. Did anything else make you think so?
A. All but three or four had their heads on. That is what made me think so.
Q. Did all of them come into the house?
A. I think so.
Q. Those that came into the house were all headless?
A. Two or three had them on.
Q. Were any with their heads off?
A. Yes sir.
Q. Cut off or twisted off?
A. I don't know which.
Q. How did they look?
A. I don't know, their heads were gone, that is all.
Q. Did you tell anybody they looked as though they were twisted off?
A. I don't remember whether I did or not. The skin, I think, was very tender. I said, "Why are these heads off?" I think I remember of telling somebody that he said they twisted off.
Q. Did they look as if they were cut off?
A. I don't know. I did not look at that particularly.
Q. Is there anything else besides that that would lead, in your opinion so far as you can remember, to the finding of instruments in the cellar with blood on them?
A. I know of nothing else that was done.

Categories

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel