Borden-related gravesites
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Lizzie Borden’s Grave
Over the years, especially the past 20 years, visitors to the Borden plot feel the need to leave something for Lizzie. Flowers would seem to be the usual thing, and these do appear, both silk and real, from time to time. Coins are a regular feature-the significance is not entirely clear, but it is a token of the times. Some bizarre, inappropriate and frankly too- disgusting -to- mention things have been left. What does this say about us as a culture?Today one can find a rhinestone brooch (seen above), a pine tree air freshener, coins, a packet of ketchup, a Christmas ornament with a snowman and teddy bear on it , three dead roses, and some paper trash. The debris changes more frequently as the warmer weather arrives and more visitors come to “pay their respects”. Not only the name marker but also the large family plot marker comes in for its share of festooning. Voodoo crowns, vials of blood and urine, notes to Lizzie, amulets, plastic skulls, dolls, and anything else which can be found loose in the car will find its way to the grave. Two years ago there was a birthday party for Lizzie with cake and ice cream- some of which was left on the grave, with a candle for Lizzie.
For many years the graves were nicely tended with ageratums, white alyssum and red geraniums planted for Memorial Day and kept up through Labor Day. It was always said this tribute was from the Animal Rescue in remembrance of Lizzie’s generosity to that organization in her will, and her support of it also in life.
With cemeteries so short-staffed, it looks like trash tributes will not be going away soon. Graves of Abby and Andrew Borden are rarely adorned-which may be a good thing.
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The Mutton Eaters Online
Warps & Wefts is pleased to announce a new feature for this site. Beginning this month, articles and photos of the exploits of the Second Street Irregulars will appear. The S.S.I. or “”Mutton Eaters” is an informal group of armchair sleuths from all over America who like to go “On the Road” whenever possible to chivvy out obscure and fascinating facts about the many individuals involved in the Lizzie Borden case. When the game’s a’foot there’s no telling what will happen or what they may find-and getting there is half the fun. This month the spotlight is on William Medley, one of the observant policemen on the scene of the crime August 4th. Our articles will remain for six months and are for private use only. To access this month’s feature, click on the tab Mutton Eaters Online Article above or this link http://lizziebordenwarpsandwefts.com/january-mutton-eaters-online-article/ You will feel as if you were riding right alongside!For more about the Second Street Irregulars visit http://secondstreetirregulars.org/
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Lizzie Borden’s NY Times Obit
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A Christmas Editorial
All across the country families now make their way to cemeteries carrying Christmas wreaths and baskets filled with artificial holly, greens and pinecones and red velvet bows. Our dead should not be forgotten at this family time of year.On August 4, 1892, two elderly, harmless people were brutally slashed and bludgeoned to death in the sanctity of their home, a place which should have been a haven of safety. No justice will ever come for the silent slain. The killer went on to live and prosper another day, and to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas 1892 left Lurana Borden without her brother Andrew. Lizzie and Emma Borden were fatherless. Nobody knows for sure if they both mourned deeply. It is entirely possible that they did.
In the Whitehead household on Fourth Street, Sarah and Little Abbie mourned. Mrs. George Fish, Abby’s sister was bereft. Abby and Andrew Borden were loved by some family members, surely- and liked by some neighbors and friends. The tragedy of their loss was felt. How did they feel standing at the grave, bare of a marker in the Christmas of 1892? The citizens of the city, demanding that someone be brought to trial for the deeds during that hot month of August had a suspect in jail- waiting.
How curious it is that in 2009, the victims become but a side note to the tragedy. It is the accused and aquitted whose name lives on. If one were to stop by Oak Grove Cemetery and leave a floral tribute to the victims, within hours it would find its way to the grave of Lizzie Borden- taken without a thought and re-deposited without a thought. Below the frostline now lay today what remains of the sad, frozen bones of Abby and Andrew Borden- still headless, – and now their likenesses and characters the fodder for irreverent cartoons, gift products and unspeakable accusations made without a shred of evidence. Those who once were loved and walked among us. Does the interval of Time allow for such insensitive liberties? Is murder ever a source for humor?
How we memorialize our Dead says a great deal about ourselves in these modern times- a thought to contemplate any day- and especially at this time of year.
An epitaph often seen on grave markers
Remember friend as you pass by.
As you are now so once was I.
As I am now so shall you be.
Death take thy hand, and follow me.”
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Collecting Lizzie-abilia
Recently a letter surfaced in England written by Lizzie to a friend living there. The woman now owning the letter in the television programme that aired last week in Britain had the letter written to her grandmother by “L. A. Borden,” signed thus, over three pages, that was very conversational and ordinary in tone, being pre-murders. It was valued, very conservatively, at £600-800 or $1,200 to $1,600.
With the upcoming publication of the Fall River Historical Society’s Parallel Lives, (now delayed until late March -early Spring), Lizzie letters are much on the minds of Borden enthusiasts everywhere.
If a Lizzie Borden signature is out of your wallet range, many Lizzie-affiliated signatures can still be had for a bargain. The signatures of the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1892-96 and the former Governor, George Dexter Robinson, also better known as Lizzie’s head defense attorney, were bought recently for $30 on Ebay. Another former Governor’s autograph (John Davis Long 1880-1883) was thrown in as a bonus.
For more information about George D. Robinson(1834-1896) check out this link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_D._RobinsonRobinson received 25,000 dollars in fees serving as Lizzie’s defense counsel. He remained a prominent lawyer until the time of his death in Chicopee at the age of 62. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery there.
Roger Wolcott (1847-1900) was Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1892-1896 and Governor from 1896-1900.
Roger Wolcott
John Davis Long (1838-1915)
Governor of Massachusetts 1880-1883, Secretary of the Navy 1897-1902
The Navy destroyer USS Long (DD-209) was named after him.
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Just in Time for Halloween
Opening tomorrow:
October 28 Artists and Fall River Natives Jim Charette and Mark Delisle present Boneyard, a series of paintings, prints, photography, music, video and more inspired by Oak Grove Cemetery. The gallery opening will be from 6-9PM on Wednesday, 10/28 at the Cherry & Webb Gallery, 139 South Main Street. Jim and Mark grew up on opposite ends of Oak Grove and attribute the formation of their life-long friendship to their old “stomping grounds”. As such, this cemetery holds a special meaning to both Jim and Mark. Both artists have generously agreed to donate a portion of the profits from the sale of their artwork to the Friends of Oak Grove. Please mark your calendar and consider attending this event and support these two local artists.
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Spectral Borden Canines for Halloween?
Even Lizzie’s late, lamented pets are in the spotlight for Halloween. Her three Boston Bull Terriers are the star attraction of the upcoming pet cemetery tour.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Haunted Pet Cemetery – The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Dedham branch, at 55 Anna’s Place, is hosting a night of spooky tales on a stroll through the oldest section of its 100-year-old Pine Ridge Pet Cemetery – home of the dogs owned by the notorious Lizzie Borden – on Thursday, Oct. 22, Friday Oct. 23 and Saturday Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. each night. The cost is $10 per person (includes complimentary cider or cocoa). Information: 781-326-0729
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New Oak Grove Calendar Unveiled
These high quality, full-color calendars are spiral bound and printed on heavy cardstock
Our calendars feature photographic contributions by Mary Beth Rigby and William Moniz as well as historic images donated from private collections
Layout by Ann Keane
Additionally, the birth dates of notable historical figures are observed throughout
Limited quantities of our calendars are available for $15 and make a wonderful holiday gift
Shipping is an additional $1 per calendar. Those in the Fall River area may arrange for pickup. Please call or email to reserve your copy or to arrange for pickup
Payment may be mailed to:
The friends of oak grove cemetery
96 colfax street
Fall river, MA 02720
Ph: 508-642-9636
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October 4th at Oak Grove
Don’t forget this Sunday’s tour which includes Borden-related grave stones!
History Underfoot III Tour – The Fall River Garden Club, Fall River Historical Society and The Little Theatre of Fall River, Inc. will be hosting their 3rd tour of this historic cemetery, sponsored in part by Citizens-Union Savings Bank. The group has graciously agreed to donate a portion of their profits toward the purchase of a Memorial Tree. F.O.G .has been invited to provide an informational table on our group and the work we are doing to restore Oak Grove. Past tours have been a tremendous success and we hope that you will plan to attend. Tour will be conducted from 11 – 3:30 and tickets for the fundraiser are $15. Rain date is October 11.
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Autumn Events Around Fall River
This week’s Fall River Spirit contains a front page article by Bill Moniz covering a recent walk through Oak Grove conducted by arborist Dennis Brodeur. Dennis’ walk was quite insightful for the 20 or so individuals who attended. Our thanks to Dennis for his efforts to enlighten us on the importance of Oak Grove’s ecosystem as well as to Bill for his coverage of the event. For our members who are outside the area, below is a link to the article:
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090917/PUB03/909170374
October 4
History Underfoot III Tour – The Fall River Garden Club, Fall River Historical Society and The Little Theatre of Fall River, Inc. will be hosting their 3rd tour of this historic cemetery, sponsored in part by Citizens-Union Savings Bank. The group has graciously agreed to donate a portion of their profits toward the purchase of a Memorial Tree. F.O.G .has been invited to provide an informational table on our group and the work we are doing to restore Oak Grove. Past tours have been a tremendous success and we hope that you will plan to attend. Tour will be conducted from 11 – 3:30 and tickets for the fundraiser are $15. Rain date is October 11.
October 8
The Friends of the Fall River Library, in conjunction with the Fall River Street Tree Planting Program, will be screening the film The American Elm: Majestic, Imperiled, Renewed from 7:00 – 8:30PM at the Main Library. FOG Board Member Mary Ann Wordell will provide a brief introduction. Light refreshments will be served.
October 28
Artists and Fall River Natives Jim Charette and Mark Delisle present Boneyard, a series of paintings, prints, photography, music, video and more inspired by Oak Grove Cemetery. The gallery opening will be from 6-9PM at the Cherry & Webb Gallery, 139 South Main Street. Jim and Mark grew up on opposite ends of Oak Grove and attribute the formation of their life-long friendship to their old “stomping grounds”. As such, this cemetery holds a special meaning to both Jim and Mark. Jim and I have been discussing this event for well over a year now and both artists have generously agreed to donate a portion of the profits from the sale of their artwork to the Friends of Oak Grove. Please mark your calendar and consider attending this event and support these two local artists.
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Fourth Annual Mutton Eaters Weekend
April 16-18 has been selected for the dates of the next Mutton Eaters assembly at the Borden house in Fall River. The group, begun in 1993, is a coterie of armchair sleuths who enjoy researching famous crime cases, with a focus on the Borden case. Annual awards are handed out for different achievements ranging from best new case discovery to best performance as a Borden -related character in a dramatic production. Side trips to places involved in the Borden case, and other Victorian venues are a highlight of the weekend as well as an annual banquet and presentation of research projects by individuals .
This year Taunton , where Lizzie was in jail for 10 months is the city focus as well as an indepth tour of Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Patrick’s, and Old North where many connected to the case are buried. Remaining homes in the city where those involved in the case resided will also be part of a Fall River City Tour on Saturday. The first ever Hyman Lubinsky Ice Cream Social will be held on Saturday evening. Mr. Lubinsky, whose grave was recently discovered, was an ice cream vendor who testified to seeing a woman come from the barn on the day of the murders in 1892. His testimony was eagerly embraced by the defense. For more about the Mutton Eaters, please visit their web site at http://secondstreetirregulars.org/
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Hyman Lubinsky, friend of the defense
Young Mr. Lubinsky (1868-1928), aged 24 in 1892, claims to have seen a woman crossing from the Borden barn to the side door on the fateful day of the murders. The ice cream vendor knew the Borden maid, Bridget Sullivan by sight, and said this woman was not Bridget. Lizzie of course claimed to have been out in the barn up in the hayloft for some time doing various things when someone must have murdered her father in the sitting room. She claims to have come inside after hearing a noise, putting her hat down, then discovering Mr. Borden dead on the sofa.
Mr. Lubinsky, whose command of English was poor, was somewhat muddled on the stand, changing his times and needing patient explanations. Naturally the defense for Lizzie was delighted to make the most of Lubinsky’s tale as it seemed to back up Lizzie’s own version of events and supported the story she had been in the barn. Mr. Lubinsky, however never said the woman he saw in the very narrow alley between the Churchill house and the Borden side door was wearing any hat. Congratualtions and kudos to Lizzie B&B guest Joe from Ohio (who played the role of John Morse on August 4th at the house) for his discovery of the Lubinsky monument in Hebrew Cemetery, Fall River. Mr. Lubinsky came from a large family and there are several other Lubinskys in the Hebrew Cemetery.