Introduction
The double murder of wealthy businessman Andrew J. Borden and his wife, Abby D. Borden, on the morning of August 4, 1892 at 92 Second Street in Fall River, Massachusetts is one of the most enduring mysteries in the annals of American crime.
Lizzie Andrew Borden, the daughter of Andrew and stepdaughter of Abby, was tried and acquitted of the crime in June, 1893.
The prosecution failed to prove its case against her. There was the lack of physical evidence: There were no bloodstains on Lizzie and no definitive murder weapon was produced at trial.
And then there was the critical timeline. The 10-15 minute interval between Andrew's murder and Lizzie raising the alarm after discovering her father's body gave her little time to kill, dispose of the weapon or any bloody clothing, and still assume a composed demeanor and pristine appearance to witnesses immediately after the murder.
Also, Lizzie's damaging and contradictory inquest testimony and the attempted purchase of prussic acid the day before the murders were ruled inadmissible at trial. Both rulings badly damaged the state's case.
Despite her acquittal, Lizzie is usually considered the prime suspect. Proponents of her guilt argue that she had the means, motive, and opportunity. They paint her as a woman motivated by greed, hatred of her father and stepmother, and facing the prospect of an unhappy and unfulfilled future in her father's household. She yearned for wealth and independence, a result that could only be achieved by the death of the elder Bordens.
But the timeline relating to Andrew's murder in particular was so inexplicable, that the prosecution theorized that Lizzie may have had an accomplice.
But the timeline relating to Andrew's murder in particular was so inexplicable, that the prosecution theorized that Lizzie may have had an accomplice.
From The Knowlton Papers: correspondence between Attorney General Albert E. Pillsbury & District Attorney Hosea Knowlton:
Letter from From Pillsbury to Knowlton, Boston, November 21st 1892:
Has it ever occurred to you to put in a count or counts as accessory before and after? There is, to be sure, no affirmative evidence at present, that any other person was concerned, but a great many people believe that she was in it, but that hers was not the hand that did it. I could easily believe this if there were any evidence of it. Perhaps one indict for killing both and others for killing each will be best of all.Letter from From Pillsbury to Knowlton, Boston, November 21st 1892:
Response from Knowlton, November 22nd 1892 :
I see no need of account for accessory if she did not do the killing, but only instigated someone else to; it can hardly be said that she was not so far present as to make her principal, for she was certainly in the house and in hearing of both murders.
It had occurred to me, however, since I saw you, that the jury should be instructed as to the principles of law relating to principal and accessory, and if you see no objection, I propose to state to them the law upon that subject.
Judge Justin Dewey, one of the three justices presiding over Lizzie's trial, granted the prosecution's request and included the following instructions to the jury:
It had occurred to me, however, since I saw you, that the jury should be instructed as to the principles of law relating to principal and accessory, and if you see no objection, I propose to state to them the law upon that subject.
Judge Justin Dewey, one of the three justices presiding over Lizzie's trial, granted the prosecution's request and included the following instructions to the jury:
Judge Justin Dewey
She may be convicted upon evidence which satisfies a jury beyond reasonable doubt that the act was done personally by another party, and that her relation to it was that of being present, aiding, abetting, sustaining, encouraging.
If she stood in such a relation as that to the act, the act was done by some other person and she aided him, encouraged him, abetted him, was present somewhere, by virtue of an understanding with him, where she could render him assistance, and for the purpose of rendering assistance, then she would be a principal in the act just as much as the other party who might be acting.
But you notice the essential element. There must have been an understanding between her and her and this third party, if there was one, an agreement together for the commission of these crimes. She must have given her assent to it. She must have encouraged it. She must have been in a position where she could render assistance to the perpetrator, with his knowledge, by virtue of an understanding with him, and for the purpose of giving assistance either in the way of watching against some person's coining or furnishing him facilities for escape or in some other.
And if there was another party in this crime, and if she is proved beyond reasonable doubt to have sustained the relation to him in committing that crime which I have expressed to you, then she might be held under this indictment, because under such circumstances in the eye of the law, they both being in the sense of the law present, the act of one is the act of both.
If Lizzie indeed had an accomplice, who was it? And was it more than one?
I eliminated the usual suspects: Bridget Sullivan, the Borden's servant, uncle John V. Morse, and Lizzie's sister, Emma Borden, because, to my mind, there was no credible evidence to suggest any of them were complicit. They either had solid alibis or no motive.
When researching other possible accomplices, I came across this article from October 1892:
Intrigued, I conducted a deep dive on this "John Wood."
NOTE: When compiling this blog, I wanted to investigate the Borden murders with fresh eyes, dismissing any published accounts based on others' theories or my own preconceived conclusions about the case. I limited my research to official court transcripts (inquest, preliminary and trial), witness statements conducted by police at the time of the murders, genealogical sources, and contemporaneous newspaper accounts.
NOTE 2: There are no existing known photos of the Hahr twins. Their images were generated using Gemini AI based on newspaper sketches and descriptions with varying results. Gemini was also used to create photos for illustrative purposes and to enhance existing photos and images.
Born on November 9, 1863 in Brooklyn, New York, Charles and Henry Hahr were the youngest of the four known children of Andrew Frederick Hahr, a printer, and Carolyn Thornstrom, both Swedish immigrants.
The family resided in Hoboken, New Jersey where “they (the twins) belonged to a highly respectable family, but from an early age their sense of honor and honesty seemed blunted and the Hoboken police authorities say they would hesitate at nothing to obtain money.”
Their father died suddenly of pneumonia in 1883. The police stated that “the waywardness of his two sons was the cause of their father’s death".
The twins were described as somewhat handsome, “dapper little fellows,” with black hair, mustaches and large, dark eyes, approximately 5’5, and slightly built. Charles was known to occasionally shave off his mustache to disguise himself. Both were intelligent, well-spoken, charming, and well-mannered. Henry was described as “effeminate.”
Charles was considered the brighter of the two and the apparent architect of their nefarious schemes. It was reported that “each was wont to practice blackmail on the other when one exchequer was fuller than the other.” They frequently gambled huge sums of money at the racetrack.
It was also noted that “the likeness between the brothers is striking and Henry Hahr, alias Jack Wood, is said to have impersonated his brother several times.”
In 1881, seventeen-year old Henry Hahr was hired as a clerk at the First National Bank in Hoboken. A few days after being employed there, money began disappearing from the counting room where he worked.
The Hoboken Advertiser, July 23, 1881: On Thursday of last week, Samuel R. Syms, President of the First National Bank of this city, informed Chief Donovan that for some time past the bank had been systematically robbed of small amounts and that he was unable to discover the guilty party.
Detective Gallagher was put on the case, and upon investigation, his suspicions were directed against Henry Hahr, a young man of seventeen, who bad been employed in the bank but a few weeks.
Young Hahr's parents are highly respected, and he bad been given the position on the recommendation of several Influential citizens of high standing in the church. He enjoys the reputation of being a young man of good moral character and was trusted implicitly by President Syms, who was inclined to be indignant that such an exemplary youth should be suspected of stealing.
The detective shadowed him on Thursday night and resumed the watch on Friday after banking hours. He was followed to New York where he entered a number of places. He finally went to a railroad ticket office and inquired the price of a ticket to Philadelphia.
On Saturday a number of marked $20 hills were put into a package that was to pass through Hahr's hands as counter. He marked it correct. It was then examined and found to be ten bills short. Gallagher was sent for and said it would be necessary to search all the clerks. He first called Hahr into a private room and instead of searching him, he put him through a rigid cross-questioning.
The young man faced it out for a time but finally broke down and confessed to the robbery. He acknowledged that he had taken the last $100 home at dinner time and placed it in his trunk. Altogether he had taken $225. The detective went to the young man's homе, 286 Park Avenue, searched the trunk and recovered $155 of the stolen money,
Hahr was locked up on a charge of embezzlement and subsequently released, having furnished bonds in the sum of $500. His parents are almost heart-broken at their son's dishonesty.
What I subsequently discovered floored me.
What wasn't reported at the time was that "John Wood" had an identical twin brother, "A. H. Wood."
Their real names were Henry A. Hahr (alias John H. Wood, alias John Henry Wood, alias Henry Morris, alias Henry Wood, alias Jack Wood) and Charles F. Hahr (alias Allen H. Wood, alias Napoleon Wood, alias Theodore Hahr or Theodore Wood, alias Charles Howland, alias D. C. Weaver, alias Charles Morris, alias Anderson).
The Hahr twins were notorious career criminals whose crimes encompassed blackmail, larceny, extortion, petty thievery, false impersonation and swindling, as well as accusations of murder and attempted kidnapping. Their targeted victims ranged from the wealthy to the poor, from schoolchildren to the elderly.
What wasn't reported at the time was that "John Wood" had an identical twin brother, "A. H. Wood."
Their real names were Henry A. Hahr (alias John H. Wood, alias John Henry Wood, alias Henry Morris, alias Henry Wood, alias Jack Wood) and Charles F. Hahr (alias Allen H. Wood, alias Napoleon Wood, alias Theodore Hahr or Theodore Wood, alias Charles Howland, alias D. C. Weaver, alias Charles Morris, alias Anderson).
The Hahr twins were notorious career criminals whose crimes encompassed blackmail, larceny, extortion, petty thievery, false impersonation and swindling, as well as accusations of murder and attempted kidnapping. Their targeted victims ranged from the wealthy to the poor, from schoolchildren to the elderly.
The scope of their crimes, whether acting together or separately, was breathtaking.
Were these twins really acquainted with Lizzie Borden? Did blackmail and extortion lead to murder? And, if so, did a frustrated, unhappy spinster and a pair of charming psychopaths join forces to commit one of the most infamous unsolved crimes in American history?
Were these twins really acquainted with Lizzie Borden? Did blackmail and extortion lead to murder? And, if so, did a frustrated, unhappy spinster and a pair of charming psychopaths join forces to commit one of the most infamous unsolved crimes in American history?
NOTE 2: There are no existing known photos of the Hahr twins. Their images were generated using Gemini AI based on newspaper sketches and descriptions with varying results. Gemini was also used to create photos for illustrative purposes and to enhance existing photos and images.
Existing newspaper sketches of the Hahr twins
Part One
Background
The family resided in Hoboken, New Jersey where “they (the twins) belonged to a highly respectable family, but from an early age their sense of honor and honesty seemed blunted and the Hoboken police authorities say they would hesitate at nothing to obtain money.”
Their father died suddenly of pneumonia in 1883. The police stated that “the waywardness of his two sons was the cause of their father’s death".
The twins were described as somewhat handsome, “dapper little fellows,” with black hair, mustaches and large, dark eyes, approximately 5’5, and slightly built. Charles was known to occasionally shave off his mustache to disguise himself. Both were intelligent, well-spoken, charming, and well-mannered. Henry was described as “effeminate.”
Charles was considered the brighter of the two and the apparent architect of their nefarious schemes. It was reported that “each was wont to practice blackmail on the other when one exchequer was fuller than the other.” They frequently gambled huge sums of money at the racetrack.
AI-generated photo based on original sketch
It was also noted that “the likeness between the brothers is striking and Henry Hahr, alias Jack Wood, is said to have impersonated his brother several times.”
Bad Seeds
The Hoboken Advertiser, July 23, 1881: On Thursday of last week, Samuel R. Syms, President of the First National Bank of this city, informed Chief Donovan that for some time past the bank had been systematically robbed of small amounts and that he was unable to discover the guilty party.
Detective Gallagher was put on the case, and upon investigation, his suspicions were directed against Henry Hahr, a young man of seventeen, who bad been employed in the bank but a few weeks.
Young Hahr's parents are highly respected, and he bad been given the position on the recommendation of several Influential citizens of high standing in the church. He enjoys the reputation of being a young man of good moral character and was trusted implicitly by President Syms, who was inclined to be indignant that such an exemplary youth should be suspected of stealing.
The detective shadowed him on Thursday night and resumed the watch on Friday after banking hours. He was followed to New York where he entered a number of places. He finally went to a railroad ticket office and inquired the price of a ticket to Philadelphia.
On Saturday a number of marked $20 hills were put into a package that was to pass through Hahr's hands as counter. He marked it correct. It was then examined and found to be ten bills short. Gallagher was sent for and said it would be necessary to search all the clerks. He first called Hahr into a private room and instead of searching him, he put him through a rigid cross-questioning.
The young man faced it out for a time but finally broke down and confessed to the robbery. He acknowledged that he had taken the last $100 home at dinner time and placed it in his trunk. Altogether he had taken $225. The detective went to the young man's homе, 286 Park Avenue, searched the trunk and recovered $155 of the stolen money,
Hahr was locked up on a charge of embezzlement and subsequently released, having furnished bonds in the sum of $500. His parents are almost heart-broken at their son's dishonesty.
The stolen money was reimbursed, and Henry was never prosecuted.
Twin brother Charles Hahr was an active participant in the Hoboken Presbyterian church. He was librarian of the Young People's Association and assisted at the church's Grand St. mission. He planned to become a minister and attended divinity school.
Twin brother Charles Hahr was an active participant in the Hoboken Presbyterian church. He was librarian of the Young People's Association and assisted at the church's Grand St. mission. He planned to become a minister and attended divinity school.
While on vacation in college, he and some friends stole the yacht “Eagle Wing” owned by the New Jersey Yacht Club. The yacht was recovered three days later, but Charles was not prosecuted.
Following the yacht theft, Charles turned up in Chicago. He was accused of passing checks there on men whom he knew in Hoboken and Jersey City amounting to several thousand dollars. One of his alleged victims was the father of a young woman with whom he kept company while he was studying for the ministry.
Following the yacht theft, Charles turned up in Chicago. He was accused of passing checks there on men whom he knew in Hoboken and Jersey City amounting to several thousand dollars. One of his alleged victims was the father of a young woman with whom he kept company while he was studying for the ministry.
The Hoboken detectives scoured the country for him. He was comfortably situated in New York. As that enterprising gentleman walked up Sixth avenue one evening, a German grocer accidentally ran into him. Some words passed between them.
Then the grocer assaulted Hahr. The latter had the grocer arrested. Quite an account appeared in the New York papers of an unwarranted assault upon a fashionable young man by a vendor of cheese and crackers. Hahr magnanimously offered to settle with his Teutonic assailant for $3,000.
The German, being scared, was looking around for some one to buy his store in order to settle the case when the item caught the eye of Detective Gallagher, and Hahr was arrested. He was equal to the emergency, and gave bail in the sum of $1,000 for his appearance. After being liberated, freedom seemed so good that Hahr bade good-bye to New York and left his bondsmen to settle with the courts.
The detectives after that heard of the intelligent youth at Boston, New Haven, Springfield, and other cities, but when they thought they had him, he was gone.
Meanwhile, brother Henry married Ida May Hicks on Jan. 20, 1884 in New York. The honeymoon lasted three weeks after Henry abandoned her at a Philadelphia hotel taking all the jewelry and valuables, and leaving Ida with the unpaid hotel bill. She filed charges of desertion against him, and he was arrested at the family home on Garden St. in Hoboken.
AI-generated image
It was reported that Henry's family "rendered him as comfortable as possible at the lockup. He was provided with a cushioned rocking chair, bedclothes and wraps, and an ample supply of cigarettes, matches and entertaining books. When seen by a reporter, he was puffing a cigarette and reading a newspaper.
He refused to answer any questions or make any explanation touching on the alleged desertion of his bride.
I won't be pumped but if you want to do me a favor, say that I would rather spend twenty years in prison than live with Ida Hicks. I am perfectly contented here. The affair don't trouble me much, but it is likely to be troublesome for somebody else.
In court, Henry claimed he only married Ida to "save her reputation," and on the condition that he was not required to provide for her. His defense failed, and he was ordered to pay Ida $4.00 a week for support. Although their divorce didn't become final until 1890, Henry remarried in the meantime, making him a bigamist. Since it's likely he wed under an alias, the name of the 2nd wife is unknown.
In 1886, Henry was sentenced to two years in Elmira Reformatory for robbing a clothing store on Bleecker St. in New York.
When Henry was released, he reunited with his fugitive brother in New Haven. The twins quarreled, and Henry notified the authorities of Charles’ whereabouts. Charles then fled to Detroit where he met the wealthy Bresler family and marked the beginning of his most elaborate con.
In 1886, Henry was sentenced to two years in Elmira Reformatory for robbing a clothing store on Bleecker St. in New York.
When Henry was released, he reunited with his fugitive brother in New Haven. The twins quarreled, and Henry notified the authorities of Charles’ whereabouts. Charles then fled to Detroit where he met the wealthy Bresler family and marked the beginning of his most elaborate con.
A Wealthy Father-in-Law
Charles befriended Arthur Bresler, the 16 year-old son of Louis Bresler, a retired wealthy fur merchant then living in Detroit.Arthur invited Charles to his home, where, introducing himself as “Allen H. Wood,” Charles regaled the Bresler family with the story of his background.
He was, he told them, the only son of a deceased millionaire (in some accounts, his father was either an esteemed doctor at John Hopkins or a “Prof. Wood,” a college president). He was soon to come into his inheritance, he claimed, but his fortune was entangled in legalities. His so-called fortune was estimated between one and three million dollars.
It was also reported that Charles told the Breslers that “his only living relative was “a sweet little sister” He claimed that the little sister had been drowned, and he actually went into mourning to carry out the fraud. In relating the circumstances to the Bresler family, he went off into what appeared to be a dead faint, and it required nearly fifteen minutes to bring him back to his senses.”
Charles ingratiated himself to Louis Bresler to such an extent that Bresler invited Charles to live with the family, an offer that was quickly accepted.
New Jersey detective James Gallagher finally tracked Charles to the Bresler residence on November 9, 1888 and arrested him on the outstanding forgery charge.
Charles was escorted back to Hoboken to await trial and was joined there by his mother, Caroline, and his brother Henry.
The following week, Louis Bresler and his daughter, Bella, arrived from Detroit. A besotted Bella likely convinced her father to offer their help and support in young Hahr's time of need.
The Press, New York, Nov. 14, 1888: Miss Bresler Stands by Divinity Student Hahr in His Entanglements.
Charles Hahr, the young divinity student who was recently arrested in Detroit and is now in Hudson County Jail, Jersey City, awaiting trial on a charge of forgery, is likely to get out.
John (sic) W. Besler, the rich Detroiter, at whose house he was arrested, is interesting himself in his behalf, mainly at the instance of his pretty daughter, who, in company with her father, visited Hahr at the jail yesterday with Hahr's brother and Counselor O'Sullivan of New York.
Mr. and Miss Bresler also appeared in court.
Counselor D. W. Daly promised to secure bail for Hahr if Mr. Bresler would indemnify the bondsman, but the old gentlemen hesitated so long the court closed before any arrangement was reached.
It is claimed by Hahr's counsel that his arrest for forgery grew out of the jealousy of Aaron Kahn, the well known New York lawyer, who disliked to see the favor with which the young man was regarded by Bresler. He (Hahr's counsel) says the forgery on Mr. Sturken of Hoboken for $150, which was committed three years ago, was settled at the time.
It is said that Miss Bresler and Hahr are engaged, and she clings to him in spite of everything.
John (sic) W. Besler, the rich Detroiter, at whose house he was arrested, is interesting himself in his behalf, mainly at the instance of his pretty daughter, who, in company with her father, visited Hahr at the jail yesterday with Hahr's brother and Counselor O'Sullivan of New York.
Mr. and Miss Bresler also appeared in court.
Counselor D. W. Daly promised to secure bail for Hahr if Mr. Bresler would indemnify the bondsman, but the old gentlemen hesitated so long the court closed before any arrangement was reached.
It is claimed by Hahr's counsel that his arrest for forgery grew out of the jealousy of Aaron Kahn, the well known New York lawyer, who disliked to see the favor with which the young man was regarded by Bresler. He (Hahr's counsel) says the forgery on Mr. Sturken of Hoboken for $150, which was committed three years ago, was settled at the time.
It is said that Miss Bresler and Hahr are engaged, and she clings to him in spite of everything.
Aaron Kahn was married to Louis Bresler's daughter, Rose. He had been instructed to investigate Charles' background. Kahn did so.
I was ordered by Edward Bresler (Louis' brother) to look up his record, and though I took my wife and her sister, Mrs. Strauss, over to Chief Donovan of Hoboken and he told them all about him, old Mr. Bresler would never believe any of us.
Despite Kahn's warnings, Charles married Bella Bresler in December 1888, a mere month after his arrest for forgery. Brother Henry was a witness.
His new father-in-law promptly settled the forgery charge with the court to the tune of $20,000.
His new father-in-law promptly settled the forgery charge with the court to the tune of $20,000.
The West End Theater Swindle
It was later said that, "Wood did not appear to have any business capacity, but his astounding audacity enabled him to hoodwink good business men as well as thespians."
His grandiose plans earned him the nickname “Napoleon of the Drama.” or “Napoleon Wood.”
Wood fitted up luxurious offices at No. 67 West 23rd street, started a paper of his own called the West End Critic, engaged such men as Horace Wall (theatrical agent) and Hillary Bell (theater critic) to look after the details of his schemes, hired John A. Harrington to write a play for him, secured Jay H. Gilmour, Marion Russell, Alice Fischer, Rose Eytinge and other good players for his stock company...and had more fun and free advertising for eight months than 8,000 ordinary mortals get in eighty years.
For a brief period, Mr. Wood enjoyed a degree of fame and adulation such as seldom falls to the lot of a human being. Throngs of managers, agents, actors, bill posters and printers waited obsequiously in his outer office, in the hope of securing a contract or an engagement from the enterprising young man of affairs. Wherever he went people nudged one another and whispered, "There goes Wood, the man that's building the West End Theater in Harlem. He's got half a million bucks back of him."
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| AI-generated image |
A platform had been built over the foundations of the structure, at one end of which was erected a stand for the orators and preferred guests. This stand was decorated with the national colors, evergreens, and flowers, while the platform was furnished with chairs in the ratio of 1 to 50 of the people that tried to squeeze into the enclosure. There was no protection from the blazing sun, and the multitude, packed together as closely as sardines in a box, waited and sweltered to see Tommy Russell, the boy actor, go through the form of lying the cornerstone…
AI-generated photo of "A. H. Wood" based on a newspaper sketch
He said nothing at all, but Mr. Horace Wall explained that Mr. Wood was suffering from a severe attack of sore throat that prevented his making a speech. Mr. Wood, however, had written a little speech, which Mr. Wall would read, and this composition was quite as modest as its composer. Mr. Wood told how it had been his dream by day as well as by night to erect and manage a first class theater in Harlem…
The last speaker of the afternoon was Master Tommy Russell.... Master Russell was arrayed in a little Lord Fauntleroy costume of dark blue velvet, with a wonderful sash of light blue tied about his waist. This was finished with wide cuffs and a collar of lace. His blonde hair was banged on his forehead, and he was perfectly self-possessed as he mounted a chair to speak...
Master Russell left the speaker stand, and with a silver trowel that had been especially furnished for him, and that bore an inscription appropriate to the occasion, patted once or twice the mortar that had been spread beneath the block of granite, and it was lowered into its place with a tremendous hurrah from the small boys and girls. Then Master Russell took a mason's hammer and struck the cornerstone three times and the exercises were over.
Charles was obsessed with young Tommy Russell and wanted the child as the star performer for his new theater. In July 1889, the New York Sun reported a nasty contract dispute with Russell's parents. Tommy was already under contract with a manager named T. Henry French, but Charles was persistent in his attempts to woo Tommy away in a manner that alarmed the child's parents.
Wood agreed to pay the boy $6,500 a year in weekly installments of $125 from February 7th last. The boy was to appear in a new play intended to be a sequel to "Little Lord Fauntleroy" and called "The Earl's Heir," but his parents objected, and Manager Wood now insists that he will sue the parents for forcing Tommy to ignore his contract.
Manager Wood says that he made the boy presents of a dog, a pony, and a diamond ring, spent heaps of money in advertising him and sending flowers to him, and employed his stepfather, A. P. Lambrecht, as his private secretary. Last week, however, Wood discharged Mr. Lambrecht and he has since been unable to get an assurance that the boy will star through the country next month for him.
Mrs. Lambrecht and her husband said yesterday that there was a string attached to all of Mr Wood's presents, and that he pulled them back after a time. He reclaimed the dog he had given Tommy, sold the pony, and deducted from the $125 a week salary the $80 a week that manager French paid Tommy. He had also attacked the Lambrechts in his newspaper. Mr. Lambrecht said ,"He can't have the boy now if we can have anything to say about it."
Tommy's mother flatly stated, "I'm heartily sorry we ever met him."
Three or four days ago, Miss Marion, the sister of Tommy Russell, now in Chicago, received a telegram from her stepfather, Mr. Lambrecht, dated New York, saying "Wood is in Chicago to kidnap Tommy. Look out!" An embargo was at once put upon Tommy's bicycle riding, and he was kept indoors.Following the Sun article, the Philadelphia Record reported on July 22, 1889:
Wood, however, hasn't shown up, though on Thursday a mysterious young man called on Tommy at the Leland hotel and was soon on good terms with the little Lord, the two having a big football game in the main corridor. When the young man called on Friday, he again refused to give his name, and he wasn't allowed to see Tommy at all.
It is said Wood has engaged passage for Europe for Mrs. Lambrecht and her son Tommy, but that the two will not go abroad.
Meanwhile, Louis Bresler's fortune was quickly being depleted by Charles' extravagant spending. Contractors, scenic designers, agents, and bill-printers were not being paid. Likewise, his stock company of actors, who were under contract, remained unemployed pending the theater's completion.
Only two months after the lying of the cornerstone, the curtain was about to fall on the theatrical wunderkind, "A. H. Wood."
Only two months after the lying of the cornerstone, the curtain was about to fall on the theatrical wunderkind, "A. H. Wood."
The Clever Confidence Man
Kahn stated, “There is not, in my opinion, a more clever confidence man in the country than this same Wood, alias Hahr.”
Sullivan has always painted Wood as an angel to the old folks and told them that he had never committed any crimes, when in reality he has settled half a dozen scrapes the young scoundrel got into.
Kahn believed that Louis Bresler was the victim of a conspiracy formed by Charles Hahr, his brother Henry Hahr, Caroline Hahr, the twins' mother, and attorney Tom Sullivan, "all of whom were determined to get as much money out of Mr. Bresler as possible."
Kahn further stated:
Kahn further stated:
They have succeeded beyond expectations. Mr. Bresler retired on a fortune of $350,000, and they have got most of it. Mr. Bresler told me personally that it cost him $20,000 to settle the Hoboken forgery trouble for Wood. He also sold considerable property on 45rd St., which was worth nearly $200,000, for $100,000, for which Wood got the greater part, as well as some property he owned in Detroit, for which he got only half the value, to go into schemes of Wood’s.
About a year ago, Mrs. Hahr (the mother of the twins) took a position as janitoress of a house on 72nd St, near Ninth Avenue, and while its owners were away in the country, Wood took Mr. Bresler to the house and represented himself as its owner and his mother as the housekeeper. He afterwards borrowed $10,000 from Mr. Bresler to pay off a mythical mortgage on the property, stating that there was some trouble in the settlement of his father’s estate, and he could not raise cash at the time to satisfy the mortgage when it was due.
The old man gladly furnished him with the cash. Wood made many other requests for money on the same plea and always got it, but how he managed to spend it, I don’t know. Why, even the clothes he is wearing today have not been paid for. He owes Strauss Brothers of No. 439 Grand St., Brooklyn, a bill of $590, which he has never offered to settle.
Some time ago, he called on Brokaw Brothers, of Astor place, where he bought a suit tendering a worthless check in payment. Nothing was said about the matter, however, and when he was about to marry Mr. Bresler’s daughter, his brother Henry called on them and took the check up, stating that Wood was going to marry into a splendid family and did not want his offense known.
All of the children consider Mr. Bresler of weak mind and incompetent to manage his affairs, and they will probably take steps toward securing the appointment of a guardian or an executor.
Charles’s wife, Bella, described as a "frail young lady, not over 19 years of age, with dark hair and large blue eyes," contradicted Kahn’s claims of her father's incompetency, called Kahn “a very mean man” who was jealous of her husband's relationship with her "papa" and steadfastly defended her husband's integrity.
Horace Wall, who was hired as business manager for the proposed theater stated, "Wood has had a cousin hanging around here, whom he introduced as 'Jack.' and who, I believe, has blackmailed him out of a lot of money, out of threat of exposing his past career. Chief Donovan tells me that 'Jack' is really Henry Hahr, a brother of Charles. Henry, according to Chief Donovan, has served a term in the Elmira Reformatory."
Horace Wall, who was hired as business manager for the proposed theater stated, "Wood has had a cousin hanging around here, whom he introduced as 'Jack.' and who, I believe, has blackmailed him out of a lot of money, out of threat of exposing his past career. Chief Donovan tells me that 'Jack' is really Henry Hahr, a brother of Charles. Henry, according to Chief Donovan, has served a term in the Elmira Reformatory."
The statement of the Hoboken chief of police is that Wood is not Wood at all, but Charles F. Hahr of Hoboken, one of the most accomplished confidence operators in the country and who has probably figured in more criminal courts and served in more prisons than any man of his age known to police authorities. He has a twin brother, it is said, and their joint operations make up a veritable romance in crime, of which the opera house project is a gorgeous finale.
Dark Accusations
Louis Bresler died on March 21, 1890.Kahn accused Charles of murdering Bresler with arsenic, a suspicion allegedly shared by Khan's wife and other family members. Mrs. Bresler and Bella continued to defend Charles.
An autopsy didn’t support the accusation; it was concluded that Bresler died of typhoid pneumonia.
Kahn further claimed that Charles had murdered a child, but provided no details as to that alleged crime. Charles threatened to sue Kahn for $50,000 for slander.
In an interview, Charles called Kahn “a crazy man."
Why I did it, I can’t tell. But it was settled, and not caring to live under the stigma all the days of my life, I applied to the legislature to have my name changed, and by an act, I did change it to Allen H. Wood. It was not the legislature of New York but of a Western state. Since that, I have lived an honest, upright life.
In September, Bella Wood, who had faithfully stood by her husband against Kahn's accusations, charged Charles with desertion. The couple had an infant son who was born a week after Louis Bresler's death.
They were living at the Gedley House, which offered only lodgings...no meals were provided. Charles paid for his own room and apparently left Bella to fend for herself. She had nothing to eat and became very thin. She finally left and moved in with her mother.
When asked what her husband was doing during this time, Bella told the court, "Nothing but play the races, I guess."
On Oct. 23, 1890, the animosity between the brothers-in-law over Kahn’s allegations ultimately resulted in a violent confrontation:
There was an exciting scene for a few moments in the Surrogates Court in which the participants were lawyer Aaron Khan and his brother-in-law, A. H. Wood, who came into the public notice recently by his chimerical theatrical enterprises.
Mr. Kahn has been endeavoring to reopen the probate of the will of his late father-in-law, Louis Bresler…he called Arthur Bresler as a witness, in the hope of proving that Mr. Wood was unworthy of belief; that he had introduced himself into the Bresler family as a wealthy young man, whereas he was poor; that his real name was Hahr instead of Wood, and that after he had married Bella Bresler, she began abandonment proceedings against him.
Mr. Wood listened to the proceedings calmly, and at their conclusion, excitedly approached Mr. Kahn, grabbed him by the coat collar, shook his fist in his face and threatened to thrash him. He repeatedly struck Mr. Khan on the chest, gesticulated wildly with his hands, using some very forceful language, and scared the lawyer thoroughly.
Mr. Kahn has been endeavoring to reopen the probate of the will of his late father-in-law, Louis Bresler…he called Arthur Bresler as a witness, in the hope of proving that Mr. Wood was unworthy of belief; that he had introduced himself into the Bresler family as a wealthy young man, whereas he was poor; that his real name was Hahr instead of Wood, and that after he had married Bella Bresler, she began abandonment proceedings against him.
Mr. Wood listened to the proceedings calmly, and at their conclusion, excitedly approached Mr. Kahn, grabbed him by the coat collar, shook his fist in his face and threatened to thrash him. He repeatedly struck Mr. Khan on the chest, gesticulated wildly with his hands, using some very forceful language, and scared the lawyer thoroughly.
A shaken Kahn said, "It was only by the intervention of a court official that I escaped serious injury. Wood told me before that if I did not drop the proceedings he would kill me before thirty days."
Charles Hahr, alias Napoleon Wood, finally met his Waterloo in New York.
With Louis Bresler deceased and his family bankrupt, the Harlem theater debacle exposed the construction halted, and creditors screaming for their money, Charles fled New York for parts unknown.
With Louis Bresler deceased and his family bankrupt, the Harlem theater debacle exposed the construction halted, and creditors screaming for their money, Charles fled New York for parts unknown.
Fall River and New York 1890-1891
When not engaged in criminal pursuits, Henry and Charles had legitimate occupations as "tip printers" – the same occupation as their father. Tip printing was a skill that involved putting manufacturer or dealer stamps inside hats.
AI-enhanced from newspaper photo
On Thanksgiving Day, 1890, Henry went to Fall River and started work at the hat factory on December 1st. Marshall stated that Henry was a good worker, and he was considered “a pleasant, sociable fellow who made friends easily.”
His employment didn’t last long. On March 14, 1891, Henry left his job voluntarily, explaining that he had to return to New York to assist his brother who had been arrested as “a result of family trouble.”
Charles had been arrested for fraud over a mortgage. The complainant was Thomas Meighan, the former tutor of Charles' young brother-in-law, Arthur Bresler. The case was settled, and Charles was discharged.
Once free, Charles concocted a new scam involving blackmail and false impersonation.
Charles would observe trials in process at the police courts and compile information from testimony that might prove embarrassing to the parties involved. Posing as a reporter for the New York newspaper, the World, he would then visit these individuals and threaten to expose the information in print unless he was paid off.
One of his victims notified the newspaper about this suspicious "reporter," and the World asked the authorities to investigate.
On Dec. 10, 1891, detectives happened to be tracking the activities of two men suspected of robbing flats in the vicinity and made an arrest.
"How dare you arrest us?" said one of the two. "We are going to make you suffer for this!"
Charles had been arrested for fraud over a mortgage. The complainant was Thomas Meighan, the former tutor of Charles' young brother-in-law, Arthur Bresler. The case was settled, and Charles was discharged.
Once free, Charles concocted a new scam involving blackmail and false impersonation.
Charles would observe trials in process at the police courts and compile information from testimony that might prove embarrassing to the parties involved. Posing as a reporter for the New York newspaper, the World, he would then visit these individuals and threaten to expose the information in print unless he was paid off.
One of his victims notified the newspaper about this suspicious "reporter," and the World asked the authorities to investigate.
On Dec. 10, 1891, detectives happened to be tracking the activities of two men suspected of robbing flats in the vicinity and made an arrest.
"How dare you arrest us?" said one of the two. "We are going to make you suffer for this!"
AI-generated image
When searched, detectives found 43 pawn tickets in the brothers' pockets. Six victims of the blackmailing scheme identified "Charles Morris" as the alleged World reporter.
AI-generated photo based on a sketch of Charles Hahr, alias A. H. Wood, alias Charles Morris, alias Theodore Hahr
Other victims came forward and gave their stories. Mrs Julia Lansen testified that one day last week, Charles Hahr called on her, saying her son had been arrested for robbing a milliner of $19 worth of goods. He offered to suppress the story for $3 cash and to persuade the milliner not to prosecute if $19 more were forthcoming. Mrs. Lansen gave him $2 and a promise of $2 a week in addition until the sum was paid.
Another witness was Mrs. Emma Randall. She swore that the prisoner called on her and told her that he had a three and a half column article which he was about to publish regarding the details of a trouble existing between her and Mrs. Catherine Parsons. Witness gave him $6. Next day he called and demanded $50 more.
Mrs. Catherine Parsons, who had accused Mrs. Randall of robbing her flat, said Hahr came to her as a reporter, and she paid him $18 to write up her side of the trouble with Mrs. Randall.
Mrs. Lucy Williams said that the prisoner called on her and that she paid him $3 not to write an article for his newspaper connecting her name with a scandal.
Although he pleaded not guilty in court, Detective Burleigh said that the prisoner admitted to him that the charges were true, and jokingly remarked: "You have not got hold of half the people yet."
Charles eventually confessed. “He said he was sorry for it and sorry that he had not been arrested before this.” He absolved Henry of any blame stating his brother was only guilty by association.
“You mustn’t put too much faith in what my brother says,” Henry Hahr remarked to a reporter. “He’s crazy. That is, he is not dangerous, but his head is not quite right. Ten years ago, when he was 18 years of age, he was thrown from his horse at Saratoga. He fell on his head and injured his spinal column and brain. Since then, he has been sun-struck twice. Ever since the second sunstroke he has been growing weaker in the head.”
On December 12, 1891, Henry was discharged for lack of evidence while Charles was held over for the grand jury.
“You mustn’t put too much faith in what my brother says,” Henry Hahr remarked to a reporter. “He’s crazy. That is, he is not dangerous, but his head is not quite right. Ten years ago, when he was 18 years of age, he was thrown from his horse at Saratoga. He fell on his head and injured his spinal column and brain. Since then, he has been sun-struck twice. Ever since the second sunstroke he has been growing weaker in the head.”
On December 12, 1891, Henry was discharged for lack of evidence while Charles was held over for the grand jury.
It was reported that Henry “was in such a haste to leave the courtroom, that he neglected to bid his brother good-bye.”
Charles eventually pleaded guilty. His inner thespian put on a sterling performance for the judge at his sentencing on January 4, 1892. In the following excerpt from the World, he is referred to under the alias "Charles Morris."
His counsel asked Judge Cowing to be lenient because, "Misfortune had brought the prisoner down."
"What do you do to make a living?" asked Judge Cowing.
"I have been in the theatrical business," said Morris. "I have also been in the newspaper business."
"From what I can hear of you, your character is not good," said the court.
"It is from my enemies that you hear those reports," replied Morris.
Morris denied having committed forgery at one time. He said he had only overdrawn the account a little.
"I have reformed," said Morris, assuming an attitude. "I''ll speak briefly with Your Honor's permission. I have been leading a useless, careless life for some time, and circumstances have occurred that have driven me from doing right. I am very sorry for it, I am deeply and sorely repentant for what I have done, and I ask you to be lenient with me. "
"There are three indictments here against you, Morris," said Judge Cowing.
"Your Honor, spare me," said the prisoner. "My life will be a different one."
"I was going to sentence you for one year," said Judge Cowing. "But you may mean all what you say about repentance and reform. I will take off six months. I sentence you to six months in the penitentiary."
"I thank Your Honor very much indeed," said Morris as he was being led away.
Henry in Fall River - 1892
On New Year’s Day, 1892, James Marshall was again contacted by Henry inquiring about available work at the factory. Although Marshall had no work for him, he encouraged Henry to stay in touch in case an opening became available.Nonetheless, Henry returned to Fall River and boarded at the home of Mrs. E. C. Cross, age 39, the widow of Eugene C. Cross, and her mother, Mrs. Lucretia J. Houghton, at 17 John St.
Mrs. Cross and Mrs. Houghton knew Henry very well; he had boarded with them previously in 1890. According to various reports, “He seemed to be enjoying himself during his stay,”
While living in Fall River, Henry was known as “Henry Wood,” a stage name, he explained, citing a theatrical background.
AI-generated photo of "Henry Wood" based on 1891 newspaper sketch
Inquiry among the local theatrical people disclosed the fact that Hahr was well-known: that he was like many others, a venturesome youth with no higher ambition than to pose before the matinee crowds clad in the latest style dress. He also had the faculty of always appearing well-dressed, though he was not a dude. If he was in hard luck, he could make a worn suit look very presentable, and he was never known to be poorly dressed.
Being pleasant and well-dressed, he made his way easily. He knew the managers of all the theatrical companies that came here by name and claimed to know them personally. Whether he did nor not, he could always secure complimentary tickets when he wished to attend anything at the Academy.
James Marshall, his employer, described him as "an honest, well-meaning man, of more than ordinary good sense, but inclined to relate ghost stories of his own invention."
Then Henry suddenly vanished from Fall River. According to Mrs. Houghton, Hahr left her house about the end of March 1892. The people at Marshall’s factory last knew he was in town around April 1st.
In June 1892, brother Charles was scheduled to be released from prison after serving six months.
About May or June 1892, Henry wrote a letter to Mrs. Cross stating that he would not be heard from for a while as he was about to set sail to London "on a theatrical venture."
Then Henry suddenly vanished from Fall River. According to Mrs. Houghton, Hahr left her house about the end of March 1892. The people at Marshall’s factory last knew he was in town around April 1st.
In June 1892, brother Charles was scheduled to be released from prison after serving six months.
About May or June 1892, Henry wrote a letter to Mrs. Cross stating that he would not be heard from for a while as he was about to set sail to London "on a theatrical venture."
The Borden Family
Andrew J. Borden and his second wife, Abby Durfee Gray, were married in 1865. Abby became stepmother to Andrew's two daughters, Emma Lenora, born in 1851 and Lizzie Andrew, born in 1860.
Andrew was an astute businessman and made a fortune in real estate. He was president of the Union Savings Bank and a director of three major mills in Fall River. His wealth was estimated at approximately $300,000, (equivalent to $10 million in 2026).
He was described as "a hard working, industrious man, who, beginning at the lowest round of the ladder by indomitable courage and assiduous perseverance exalted himself to a position of honor and respect. Energetic, friendly, economical to an extreme, honest to the fault, admired by many, ridiculed by some, but respected by all."
He once boasted that "he had yet to spend his first foolish dollar." He was a New England Yankee - reserved, self-reliant, and thrifty.
He bore the reputation of being one of the wealthiest men in Fall River, but in his manner of living, Andrew J. Borden, with half a million, was as Andrew J. Borden, a poor man.
He rarely, if ever, visited places of amusement, and Providence and Boston were the limit of his travelling experience. He dressed poorly, and it might be said, for a man of his means, shabbily. His heavy wine-colored coat and wide sombrero were as familiar to everybody, as was the little old-fashioned brown basket he carried, which in all probability, served for many purposes.
He might, if he had so desired, lived in splendor, with every luxury at his command, but he preferred to plod along in his homely quiet way, almost denying himself of the necessities of life...
Many have said "Did Andrew Borden enjoy his riches?" He certainly did. Not n the manner which the majority of people would consider they were enjoyng it, but in his own peculiar way he undoubtedly derived much pleasure from it. His wealth was his theatre, excursions, and all kinds of amusements, embodied in the one thing, and it was his pleasure to add to it, to scrape together multiply and see his great mass doubling and redoubling.
Unlike his rich counterparts who lived on "the Hill," a fancy residential area, Andrew housed his family at 92 Second St. in a modest home equipped with indoor running water, a flushing privy in the cellar, and radiator heat. As a matter of practicality, the house was located in the business district within walking distance of Andrew's numerous enterprises. It was not the ramshackle abode of legend.
Andrew was not the mythical miser of Fall River. In fact, Andrew seemed to provide for his family very well. His wife, Abby, was described as a good-hearted, uncomplaining woman who shared her husband's simple needs.
Andrew's daughters, Emma and Lizzie, received a modest allowance and were free to come and go as they pleased. He employed servants to help Abby with the housework. He paid to send Emma to Wheaton Female Seminary and gifted Lizzie with a grand tour of Europe for her 30th birthday. They had dressmakers at their disposal to supply their wardrobes. The family had a summer home in nearby Swansea. Neither daughter worked, but Lizzie was engaged in church activities and occasionally taught Sunday School.
Nonetheless, by the summer of 1892, discord remained between the elder Bordens and the daughters, the origins of which erupted in 1887 and was caused by a real estate purchase Andrew made in favor of Abby's family.
As a result of the rift, Lizzie ceased to call Abby "Mother," preferring to coldly address her instead as "Mrs. Borden."
Lizzie's inquest testimony:
A: Her father's house on Fourth Street was for sale.
Q: Whose father's house?
A: Mrs. Borden's (Abby) father's house. She had a stepmother and a half sister, Mrs. Borden did, and the house was left to the stepmother and a half sister, if I understood it right, and the house was for sale.
A: Mrs. Borden's (Abby) father's house. She had a stepmother and a half sister, Mrs. Borden did, and the house was left to the stepmother and a half sister, if I understood it right, and the house was for sale.
The stepmother, Mrs. Oliver Gray, wanted to sell it, and my father bought out the Widow Gray's share. She (Abby) did not tell me, and he (Andrew) did not tell me, but some outsiders said that he (Andrew) gave it to her (Abby). Put it in her name. I said if he gave that to her, he ought to give us something. Told Mrs. Borden so.
AI-enhanced from newspaper photo
She did not care anything about the house herself. She wanted it so this half sister could have a home, because she had married a man that was not doing the best he could, and she thought her sister was having a very hard time and wanted her to have a home. and we always thought she persuaded father to buy it.
At any rate he did buy it, and I am quite sure she did persuade him. I said what he did for her people he ought to do for his own children. so he gave us grandfather's house. (The family homestead on Ferry Street which was worth $5,000).
That was all the trouble we ever had.
Q: You have not stated any trouble yet between you and her?
A: I said there was feeling four or five years ago when I stopped calling her Mother.
At any rate he did buy it, and I am quite sure she did persuade him. I said what he did for her people he ought to do for his own children. so he gave us grandfather's house. (The family homestead on Ferry Street which was worth $5,000).
That was all the trouble we ever had.
Q: You have not stated any trouble yet between you and her?
A: I said there was feeling four or five years ago when I stopped calling her Mother.
Hannah Gifford, a cloak maker, testified that in the spring of 1892, Lizzie called her mother "a mean old thing."
It was some remark I made about her mother's garment, what would be becoming for her. You know Mrs. Borden was very fleshy; I spoke to her of what I thought would be becoming to Mrs. Borden. She says "Well, she is a mean old thing."
I says "Oh, you don't say that, Lizzie?" She says "Yes, and we don't have anything to do with her, only what we are obliged to."
She says "We (Lizzie and Emma) stay upstairs most of the time. We stay in our room most of the time." I says "You do? Don't you go to your meals?"
"Yes, we go to our meals, but we don't always eat with the family, with them. Sometimes we wait until they are through."
That is all she said. I did not say anything more. I was awfully surprised to hear her.
Lizzie's friend, Augusta Tripp, testified that she didn't believe Lizzie and Abby were fond of each other, that they rarely spoke "as a mother and daughter might." and that Lizzie thought Abby was deceitful.
Hiram C. Harrington, Lizzie's uncle was blunt in assessing his niece's character in an interview with The Fall River Globe, Aug. 6, 1892:
I says "Oh, you don't say that, Lizzie?" She says "Yes, and we don't have anything to do with her, only what we are obliged to."
She says "We (Lizzie and Emma) stay upstairs most of the time. We stay in our room most of the time." I says "You do? Don't you go to your meals?"
"Yes, we go to our meals, but we don't always eat with the family, with them. Sometimes we wait until they are through."
That is all she said. I did not say anything more. I was awfully surprised to hear her.
Lizzie's friend, Augusta Tripp, testified that she didn't believe Lizzie and Abby were fond of each other, that they rarely spoke "as a mother and daughter might." and that Lizzie thought Abby was deceitful.
Hiram C. Harrington, Lizzie's uncle was blunt in assessing his niece's character in an interview with The Fall River Globe, Aug. 6, 1892:
She thought she ought to entertain as others did and felt that with her father's wealth, she was expected to hold her end up with others of her set. Her father's constant refusal to allow her to entertain lavishly angered her. I have heard many bitter things she has said of her father and know she was deeply resentful of her father's mainained stand in this matter.
Alice Russell, a friend of both Lizzie and Emma, testified about the discordant views of the elder Borden and the daughters. Lizzie and Emma believed that Abby had little influence over Andrew regarding their living situation.
A: …The whole thing was, as far as I could see, that an own mother might have had more influence over the father. It was the father more than the mother.
A: …The whole thing was, as far as I could see, that an own mother might have had more influence over the father. It was the father more than the mother.
Q: What do you mean?
A: The father was the head of the house. They had to do as he thought. Mrs. Borden did not control the house. The whole summing up of it, was that.
Q: Were her relations with her father cordial?
A: So far as I know. I never saw anything different.
A: So far as I know. I never saw anything different.
Q: Were they congenial?
A: I should not suppose they would be - knowing their different natures.
Q: The different nature of the father and mother and Lizzie?
A: Yes, each of them.
Q: What was the difference in their natures?
A: Mr. Borden was a plain living man with rigid ideas and very set. They were young girls. He had earned his money, and he did not care for the things that young women in their position naturally would, and he looked upon those things - I don't know just how to put it.
Q: He did not appreciate girls?
A: No, I don't think he did.
Q: Their ideas were more modern than his with regard to the way of living, do you mean?
A: Yes sir.
Q: How did you get this? From the girls' talk, or what you observed?
A: From what I observed. Everybody knew what Andrew Borden's ideas were. He was a very plain living man. He did not care for anything different. It always seemed to me as if he did not see why they should care for anything different.
Q: Did they complain about it?
A: Yes. They used to think it ought to be different. There was no reason why it should not be. They used to think it might be different.
Q: Lizzie or Emma or both?
A: Both.
Q: There was never any wrangling between them?
A: No, I never heard any. They had quite refined ideas, and they would like to have been cultured girls, and would like to have had different advantages, and it would be natural for girls to express themselves that way. I think it would have been very unnatural if they had not.
Q: He did not give them the advantages of education that they thought they ought to have had?
A: I don't know as it is just that, but people cannot go and do and have, unless they have ample means to do it.
Murder Most Foul
Complaints are made of attempts to break and enter several houses on 2nd Street Tuesday night by unknown persons." The Fall River Herald, Wednesday August 3rd, 1892, page 4.
The murder weapon was later determined to be a hatchet or axe.
The only other people present in the house besides the two victims were Andrew’s thirty-two year old daughter, Lizzie, and the family maid, Bridget Sullivan, called "Maggie" by the sisters, the name of their previous servant.
Lizzie’s older sister, Emma, was visiting the Brownell family in nearby Fairhaven at the time of the murders. John V. Morse, Andrew's brother-in-law, was visiting from the West. On the morning of the crime, he was visiting relatives on Weybosset St.
Although Second Street was a busy thoroughfare, no strangers were seen entering or exiting the house during the time the murders were committed.
The Morning of the Murders
John V. Morse came downstairs from the guest bedroom to the sitting room at approx. 6:20. Abby Borden came downstairs at approx. 6:40, followed by Andrew Borden at 6:50 in his shirtsleeves.
Bridget served Andrew, Abby and Morse breakfast between 7:15 and 7:45.
After breakfast, Morse and the elder Bordens sat in the sitting room conversing for approximately an hour. At some point, Mrs. Borden began to dust around the sitting room and front hall area with a feather duster.
Bridget served Andrew, Abby and Morse breakfast between 7:15 and 7:45.
After breakfast, Morse and the elder Bordens sat in the sitting room conversing for approximately an hour. At some point, Mrs. Borden began to dust around the sitting room and front hall area with a feather duster.
Morse last saw Abby around 8:30 in the front hall. He left the house to visit relatives on Weybosset St. at approximately 8:45 a.m. According to Morse, Bridget was in the kitchen when he passed through to exit the side door. Andrew saw Morse out, unhooking the screen door and said, "John, come back to dinner with us."
John V. Morse as he might have looked in 1892 at age 59 (AI age progression of original photo)
After Morse left, Andrew went upstairs to put on his collar and tie. He then came downstairs and sat in the sitting room.
Between 8:45-9:00, Lizzie came downstairs. According to her inquest testimony, Andrew was in the sitting room reading the newspaper. Abby was dusting in the dining room. Lizzie and Abby had the following conversation:
She asked me how I felt. I told her. She asked me what I wanted for dinner. I told her not anything, what kind of meat I wanted for dinner. I told her not any. She said she had been up and made the spare bed (in the guest bedroom), and was going to take up some linen pillow cases for the small pillows at the foot, and then the room was done. ..She said she had been up and made the bed up fresh, and had dusted the room and left it all in order. She was going to close the room, because she was going to have company Monday and she wanted everything in order.
She says "I have had a note from somebody that is sick, and I am going out, and I will get the dinner at the same time." I think she said something about the weather, I don't know. She also asked me if I would direct some wrappers for her, which I did.
Between 8:45-9:00, Lizzie came downstairs. According to her inquest testimony, Andrew was in the sitting room reading the newspaper. Abby was dusting in the dining room. Lizzie and Abby had the following conversation:
She says "I have had a note from somebody that is sick, and I am going out, and I will get the dinner at the same time." I think she said something about the weather, I don't know. She also asked me if I would direct some wrappers for her, which I did.
Lizzie then stated she left Abby in the dining room and went down to the cellar for about five minutes. When she returned, Abby was nowhere in sight. She didn't see Abby again. "I had supposed she had gone out."
Bridget said that shortly before 9:00, after Abby came down for some pillow shams. Abby asked her, "Have you anything particular to do?" Bridget answered "no ma'am." Mrs. Borden said "I would like you to wash those windows."
Lizzie entered the kitchen, and Bridget asked Lizzie what she wanted for breakfast. Lizzie said she didn't know that she wanted any breakfast, except maybe coffee and cookies. As Lizzie was preparing to sit at the table with her coffee, Bridget, suddenly feeling ill, went outside to the back yard and vomitted. She was outside for about 10 or 15 minutes.
According to Lizzie, Andrew Borden “came out into the kitchen and said he did not know whether he would go down to the post office or not. And then I sprinkled some handkerchiefs to iron.”
When Bridget returned to the kitchen, she did not see Lizzie. Andrew was nowhere in sight, having already left for downtown. The last time Bridget saw Abby, she was dusting in the dining room. She didn't see her alive again.
Between 9:00-9:30, Bridget finished cleaning the kitchen and shut the dining room and sitting room windows. She got a pail from the cellar, a brush from the kitchen closet, filled the pail and went outside the side door to commence washing the windows.
According to her inquest testimony, Lizzie claimed she was in the kitchen waiting for the flats to heat on the stove so she could commence ironing. While she waited, she read a magazine. She stated she did not go upstairs at all. She then said she did go upstairs to carry up some clothes and she stayed in her bedroom "long enough when I went up to sew a little piece of tape on a garment." She said the door to the guest bedroom was closed.
At approximately 9:30, Lizzie suddenly appeared from inside the screen at the side door. Bridget later testified, "She asked me if I was to wash windows. I says, 'Yes…you don't need to lock the screen door. I will be around here. You may lock it if you want to. I will get the water in the barn.' She didn't say anything to that." Lizzie left the screen door unlatched.
Bridget started washing the outside sitting room windows on the south side of the house, next to the Michael Kelly residence. She paused to chat at the fence with the Kelly maid, Mary Doolin. This took Bridget out of sight of the side door. She then washed the two front parlor windows. She stated she repeatedly went back and forth to the barn for more water.
At 10:20, after she finished washing the outside windows, Bridget went inside, locking the screen door behind her. She grabbed a hand basin and went into the sitting room to start cleaning the windows there. She did not see Lizzie and heard nothing.
Between 10:30 and 10:40, Bridget heard a noise at the front door as if someone was trying to gain entry. It was Andrew returning from downtown. Bridget went to the door and struggled with the locks, exclaiming "Pshaw!" in frustration. Bridget testified she heard Lizzie laugh from the upstairs landing.
In the inquest, Lizzie first testified she was in the kitchen reading a magazine when Andrew came home. ("He came home after I came downstairs"). She then contradicted herself: "When the bell rang, I think I was in my room upstairs…I was on the stairs coming down when she (Bridget) let him in."
According to Bridget, Lizzie then entered the sitting room where Bridget was washing the inside windows and continued into the dining room where she greeted Andrew. She asked her father if there was any mail for her and informed him that Abby had received a note from a sick friend and had gone out.
Andrew then went upstairs to his room via the back stairs before returning to the sitting room approximately 10 minutes later.
At about 10:55 a.m. Andrew, feeling tired and ill, lay down on the sitting room sofa.
As Bridget was washing the dining room windows, Lizzie set up an ironing board on the dining room table and began ironing handkerchiefs after heating the flats on the kitchen stove. When Bridget finished the windows in the dining room, she went to the kitchen, followed by Lizzie.
She said, "Maggie, are you going out this afternoon? I said, "I don't know. I might and I might not. I don't feel very well." She says, "If you go out, be sure to lock the door for Mrs. Borden has gone out on a sick call, and I might go out too." Says I, "Miss Lizzie, who is sick?" She said, "I don't know. She had a note this morning. It must be in town."
Bridget said that shortly before 9:00, after Abby came down for some pillow shams. Abby asked her, "Have you anything particular to do?" Bridget answered "no ma'am." Mrs. Borden said "I would like you to wash those windows."
Lizzie entered the kitchen, and Bridget asked Lizzie what she wanted for breakfast. Lizzie said she didn't know that she wanted any breakfast, except maybe coffee and cookies. As Lizzie was preparing to sit at the table with her coffee, Bridget, suddenly feeling ill, went outside to the back yard and vomitted. She was outside for about 10 or 15 minutes.
According to Lizzie, Andrew Borden “came out into the kitchen and said he did not know whether he would go down to the post office or not. And then I sprinkled some handkerchiefs to iron.”
When Bridget returned to the kitchen, she did not see Lizzie. Andrew was nowhere in sight, having already left for downtown. The last time Bridget saw Abby, she was dusting in the dining room. She didn't see her alive again.
Between 9:00-9:30, Bridget finished cleaning the kitchen and shut the dining room and sitting room windows. She got a pail from the cellar, a brush from the kitchen closet, filled the pail and went outside the side door to commence washing the windows.
According to her inquest testimony, Lizzie claimed she was in the kitchen waiting for the flats to heat on the stove so she could commence ironing. While she waited, she read a magazine. She stated she did not go upstairs at all. She then said she did go upstairs to carry up some clothes and she stayed in her bedroom "long enough when I went up to sew a little piece of tape on a garment." She said the door to the guest bedroom was closed.
At approximately 9:30, Lizzie suddenly appeared from inside the screen at the side door. Bridget later testified, "She asked me if I was to wash windows. I says, 'Yes…you don't need to lock the screen door. I will be around here. You may lock it if you want to. I will get the water in the barn.' She didn't say anything to that." Lizzie left the screen door unlatched.
Bridget started washing the outside sitting room windows on the south side of the house, next to the Michael Kelly residence. She paused to chat at the fence with the Kelly maid, Mary Doolin. This took Bridget out of sight of the side door. She then washed the two front parlor windows. She stated she repeatedly went back and forth to the barn for more water.
At 10:20, after she finished washing the outside windows, Bridget went inside, locking the screen door behind her. She grabbed a hand basin and went into the sitting room to start cleaning the windows there. She did not see Lizzie and heard nothing.
Between 10:30 and 10:40, Bridget heard a noise at the front door as if someone was trying to gain entry. It was Andrew returning from downtown. Bridget went to the door and struggled with the locks, exclaiming "Pshaw!" in frustration. Bridget testified she heard Lizzie laugh from the upstairs landing.
In the inquest, Lizzie first testified she was in the kitchen reading a magazine when Andrew came home. ("He came home after I came downstairs"). She then contradicted herself: "When the bell rang, I think I was in my room upstairs…I was on the stairs coming down when she (Bridget) let him in."
According to Bridget, Lizzie then entered the sitting room where Bridget was washing the inside windows and continued into the dining room where she greeted Andrew. She asked her father if there was any mail for her and informed him that Abby had received a note from a sick friend and had gone out.
Andrew then went upstairs to his room via the back stairs before returning to the sitting room approximately 10 minutes later.
At about 10:55 a.m. Andrew, feeling tired and ill, lay down on the sitting room sofa.
As Bridget was washing the dining room windows, Lizzie set up an ironing board on the dining room table and began ironing handkerchiefs after heating the flats on the kitchen stove. When Bridget finished the windows in the dining room, she went to the kitchen, followed by Lizzie.
She said, "Maggie, are you going out this afternoon? I said, "I don't know. I might and I might not. I don't feel very well." She says, "If you go out, be sure to lock the door for Mrs. Borden has gone out on a sick call, and I might go out too." Says I, "Miss Lizzie, who is sick?" She said, "I don't know. She had a note this morning. It must be in town."
Bridget later testified that she had no knowledge of a note being delivered that morning and was surprised that Mrs. Borden didn't tell her she was leaving the house, "as she usually does."
Bridget stated, " I got through with my work and was in the kitchen. Then she told me there was a sale of cheap dress goods at Sargent's - eight cents a yard. I said I would have one."
Bridget stated, " I got through with my work and was in the kitchen. Then she told me there was a sale of cheap dress goods at Sargent's - eight cents a yard. I said I would have one."
Bridget then went upstairs to her attic bedroom to nap until it was time to prepare the noon meal. She estimated the time at "3 or 4 minutes of 11:00." With the exception of Lizzie and Andrew, Bridget testified that "I don't remember to hear a sound of anybody else."
Meanwhile, Lizzie claimed that after leaving her father in the sitting room, she abandoned the ironing and went out to the backyard where she picked some pears under the tree. She then went into the barn to look for either a lead sinker for a fishing line or a piece of tin to fix a window. She ate her pears. She was rustling around in the barn between 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, Lizzie claimed that after leaving her father in the sitting room, she abandoned the ironing and went out to the backyard where she picked some pears under the tree. She then went into the barn to look for either a lead sinker for a fishing line or a piece of tin to fix a window. She ate her pears. She was rustling around in the barn between 15-20 minutes.
As she rested across the foot of her bed, Bridget heard the city clock strike 11:00 a.m. She did not hear the screen door open or close but stated that "if anyone goes in or out and is careless and slams the door, I can hear it in my room."
Between 11:10 and 11:15, Bridget testified that "Miss Lizzie hollered, 'Maggie, come down! Father's dead. Someone's come in and killed him."
Lizzie instructed Bridget to run across the street for Dr. Bowen.
Adelaide Churchill, the Borden's next door neighbor, spotted Lizzie standing inside the screen door after Bridget had left to fetch Dr. Bowen. Adelaide had seen Andrew leave that morning around 9:00.
Adelaide noticed Lizzie appeared "excited or agitated, as if something had happened" and called out from her window, "Lizzie, what is the matter? She said, 'Oh, Mrs. Churchill, do come over. Some one has killed Father.'"
At 11:15, John Cunningham, a newsdealer, phoned Marshall Hilliard to report a disturbance at the Borden residence.
Abby Borden's body was found in the guest bedroom between 11:23-11:30 by Adelaide and Bridget after being asked by Lizzie to search for Abby upstairs. ("I thought I heard her come in."). Contrary to Lizzie's inquest testimony, Adelaide and Bridget stated that the bedroom door was open.
The majority of the Fall River police were attending their annual picnic at Rocky Point in Rhode Island. The few police who remained on duty began to arrive.
Between 11:10 and 11:15, Bridget testified that "Miss Lizzie hollered, 'Maggie, come down! Father's dead. Someone's come in and killed him."
Lizzie instructed Bridget to run across the street for Dr. Bowen.
Adelaide Churchill, the Borden's next door neighbor, spotted Lizzie standing inside the screen door after Bridget had left to fetch Dr. Bowen. Adelaide had seen Andrew leave that morning around 9:00.
Adelaide noticed Lizzie appeared "excited or agitated, as if something had happened" and called out from her window, "Lizzie, what is the matter? She said, 'Oh, Mrs. Churchill, do come over. Some one has killed Father.'"
At 11:15, John Cunningham, a newsdealer, phoned Marshall Hilliard to report a disturbance at the Borden residence.
Abby Borden's body was found in the guest bedroom between 11:23-11:30 by Adelaide and Bridget after being asked by Lizzie to search for Abby upstairs. ("I thought I heard her come in."). Contrary to Lizzie's inquest testimony, Adelaide and Bridget stated that the bedroom door was open.
The majority of the Fall River police were attending their annual picnic at Rocky Point in Rhode Island. The few police who remained on duty began to arrive.
At approximately 11:35-11:40, John Morse returned to the Borden home after his visit to Weybosset St.
The investigation into the Borden murders began.
The investigation into the Borden murders began.
Witness Observations
The Sun, Aug. 5, 1892. Some of the neighbors saw a man, whom they took for a Portuguese, walking up and down in front of Mr. Borden's house...
9:00 a.m. - Marshal Fleet notes: Aug. 10, 1892 (notation “Hilliard” at top of page): “Stewart C. Hall, 20 Borden St., wrote letter about seeing a man sitting on Bordens steps at about 9:00, was very savage looking man looks as if he would murder anyone. Lost the letter and was found by Edward B. Sprague on Borden street, rm. 55 Richardson House and handed to John McCarthy. Letter given to Marshal."
9:45 - 9:50 a.m.: Delia Manley who lived at 206 Second St., passed by the Borden house on the morning of the murder accompanied by her sister, Sarah Hart. They stopped to admire some pond lilies in a carriage driven by their nephew that was parked between the Borden and Churchill houses.
She saw a young man dressed in light clothes standing in the north gateway of the Borden house, leaning his left arm on the gatepost. She could give no further description and when she walked away, he was still standing there.
Delia Manley: AI-generated photo based on newspaper sketch
Sarah Hart observed the same man. He stood with his left elbow on the gatepost and his face resting in his hand. "He was looking at me as I thought, and then turned and looked at the street as though he were uneasy, prying into my business."
Borden house gateposts
10:20 a.m. - Stephen F. Brow, a druggist, stated he was on Second St. on the morning of Aug. 4: "About 10:20 I was standing at Mrs. Churchill's gate. I saw a man by a tree in front of Mr. Borden's standing still coming towards house, about 10:35 after Mr. Borden had gone in. I saw him come up; he passed me at Mrs. Churchill's gate. Then he looked down the street and walked off, as far as Wade's store, then I went in yard. A man brought carriage over after man had gone from Hartwell Street.
(Described) Man as P height--black mustache and bright suit--kind of stiff hat cut away coat hollow faced dark complected. I saw Dr. Handy go by (fast) while the man was walking away.
Between 10:20 & 10:40, Dr. Benjamin Handy eyed a mysterious stranger walking oddly between the Borden and Kelly houses on Second St.
(Described) Man as P height--black mustache and bright suit--kind of stiff hat cut away coat hollow faced dark complected. I saw Dr. Handy go by (fast) while the man was walking away.
AI-generated photo of Dr. Benjamin Handy based on a newspaper sketch
The suspect was of light weight, probably about 125 lbs, but he had a full face. He seemed to be terribly agitated as one might who was contemplating murder. His features were of Spanish cast, dark hair, and small black mustache. His clothes were of light color.
Handy further described the stranger as “5’4” in height, of medium weight, and wearing a dark mustache. His face was deathly white, and he presented the appearance of being extremely agitated. He was about 24 years of age and was unquestionably excited over something.”
Handy further described the stranger as “5’4” in height, of medium weight, and wearing a dark mustache. His face was deathly white, and he presented the appearance of being extremely agitated. He was about 24 years of age and was unquestionably excited over something.”
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This is the AI-generated photo from that description (with added mustache).
Dr. Handy was escorted to Boston to identify the strange man he saw.
Witness Statement (Doherty & Harrington) Thursday {Aug] 11, 1892:
Mr. Wood was not at home, he had gone to Lexington in the morning to see a friend who was building a house near a lot owned by him. From the lady who came to the door, we got a description of Mr. Wood. She also showed us a photograph of him. She handed it to me, and I immediately turned it over to the Doctor, who before he had it rightly in his hand, pronounced him not the person.
There were three persons on the card, two men and a child. The child was in Mr. Wood’s arms. Owing to the position in which he sat, his face was very much shaded, which made it rather difficult of observation.
This, together with the fact that Dr. Handy so readily pronounced him not the man, is, to my mind, very significant. His social relations with Miss Lizzie are very close. She was to spend her vacation at Dr. Handy’s cottage at Marion, with his daughter.
Henrick Wood and Henry Wood were likely one and the same person. "Henrick" or "Henrik" is Swedish for Henry. The lady who answered the door may have been the twin's mother, Caroline Hahr, a Swedish immigrant.
Henry probably went to Lexington for the harness racing that was held at the racetrack there, perhaps hoping to win some urgently needed cash. Two years later, 19 Oxford Street, Division 4, was raided as a gambling den by police. Both Henry and Charles were known to be notorious gamblers.
Furthermore, there was no "Henrick Wood" listed anywhere in the Boston city directory for 1892/1893 or listed in the directories at any time before or after those years. If a "Henrick Wood" was boarding at 19 Oxford Street in the summer of 1892, it was a very short stay.
On August 11, 1892, the same day Dr. Handy was asked to identify "Henrick Wood," Lizzie Borden was arrested for murder.
The Fall River Herald, Aug. 12, 1892
Top photo: Lizzie arrives at the Central Police Station/Bottom photo: Crowds await latest news outside the station. (Porter, The Fall River Tragedy).
William Davidson, aka Morgan William Davis or M. W. Davidson, a locomotive engineer on the San Antonio and Arkansas railroad, reported to Jersey City police authorities that he overheard a suspicious conversation between two men in a railroad car at the Pennsylvania Railroad yard. He stated the incident occurred on August 28th.
Davidson described what he overheard to the Fall River Daily Evening News:
Davidson described what he overheard to the Fall River Daily Evening News:
The one addressed said he received one letter but not the other.
Man #1: "That was strange. When did you last go to the post office?"
Man #2: "I went the day before."
Man #1: "Let's sit down here and talk a little. Tell me what you know about the Borden murder, and do you think John did it?"
Man #2: "I know he did. I was with him in Boston about 10 days before the murder. I left Boston for New York, and he was to go to Lowell and from Lowell to Fall River and from Fall River to New York. I was to write him a letter and send it to him in Fall River to let him know where he could find me in New York. I wrote the letter and sent it to Fall River. The next thing that I heard of he showed up here and told me that he did the Fall River murder. He showed me some blood on his pants where he had washed it out, but the stain was there yet. He bought him a new pair of pants in New York and left for St. Louis or Chicago. He said he would write back to me and let me know where he was and when he got there. I haven't heard from him since. He is the luckiest ___ of ___ I ever saw. If I had done what he has done, I'd been hung two or three weeks ago. According to the newspaper reports, it looks like as though it was impossible for a man to have done that and escape without being caught."
Man #1: "Yes, he is a sharper."
In criminal slang of the period, "sharper" was used to describe " a cunning thief or rogue, a swindler, a cheat who lives by his wits, a confidence trickster and thieves who used trickery to part an owner with his or her money or other possessions."
The New York Sun reported Davidson's story as follows:
I was reclining on one of the seats and had been there about half an hour when two men came in. One of them had a smooth-shaven face and the other wore a mustache.
The smoother-faced man said to the other, "Did you get my letters?"
The other answered, "I got one but not the other."
"Tell me about that murder in Fall River. Do you think John did it?" asked the first speaker.
"You know he did," was the reply. "I left him in Boston about ten days before the murder. He was to go to Fall River. I told him where he could find me in New York. He showed up at the time he said he would and told me that he committed the murders. He showed me some spots of blood on his pants and said he'd try to wash them out. He told me he was going to Chicago and would write to me, but I have not heard from him."
"John is the luckiest man I ever heard of," said the other man. "I would have been hung twenty years ago if I had done what he has."
Davis (sic) reported that when the men realized he was eavesdropping, they hurried out of the car. Davis (sic) notified two detectives of what he had overheard. The detectives searched the depot but failed to locate the men who had already left. They were described as "well-dressed" and "seemed to be 30 or 35 years old."
After questioning Davidson about his story, Police Superintendent Smith sent Davidson's statement to Andrew J. Jennings, Lizzie Borden's defense attorney. The Jersey City police chief further instructed Davidson to see Marshal Hilliard about his statement.
Davidson dutifully went to Fall River with his story and was met with a "very cool reception" and "utter indifference" from Marshal Hilliard.
According to the Fall River Daily Herald, after leaving Hilliard, Davidson went to Lizzie Borden's defense attorneys, Jennings and Melvin Adams, who met with him and heard his story.
The paper reported that "He told a very honest story and appears to be an honest fellow. Mr. Jennings says he knows nothing about him, save what Davidson told him, but that he answered questions naturally. He told his story to newspaper men last night. Mr. Jennings says he is convinced the man is telling a straight story."
In the meantime, Hilliard, indignant over reports that authorities were ignoring Davidson's story, responded by issuing a report from the Jersey City police regarding their investigation.
The smoother-faced man said to the other, "Did you get my letters?"
The other answered, "I got one but not the other."
"Tell me about that murder in Fall River. Do you think John did it?" asked the first speaker.
"You know he did," was the reply. "I left him in Boston about ten days before the murder. He was to go to Fall River. I told him where he could find me in New York. He showed up at the time he said he would and told me that he committed the murders. He showed me some spots of blood on his pants and said he'd try to wash them out. He told me he was going to Chicago and would write to me, but I have not heard from him."
"John is the luckiest man I ever heard of," said the other man. "I would have been hung twenty years ago if I had done what he has."
Davis (sic) reported that when the men realized he was eavesdropping, they hurried out of the car. Davis (sic) notified two detectives of what he had overheard. The detectives searched the depot but failed to locate the men who had already left. They were described as "well-dressed" and "seemed to be 30 or 35 years old."
After questioning Davidson about his story, Police Superintendent Smith sent Davidson's statement to Andrew J. Jennings, Lizzie Borden's defense attorney. The Jersey City police chief further instructed Davidson to see Marshal Hilliard about his statement.
Davidson dutifully went to Fall River with his story and was met with a "very cool reception" and "utter indifference" from Marshal Hilliard.
According to the Fall River Daily Herald, after leaving Hilliard, Davidson went to Lizzie Borden's defense attorneys, Jennings and Melvin Adams, who met with him and heard his story.
The paper reported that "He told a very honest story and appears to be an honest fellow. Mr. Jennings says he knows nothing about him, save what Davidson told him, but that he answered questions naturally. He told his story to newspaper men last night. Mr. Jennings says he is convinced the man is telling a straight story."
In the meantime, Hilliard, indignant over reports that authorities were ignoring Davidson's story, responded by issuing a report from the Jersey City police regarding their investigation.
It was enough for Hilliard to dismiss Davidson as just another crank.
However, it was reported on Sept. 1, 1892 that "after meeting with Jennings and Adams, (Davidson's) evidence is unavailable just at present, but may be used later on."
John Henry Wood, The Richmond Suspect
According to Mrs. Houghton (or Mrs. Cross in various reports), Henry Wood's landlady in Fall River, the next news that came from Henry "was in the form of a telegram which was dated New York and said that he had just arrived on a quarantined ship and that he would be in Fall River next morning.
Mrs. Houghton (or Cross) went to the boat to meet him, but he did not arrive. This is while the "Normannia" was in quarantine" (due to a cholera outbreak).
Another account states that Henry asked her to meet him at the New York boat wharf the following Saturday but there was no sign of him.
James Marshall received a letter dated Sept. 22, 1892 from "Seth Valentine," a printer in New York, seeking a letter of recommendation for Henry. Marshall naturally assumed that Henry was still in New York.
A month later, the following report was reprinted in newspapers around the country. The original article was published in the Richmond Dispatch on Oct. 18, 1892:According to Mrs. Houghton (or Mrs. Cross in various reports), Henry Wood's landlady in Fall River, the next news that came from Henry "was in the form of a telegram which was dated New York and said that he had just arrived on a quarantined ship and that he would be in Fall River next morning.
Mrs. Houghton (or Cross) went to the boat to meet him, but he did not arrive. This is while the "Normannia" was in quarantine" (due to a cholera outbreak).
Mrs. Houghton (or Cross) went to the boat to meet him, but he did not arrive. This is while the "Normannia" was in quarantine" (due to a cholera outbreak).
Another account states that Henry asked her to meet him at the New York boat wharf the following Saturday but there was no sign of him.
James Marshall received a letter dated Sept. 22, 1892 from "Seth Valentine," a printer in New York, seeking a letter of recommendation for Henry. Marshall naturally assumed that Henry was still in New York.
James Marshall received a letter dated Sept. 22, 1892 from "Seth Valentine," a printer in New York, seeking a letter of recommendation for Henry. Marshall naturally assumed that Henry was still in New York.
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The Borden Murder. Sensational Developments in the Fall River Mystery. A Tramp Arrested in Virginia. He is Suspected of Being Implicated in The Crime and is Now in Prison:
A Richmond Virginia special says John Wood, supposed to have been implicated in the Borden family murder at Fall River, Mass, is in jail here. He is about 30 years of age and has the appearance of a respectable tramp. He claims to be a hat printer, and came here with an army of fakirs to attend the exposition. He is about medium height, has regular features, black eyes, hair and mustache. He is fairly educated, has tramped a good deal, and resided at Fall River quite recently..
On the opening day of the exposition, (the 1st week of October) John Wood presented himself at the popcorn and peanut stand of Watkins Bros. upon the grounds and asked for employment which he obtained. For 10 days he kept up his work, but it soon began to be the talk among his associates that he was a peculiar and eccentric individual. He could not sleep, and at times appeared melancholy.
Wood had not been here many days when a report was circulated that he once lived in Fall River and was an acquaintance of Lizzie Borden.
Constable J. L Branch of Henrico county, who is on duty at the exposition grounds, heard the rumor and made inquiries which caused him to suspect Wood was in some way associated with the Fall River murder.
Wood was about to leave last Saturday when he was arrested on a warrant charging him with being implicated with the Fall River tragedy. He manifested some uneasiness but stated he was innocent and assured Mr. Branch that he could be maintained in this by the Fall River police.
Wood's employer (Watkins) said he (Wood) had told him that he knew Lizzie Borden: that he on many occasions had taken her to the theater and had a number of times met the young woman when she was going for morphine at the same drug store at which he purchased whiskey on Sunday mornings.
According to the story of the prosecution, Wood knew who committed the crime. Wood said he knew who Lizzie Borden was from hearsay and had seen her but three times in his life.
It is stated that the constable has secured the affidavits of three persons to whom Wood stated that a relative of Lizzie Borden committed the murders and that he (Wood) knew who that relative was.
Watkins also stated that Wood never told him where he was when the murders occurred or whether or not he was involved.
A Richmond Virginia special says John Wood, supposed to have been implicated in the Borden family murder at Fall River, Mass, is in jail here. He is about 30 years of age and has the appearance of a respectable tramp. He claims to be a hat printer, and came here with an army of fakirs to attend the exposition. He is about medium height, has regular features, black eyes, hair and mustache. He is fairly educated, has tramped a good deal, and resided at Fall River quite recently..
On the opening day of the exposition, (the 1st week of October) John Wood presented himself at the popcorn and peanut stand of Watkins Bros. upon the grounds and asked for employment which he obtained. For 10 days he kept up his work, but it soon began to be the talk among his associates that he was a peculiar and eccentric individual. He could not sleep, and at times appeared melancholy.
Wood had not been here many days when a report was circulated that he once lived in Fall River and was an acquaintance of Lizzie Borden.
Constable J. L Branch of Henrico county, who is on duty at the exposition grounds, heard the rumor and made inquiries which caused him to suspect Wood was in some way associated with the Fall River murder.
Wood was about to leave last Saturday when he was arrested on a warrant charging him with being implicated with the Fall River tragedy. He manifested some uneasiness but stated he was innocent and assured Mr. Branch that he could be maintained in this by the Fall River police.
Wood's employer (Watkins) said he (Wood) had told him that he knew Lizzie Borden: that he on many occasions had taken her to the theater and had a number of times met the young woman when she was going for morphine at the same drug store at which he purchased whiskey on Sunday mornings.
According to the story of the prosecution, Wood knew who committed the crime. Wood said he knew who Lizzie Borden was from hearsay and had seen her but three times in his life.
It is stated that the constable has secured the affidavits of three persons to whom Wood stated that a relative of Lizzie Borden committed the murders and that he (Wood) knew who that relative was.
Watkins also stated that Wood never told him where he was when the murders occurred or whether or not he was involved.
It was also reported that Wood stated to Capt. Charles H. Epps, the chief of police, who was in charge of the exposition grounds, that "he knew the Borden family well and that he had accompanied Miss Lizzie to church several times. The assertion that he and the young woman were good friends is also accredited to him."
In the Richmond Dispatch article, the reporter observed:
From his conversation, it is evident that Wood is an educated man, who has had much travel and experience, and learned a great deal about the world and its people.
He possesses a remarkable intellect and is astute and possibly a trifle cunning.
Wood stated he was a hat printer by trade; he also claimed to be a native of Australia and that he had traveled around the world three times. "He, with a complacent smile, stated that he had seen life in all its phases and had won and lost several thousand francs in Monte Carlo in one night.
In the Richmond Dispatch article, the reporter observed:
He possesses a remarkable intellect and is astute and possibly a trifle cunning.
Wood stated he was a hat printer by trade; he also claimed to be a native of Australia and that he had traveled around the world three times. "He, with a complacent smile, stated that he had seen life in all its phases and had won and lost several thousand francs in Monte Carlo in one night.
He admitted that he had been following up fairs and big events of late, taking any sort of work that he could get, and in the course of his remarks said that only a few weeks ago, he had plenty of good clothes and money. He stated that he had gambled a great deal at faro and roulette as well as other sorts of games and had been both fortunate and just the contrary all his life.
In the same interview, when asked if he knew Lizzie Borden, Wood replied, "I do not. I never did. I have seen her three times and knew who she was from hearsay."
He emphatically denied the story told by Watkins about meeting Lizzie on Sunday mornings at the drugstore. "I told Mr. Watkins I had seen the girl – twice on the streets of Fall River and once in church. I never spoke to her in my life. I was greatly surprised when I heard or read of the killing because I knew the people at sight and knew of their prominence. I never said to anyone that I ever took her to the theater or anywhere else."
The reporter asked, "Where were you when the murder occurred?"
"After some hesitation and a slight faltering in his voice, Wood replied, "I may have been somewhere in Jersey, possibly in Philadelphia, or maybe in Newark. I really don't know. I was not in Fall River."
At this point in the interview, Wood asked the reporter "when the murder was committed, stating that he had no idea as to the day, week or month of the tragedy. The news gatherer was forced to admit that he did not know the exact time of the occurrence, but was under the impression that it was in June or July, or possibly August."
The reporter then asked Wood "if he ever heard it stated that a man was seen to jump over the Third street fence the morning of the murder. Wood replied that he had read of it, but that it had been stated in the article that this person was tall and had light hair and moustache, while his own were jet black."
Wood was asked if he was always known as "John Wood." He replied, "I have." This was afterward changed by the accused who admitted that he once used another name to avoid being arrested for a trivial offense. He persisted that he had never before been accused of implication in any murder.
"Did you admit to someone here that you were questioned upon a racecourse as to the Borden affair?" queried the newspaper man.
"I didn't. That is part of a concocted story against me."
The reporter then asked Wood to account for his whereabouts since the beginning of 1892.
Wood stated that he spent the first three months in Fall River; he then changed that to say that he stayed there until the latter part of June or the first of July.
He said he then went to New York, where he resided until Sept. 7 when he went up to Albany in company with two lady friends. The prisoner evaded a question as to the name of these ladies but said that he only stayed there a few days.
From Albany he went to Newark for a week then returned to the metropolis (New York). He went on to Philadelphia, stayed a few weeks there then moved on to Waverly, Massachusetts (sic), where there was a fair. (note: the New Jersey State Fair took place in Waverly from Sept 19-23.). He went to Baltimore for a few days, then to Washington where he learned about the Richmond exposition and decided to seek employment there.
The reporter asked Wood if he could provide the names of any acquaintances who could confirm his alibi.
After some delay, he said he did not care to have his friends know his condition, but stated that he had given the constable who arrested him the name of Mrs. C. E. Cross, No. 17 John St., Fall River, Mass. in order that he might inquire as to whether he (Wood) was in Fall River upon the occasion of the killing.
He asked several times if the newspaper man could not think of the month in which the tragedy took place, being apparently very anxious to fix that point in his mind.
At the interview's conclusion, "Wood said he would make the county pay for his keeping in prison without sufficient grounds, and he started back to his cell whistling "The Skirt Dance." (also known as "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay")
Jennings Investigates
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"I have no photograph of a man, and know of no man in the case". R. B. Hilliard, City Marshal.
Mr. Jennings has wired Richmond parties, and much anxiety is felt regarding their answer.
Mr. Jennings has wired Richmond parties, and much anxiety is felt regarding their answer.
The Fall River Globe printed a special addendum to the original Dispatch article entitled "Something About Wood."
The Globe identified "John Wood" as Henry Hahr, and included a brief biography, as well as statements from Mrs. C. E. Cross and her mother, Mrs. Houghton. The ladies insisted that Henry was in London when the Bordens were murdered and had a letter and telegram from him to prove it.
It was reported that when Mrs. Cross was informed of Henry's arrest in Richmond, she laughed outright.
It was also learned that Hahr was received at the Cross household with more favor than the ordinary boarder. Mrs. Cross is a young widow and to her Hahr, it is alleged, paid considerable attention. She has announced her determination to put herself in communication with him and show the Richmond authorities that he is guiltless of crime.
Marshal Hilliard apparently wrapped up his investigation into "John Wood" by Oct. 19:
Fall River, Oct. 19. City Marshal Hilliard stated today that the suspected Borden murderer arrested in Richmond, Va. is one Henry Ayer (sic), who is a kind of variety actor and goes under the name of John Wood. He is well known by the boys around town, all of whom scout the idea of his having anything to do with the crime. He was residing on John street at the time of the murder. He is about five feet five inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds. The general opinion here is that he is trying to work a free passage home, but the marshal won't bite.
Andrew Jennings took the Wood case more seriously. So did Charles J. Holmes, a Fall River bank president and a deacon of the Central Congregational church. Holmes and his wife, Marianne, were stalwart supporters of Lizzie.
The Herald News, Oct. 20, 1892: A Boston Journal special states that Mr. C. J. Holmes, of this city, stopped at Richmond, yesterday, on his way to Old Point Comfort. He made inquiries for the purpose of learning the exact statement of Wood, the peanut vendor under arrest in Richmond, in connection with the Borden murder, but it is not believed the information he obtained will throw any additional light upon the case. Mr. Holmes left in the afternoon for Oid Point. Wood is still in jail.
As reported by the Dispatch, Jennings' subsequent investigation of "John Wood" revealed a few mysterious details.
Mr. Holmes was telegraphed by Mr. Jennings to use his discretion in the matter of getting information here concerning Wood but to look carefully for a scar upon one of the prisoner's hands.
Something was also said about a man named John Underwood, who at one time resided in Fall River, but it was not stated whether or not this party was a friend of Miss Borden.
When the prisoner was taken from his cell, Mr. Holmes was hidden from view.
The interrogating was done by Messrs. Branch and Fusiell, and Sgt. Epps examined the hands of Wood. Upon one hand a deep dimple, which it appeared, could possibly have been made by a pistol shot, was observed but nothing more.
The accused would say nothing more than has already been published in the Dispatch as an interview with him.
The result of the investigation amounted to very little, and it is not known whether Wood is the "Underwood" referred to or not.
AI-generated image
Most intriguing is Jennings' request to examine Wood's hand for scars. There was no explanation given for it.
What information did Jennings have that led him to make such a request?
There's no way to know for certain, but there is one possibility:
Once "John Wood's" identity had been established as Henry Hahr, the investigation in Fall River linked him to his infamous twin brother, Charles, and his lengthy criminal record, including aliases.
The twins had an older cousin named Theodore Andrew Hahr, who was born in Sweden in 1854. While employed as a butler in various wealthy households in New York and New Jersey, he would replace the diamonds in his employers' jewelry with paste fakes. He was arrested in June 1887 for grand larceny, convicted and released from prison on Oct. 2, 1890.
Charles was known to use the alias "Theodore Hahr." It was an alias he provided upon his arrest in New York in December 1891.
The real Theodore Hahr's prison intake record describes him as …"good-sized head, nearly bald, high, full forehead, 5’7.. small scar on inside end of right index finger. Also small scar at middle joint of left index finger.”
Original sketch of John Henry Wood's tintype published in the Dispatch & AI photo recreation
AI photo recreation of the real Theodore Hahr based on prison intake description
Upon examination, however, the differences in physical description between "John Henry Wood" and the real Theodore Hahr, together with the lack of scars on Wood's hands, likely convinced Jennings that "John Henry Wood" was not his suspect.
The Alibi
Mrs. Ella Cross, Henry's intimate friend in Fall River, was his alibi witness. She was emphatic that Henry was in London at the time of the murders. She had the correspondence to prove it, she said.
However, Richmond officials remained suspicious and pointed out the glaringly obvious flaw in Henry's supposed alibi - as well as a piece of evidence that their colleagues in Fall River were either unaware of or chose to ignore for unknown reasons:
However, Richmond officials remained suspicious and pointed out the glaringly obvious flaw in Henry's supposed alibi - as well as a piece of evidence that their colleagues in Fall River were either unaware of or chose to ignore for unknown reasons:
Justice Lewis thinks that the man should be held until he proves a better character than his conduct since he has been here indicates that he possesses.
The county officers are under the impression that Wood is deceiving them for some cause in his statements as to the alleged foreign trip.
The letter spoken of by Mrs. Cross, in which Wood claimed he would go to Europe, and the second epistle telling her of his safe arrival in this country, do not exactly correspond with the prisoner's statement to the Dispatch reporter who interviewed him on Monday evening.
The county officers are under the impression that Wood is deceiving them for some cause in his statements as to the alleged foreign trip.
The letter spoken of by Mrs. Cross, in which Wood claimed he would go to Europe, and the second epistle telling her of his safe arrival in this country, do not exactly correspond with the prisoner's statement to the Dispatch reporter who interviewed him on Monday evening.
As inferred by the Dispatch, Henry makes NO reference whatsoever to a London trip in the original Oct. 18th article when asked about his whereabouts.
According to Mrs. Cross' statements, Henry's letter informing her of his upcoming London trip was dated May/June; the telegram of his return was dated when "the Normannia was in quarantine" (Sept. 5, 1892). Yet, Henry claimed his travel to London spanned from July 12-August 10.
The article continues and drops this small bombshell:
According to Mrs. Cross' statements, Henry's letter informing her of his upcoming London trip was dated May/June; the telegram of his return was dated when "the Normannia was in quarantine" (Sept. 5, 1892). Yet, Henry claimed his travel to London spanned from July 12-August 10.
The article continues and drops this small bombshell:
A pawn ticket, No. 20.382, dated August 1, 1892, for $1, on a pair of glasses, was found in his possession. The ticket was issued by the Mt. Morris Loan offices, No. 71 East 125th St., New York. (in Harlem).
Wood's explanation of the matter is that when he arrived in New York, a friend by the same name offered to sell him the ticket for 50 cents, and he bought it. The county officers are awaiting news from Lizzie Borden's counsel.
While Henry was in Richmond, Charles' whereabouts during his brother's incarceration are unknown.
After Henry's release, the twins reunited in either New York or New Jersey.
Free and Clear
In May 1893, the brothers made the news again for a scheme that preyed on schoolchildren and their parents in Harlem, Brooklyn, and Jersey City.Wood's brother came into court drunk and raised such a commotion that he was arrested and fined $10…
Wood is not unknown to the police. He has been arrested many times for alleged illegal schemes. Inspector Byrnes knows him well, and so does Chief Donovan of Hoboken.
Though charged with impersonating a truant officer and extortion, the Gerry Society (aka the NY Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Children) has much graver accusations against Hahr. Wholesale corruption of school children is one of them.
Alan Hahr (sic). better known as Napoleon Wood, was held in $1,000 bail in the Harlem Court yesterday for trial on a charge of extortion.
Agents of the Gerry society have been looking for him for three months, having received complaints from all over the city and from Jersey City and Brooklyn that a young man was stopping schoolboys in the street inducing them to stay away from school, and in the guise of a truant officer, was obtaining money from parents under threats of having the boys arrested and committed to an institution.
It is due to Mrs. R. B. Breen of 37 West 131st street that Hahr was caught.
Mrs. Breen's nephew, Frank J. Mortimer, a boy of thirteen, is an orphan and lives with Mrs. Breen. He attends Grammar School 80 at 134th street and Lenox avenue. Mortimer went home on Thursday afternoon with his face sunburned and his shoes covered with dust, and Mrs. Breen accused him of playing truant. He confessed that he had not been to school for two weeks, and said that a man had induced him to stay away, and had written excuses for him to his teacher, signing Mrя. Breen's name.
He was going to meet the man at 135th street and Lenox avenue on Friday. "Go and meet him," Mrs. Breen said. "and I will follow you and have him arrested."
This programme was carried out. The man was on hand and he whistled to Mortimer as soon as he caught sight of him. Then he called Mortimer by name and the boy went to him.
Mrs. Breen followed to 140th street and the Harlem River, and ex-Detective John Dunn, whom she had met on the way and to whom she had explained the situation, arrested the man and took him to the Washington Heights police station. There the prisoner described himself as Charles Hahr, 26 years old, of 501 West 144th street. and said that he was in the theatrical business.
On the way to court yesterday the prisoner's brother Alfred (sic) boarded the car, and Alan tried to hand him a small memorandum book, but Policeman Taylor took the book away from him. The book contained about one hundred names and addresses. Many were the names of children of well-known residents of Harlem.
Dates were written opposite some of the names, and sums of money ranging from $3 to $12 appeared on the list. The names of Judge Randolph B. Martine, (NY County District Attorney & judge of the Court of General Sessions); Mayor (Thomas Francis) Gilroy, Mayor of NYC); L. Bresler, (Louis Bresler); and Mrs. Adelina Hyde (unidentified) appear on a separate page. There was no memorandum to show how the prisoner expected to profit by this portion of his list...
Agents of the Gerry society have been looking for him for three months, having received complaints from all over the city and from Jersey City and Brooklyn that a young man was stopping schoolboys in the street inducing them to stay away from school, and in the guise of a truant officer, was obtaining money from parents under threats of having the boys arrested and committed to an institution.
It is due to Mrs. R. B. Breen of 37 West 131st street that Hahr was caught.
Mrs. Breen's nephew, Frank J. Mortimer, a boy of thirteen, is an orphan and lives with Mrs. Breen. He attends Grammar School 80 at 134th street and Lenox avenue. Mortimer went home on Thursday afternoon with his face sunburned and his shoes covered with dust, and Mrs. Breen accused him of playing truant. He confessed that he had not been to school for two weeks, and said that a man had induced him to stay away, and had written excuses for him to his teacher, signing Mrя. Breen's name.
He was going to meet the man at 135th street and Lenox avenue on Friday. "Go and meet him," Mrs. Breen said. "and I will follow you and have him arrested."
This programme was carried out. The man was on hand and he whistled to Mortimer as soon as he caught sight of him. Then he called Mortimer by name and the boy went to him.
Mrs. Breen followed to 140th street and the Harlem River, and ex-Detective John Dunn, whom she had met on the way and to whom she had explained the situation, arrested the man and took him to the Washington Heights police station. There the prisoner described himself as Charles Hahr, 26 years old, of 501 West 144th street. and said that he was in the theatrical business.
On the way to court yesterday the prisoner's brother Alfred (sic) boarded the car, and Alan tried to hand him a small memorandum book, but Policeman Taylor took the book away from him. The book contained about one hundred names and addresses. Many were the names of children of well-known residents of Harlem.
Dates were written opposite some of the names, and sums of money ranging from $3 to $12 appeared on the list. The names of Judge Randolph B. Martine, (NY County District Attorney & judge of the Court of General Sessions); Mayor (Thomas Francis) Gilroy, Mayor of NYC); L. Bresler, (Louis Bresler); and Mrs. Adelina Hyde (unidentified) appear on a separate page. There was no memorandum to show how the prisoner expected to profit by this portion of his list...
L. Bresler is Charles' deceased father-in-law. The other names of prominent people suggests they may have been potential targets of blackmail.
Another page contained a list of "Things to remember." The first was, "Be careful of your associates: you are judged by the company you keep."
Six boys were in court to aid in prosecuting the prisoner, and they made affidavits against him. The only one of the parents of these boys who had paid Wood any money was Mrs. Seiz. She testified that she had paid him $10.00 in three installments to keep her son out of prison or an institution, as she supposed. Mrs. McKeon of 125th street and Lenox Avenue also paid the prisoner $10.00, the society officers say, but she was not in court.
The officers say they will find fifty people who have paid him money by the time he is brought up for trial.
The officers say they will find fifty people who have paid him money by the time he is brought up for trial.
Although it was believed the twins were working together, only Charles was charged. He was later found guilty of extortion and sentenced to four years in prison on June 13, 1893.
Lizzie Borden's trial began on June 5, 1893. She was acquitted on June 20.
Lizzie Borden's trial began on June 5, 1893. She was acquitted on June 20.
John Henry Wood, "The Richmond Suspect," had also been cleared of any suspicion.
The Borden sisters had posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderer of Andrew and Abby.
The Fall River Daily News last published it on Oct. 28, 1893; it last appeared in The Herald News on Nov. 1, 1893. After that, the reward postings apparently ceased for good.
The Fleet Connection
Note: Fall River City Directories were published each year on the 1st of January. The directories were a compilation of resident listings from the previous year. For example, the 1894 city directory was actually a listing of city residents for the year 1893, and so on for each subsequent yearly publication.The Boston Daily Globe, Jan 24, 1893: Lizzie Borden Sends Flowers - Lizzie Borden yesterday presented Matron Reagan of the central police station with a handsome bouquet of flowers which were sent from the Taunton jail by a friend of the prisoner, together with a boutonnière for Assistant Marshal Fleet.
Following Charles' sentencing in New York, Henry returned to Fall River and continued to work at Marshall's hat factory. He shared lodgings with old friend, Mrs. Cross, on John St.
Henry changed residence in 1894. He is listed as a boarder at 13 Park St...which also happened to be the residence of City Marshal John O. Fleet, one of the chief investigators in the Borden case.
On the contrary.
Of all the young, single available ladies in Fall River, Henry's new bride was 21 year-old Charlotte "Lottie" Fleet, daughter of Richard Fleet, and the niece of Marshal Fleet.
It was a short-lived honeymoon.
On December 12, 1894, it was reported that Henry had fled the city after forging a $350 check, endorsed by his unsuspecting father-in-law. He was discovered in New Orleans and extradited back to Fall River to stand trial in January 1895.
Henry Hahr c. 1894 based on AI recreation of a newspaper sketch
Richard Fleet, employed at Kilburn & Lincoln's machine shops, testified that on the morning of Dec. 1st, Hahr, who is his son-in-law, arrived from New York. At 7:15 he came in to breakfast and said that he had been in New York to negotiate the sale of some property. He did business with a lawyer named Swarbuntz. The property he valued at a high figure but finally concluded to sell for $350, and the lawyer gave him a check for that sum.
When he got out of the office (in New York) he found that he had only seven minutes to catch the boat and he ran all the way to the dock arriving just in time to see the gang plank pulled in. He made a leap and succeeded in getting aboard the boat.
Continuing, Mr. Fleet said that Hahr showed him the check and remarked that he would be down to the shop to see if the treasurer would cash the check. Mr. Fleet told him that it would be useless for the treasurer would not have that amount on hand.
"Alright," said Hahr, "I'll go up and get Mr. Talbot to identify me." With that Hahr went out. About 9:30 he called at Kilburn & Lincoln's and said that Mr. Talbot was out and wanted Mr. Fieet to go up town and assist in getting the cash.
Mr. Fleet accompanied him up town, and on the way Hahr said that he intended to go to California on a Cook excursion with his wife. The train was to leave Boston on the 8th. By the time Hahr had finished his story they arrived at the National Union bank and Mr. Fieet spoke to the teller, Cashier Burrell being out at the time. Teller Bowker said that he would cash the check if Mr. Fleet would endorse it and he did so. Hahr got the money and in passing out gave Mr. Fleet $20 which he had borrowed to pay his expenses to New York and offered him $5 for his trouble, but this Mr. Fieet refused to take.
On the street Hahr mentioned that he had intended to go to Boston to buy dress goods for his wife and clothing for himself, but on thinking the matter over, he concluded that he would make the purchases at McWhirr's.
At the corner of Anawan street Mr. Fleet left Hahr and never saw him again until this morning
Inspector Shea related his experiences in New York where he had taken several affidavits in reference to the check. He visited the Phoenix National bank, and the officials showed him the books dating back five years. He found no such name as J. B. Swarbuntz. The head bookkeeper made affidavit that J. B. Swarbuntz never had an account at the bank. At the Chase National bank he talked with the clerks and was Informed as to the course they had pursued in the matter.
After Hahr had been returned from New Orleans, Shea talked with him in the cell. Shea asked Hahr how he got possession of the blank Phoenix bank check and Hahr replied that he was walking down Wall street and saw a boy (a bank employee) come out of the bank. He stopped the lad and told him to go back and fetch the blank. The boy did as he requested and got a quarter for his trouble.
Shea then asked him how he happened to use the name "Swarbuntz" and he replied that it was the first one that came into his mind.
The Judge- "Then he practically admitted that he forged that check?"
Inspector Shea- "Yes, sir. While in New York I made diligent search and could not find the name J. B. Swarbuntz in any state or city directory."
Inspector Medley said that he went to New Orleans in company with Assistant Marshal Fleet and found Hahr in the prison. The two officers had a talk with him, and he related his story.
He said that he was hard up and wanted money to play the races and that led him to make the check. He knew there was no such man as Swarbuntz. He was of the opinion that he could beat the races, and after getting the money went to Washington and then to Alexandria, where he won $700.
He fell in with a young man and went to Norfolk, then to New Orieans. At the latter place, he played the races quite successfully for a few days, and being flush, gave his new friend $200 for safe keeping.
One morning the friend was missing, and also the $200. Hahr played in bad luck after that and finally went broke and was arrested for drunkenness and detained.
Henry was arrested for intoxication under the alias "John Henry Wood."
New Orleans' law required that prisoners charged with drunkenness should be either fined $25 or discharged.
Impressed by Henry's manner and appearance, the judge chose to discharge him. A suspicious detective questioned Henry who admitted that he was a fugitive from Fall River on a forgery charge.
District Attorney Andrew Jennings, Lizzie Borden's former defense lawyer, drew up the necessary extradition papers. City Marshal Fleet - who Henry referred to as "his uncle" - and Inspector Medley traveled to New Orleans and personally escorted Henry back to Fall River on Dec. 28, 1894.
Marshal Fleet did not testify. Hahr made no defense whatever. He remained in his seat and did not speak once during the trial.
Judge McDonough found him probably guilty, and he was committed in default of $2000 bonds for trial at the superior court.
The Fall River Globe observed, "It is probable that Hahr would have led the local authorities on a long chase if he kept his mouth shut. It was his disposition to talk that got him into trouble in Richmond, VA two years ago." The fact that he was a bigamist also came to light.
On February 13, 1895, Henry was found guilty and incarcerated at Concord State Prison. He was released on Dec. 21, 1895.
Astoundingly, despite the Richmond investigation and the forgery conviction, Henry continued his employment at Marshall's hat factory after his release. James Marshall seemed to have unwavering trust in Henry. He would soon come to regret it.
Charles: The Ringmaster
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On Feb. 18, 1897, he arrived in Baltimore accompanied by his 11 year-old "nephew" George Wood. He rented a room at 324 North Charles street in the well-to-do neighborhood of Walbrook under the name "Allen H. Wood."
Continuing, Mrs. Haffcke said: "He told me that he had been referred to me by the Young Men's Christian Association and that he was interested in the work of the association. From his manner and the form of conversations which I overheard between him and the boy, I considered him a very good young man."
While in the city, he also operated under the alias "Charles Howland."
The Barnum & Bailey Circus was currently on tour across the U.S. with a scheduled stop in Maryland, an event that gave Charles the idea for a new scam.
Introducing himself as "James Bailey," the son of the circus's co-founder, Charles induced young boys, ranging in age from 8 years to 11 years old, to steal money and jewelry from their parents in return for high-paying jobs under the big top.
(He) promised the boys who stole the jewelry that he would give it back as soon as they joined his circus. They were to ride and tend the trick ponies and be paid large salaries for it…
Preston Crew, age 10 years, was an easy victim. Howland told him and several of his little companions that a fund of $1,000 was needed to place the boys in the circus. He showed them bogus telegrams purporting to be from lads in Philadelphia and other cities stating that circus life was "grand and glorious."
Little Crew was persuaded to steal diamonds valued at $700 from his aunt. Howland walked with the boy to his aunt's home and waited outside while Crew went in and got the diamonds and gave them to him.
Besides inducing children to steal, Charles took advantage of the good will of the Baltimore spiritualist community. He attended the Third Spiritualist Church at No. E. 1116 Monument street, near Aisquith street, where "his fine address and perfect manners soon won him many friends whom he proceeded to work systematically."
Location of the Third Spiritualist Church (Maryland Historical Society)
He was described as a perfect gentleman and an upright man...It is stated that he studied his Bible carefully and frequently quoted passages from the Good Book.
Howland is an educated man of fine address and perfect manners. He was dressed in dark clothes and had the appearance of a well-to-do business man. He claims to be a Spiritualist, and is acquainted with a number of the mediums in the city. He is 32 years oid, dark complexion, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, black hair and mustache and regular features.
Church members willingly loaned him money and frequently invited him to dine in their homes. One victim who Charles fleeced for $85 later said that Charles had made such a favorable impression on him that "he willingly let him have the money and now mourns his loss."
For nearly two months, Charles kept up the charade, balancing his illicit Fagin-like activities with young boys with that of a pious churchgoer with his spiritualist friends. It all came to an end when little Preston Crew confessed his participation in the circus scheme to his mother.
Charles was arrested on April 28, 1897.
Charles was arrested on April 28, 1897.
The Fall River Daily Evening News in reporting his arrest noted that "He hails from this city and appears to be the man who once made himself notorious by going South and proclaiming that he was in possession of Lizzie Borden's confession…"
He claimed that his mother was in New York where he was expected to meet her, but she lived in Fall River. "My brother, who is making $15 a week at a hat factory in Fall River, is her only support."
During their investigation, detectives found the stolen jewelry, as well as a memorandum book and a trove of letters in Charles' room in Walbrook.
The memorandum book listed the boys' names, their addresses and whether their attempts at theft were successful. Also listed was a tally of his winnings and losses at the racetrack.
Charles claimed that he resorted to the swindle in order to raise money to gamble and intended to repay his victims, which is why he kept such an accurate diary of the thefts.
The letters found in his room were all addressed to "Allen H. Wood." Many were postmarked "Fall River, Mass.," including one signed "Your sister, Mrs. Joseph Hahn (sic)." Other letters were from his mother and were addressed "My Dear Boy, Charles."
Charles claimed that he resorted to the swindle in order to raise money to gamble and intended to repay his victims, which is why he kept such an accurate diary of the thefts.
The letters found in his room were all addressed to "Allen H. Wood." Many were postmarked "Fall River, Mass.," including one signed "Your sister, Mrs. Joseph Hahn (sic)." Other letters were from his mother and were addressed "My Dear Boy, Charles."
From the contents of the letters, it became evident that Howland, or Wood, was in trouble in Fall River and that a case was pending in the courts in which he was interested.
The Predator
The little boys that Charles duped in his circus scheme may have been exploited in more ways than one.Among the letters were several written in a childish hand and signed "Your Nephew, George." The communications were from a bright and very intelligent lad, who seemed to be devoted to the man. In this connection it was learned that the boy had visited the accused in this city and spent several weeks with him.
…Pictures (found in his possession) are good likenesses of the accused and his little nephew. Since the picture was taken, Wood, or Howland, has grown a small mustache, but with that exception, the features of the man are well brought out...
AI photo recreation based on a newspaper sketch in The Baltimore Sun
The boy was sent to Fall River, Mass., via the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in the middle of March, and on March 18, Wood received a letter from him announcing his safe arrival with his grandmother. This letter began "Мy Dear Papa," and spoke of having been to court. The child assured his father that he "would tell them nothing."
Who was George? The twins had two older siblings: Frank Hahr and Hermine Hahr Miller. There is no record of either having a son named George. There is also no record of a sister or sister-in-law named "Mrs. Joseph Hahr" or anybody by that name living in Fall River.
But there may be a clue as to little George's real identity.
On Feb. 17, 1897, the day before Charles arrived in Baltimore with George, a boy named Thomas George Carter, the orphaned son of Thomas Carter Sr. and Amelia Mary Brunn, had vanished from his home at 285 Hamlet Street, Fall River, where he was living with his grandmother, Catherine Brunn.
Charles' twin, Henry, happened to be residing at 285 Hamlet St. at the time of young Thomas' disappearance.
Brunn's daughter may refer to Susan Brunn, a teacher who had resided with her mother at 285 Hamlet St. prior to the boy's disappearance.
The grandmother placed newspaper ads asking for any information as to the boy's whereabouts. However, there were no more ads placed after the 2nd of March, indicating that Thomas had probably been located.
Coincidentally, "George Wood" was sent back to his grandmother in Fall River in mid-March.
Thomas Carter's grandmother had threatened her daughter with legal action if Thomas wasn't returned. "George Wood" had written to Charles about appearing in court and assured him that he "would tell them nothing."
The evidence strongly suggests that Thomas George Carter and George Wood were one and the same child, but no biological link could be established between the Hahr twins and young Thomas.
The grandmother placed newspaper ads asking for any information as to the boy's whereabouts. However, there were no more ads placed after the 2nd of March, indicating that Thomas had probably been located.
Coincidentally, "George Wood" was sent back to his grandmother in Fall River in mid-March.
Thomas Carter's grandmother had threatened her daughter with legal action if Thomas wasn't returned. "George Wood" had written to Charles about appearing in court and assured him that he "would tell them nothing."
The evidence strongly suggests that Thomas George Carter and George Wood were one and the same child, but no biological link could be established between the Hahr twins and young Thomas.
"George Wood" didn't elaborate on the meaning of "I'll tell them nothing" in his letter to Charles. But Charles appeared to have an unhealthy attraction to young boys - he had been obsessed with the child actors Tommy Russell and Irving Pinover - and the secrecy may have referred to sexual abuse.
Young Coale also said that Wood had taken him into immoral company, and that a trip which they made to Walbrook was for the purpose of visiting a house in which Wood had a room.
The trip to Walbrook is recorded in Wood's memorandum book. It was made April 24, and at the end of the entry is written: "Spk. 1st time, Pld & Frd."
The same memorandum appears after the record of a meeting April 25, when the hoy was taken to Wood's room at 334 (sic) North Charles street. This item is marked "2nd time."
These memoranda Wood will not explain, but the boy says that they refer to events which took place on those days between Wood and himself. Wood says that the boy's statement was made to persecute him.
Mrs. Haffcke, Charles' landlady in Walbrook, remembered seeing a strange boy with Charles on April 24 after "nephew George" had returned to Fall River.
The child was undoubtedly Norman Coale.
As the evidence mounted against him, there was speculation that Charles was insane, a possible line of defense that he took full advantage of and acted accordingly.
"They think I am crazy, don't they? But they are mistaken. I lost on the races and had to get money to win back. I am not crazy. Wood is not my name, although I am known by that more than any other. No one but my family knows my real name."
However, his efforts to appear insane "were crude, and it could be plainly discerned that he was shamming." He pled guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Upon his release, Charles returned to New York and resided on Edgecombe Ave. in Manhattan with his mother, Caroline, and an elderly aunt.
In the 1900 census, he gave his occupation as "Actor."
A Tip of the Hat
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On Dec. 30, 1898, the Fall River Globe reported that petitioners filing for divorce included "Charlotte A. Hahr, lib., vs. Henry A. Hahr."
In 1899, Henry and Charlotte's first of three sons was born. The 1900 census shows the Hahr family living at 588 Ridge St. Henry was still employed at Marshall's hat factory as a printer.
On March 26, 1902, the Fall River Daily Herald reported the dismissal of the divorce case involving Charlotte A. Hahr vs. Henry A. Hahr.
Only four months later, Henry was arrested for theft.
The victim this time was his long-time loyal employer, James Marshall.
Henry A. Hahr pleaded guilty in District court today of stealing $95 worth of gold leaf from James Marshall. The latter said the hat factory managers had missed gold leaf for some time and Hahr, having charge of the department where the gold leaf was used to stamp the interior of hats, had been asked to see to it that no more escaped the stock account.
Last night, Inspectors Medley and Shea arrested Hahr on the street as he was apparently on his way to the boat and found $35 worth of gold leaf in his traveling bag.
It was believed by Mr. Marshall that he carried the gold leaf to New York occasionally and, knowing that he was going last evening, the inspectors considered it a good time to investigate him.Last night, Inspectors Medley and Shea arrested Hahr on the street as he was apparently on his way to the boat and found $35 worth of gold leaf in his traveling bag.
Henry further confessed that he sold large amounts of the gold leaf to a "William Ballou" who lived on Bloom St. in New York and that was his destination when he was apprehended. "William Ballou" was not further identified.
Henry was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment.
Three months later, brother Charles, alias "A. H. Wood," also made the news in Fall River.
Saboin let Wood take the property in question, as he explains, that Wood might appear to be in good circumstances. The two men entered the Wilbur House barber shop Thursday afternoon. Wood took off his collar and tie, saying he would have a shave. Saboin did likewise and got into a barber's chair. Scarcely had the barber commenced to lather Saboin when Wood put on his collar and slipped out of the shop.
Upon Saboin missing Wood, he at once suspected the man had given him the slip intentionally, and he started out in search of him. Failing to get any trace of the missing man, Saboin complained to the police. Saboin said he met Wood in New York city.
Charles - The Final Chapter
In November 1903, Charles was arrested in New Haven and charged with forgery and grand larceny in Saratoga, New York.In Hartford, Conn., he secured a quantity of valuable jewelry from a young girl whom he promised to get a position as leading lady in a first class opera in New York.
Hahr is now in Ballston jail.
The Fall River Herald, Nov. 17, 1903: IS THIS HARRY HAHR? Fall River Man Said to Be Under Arrest at Saratoga.
A Saratoga, N. Y.. dispatch says: Charles F. Hahr of Fall River, Mass.,pleaded not guilty In the Saratoga County court yesterday, of passing bogus checks here on the Bank of Harlem during the summer. He was assigned counsel and he will be tried during the present term.
Hahr, who sometimes is known as "A.P. Wood, (sic)" was arrested in New Haven, Conn., last week and was brought here on a requisition charging him with grand larceny. His principal victims are Dr. B. J. Murray and Stephen P. St. John.
Harry A. Hahr was arraigned in District court in this city, July 19, 1902, on charge of having stolen $95 worth of gold leaf from Marshall's hat factory. He pleaded guilty and was given six months. Assistant Marshal Fleet informed the court that Hahr had been brought from New Orleans once on a charge of forgery and sentenced to the reformatory.
On Dec. 13, 1903, Richard Fleet, his son and daughter-in-law were residing at 98 Sprague St. The house was owned by Patrick H. Conlin, a hatter.
That day, while the Fleets and Mr. Conlin were away, someone broke into the Fleet tenement between 3:00-4:00 in the afternoon, set a bed ablaze, and ransacked their flat of valuables worth approximately $125.
That day, while the Fleets and Mr. Conlin were away, someone broke into the Fleet tenement between 3:00-4:00 in the afternoon, set a bed ablaze, and ransacked their flat of valuables worth approximately $125.
It was reported that the theft was performed so quietly that the upstairs tenant, Mrs. Conlin, was not disturbed.
The Fleet robbery was one of a series of similar incidents reported at the time. A suspect named Charles LeForce was arrested and confessed to one of the thefts, but the Fleet robbery was never solved.
On Jan. 28, 1904, while awaiting trial, Charles Hahr and two cronies attempted a jailbreak from the Ballston jail. According to a newspaper report:
The Fleet robbery was one of a series of similar incidents reported at the time. A suspect named Charles LeForce was arrested and confessed to one of the thefts, but the Fleet robbery was never solved.
On Jan. 28, 1904, while awaiting trial, Charles Hahr and two cronies attempted a jailbreak from the Ballston jail. According to a newspaper report:
The officials refused to be drawn into the trap, and after the mattress had burned out, secured the three men in separate cells.
The officials believe they know who furnished the saws to Hahr…Hahr is also wanted by the police in New York, Springfield, Mass, and elsewhere.
He had been plentifully supplied with funds by a brother.
On February 23, 1904, Charles was found guilty and sentenced to four years at Sing Sing.
He was released on June 7, 1907. He then went to Detroit and lodged there at the boarding house of Mrs. Carrie De Harte.
According to the woman, who reached town yesterday, Hahr, while a guest at her boarding house a few weeks ago, induced her to turn over to him her savings. amounting to $600, for investment in securities which he promised would pay big returns Then, she said, he left town and refused to make any returns, She wanted him extradited.
In the Centre Street Court today, Mrs DeHart told her story. Hahr claimed Mrs. DeHart gave him the money to bet on a dark horse at the track in Windsor, Canada. The dark horse finished where so many dark horses do—last.
Magistrate Kernochan gave him the benefit of the doubt and turned Hahr loose.
There were no further reports of Charles, and he appeared to fade into obscurity.
A Hahr family history states he died in 1915 and is buried in Baltimore.
A Hahr family history states he died in 1915 and is buried in Baltimore.
Other sources claim he died in 1916 or 1917 - - the year Bella Bresler Wood, his abandoned wife, finally received her uncontested divorce on the charge of "extreme cruelty."
Henry - The Final Chapter
Henry left Fall River circa 1905 for Manhattan. He moved with his wife and children to live with his mother, Caroline, who died in 1908.After eighteen uneventful years in New York, the family returned to Fall River c. 1923. It seemed that Henry had finally left his criminal past behind him.
Maybe not.
The 1926 Fall River city directory lists Henry as living at 170 Rockland St. On March 11, 1925, a resident at that address, Fred Levesque, was informed by "Henry Haker (sic), "who lives in the same house," of a fire.
It was discovered that the fire was confined to a bed in Levesque's bedroom. When Levesque returned home after the fire had been extinguished, he discovered that a pocketbook and $20 was missing from the bedroom.
The manner of theft was suspiciously similar to the Richard Fleet robbery in 1903.
Shortly after this incident, Henry and family returned to New York for good.
Charlotte Hahr visited Fall River in April 1935 for her father Richard's 90th birthday celebration. Not surprisingly, there's no mention of Henry attending.
Henry A. Hahr died of heart disease on Dec. 20, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York, age 74.
Shortly after this incident, Henry and family returned to New York for good.
Charlotte Hahr visited Fall River in April 1935 for her father Richard's 90th birthday celebration. Not surprisingly, there's no mention of Henry attending.
Henry A. Hahr died of heart disease on Dec. 20, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York, age 74.
Hoboken Cemetery, New Jersey (Find-A-Grave.com)
Were the Borden murders one of them?
Part Two
Speculation: The Hahr Twins & The Borden Murders
Much of the evidence in the Borden case suggests that subsequent events upon Lizzie’s return from the European grand tour culminated in the murders of Aug. 4, 1892.
What may have happened next is purely speculative. It is one possible scenario based on news reports, documented sources, and Henry Hahr’s own statements.
Nov. 1, 1890: Lizzie Borden returns to Fall River from her grand tour of Europe. Lizzie allegedly confided to her traveling companion, Anna Borden, that "she regretted the necessity of returning because the home she was about to return to was such an unhappy home."
Nov. 21, 1890: Henry Hahr arrives in Fall River as a new employee of Marshall Brother's Hat Factory.
What may have happened next is purely speculative. It is one possible scenario based on news reports, documented sources, and Henry Hahr’s own statements.
Nov. 1, 1890: Lizzie Borden returns to Fall River from her grand tour of Europe. Lizzie allegedly confided to her traveling companion, Anna Borden, that "she regretted the necessity of returning because the home she was about to return to was such an unhappy home."
Nov. 21, 1890: Henry Hahr arrives in Fall River as a new employee of Marshall Brother's Hat Factory.
He lodges at 17 John Street, a mere 5 minute walk, via Spring St. to the Borden home on 92 Second St.
17 John Street & the Sullivan Connection
Bridget Sullivan was asked at the trial if she had family living in Fall River:
A. No, sir.
Q. Father, mother, brother or sisters?
A. No, sir.
Q. And have you any here now?
A. No, sir. I ain't got no folks here, no more than relations.
Another of Bridget's relations living in Fall River may have been a dressmaker named Annie E. Sullivan.
She was the daughter of Mortimer Sullivan and Matilda Dudley and was born in 1863 on Dursey Island, an isolated community on the Beara Peninsula in County Cork.
Bridget Sullivan's parents, Eugene (Owen) Sullivan and Margaret Leary, were also born on Dursey Island, and relocated across the sound to Billerough on the mainland where Bridget was born in 1864.
Bridget Sullivan's parents, Eugene (Owen) Sullivan and Margaret Leary, were also born on Dursey Island, and relocated across the sound to Billerough on the mainland where Bridget was born in 1864.
Dursey Island was about 4 miles long and a mile wide. The total population was 209 in 1882 with twenty-three farms. The remainder of the population were fishermen. The prominent families who resided there were the Sullivans, the Harringtons, the Sheas, the Learys and the Dudleys.
Bridget Leary Harrington, Bridget Sullivan's cousin who lived on Division St., was also born on Dursey Island. A "Miss Bridget Leary" was listed as a guest at Annie Sullivan's wedding.
Bridget had other relatives in Dursey; her uncle was Michael O'Shea, the lighthouse keeper, who married Nora Leary, Margaret Leary Sullivan's sister.
Bridget had other relatives in Dursey; her uncle was Michael O'Shea, the lighthouse keeper, who married Nora Leary, Margaret Leary Sullivan's sister.
Michael and Nora Leary Shea's daughter, Bridget Shea, married Timothy Dudley.
Eugene Dudley, the son of Timothy and Bridget, moved to Butte, Montana and was a pallbearer at Bridget Sullivan's funeral in 1948.
It's highly likely that Bridget Sullivan and Annie Sullivan Sloan were cousins.
Annie Sullivan Sloan and her husband, John, lived at 17 John Street from 1891-1894 before relocating to Rhode Island. Annie must have personally known her fellow tenant, Henry Wood.
It's highly likely that Bridget Sullivan and Annie Sullivan Sloan were cousins.
Annie Sullivan Sloan and her husband, John, lived at 17 John Street from 1891-1894 before relocating to Rhode Island. Annie must have personally known her fellow tenant, Henry Wood.
If Bridget visited Annie at 17 John St., the Borden maid may have also become acquainted with Henry.
If so, did Henry use Bridget as an unwitting pawn to get information about Lizzie?
Good Friends
In late 1890 or early 1891, Henry Hahr introduced himself to Lizzie Borden using the alias "John Underwood" or "Theodore Hahr."
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Henry told Capt. Epps, the Richmond chief of police, that “he knew the Borden family well and that he had accompanied Miss Lizzie to church several times. The assertion that he and the young woman were good friends is also accredited to him."
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Justice Benjamin Cook of the 2nd District Court, a Fall River native, recalled that as a young woman, Lizzie was frequently escorted by gentleman to various gatherings:
Another young gentleman friend, Charles H. Putnam, a Brown University student, kept company with Lizzie whenever he visited Fall River and frequently accompanied her to church.
After the murders, one newspaper quoted an anonymous female relative:
After the murders, one newspaper quoted an anonymous female relative:
She used to attend church with a near neighbor, and no suspicion of wrongdoing was ever attached to that...and it was seldom that she was seen on the street in male company unless attended by the friend who went to and from church with her.
Who was this male friend?
Charles H. Putnam married in 1885 and lived in New York. And it's highly unlikely the male friend was Dr. Bowen. Bowen, a married man, once escorted Lizzie to church where they sat together in the Borden pew. It was considered scandalous and generated a good deal of gossip at the time.
So it's not implausible that Henry may have escorted Lizzie to church, as he claimed.
Who was this male friend?
Charles H. Putnam married in 1885 and lived in New York. And it's highly unlikely the male friend was Dr. Bowen. Bowen, a married man, once escorted Lizzie to church where they sat together in the Borden pew. It was considered scandalous and generated a good deal of gossip at the time.
So it's not implausible that Henry may have escorted Lizzie to church, as he claimed.
Morphine
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Henry’s statement implies he had personal knowledge of Lizzie procuring morphine. An addiction to the drug could explain Lizzie’s “peculiar” and “odd” behavior.
In the late 1890’s, the U.S. was in the midst of an opiate crisis. More than 60% of women were addicted to opiates, particularly to morphine. It subjected such women to shame and scandal.
The Springfield Daily Union on Aug. 8, 1892 noted “that (Lizzie) has long been noted for her morbidness and her peculiar disposition.”
In an interview with John V. Morse for the same newspaper, he was asked “Do you know whether Lizzie is or has been sullen or peculiar, or morbid?”
Mr. Morse hesitated, then said, '"Yes, she is.'"
In an interview with John V. Morse for the same newspaper, he was asked “Do you know whether Lizzie is or has been sullen or peculiar, or morbid?”
Mr. Morse hesitated, then said, '"Yes, she is.'"
She was odd, very odd. I have heard a number of persons speak of it...There were times whereby Lizzie would not speak to members of the family who were visiting the Bordens. She would act as though she dd not see them, and go right through rooms where they were without speaking a word to them. Then again, she would be extremely pleasant and would act as though there was nothing too much for her to do for any one....A great many members of the family had the same experience.
Mrs. Cluny also stated Lizzie had "a great habit of staying in bed in the morning. I have seldom seen her at breakfast. She would invariably remain in bed until 10 o'clock or so."
There was much reporting concerning Lizzie’s remarkable composure and calmness only moments after the discovery of the murders. Yet, two days later, on Aug. 6, the Boston Globe published the following:
It was given out about 7 o'clock that Lizzie Borden was again attacked with prostration and fainting fits. Dr. Bowen made three visits between 6 o'clock and 8'o'clock and carried in several medicine vials for her. The doctor stated that Lizzie's illness was of no particular consequence, only another physical prostration of an over-wrought mentality.
Still, her repeated attacks are mysterious.
At 8:30 p.m. J. V. Morse went over to Dr. Bowen's to have him make another visit, but he did not think the patient demanded his attendance and would not come. Lizzie is being attended by her sister, Emma, and Miss Russell, and is constantly being watched for symptoms of a relapse of her prostration or any other occurrences.
Was Lizzie suffering from morphine withdrawal?
If Lizzie was abusing morphine before the murders and developed a tolerance for it, it explains why Dr. Bowen had to increase her dosage when he treated her afterwards.
He first treated her with bromo caffeine “for nervous excitement and headache.” But another recommended use for bromo caffeine was “to quiet the restlessness of alcoholism and morphia craving.”
Bowen testified that Lizzie continued to receive morphine until the time of her arrest. And the Fall River Daily Herald reported on Sept. 2, 1892 that Lizzie was taking opiates to help her sleep after the preliminary hearing.
If Lizzie was abusing morphine before the murders and developed a tolerance for it, it explains why Dr. Bowen had to increase her dosage when he treated her afterwards.
He first treated her with bromo caffeine “for nervous excitement and headache.” But another recommended use for bromo caffeine was “to quiet the restlessness of alcoholism and morphia craving.”
Bowen testified that Lizzie continued to receive morphine until the time of her arrest. And the Fall River Daily Herald reported on Sept. 2, 1892 that Lizzie was taking opiates to help her sleep after the preliminary hearing.
Another Bella
Henry later denied knowing Lizzie personally, claiming he only knew her from hearsay and adding, “I was greatly surprised when I heard or read of the killing because I knew the people at sight and knew of their prominence.”Maybe Henry knew who Lizzie was because someone (Mrs. Cross, Mrs. Houghton, Annie Sloane or Bridget Sullivan) called his attention to her as the daughter of a wealthy and prominent Fall River business man.
It’s possible Henry targeted Lizzie as a spinster heiress that he could woo in order to obtain personal information about the Borden family for purposes of blackmail. Maybe he intended to use her as a conduit to Andrew in order to promote some type of business scheme.
Henry considered Lizzie and Andrew as another Bella and Louis Bresler that he could swindle as his twin had done to the Breslers four years earlier.
Lizzie may have been flattered by the attention paid to her by this charming and experienced man of the world. He may have delighted Lizzie – a known lover of the theater - with tales of his extensive theatrical experiences. He certainly impressed the widow Cross and her mother, Mrs. Houghton.
The relationship must have been a clandestine one. Perhaps they met in nearby New Bedford, Dartmouth, or in Providence. He may have walked with her to and from church, perhaps in a group setting, and they sat apart during the service. They may have attended the theater in Boston rather than at the Academy of Music in Fall River.
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Lizzie knew she was inviting a potential scandal if it became publicly known she was keeping company with an actor. Her social circle of church friends would have been appalled, and Andrew would never have approved.
As quoted by the anonymous female relative, "Mr. Borden, as was known by all people acquainted with him, was a very strict and stern man. He never opposed his daughters in this matter (male company) provided the parties were respectable.”
Actors and theatrical people were not considered respectable.
Charles Hahr was able to skillfully ingratiate himself with Louis Bresler and earn the old man’s trust and affection along with his daughter’s hand in marriage.
But Andrew J. Borden was no Louis Bresler, who was “of weak mind and incompetent to manage his affairs.”
Andrew Borden and Louis Bresler shared only two things in common: an estate worth over $300,000 and an unmarried daughter.
Emma may have been the only person Lizzie could trust to keep her secret, and she may have done so reluctantly, perhaps hoping that Lizzie’s relationship with Henry was a passing infatuation.
But it was only a matter of time before Andrew learned of it. Maybe Emma finally informed him of what was going on. If so, it undoubtedly caused a family uproar.
Andrew may have feared that Lizzie was confiding in Henry about both private family matters and his own business affairs.
Those fears may not have been unfounded. Henry may have accumulated a fountain of information from Lizzie that he could use for blackmail purposes.
Lizzie’s relationship with her frugal father and despised stepmother is well-known, especially her long simmering resentments against the elder Bordens for real or perceived injuries and for denying her the privileged life she felt entitled to.
She may have shared these feelings with Henry.
A master manipulator, Henry may have taken advantage of Lizzie’s emotional state, assuring her that they could still have a future together, and it was to their mutual benefit monetarily to show a united front against the elder Bordens.
From Blackmail To Murder
Based on the assumption that the Hahr twins and Lizzie were complicit in the Borden murders, here's a look at the timeline leading up to August 4, 1892:Nov. 1, 1890-March 17, 1891: Lizzie Borden returns to Fall River from Europe. That same month, Henry Hahr arrives in Fall River, lodging at 17 John Street. Sometime during this period, they meet.
March 17, 1891: Henry abruptly quits his job to go to New York when Charles is arrested. Charles was discharged that month.
The twins exact whereabouts are unknown until their arrest in December in New York, but Henry, with both personal and work ties in Fall River, was known to traverse between the two cities on occasion.
May 1891: Andrew purchases the Lewis Birch estate located on South Main & Spring. The property was valued at $23,000.
June 24, 1891: The “daylight robbery” takes place at 92 Second St. The thief broke into Andrew and Abby’s upstairs room and ransacked Andrew’s desk. Andrew found the hall door open and a nail in the lock and “everything was thrown about.”
May 1891: Andrew purchases the Lewis Birch estate located on South Main & Spring. The property was valued at $23,000.
June 24, 1891: The “daylight robbery” takes place at 92 Second St. The thief broke into Andrew and Abby’s upstairs room and ransacked Andrew’s desk. Andrew found the hall door open and a nail in the lock and “everything was thrown about.”
Nobody in the house saw or heard a thing.
About $110 in cash and gold coin was stolen from Andrew, along with horse car tickets exclusively issued to Globe St. Railway Co directors, of which Andrew was one. “A gold watch & chain, ladies chain with slide & tassel attached, some other small trinkets of jewelry, and a red Russia leather pocket-book containing a lock of hair” belonging to Abby had also been taken.
Lizzie showed police officer Desmond the nail she found in the lock and suggested the thief must have come through the cellar door, which she claimed was open.
About $110 in cash and gold coin was stolen from Andrew, along with horse car tickets exclusively issued to Globe St. Railway Co directors, of which Andrew was one. “A gold watch & chain, ladies chain with slide & tassel attached, some other small trinkets of jewelry, and a red Russia leather pocket-book containing a lock of hair” belonging to Abby had also been taken.
Lizzie showed police officer Desmond the nail she found in the lock and suggested the thief must have come through the cellar door, which she claimed was open.
Desmond stated he “visited all the adjoining houses, including Mrs. Churchill’s house on the north, Dr. Kelly's house on the south, Dr. Gibbs house & Dr. Chagnon's house on the east, and made a thorough search of the neighborhood to find some person who might have seen someone going, or coming from Mr Borden's house; but I failed to find any trace.”
Did Lizzie conspire with Henry to commit the robbery? Henry was an experienced burglar. If he did it himself, an insider must have helped him gain access without being seen. Bridget may have been manipulated by Henry or Lizzie to assist him in entering and leaving the house.
Did Lizzie conspire with Henry to commit the robbery? Henry was an experienced burglar. If he did it himself, an insider must have helped him gain access without being seen. Bridget may have been manipulated by Henry or Lizzie to assist him in entering and leaving the house.
Lizzie may also have acted alone under Henry's instructions. If Andrew’s personal papers were rifled through, they may have been searching for “dirt” on Andrew's business dealings. Henry may have told Lizzie to pilfer some money and jewelry so it looked like a legitimate robbery.
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Among the redeemed items were diamond earring and rings, sealskin cloaks, overcoats, suits of clothes and jewelry of all kinds, specifically "a new silk plush, a satin-lined sacque, a chatelaine watch, long gold neck-chain and locket, partly worn overcoat, pair of old silver candlesticks, six silver teaspoons, each bearing an Egyptian head; a black lace jacket and a fichu, a dozen California gold half and quarter dollar coins, two one-dollar gold pieces once used on bangles; a package of the old postal currency or shin plasters of 1861 and the gold trowel used by Tommy Russell in laying the cornerstone (of the Harlem theater)
The elder Bordens expressed little faith that the perpetrator would be caught.
Abby told Officer Desmond, “I prize the watch very much, and I wish & hope that you can get it; but I have a feeling that you never will.” And according to Desmond, “Mr. Borden told me three times within two weeks after the robbery in these words ‘I am afraid the police will not be able to find the real thief.’”
However, it was reported that the police did, in fact, locate the thief and informed Andrew that they could arrest the guilty party at any time.
It was later alleged that Chief Hilliard told the grand jury that Lizzie was indeed the culprit. People who used the stolen horse tickets claimed they received them from Lizzie.
When confronted with this evidence, Andrew requested an immediate end to the investigation.
If this supposed grand jury leak was true, then Andrew must have been shocked to his core and emotionally devastated by Lizzie’s duplicity.
Lizzie’s complicity in the robbery had entangled the Borden family in another scandal that Andrew had to suppress. Lizzie was not only a morphine addict, she was a thief as well.
It also gave Henry additional blackmail fodder that could be weaponized against both Andrew and Lizzie.
However, it was reported that the police did, in fact, locate the thief and informed Andrew that they could arrest the guilty party at any time.
It was later alleged that Chief Hilliard told the grand jury that Lizzie was indeed the culprit. People who used the stolen horse tickets claimed they received them from Lizzie.
When confronted with this evidence, Andrew requested an immediate end to the investigation.
If this supposed grand jury leak was true, then Andrew must have been shocked to his core and emotionally devastated by Lizzie’s duplicity.
Lizzie’s complicity in the robbery had entangled the Borden family in another scandal that Andrew had to suppress. Lizzie was not only a morphine addict, she was a thief as well.
It also gave Henry additional blackmail fodder that could be weaponized against both Andrew and Lizzie.
Following the robbery, Andrew forbids the family to speak of it. 92 Second St. is essentially in “lockdown.” inside and out. Emma and Lizzie switch bedrooms. (According to Emma’s account of the daylight robbery, she was then occupying the front bedroom).
Oct. 1891: John Morse moves to Dartmouth and resides with the Davis family.
Oct./Dec.? 1891: Mary A. Durfee, who lived at 124 Second St., witnesses Andrew being threatened by a young man on the Borden front steps and hears the man say, "You have cheated me and I'll fix you for it."
She couldn't pinpoint the exact date, but stated the incident occurred around Thanksgiving 1891 within two months after her sister died, Georgiana Bentley, died on Oct. 27, 1891. Her testimony was later excluded at trial as too remote.
Oct. 1891: John Morse moves to Dartmouth and resides with the Davis family.
Oct./Dec.? 1891: Mary A. Durfee, who lived at 124 Second St., witnesses Andrew being threatened by a young man on the Borden front steps and hears the man say, "You have cheated me and I'll fix you for it."
She couldn't pinpoint the exact date, but stated the incident occurred around Thanksgiving 1891 within two months after her sister died, Georgiana Bentley, died on Oct. 27, 1891. Her testimony was later excluded at trial as too remote.
Dec. 10, 1891: Henry and Charles Hahr are arrested in New York.
Dec 12, 1891: Henry is released from custody.
Jan. 1, 1892: Henry returns to Fall River and again boards with Mrs. Cross at 17 John St.
He may have resumed his clandestine relationship with Lizzie.
April/May 1892: Person/persons unknown break into the Borden barn on two separate occasions, presumably to steal pigeons. Andrew allegedly kills the pigeons to deter future thefts.
April/May 1892: The Jennings Journals:
“Mr. AJB came to us when Mr. Wm. Mason died (April 14,1892) & wanted the first show at the Wm Mason estate if it came to market, said he was getting older – Then another time while walking by there he asked about it again & said he was getting old & wanted a nice place for his daughters.”
Considering the daylight robbery and the subsequent barn break-ins, Andrew may have pondered moving from Second St. for both safety reasons and to pacify his daughters’ desire for more upscale living quarters.
If Andrew had purchased the property and decided to draw up a will, the new home would undoubtedly have been bequeathed to Abby, not to Lizzie and Emma. Even if he died intestate, the home would have gone to his wife...unless the daughters outlived both parents.
May 1892: The Borden house is painted.
Late June 1892: John V. Morse visits Fall River. According to his inquest testimony, he arrived around the time Phoebe Currier died, which was on June 29, 1892.
Late June/early July 1892: Morse and Emma go riding with Mrs. Davis’ daughter. Morse escorts Emma home after dark.
Emma may have taken this opportunity to confide in her uncle about the Henry/Lizzie situation.
Late June/early July 1892: Charles Hahr is released from prison.
Now free, Charles may have taken a more active role in the ongoing scheme against Andrew.
Late June/early July 1892: Henry claims he left Fall River.
Early July 1892: Andrew has an angry confrontation with an unknown visitor.
Lizzie’s Witness Statement dated Aug. 4, questioned by Officer Harrington:
April/May 1892: The Jennings Journals:
“Mr. AJB came to us when Mr. Wm. Mason died (April 14,1892) & wanted the first show at the Wm Mason estate if it came to market, said he was getting older – Then another time while walking by there he asked about it again & said he was getting old & wanted a nice place for his daughters.”
Considering the daylight robbery and the subsequent barn break-ins, Andrew may have pondered moving from Second St. for both safety reasons and to pacify his daughters’ desire for more upscale living quarters.
If Andrew had purchased the property and decided to draw up a will, the new home would undoubtedly have been bequeathed to Abby, not to Lizzie and Emma. Even if he died intestate, the home would have gone to his wife...unless the daughters outlived both parents.
May 1892: The Borden house is painted.
Late June 1892: John V. Morse visits Fall River. According to his inquest testimony, he arrived around the time Phoebe Currier died, which was on June 29, 1892.
Late June/early July 1892: Morse and Emma go riding with Mrs. Davis’ daughter. Morse escorts Emma home after dark.
Emma may have taken this opportunity to confide in her uncle about the Henry/Lizzie situation.
Late June/early July 1892: Charles Hahr is released from prison.
Now free, Charles may have taken a more active role in the ongoing scheme against Andrew.
Late June/early July 1892: Henry claims he left Fall River.
Early July 1892: Andrew has an angry confrontation with an unknown visitor.
Lizzie’s Witness Statement dated Aug. 4, questioned by Officer Harrington:
Early July 1892: Lizzie consults with Andrew’s business manager, Charles Cook, about the value of the Ferry St. property. Andrew makes a reference to Cook regarding wills.
July 10, 1892: Morse visits. He does not see Lizzie or Emma during this visit.
July 15, 1892: Andrew purchases the Ferry St. property back from Emma and Lizzie for $5,000.
July 20-21, 1892 (est): Andrew has a second angry confrontation over renting a store.
Lizzie’s Witness Statement dated Aug. 4, questioned by Officer Harrington:
Harrington notes, “Although Lizzie did not see the man who called about the store, still she did not explain how she knew it was he who called the second time. "
A. There was a man that came there that he had trouble with. I don't know who the man was.
Q. When?
A. I cannot locate the time exactly. It was within two weeks. That is, I don't know the date or day of the month.
Q. Tell all you saw and heard.
A. I did not see anything. I heard the bell ring and father went to the door and let him in. I did not hear anything for some time except just the voices. Then I heard the man say, "I would like to have that place; I would like to have that store." Father said, "I am not willing to let your business go in there." And the man said, "I thought with your reputation for liking money, you would let your store for anything." Father said, "You are mistaken." Then they talked a while and then their voices were louder and I heard father order him out and went to the front door with him.
Q. What did he say?
A. He said he had stayed long enough and he would thank him to go.
Q. Did he say anything about coming again?
A. No sir.
Q. Did your father say anything about coming again, or did he?
A. No sir.
Q. Have you any idea who that was?
A. No sir. I think it was a man from out of town because he said he was going home to see his partner.
Bridget Sullivan also had an out-of-town man call on her at Second Street around May/June 1892.
Q. Did you have any visitors?
A. Sometimes.
Q. Did you have any men call on you?
A. No Sir.
Q. Ever since you have been at this house?
A. Not in Fall River.
Q. While you have been in this house?
A. Not anybody from Fall River.
Q. I did not ask you where they were from. When did you have anybody call on you, not from Fall River?
A. About two or three months before that I guess.
Q. That is the last time any man has called on you at the house?
A. Yes Sir.
July 21, 1892: Emma and Lizzie go to New Bedford. Lizzie stays at 20 Madison St. with Nancy & Carrie Poole, while Emma continues on to Fairhaven to visit the Brownells.
July 23, 1892: Lizzie shops alone for dress goods in New Bedford. She’s gone for an hour and a half.
July 25, 1892: Date of letter from Andrew to John V. Morse (Morse inquest testimony):
July 25, 1892: Date of letter from Andrew to John V. Morse (Morse inquest testimony):
Mr. Borden, when I was over here sometime in July, that I speak of, wanted to know if I knew of a man he could get on his farm, to take charge of it, I told him I did not know, I would see. When I got back I wrote him I knew of a man I thought would suit him, I would send him over. He wrote back to me he had rather I would wait until I saw him.
Andrew’s request to meet Morse in person suggests that there may have been other matters he wanted to discuss that could not be detailed in a letter.
Aside from Abby, Andrew probably trusted Morse more than anyone. He needed an ally and may have wanted Morse’s advice on how to handle the ongoing “family troubles.”
July 26, 1892: Lizzie goes to Newport with the Pooles to visit Augusta Tripp. She returns to Fall River via New Bedford.
Late July/early August 1892: According to Cyrus Rousenville, treasurer of the Shove mills, Andrew told Cyrus that he would not be able to go to the Swansea farm for the summer, “that his family affairs were such this summer he would not be able to go.”
Aug. 1, 1892: Lizzie writes to Emma in Fairhaven about a strange figure loitering at night around the Borden property. Strangely, Lizzie, despite her own fear, doesn’t mention the incident to Andrew.
Aug. 2, 1892: While walking up the street with Abby, Phoebe Bowen said Abby told her “they” had taken her key, so she couldn’t access the front door. She and Mrs. Bowen had to enter through the side door.
Mrs. Bowen saw “someone” leave the Borden house as she and Abby approached.
Who was the "someone?" And who was "they?"
Key - Mrs B(orden)? told L(izzie)? she had lost her key - that last she saw of it man was playing it - had it in his hand - took it from table -
Who was the man who allegedly took Abby's key?
Poison
Aug. 2, 1892 (approx): Lizzie may have poisoned the elder Bordens with small doses of arsenic at the urging of her accomplice(s). She may have poisoned the milk.Aug. 2, 1892: (evening) Andrew and Abby are taken ill with bouts of vomiting.
August 3, 1892: 7:00-8:00 a.m. Abby visits Dr. Bowen and expresses her fear of poisoning.
August 3, 1892: 7:00-8:00 a.m. Abby visits Dr. Bowen and expresses her fear of poisoning.
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According to Lizzie, Andrew vehemently objected to Abby visiting Bowen, but she ignored her husband and went anyway. She was wretchedly sick.
I asked her what she had eaten for supper, and she told me. She said she had eaten some baker's white bread, and she had heard of baker's cream cakes being poisonous and was afraid there was something poisonous in the bread that made her vomit. She said she only ate cake and baker's white bread.
At that time she had a sort of eructation of vomiting, slightly. I was afraid she was going to vomit there. I rather got ready for her. I told her to go home and told her what to take, and she took it.
Bowen reassures Abby, citing "summer complaint" (food poisoning) for her illness. Bowen's diagnosis may have satisfied Andrew as well.
But arsenic poisoning and food poisoning shared similar symptoms, including nausea, vomitting, and abdominal pain. Sometimes, the effects of arsenic wouldn't be felt for hours..sometimes days, depending on the dose.
International Record of Medicine and General Practice Clinics, published 1891:
"Cases are recorded where the symptoms have set in immediately. In one half the recorded cases they have commenced within two hours, and in two thirds within five hours. In two cases that are on record no active symptoms occurred before the fourth day. It will, however, generally be found, in cases where the symptoms are delayed for some hours, either that the person went to sleep after taking the poison (for during sleep the animal system is peculiarly inactive), or that the poison was taken with or soon after a meal."
After consulting with Abby, Bowen rings the bell at 92 Second to check on the rest of the family. As he enters the front door, Bowen thinks he sees Lizzie running upstairs.
It's curious that Lizzie also claims to be sick, but she doesn't consult with Dr. Bowen, perhaps because Bowen would have concluded Lizzie wasn't ill at all.
There may be a couple of other significant clues related to this incident.
Abby told Dr. Bowen that "she heard of baker's cream cakes being poisonous."
Was she referring to a threatening letter that was allegedly mentioned at Bridget Sullivan's inquest?
Was she referring to a threatening letter that was allegedly mentioned at Bridget Sullivan's inquest?
The official record of Bridget's inquest testimony was lost, so newspapers at the time pieced together the details of her testimony through their sources. Most of it was spurious or unverifiable.
But the Fall River Herald reported this curious item related to Bridget's testimony:
But the Fall River Herald reported this curious item related to Bridget's testimony:
The Fall River Herald, Aug. 10, 1892: ...The last point touched yesterday was the letter sent to Mrs. Borden warning her that she might be poisoned. Bridget said she knew nothing about this matter at all.
The Bordens were sick on Tuesday night. Bridget later testified that she had purchased the baked goods that were eaten at that evening's meal.
A. Yes Sir.
Q. What?
A. Some toasted bread, and some fish, some tea, and cake and cookies.
Q. Toasted bread, fish--fresh fish?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. Broiled?
A. Fried.
Q. Sword fish?
A. Yes Sir; fried for dinner, and warmed it over for supper.
Q. That is Tuesday?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. Did you make that bread?
A. They had baker's bread, and some bread that I made.
Q. This bread they had for supper, was that some you made?
A. They had some of both.
Q. They did have some baker's bread, who got that?
A. I went and got it.
Q. Who sent you?
A. I went myself.
Q. Did they ask you to go?
A. No Sir.
Q. Did you take some money, or have an account?
A. When I went to set the table, I found there was not enough bread for supper, and I went to the baker's to get some rolls. There was no rolls, I got a loaf of bread. I paid for it with my own money. When I came back Mrs. Borden gave me five cents. When I got back to the door, she met me, and was after sending me back for rolls. I told her they had none there.
Q: What sort of bread was this?
A. I do not know.
Q. It was not brown bread?
A. No Sir.
Q. Flour bread?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. Did you eat any of that bread?
A. No Sir.
Q. You ate some of your own bread, perhaps?
A. Yes Sir.
Q.That did not make you sick?
A. No Sir.
Q. You were not taken sick that night?
A. No Sir.
Q. Now Wednesday night you had this mutton stew warmed over?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. Which you had had at dinner on Wednesday?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. Wednesday morning was the morning they came down stairs, and had all been sick?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. You had the pork steak and something for breakfast?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. And Lizzie complained of being sick?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. Lizzie stayed in her room all that forenoon, did not she?
A. I suppose so; I did not see her until she came to dinner.
Q. You knew she was up stairs. They were all sick and ailing that day?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. Did you touch the milk?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. You did not eat any of the bread?
A. No Sir.
Q. They did not eat any of the milk?
A. I think they had it on the toast.
Q. When?
A. Wednesday night.
Q. They were taken sick Tuesday night, you know
A. Whatever night they had the toast, I know Mr. Borden had milk in it. (note: Bridget had already testified that the Bordens had eaten toasted bread on Tuesday night).
Q. You felt sort of sick Thursday morning (Aug. 4)?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. What had you eaten the night before?
A. I do not know. I had some mutton soup, and some bread.
A. I do not know. I had some mutton soup, and some bread.
Q. What bread, your own bread?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. Anything else?
A. No Sir.
The milk that was ultimately analyzed for poison was milk delivered on Wednesday and Thursday and had no traces of poison whatsoever.
The Out-of-Town Stranger & 92 South Main Street
Two views of South Main Street. 92 South Main is located somewhere on the right.
Where were the baker's bread and cream cakes that were allegedly poisoned purchased?
One possibility is a popular bakery located in one of Andrew Borden's properties.
William Gadsby, often referred to simply as "Baker Gadsby," occupied the store at 92 South Main before Jonathan Clegg took occupancy. Clegg was in the process of moving from his old location at 6 North Main St. to the new store at the time the Bordens were murdered.
William Gadsby, often referred to simply as "Baker Gadsby," occupied the store at 92 South Main before Jonathan Clegg took occupancy. Clegg was in the process of moving from his old location at 6 North Main St. to the new store at the time the Bordens were murdered.
Gadsby's bakery was previously located at 66 Fourth St. Abby Borden may have been a patron of Gadsby's as her sister, Sarah Whitehead, lived at 45 Fourth St.
Gadsby relocated his business to South Main at the end of 1891. It's likely Abby continued to be a customer.
Mr. Borden told the man at the first visit to call again and he would let him know about the rental. It is supposed to be an out-of-town man and that he called and found that Jonathan Clegg had occupied the store. It is also thought that the tenant wanted to use the place as a rum shop. This Mr. Borden would not allow.
It may be added that the police attached little importance to this latter matter.
Gadsby was vacating because he planned to open a hotel in Stone Bridge in Tiverton. He sold his bakery business to his son-in-law, Henry "Harry" H. Carter, a grocer, in May 1892.
Carter was questioned on August 4 about a dispute he had had with Andrew Borden but had a solid alibi.
Witness Statement of Doherty and Harrington:
Henry M. (sic) Carter No. 88 Snell street had a dispute with Mr. Borden about rent and water bill. On this day (Aug. 4) he was engaged serving a needing (sic-wedding) breakfast up to 10. A. M. at Mr. Garvey's No. 10 Cross street. At 11. A. M. he took the train at Ferry street for Stone Bridge. He has paper of credit from A. J. Borden for $66. for rent, dated Aug. Ist. (note: Andrew Garvey's daughter, Margaret, married John Joyce on Aug. 4).
The Fall River Weekly News, Aug. 17, 1892: Jonathan Clegg, the hatter, had spoken for the store at 92 South Main street, formerly occupied by Gadsby, the baker, and on the morning of the murder called Mr. Borden into his store on North Main Street to decide upon the final terms...The store that Mr. Clegg had engaged is three stores below Edmund Whitehead's market, at the corner of South Main and Spring streets.
On the morning of the murders, Andrew Borden's last stop before returning home was at 92 South Main where carpenters Joseph Shortsleeves and James Mather were adjusting the windows of Clegg's new store.
Coincidentally, Joseph Shortsleeves was married to Mary Ann Sloan, the daughter of John M. Sloan, Sr. In 1891, the Shortsleeves resided at 16 John St.
Mary Ann's brother, John Sloane, Jr., was married to Annie Sullivan, Bridget Sullivan's relative.
The Sloane family resided at 17 John St. in 1892 where Henry Wood lodged with Mrs. Ella Cross and her mother.
If there was an attempted poisoning as Abby believed, was it linked to the wrangling between Andrew and the out-of-town stranger over the 92 South Main St. store?
Was the persistent stranger one of the twins trying to rope Andrew into a dodgy business deal?
August 3, 1892: 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m According to Eli Bence, a woman he identified as Lizzie came into D. R. Smith’s drug store and asked to buy prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide) to clean the edges of a sealskin cape.
Abby Borden confirmed Lizzie's alibi. Abby told Mrs. Bowen on Wednesday evening that Lizzie had been sick and "had not been out all day."
Bridget Sullivan testified that Lizzie was "down to her breakfast and down to her dinner" (the noon meal)...I know she was down before the dinner was put on the table Wednesday." However, Bridget couldn't swear to Lizzie's whereabouts between 10:00-11:30 a.m.
If Lizzie slipped out of the house on Wednesday morning to go to the drug store, is it plausible that Abby or Bridget never noticed that she had left and come back? Was Lizzie's supposed appearance at D. R. Smith's drug store an innocent case of mistaken identify?
If Lizzie slipped out of the house on Wednesday morning to go to the drug store, is it plausible that Abby or Bridget never noticed that she had left and come back? Was Lizzie's supposed appearance at D. R. Smith's drug store an innocent case of mistaken identify?
Overall, the evidence that the woman who attempted to purchase prussic acid was Lizzie is inconclusive.
Aug. 3, 1892: 12:00 p.m.: Lizzie joins Andrew and Abby for the noon meal.
Aug. 3, 1892: 1:30 p.m. John Morse arrives at Second St. Morse did not see Lizzie from the time he arrived until after the murders.
Aug. 3, 1892: 1:30 p.m. John Morse arrives at Second St. Morse did not see Lizzie from the time he arrived until after the murders.
Lizzie appeared to be deliberately avoiding him, perhaps because she was afraid that Morse would confront her about her involvement in "the family troubles."
Abby serves Morse dinner. After dinner, he chats with Abby and Andrew in the sitting room from 3:00-4:00 before departing for the Swansea farm.
Abby serves Morse dinner. After dinner, he chats with Abby and Andrew in the sitting room from 3:00-4:00 before departing for the Swansea farm.
Lizzie, who is upstairs in her room, claims their voices disturb her and she shuts her door.
What did she overhear?
What did she overhear?
Perhaps she heard something alarming; maybe Morse was trying to convince a stubborn Andrew to take action against the ongoing harrassment and blackmail attempts. Abby may even have convinced them that they had indeed been poisoned. Such an action would lead to a criminal investigation of Henry and ultimately expose the criminality of Charles as well.
It could also result in more scandal, possible disinheritance for Lizzie, or even arrest for taking part in the scheme.
It could also result in more scandal, possible disinheritance for Lizzie, or even arrest for taking part in the scheme.
Aug. 3, 1892: 3:00-4:00 p.m. Morse departs Second St. for the Swansea farm.
Aug. 3, 1892: 6:00-7:00 p.m. Dr. and Mrs. Bowen both testify to seeing Lizzie walking "down street" on Second St.
Preliminary hearing testimony of Mrs. Dr. Bowen:
A. I was there Wednesday night soon after six o'clock.
Q. Did you see Lizzie at all Wednesday?
A. I saw her go down the street just before I went in there.
Q. You saw Lizzie go down the street just before you went in there, and that was sometime after six o'clock?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. Did you have any talk with Mrs. Borden about their being sick?
A. I did. I asked her how they were feeling. She said she was feeling better. Mr. Borden said he was not feeling very well. I says "I suppose Lizzie is better, for I saw her going out." Mrs. Borden says "yes, she has not been out all day, but she has gone now to see Alice Russell."
Q. That was after you had seen Lizzie go down street yourself?
A. Yes Sir, which was soon after I had eaten my supper; we have supper at six o'clock.
A. Yes Sir, which was soon after I had eaten my supper; we have supper at six o'clock.
Alice Russell’s residence at 33 Borden was a very short distance from 92 Second St., and Lizzie could walk there in a matter of minutes. The Bowen timeline of seeing Lizzie between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. leaves the possibility of Lizzie making another stop on the way.
If Lizzie met with an accomplice(s) in the early evening of August 3, they may have determined that more drastic and immediate action had to be taken based on whatever Lizzie had overheard.
If Lizzie met with an accomplice(s) in the early evening of August 3, they may have determined that more drastic and immediate action had to be taken based on whatever Lizzie had overheard.
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Aug. 3, 1892: 7:00 p.m.: Bridget also went out for the evening to visit a friend.
Bridget's trial testimony:
A. I was up in my friend's in Third street.
Q. Was it far away from the house?
A. No, sir, not far.
Q. What time did you go and what time did you return on the Wednesday evening?
A. I guess I got out about 7 o'clock on Wednesday evening and I went down Second street, called for a friend of mine on Third street: we went down Main street and up Morgan street and turned up Third street to my friend's on Third street.
Q. If you can tell me about what time you got home, I would like to have you?
A. I think about five minutes past ten.
Bridget Sullivan has several friends in this city, but one and all have put forth every effort not to be publicly known.
One of these friends is a young lady whose brother was, till his death, closely identified with the girl upon whom many eyes are centered. In fact, he was Bridget Sullivan’s sweetheart, and arrangements had been fully made for the ceremony that was to unite them as man and wife.
Fate, however, had settled that the event should never take place, for a short time before the date set the poor fellow suddenly died. Then Bridget thought the more of his sister, and since then the girls have met and confided in one another.
Mary J. Harrington, born in Ireland in 1870, resided at 80 Third Street in 1892.
One of these friends is a young lady whose brother was, till his death, closely identified with the girl upon whom many eyes are centered. In fact, he was Bridget Sullivan’s sweetheart, and arrangements had been fully made for the ceremony that was to unite them as man and wife.
Fate, however, had settled that the event should never take place, for a short time before the date set the poor fellow suddenly died. Then Bridget thought the more of his sister, and since then the girls have met and confided in one another.
Mary J. Harrington, born in Ireland in 1870, resided at 80 Third Street in 1892.
Mary had a brother, Timothy Harrington. Timothy died on January 13, 1892 from "hemorrhage of the lungs." He was 25 years old.
The Fall River Globe, Jan. 16, 1892:
HARRINGTON-13th inst., Timothy, beloved son of the late Jeremiah and the late Margaret Harrington, aged 25 years, 1 mо. and and 3 days. Residence, No. 80 Third street.
Was Timothy Harrington Bridget's supposed beau and was his sister, Mary, the friend Bridget visited on Wednesday night?
Aug. 3, 1892: 7:00 p.m. Lizzie visits Alice Russell. Alice testified about their conversation:
She said, "I have taken your advice, and I have written to Marion that I will come." I said, "I am glad you are going," as I had urged her to go before.
I said something about her having a good time, and she said "Well, I don't know; I feel depressed. I feel as if something was hanging over me that I cannot throw off, and it comes over me at times, no matter where I am."
When she spoke, she says, "I don't know; father has so much trouble."
She said, "Mr. and Mrs. Borden were awfully sick last night." And I said, "Why, what is the matter; something they have eaten?" She said, "We were all sick," she said, "all but Maggie." And I said, "Something you think you have eaten?"
She said, "We don't know. We had some baker's bread, and all ate of it but Maggie, and Maggie wasn't sick."
And I said, "Well, it couldn't have been the bread; if it had been baker's bread I should suppose other people would be sick, and I haven't heard of anybody." And she says, "That is so."
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And I said, "Well, if they put anything in the can the farmer would see it." I asked her what time the milk came, if she knew. She said, "I think about four o'clock." And I said, "Well, it is light at four. I shouldn't think anybody would dare to come then and tamper with the cans for fear someone would see them."
And she said, "I shouldn't think so." And she said, "They were awfully sick; and I wasn't sick, I didn't vomit; but I heard them vomiting and stepped to the door and asked if I could do anything, and they said " No."
She said, “I don’t know, I feel afraid sometimes that Father has got an enemy … He has so much trouble with his men that come to see him.” '
She told me of a man that came to see him, and she heard him say—she didn’t see him, but heard her father say, “I don’t care to let my property for such business.” And she said the man answered sneeringly, “I shouldn’t think you would care what you let your property for.” And she said, “Father was mad and ordered him out of the house.”
Alice Russell: AI photo recreation based on sketch
“Well,” she says, “they have broken into the house in broad daylight, with Emma and Maggie and me there.” And I said, “I never heard of that before.” And she said, “Father forbade our telling it.” … She said, “I think sometimes—I am afraid sometimes that somebody will do something to him; he is so discourteous to people …
And then she said, "Dr. Bowen came over. Mrs. Borden went over, and father didn't like it because she was going; and she told him where she was going, and he says, 'Well, my money shan't pay for it.'
She went over to Dr. Bowen's, and Dr. Bowen told her---she told him she was afraid they were poisoned ---and Dr. Bowen laughed, and said, No, there wasn't any poison. And she came back, and Dr. Bowen came over.
She said, “The way Father treated Dr. Bowen, I was so mortified.” And she said after the doctor had gone, Mrs. Borden said she thought it was too bad for him to treat Dr. Bowen so, and he said he didn’t want him coming over there that way.”
She said, “I am afraid somebody will do something; I don’t know but what somebody will do something.”
Aug. 3, 1892: 9:00 p.m. Lizzie returns from visiting Alice and goes upstairs without acknowledging anyone. Morse hears the front door open and close and assumes it’s Lizzie coming in.
Aug. 3, 1892: 9:15 p.m. Abby retires to bed. Andrew and Morse continue to converse.
Aug. 3, 1892: 10:00 p.m. Andrew and Morse retire to bed.
Aug. 3, 1892: 10:05 p.m. Bridget returns to Second St. after her evening out. She drinks a glass of milk and retires to bed.
Aug. 4, 1892: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Andrew and Abby Borden are murdered.
Lizzie being questioned by John Fleet, Witness Statement, Thurs., Aug. 4th, 1892:
Aug. 3, 1892: 9:15 p.m. Abby retires to bed. Andrew and Morse continue to converse.
Aug. 3, 1892: 10:00 p.m. Andrew and Morse retire to bed.
Aug. 3, 1892: 10:05 p.m. Bridget returns to Second St. after her evening out. She drinks a glass of milk and retires to bed.
Aug. 4, 1892: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Andrew and Abby Borden are murdered.
Lizzie being questioned by John Fleet, Witness Statement, Thurs., Aug. 4th, 1892:
Office Michael Mullaly later testified:
Q: That morning?
A: That morning, and this man had on dark clothes and that was all. She told me that he was a man about Officer Hyde.. about as large as Officer Hyde.
Q: Did she say where she saw him?
A: I do not think she did.
Coincidentally, Ella Cross' brother, George W. Houghton, and Officer Joseph Hyde were related by marriage. The two men married sisters: Annie Burke and Mary Burke.
AI-enhanced from newspaper photo
How It May Have Happened
Note: The actual details of how the murders were committed are open to interpretation. This is just one possible scenario:
The Borden's front door was secured by three locks: a spring latch, a bolt, and a lock that could only be opened with a key.
Lizzie testified at the inquest that she manipulated all three locks when she returned from Alice Russell's house on Wednesday night.
According to Emma, the sisters shared responsibility for routinely unlocking the door when they came downstairs in the morning. Two of the three locks were ordinarily unlatched; only the lock that could be accessed with a key was left in place. Since Emma was away on Aug. 4, Lizzie should have maintained the front door locks.
But Lizzie testified at the inquest that she didn't do so that morning.
Q. And during that time, so far as you know, the front door was locked?
A. So far as I know.
Q. And never was unlocked at all?
A. I don't think it was.
Why on that day of all days did Lizzie claim she did not unlock the front door?
Because she did.
She unlocked the door to give access to her accomplice and then locked it securely behind him, effectively barring anyone else from entering unexpectedly.
Shortly after Andrew left for downtown, the twin gained access to the house. He may have been let in by Lizzie based on a prearranged signal she received from someone outside, or he entered by using Abby's stolen key.
The twin either procured the weapon by theft while en route to the Borden house, or Lizzie had it hidden within reach when he entered.
Lizzie directed him or led him upstairs where Abby was tidying up the guest bedroom. He startled Abby and swung the hatchet, knocking her prone. Nerves and inexperience in wielding a weapon resulted in overkill. Abby was struck 19 times. He then hid in either Lizzie's room or Emma's room.
The twin either procured the weapon by theft while en route to the Borden house, or Lizzie had it hidden within reach when he entered.
Lizzie directed him or led him upstairs where Abby was tidying up the guest bedroom. He startled Abby and swung the hatchet, knocking her prone. Nerves and inexperience in wielding a weapon resulted in overkill. Abby was struck 19 times. He then hid in either Lizzie's room or Emma's room.
Lizzie then went downstairs to the side door and asked Bridget, who was in the yard, how long she would be outside washing the windows. Assured that Bridget would be at her outdoor task for awhile, Lizzie then returned upstairs and quickly ushered the twin into the parlor downstairs to await Andrew's arrival.
Bridget later testified that she did not wash the inside parlor windows and did not enter the parlor that morning. Her household duties omitted any tasks related to the parlor. She also stated that the blinds were closed.
Bridget Sullivan trial testimony:
Q: You don't know anything about it?
A: No sir, I don't.
Q: Whether there was anybody in there or not?
A: No sir. I didn't.
Q: The door from the sitting room into the parlor was closed, wasn't it?
A: Yes sir.
Q: All the time the door from the hall into the parlor is closed?
A: Yes sir.
Between 10:40-1045, Andrew was heard by Bridget trying to enter through the locked front door. Bridget struggled to open the door for him and swore in exasperation. She then heard Lizzie laugh from upstairs.
The parlor adjoining the sitting room. Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast
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Q: You didn't open the parlor door did you?
A: The parlor door?
A: The parlor door?
Q: Yes.
A: No sir. I didn't have nothing to do with it.
A: No sir. I didn't have nothing to do with it.
Q: You don't know anything about it?
A: No sir, I don't.
Q: Whether there was anybody in there or not?
A: No sir. I didn't.
Q: The door from the sitting room into the parlor was closed, wasn't it?
A: Yes sir.
Q: All the time the door from the hall into the parlor is closed?
A: Yes sir.
Bridget testified she was confused by the locks as she was easily able to admit Dr. Bowen the previous morning. She stated, "I did not expect the door was locked. I went to open it. I was puzzled; I went to unlock it twice."
Lizzie came downstairs and greeted her father. Bridget overheard Lizzie tell Andrew that Abby had received a note from someone in town who was sick and had gone out.
As with the locked front door, Bridget was puzzled by this bit of information. She had not seen anyone deliver a note that morning, and if Abby had been called away, Abby would certainly have told her. "She normally does."
With Abby lying dead upstairs and the twin hidden in the parlor downstairs, Lizzie invented the note story on the spot to explain Abby's absence and prevent Andrew from searching for her.
Once Andrew was reclined on the sitting room sofa and Bridget had retired to her room upstairs to rest, Lizzie absented herself to the yard. She may have rapped on the parlor door as a signal before she left the sitting room.
Moments after Lizzie left, the twin emerged from the parlor and killed Andrew, striking him 10 times.
The body of Andrew Borden. Parlor door is on the left.
Q: Have you an opinion as to where the assailant of Mr Borden stood, taking into account the (blood) spots which you saw?
A: I have.
A: I have.
Q: From the appearance of things, where did the assailant stand?
A: Stood close behind the head of the lounge, that is, between the parlor door and the head of the lounge.
Sketch: "Medical Examiner Dolan Explaning How Mr. Borden Was Killed."
Lizzie remained inside the yard, by the side steps, as a look-out.
She dropped the bloody rags used to clean any blood splatter on the twin into a pail that allegedly contained her used menstrual towels and deposited the pail in the cellar.
I then had a talk with Bridget about the pail and its contents. She said she had not noticed the pail until that day, and it could not have been there two days before, or she would have seen it and put the contents in the wash, as that was the day she had done the washing.
After leaving the pail in the cellar, Lizzie then raised the alarm and called for Bridget.
Bridget later testified:
I went around to go right in the sitting room and she says, 'Oh Maggie. Don't go in. I have got to have a doctor quick. Go over. I have got to have a doctor.' So I went over to Dr. Bowen's right away, and when I came back, I says, 'Miss Lizzie, where was you? Didn't I leave the screen door hooked?"
She says, 'I was out in the back yard and heard a groan and came in and the screen door was wide open.'"
Bridget later testified:
She says, 'I was out in the back yard and heard a groan and came in and the screen door was wide open.'"
But Lizzie didn't send anyone for the police or requested police assistance, giving her accomplice more time to escape.
People who had access to Lizzie immediately following the murders testified that her appearance was pristine. She was not disheveled and she was spotless of any blood.
The stranger was the other twin watching the house for any signs of activity. As the time ticked by, he grew more frightened and anxious about what might be happening since his brother entered. This would explain the agitated state of the stranger Dr. Handy saw pacing and circling up and down the street that morning.
To determine which twin may have been the actual murderer, let's look again at the description of Dr. Handy's stranger as reported by Edwin Porter in The Fall River Tragedy:
There was a peculiarity about the man which he could not exactly describe. The individual was about 30 years of age, five feet five inches in height, weight perhaps about 125 or 130 pounds. His clothes were of light gray of just what cut and texture the doctor could not positively state; nor could he tell whether the man's hat was of felt or straw.
It was not the dress which attracted Dr. Handy, it was the man's features, which he saw. He was pale, almost white; not with the ghastly pallor of a sick man, but rather the whitish appearance of a man whose face had not been touched by the sun's rays; who might have been in confinement, or whose work was of such a nature as to keep him constantly in a cellar.
It was not the dress which attracted Dr. Handy, it was the man's features, which he saw. He was pale, almost white; not with the ghastly pallor of a sick man, but rather the whitish appearance of a man whose face had not been touched by the sun's rays; who might have been in confinement, or whose work was of such a nature as to keep him constantly in a cellar.
There was something beyond this paleness which aroused the doctor particularly to observe him, and that was that he appeared to be in a state of intense nervousness.
Charles Hahr had been in prison from late December 1891 until June/July 1892. That may explain the pale features of the man Handy saw that morning.
Based on this assumption, Henry was the murderer and Charles was the look-out.
Charles Hahr had been in prison from late December 1891 until June/July 1892. That may explain the pale features of the man Handy saw that morning.
Based on this assumption, Henry was the murderer and Charles was the look-out.
The Note
AI -generated image
Q. Did you hear her say anything to Mr. Borden?
A. I heard her ask him if he had any mail for her. I heard her telling her father very slowly that her mother got a note, that Mrs. Borden had a note that morning, and had gone out.
Q. You heard her telling that very slowly?
A. Yes Sir, to her father.
Q. Had got a note?
A. From some sick person. Of course the conversation was very low, I did not pay any attention to it; but I heard her telling her father that.
Minutes after speaking to Andrew, Lizzie repeated the note story to Bridget:
She (Lizzie) says, "If you go out, be sure to lock the door for Mrs. Borden has gone out on a sick call, and I might go out too." Says I, "Miss Lizzie, who is sick?" She said, "I don't know. She had a note this morning. It must be in town."
As witnesses arrived in response to the discovery of Andrew's body, Lizzie stuck to the note scenario to account for the missing Abby.
Dr. Bowen (Preliminary):
I am very sure she said that her mother had had a note that morning, and had gone out, or she thought she had gone out. The question was raised where is Mrs. Borden; and as nobody could account for her, I left and went down street on that evidence. I did not have time, I did not think it was necessary for me to look.
But evidence suggests that Lizzie knew Abby's butchered body was lying upstairs.
Adelaide Churchill (Inquest):
…She said "Dr. Bowen is not at home, but I must have a Doctor". I says "Shall I go and try to find someone to go and get a doctor"? She said yes…
Soon after I got back she says "I shall have to go to the cemetery myself." "Oh no," I says, "Lizzie, the undertaker will attend to all such things as that for you; they generally do." Very soon Dr.Bowen came in, and I said to him "He is in the sitting room."
If Abby was alive, then it would have been her responsibility to make the funeral arrangements for Andrew, not Lizzie's. Lizzie's odd comment about the cemetery suggests she already knew that Abby was dead.
Bridget volunteered to search for Abby in town, assuming that the "sick friend" referred to Abby's half-sister, Sarah Whitehead.
"Oh," I says, "Lizzie if I knew where Mrs. Whitehead was I would go and see if Mrs. Borden was there and tell her that Mr. Borden was very sick."
If Abby had left the house as Lizzie said, Bridget's offer to search for her in town was perfectly logical.
But Lizzie knew that Abby had never left the house, and Bridget's proposed errand would have revealed the lie. Lizzie knew it was just a matter of time before Abby's body would be discovered, and her note story would be called into question. She had to switch tactics by suggesting that Abby had returned and gone upstairs.
She says, "Maggie, I am almost positive I heard her coming in. Won't you go up stairs to see." I said, "I am not going up stairs alone."
Accompanied by Bridget, Adelaide Churchill described finding Abby's body:
Soon after Miss Russell came in, I think Miss Lizzie said she wished we would try to find Mrs. Borden, she thought she heard her come in. Bridget did not want to go alone, I went with her half way up the front stairs. I could see across the floor of the spare bedroom. I saw something at the far side of the bed, the north side, that looked like a a prostrate form. I did not go any farther, I turned and went right back again.
But it wasn't just the call from a sick friend that accounted for Abby's absence. According to Lizzie, Abby also planned to do the marketing while she was out, which Lizzie neglected to mention when witnesses were questioning Abby's whereabouts.
She (Abby) says "I have had a note from somebody that is sick, and I am going out, and I will get the dinner at the same time."
She asked me how I felt. I said I felt better, but did not want any breakfast. She said what kind of meat did I want for dinner. I said I did not want any. She said she was going out, somebody was sick, and she would get the dinner, get the meat, order the meat.
But according to Bridget, Abby had no reason to go marketing that morning.
Mrs. Borden came down directly before I had anything underway... She asked me what did I have for breakfast. I told her there was nothing, sure, but soup and cold mutton. She said she thought they would have that for dinner. She says there will be plenty for dinner too.
Lizzie also added this detail in her inquest testimony:
I said to her (Abby): "Won't you change your dress before you go out?" She had on an old one. She said: "No, this is good enough."
This was an absurd lie on Lizzie's part. No respectable Victorian woman would have left her house and appeared in public in an old house dress. But because Lizzie had claimed she had heard Abby return, she had to explain why Abby was still wearing the same dress when she was found.
Lizzie's claim that Abby returned also defies belief. The front door was securely locked, and Abby had stated that her key had been stolen, giving her no access to that entry. If she rang the bell, Bridget never heard it.
Soon after I got back she says "I shall have to go to the cemetery myself." "Oh no," I says, "Lizzie, the undertaker will attend to all such things as that for you; they generally do." Very soon Dr.Bowen came in, and I said to him "He is in the sitting room."
If Abby was alive, then it would have been her responsibility to make the funeral arrangements for Andrew, not Lizzie's. Lizzie's odd comment about the cemetery suggests she already knew that Abby was dead.
Bridget volunteered to search for Abby in town, assuming that the "sick friend" referred to Abby's half-sister, Sarah Whitehead.
"Oh," I says, "Lizzie if I knew where Mrs. Whitehead was I would go and see if Mrs. Borden was there and tell her that Mr. Borden was very sick."
If Abby had left the house as Lizzie said, Bridget's offer to search for her in town was perfectly logical.
But Lizzie knew that Abby had never left the house, and Bridget's proposed errand would have revealed the lie. Lizzie knew it was just a matter of time before Abby's body would be discovered, and her note story would be called into question. She had to switch tactics by suggesting that Abby had returned and gone upstairs.
She says, "Maggie, I am almost positive I heard her coming in. Won't you go up stairs to see." I said, "I am not going up stairs alone."
Accompanied by Bridget, Adelaide Churchill described finding Abby's body:
Soon after Miss Russell came in, I think Miss Lizzie said she wished we would try to find Mrs. Borden, she thought she heard her come in. Bridget did not want to go alone, I went with her half way up the front stairs. I could see across the floor of the spare bedroom. I saw something at the far side of the bed, the north side, that looked like a a prostrate form. I did not go any farther, I turned and went right back again.
But it wasn't just the call from a sick friend that accounted for Abby's absence. According to Lizzie, Abby also planned to do the marketing while she was out, which Lizzie neglected to mention when witnesses were questioning Abby's whereabouts.
She (Abby) says "I have had a note from somebody that is sick, and I am going out, and I will get the dinner at the same time."
She asked me how I felt. I said I felt better, but did not want any breakfast. She said what kind of meat did I want for dinner. I said I did not want any. She said she was going out, somebody was sick, and she would get the dinner, get the meat, order the meat.
But according to Bridget, Abby had no reason to go marketing that morning.
Mrs. Borden came down directly before I had anything underway... She asked me what did I have for breakfast. I told her there was nothing, sure, but soup and cold mutton. She said she thought they would have that for dinner. She says there will be plenty for dinner too.
Lizzie also added this detail in her inquest testimony:
I said to her (Abby): "Won't you change your dress before you go out?" She had on an old one. She said: "No, this is good enough."
This was an absurd lie on Lizzie's part. No respectable Victorian woman would have left her house and appeared in public in an old house dress. But because Lizzie had claimed she had heard Abby return, she had to explain why Abby was still wearing the same dress when she was found.
Lizzie's claim that Abby returned also defies belief. The front door was securely locked, and Abby had stated that her key had been stolen, giving her no access to that entry. If she rang the bell, Bridget never heard it.
She couldn't have returned via the side door, or Lizzie, who claimed to be in the kitchen, or Bridget, who was outside and inside washing widows, would have surely seen her. There were also no bundles or bags in sight that would suggest Abby had returned from marketing.
An immediate search for the note proved futile. Alice Russell proposed that Abby may have burned the note in the stove, a suggestion that Lizzie immediately seized upon.
Alice Russell (trial):
When we were in the dining room Lizzie was lying down, and I think Dr. Bowen came in---I always thought it was Dr. Bowen---came in and said, "Lizzie, do you know anything about the note your mother had?" And she hesitated and said, well, no, she didn't. He said, "I have looked in the wastebasket," and I think I said,---no, he said, "Have you looked in her pocket?" And I think I said, "Well, then she must have put it in the fire." And Lizzie said, "Yes, she must have put it in the fire."
Dr. William Dolan (Preliminary:
I asked her if her mother had received this note; she said she had. I asked her if she had seen the note; and she said no. I asked her if she knew who brought it; she said she did not know and thought it was a boy. I asked her what her mother did with the note; she said she did not know; in all probability she burned it in the kitchen stove.
The Herald News reported that "The officers had searched all over the house for that letter, the marshal said, but had failed to find any trace of it... The marshal's men had found other letters and fragments of letters in the wastepaper basket and had put them together piece by piece. The one letter that was wanted has not been found."
At Lizzie's trial, Emma Borden was asked about the search for the mysterious note:
Q. Have you ever caused any search to be made for the note that your step-mother was said to have received that day?
A. I think I only looked in a little bag that she carried down street with her sometimes, and in her work-basket.
Q. You didn't find it?
A. No, sir.
Q. Have you caused any search to be made for the supposed writer of the note?
A: I think there was an advertisement put into the paper.
Q. By your authority?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. In the News, wasn't it?
A. I think so.
Q. And did that notice also include a request for the messenger as well as the writer of the note?
A. I think that it did. It requested the one that carried it.
Q. Didn't mention anything about the writer, but messenger, or both?
A. I think it referred to the messenger.
Q. Don't you think on reflection that it referred both to the one who wrote it and the one who brought it?
A. I don't know. I didn't see the advertisement.
Q. Have you made any other search besides that?
A. For the writer or the messenger?
Q. Yes, for either the messenger or writer?
A. No, sir.
This may be the advertisement Emma was referring to in her testimony:
The Herald News, Aug. 6, 1892:
There is one possible clue in the case that has been but slightly worked, because the police have no means of starting upon it, and in the interest of humanity and the avoidance of possible false progress in other directions, we call upon the public for assistance and co-operation.
We refer to The Note from a Sick Friend, which was sent to Mrs. Borden on the morning of the tragedy and which has been lost or destroyed. The note was not sent by mail, as has been reported, but was delivered at the house by a small boy.
From whom it came is unknown. But if such a note was sent by a friend, will she not make known the fact to the city marshal or to the editor of the News? No publicity need occur in this connection farther than the announcement that the note has been satisfactorily accounted for.
Will not mothers ask their children if they delivered a note for anybody last Thursday? The fact that information has not been volunteered strengthens a suspicion that the note was a bogus one, intended to draw Mrs. Borden from the house during the forenoon and to give the assassin a clearer field to wreak vengeance upon her husband. Could the sender be described it would be of greatest assistance.
Once A Week, an illustrated New York newspaper, published a $500 reward to the writer of the note, to no avail.
At Lizzie's trial, Emma Borden was asked about the search for the mysterious note:
Q. Have you ever caused any search to be made for the note that your step-mother was said to have received that day?
A. I think I only looked in a little bag that she carried down street with her sometimes, and in her work-basket.
Q. You didn't find it?
A. No, sir.
Q. Have you caused any search to be made for the supposed writer of the note?
A: I think there was an advertisement put into the paper.
Q. By your authority?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. In the News, wasn't it?
A. I think so.
Q. And did that notice also include a request for the messenger as well as the writer of the note?
A. I think that it did. It requested the one that carried it.
Q. Didn't mention anything about the writer, but messenger, or both?
A. I think it referred to the messenger.
Q. Don't you think on reflection that it referred both to the one who wrote it and the one who brought it?
A. I don't know. I didn't see the advertisement.
Q. Have you made any other search besides that?
A. For the writer or the messenger?
Q. Yes, for either the messenger or writer?
A. No, sir.
This may be the advertisement Emma was referring to in her testimony:
The Herald News, Aug. 6, 1892:
There is one possible clue in the case that has been but slightly worked, because the police have no means of starting upon it, and in the interest of humanity and the avoidance of possible false progress in other directions, we call upon the public for assistance and co-operation.
We refer to The Note from a Sick Friend, which was sent to Mrs. Borden on the morning of the tragedy and which has been lost or destroyed. The note was not sent by mail, as has been reported, but was delivered at the house by a small boy.
From whom it came is unknown. But if such a note was sent by a friend, will she not make known the fact to the city marshal or to the editor of the News? No publicity need occur in this connection farther than the announcement that the note has been satisfactorily accounted for.
Will not mothers ask their children if they delivered a note for anybody last Thursday? The fact that information has not been volunteered strengthens a suspicion that the note was a bogus one, intended to draw Mrs. Borden from the house during the forenoon and to give the assassin a clearer field to wreak vengeance upon her husband. Could the sender be described it would be of greatest assistance.
Once A Week, an illustrated New York newspaper, published a $500 reward to the writer of the note, to no avail.
Despite all these efforts, the note was never found, and neither the sender or the messenger were ever identified.
Lizzie fabricated the note to discourage Andrew from searching for Abby and away from the parlor where the killer was hidden. The note existed only in Lizzie's imagination.
The Escape Route
Henry likely escaped by climbing the Borden fence and into the Chagnon yard.
A reporter for the Press, a New York newspaper, conducted an investigation of this possible escape route.
Deputy Sheriff Frank Wixon, who was on the scene the day of the murders, also proved that it could be done without being seen.
Wixon arrived at the Borden house with Officer Doherty at approximately 11:40. After examining the bodies, Wixon testified:
Q: What was he doing?
A: Sawing wood.
Q: Did you notice whether, when you got down over into the Crowe yard, the man was standing with his back towards you, or facing you?
A: Well, he was – he didn't seem to be back to me or facing me, but he was rather sideways, in a diagonal position.
Q: Did he look up, if you noticed, before you reached him?
A: I don't know whether he did or not.
John Dinnie, a stone mason in the employ of John Crowe, was also working in Mr. Crowe's yard. He saw no one enter the yard except Mr. Crowe's men and Mr. Wixon.
In cross-examination, he admitted that he could not see the Chagnon yard and he could not see a large part of Mr. Crowe's yard.
In his cross-examination of Dinnie, defense attorney Gov. Robinson elicited another possible escape route via Uriah Kirby's yard on Third St.
Q: What could he do if he wanted to go through the Kirby yard; how could he go through?
A: Well, quite a pile of lumber to go over before he got through that way.
The Borden fence
The Press, New York, Aug. 14, 1892: The police claim that it would have been impossible for anyone to have done the murder in the Borden house and escaped over the back fence through the Chagnon place. Careful investigation by a PRESS man shows that the route itself would be not only a possible, but an easy one, and also that a man might very likely have followed it on the morning of the murder without being seen.,,
Once out of the Borden house, it would have been easy for the man to make his way unseen to the top of the fence. The barbed wire on the top of the fence is not worth consideration as an obstacle. The barbs are fully 6 inches apart, and a careful climber could easily avoid them.
After the murderer had passed the fence, there would have been few difficulties in the way of his escaping unnoticed. The Chagnons were away at the time, and the only person on the place was a 14-year-old girl sitting on the front doorstep. (note: Lucy Colette, who was sitting outside the Chagnon house, was 18). The murderer could have passed through a little gate, which is always open behind the Chagnon house and with a few steps have reached the driveway from the Chagnon barn to the street.
The Chagnon house stands 4 ft above the street level, and as this driveway gradually sinks as it approaches the street, the man might easily have passed through it to the sidewalk without being seen by the girl on the front steps. Besides, the bank, which would have partially concealed him, is surmounted by a closely picketed fence, which would still more have served to hide him. This driveway is almost wholly secluded from the next house by vines and shrubs.
That a man coming down this driveway would have been observed by people on the opposite side of the street that fatal morning is highly improbable. The Press man has interviewed every resident of every one of the houses there who was at home at the time, and every one of them has asserted that they were probably not in a position where their attention would have been attracted by a man coming down the driveway at that particular hour.
This leaves only casual passersby to account for, and while Third street is not by any means a deserted thoroughfare, yet the PRESS correspondent stood at the entrance to the Chagnon driveway for ten minutes at the busiest hours of the business day, and only one carriage and a small boy passed in front of him.
For more than six consecutive minutes, the sidewalks and roadway of the block were bare of people. It would have been not only possible but easy for a man to have escaped from either the side or cellar door of the Borden house to Third street that Thursday morning unseen by any human being.
Once out of the Borden house, it would have been easy for the man to make his way unseen to the top of the fence. The barbed wire on the top of the fence is not worth consideration as an obstacle. The barbs are fully 6 inches apart, and a careful climber could easily avoid them.
After the murderer had passed the fence, there would have been few difficulties in the way of his escaping unnoticed. The Chagnons were away at the time, and the only person on the place was a 14-year-old girl sitting on the front doorstep. (note: Lucy Colette, who was sitting outside the Chagnon house, was 18). The murderer could have passed through a little gate, which is always open behind the Chagnon house and with a few steps have reached the driveway from the Chagnon barn to the street.
The Chagnon house stands 4 ft above the street level, and as this driveway gradually sinks as it approaches the street, the man might easily have passed through it to the sidewalk without being seen by the girl on the front steps. Besides, the bank, which would have partially concealed him, is surmounted by a closely picketed fence, which would still more have served to hide him. This driveway is almost wholly secluded from the next house by vines and shrubs.
That a man coming down this driveway would have been observed by people on the opposite side of the street that fatal morning is highly improbable. The Press man has interviewed every resident of every one of the houses there who was at home at the time, and every one of them has asserted that they were probably not in a position where their attention would have been attracted by a man coming down the driveway at that particular hour.
This leaves only casual passersby to account for, and while Third street is not by any means a deserted thoroughfare, yet the PRESS correspondent stood at the entrance to the Chagnon driveway for ten minutes at the busiest hours of the business day, and only one carriage and a small boy passed in front of him.
For more than six consecutive minutes, the sidewalks and roadway of the block were bare of people. It would have been not only possible but easy for a man to have escaped from either the side or cellar door of the Borden house to Third street that Thursday morning unseen by any human being.
The Press illustration of the possible escape route, published Aug. 17, 1892
Deputy Sheriff Frank Wixon, who was on the scene the day of the murders, also proved that it could be done without being seen.
Deputy Sheriff Frank Wixon, AI photo recreation based on sketch
I went from the house out into the yard, easterly, toward what I have learned since is known as Dr. Chagnon's fence ... I walked a considerable distance from the house out into the yard. I walked in an easterly direction toward Dr. Chagnon's yard and got a considerable distance, and for some reason, I don't know what, I look south and saw the movement of a hat.
Subsequently I learned that under that hat was a man. I went east and got on a pile of lumber that was near the fence dividing the Borden yard and Dr. Chagnon's yard. I got on that fence from the lumber, stepped on the stringer (the horizontal support rail) of the fence, which was probably 18 inches below the top of the fence and worked myself along and got my hands considerably pricked from time to time with the barbed wire that was on the fence and got onto the fence dividing the Crowe yard and the Borden yard, running on the south line of the Borden yard. I got on that fence, worked myself along a little to the west and got over on a pile of lumber in the Crowe yard.
Q: Got over the fence?
A: Yes sir. Then I went to see this hat I saw moving and found a man.
Subsequently I learned that under that hat was a man. I went east and got on a pile of lumber that was near the fence dividing the Borden yard and Dr. Chagnon's yard. I got on that fence from the lumber, stepped on the stringer (the horizontal support rail) of the fence, which was probably 18 inches below the top of the fence and worked myself along and got my hands considerably pricked from time to time with the barbed wire that was on the fence and got onto the fence dividing the Crowe yard and the Borden yard, running on the south line of the Borden yard. I got on that fence, worked myself along a little to the west and got over on a pile of lumber in the Crowe yard.
Q: Got over the fence?
A: Yes sir. Then I went to see this hat I saw moving and found a man.
Q: What was he doing?
A: Sawing wood.
Q: Did you notice whether, when you got down over into the Crowe yard, the man was standing with his back towards you, or facing you?
A: Well, he was – he didn't seem to be back to me or facing me, but he was rather sideways, in a diagonal position.
Q: Did he look up, if you noticed, before you reached him?
A: I don't know whether he did or not.
John Dinnie, a stone mason in the employ of John Crowe, was also working in Mr. Crowe's yard. He saw no one enter the yard except Mr. Crowe's men and Mr. Wixon.
In cross-examination, he admitted that he could not see the Chagnon yard and he could not see a large part of Mr. Crowe's yard.
In his cross-examination of Dinnie, defense attorney Gov. Robinson elicited another possible escape route via Uriah Kirby's yard on Third St.
A: Well, quite a pile of lumber to go over before he got through that way.
Q: He could walk right up on it and go over easy enough?
A: Yes sir.
Q: If he got over the Borden fence and came across the Crowe yard, and then went down on the lumber, he would come in the Kirby yard?
A: Yes sir.
Q: Is the Kirby yard next Rodman street?
A: It is on Third street, the Kirby yard.
Q: Oh, yes. Then he would come right out on Third street?
A: Right out on Third street, passing the house.
Q: If, as you think, the Frenchman looked up, he would see him go by him?
A: Yes sir.
Q: If he didn't look up, there wouldn't be much trouble?
A: No sir.
Desrosier and Dinnie were so engrossed in their work, they never noticed Wixon walking across the fence above them until he jumped into the Crowe yard.
There was little if no activity in the Chagnon yard and was the more likely landing spot for the fleeing murderer.
Lucy Collet, who was minding Dr. Chagnon's residence the morning of the murder, was called to testify to what she had observed.
Lucy Collet, who was minding Dr. Chagnon's residence the morning of the murder, was called to testify to what she had observed.
Lucy Collet: AI photo recreation based on newspaper sketch
Miss Collet hesitated at times in giving her testimony because she was a little afraid of her English. In five minutes Mr. Knowlton was through with her.
Mr. Jennings in his cross-examination learned that she sat with her back to the driveway. Both Mr. Adams and Mr. Jennings objected when Mr. Knowlton asked for a repetition of the statement from the witness that she could see the whole yard from her seat.
Mr. Jennings caused her to admit that she could not see the rear of the yard; she would not see anyone who went out at the driveway but thought she might hear him. She was not sure that she would.
A: No sir.
Q: How long did you stay there?
A: Well, I stayed there until quarter of 12:00.
Q: Do you know Mr. Wixon, the deputy sheriff?
A: No sir.
Q: Well, did you see a man with whiskers?
A: I didn't see no man.
Q: Didn't see a man at all?
A: No sir.
Q: Whiskers or no whiskers. You didn't see any man get up on the fence, did you?
A: No sir.
Q: On the fence between the Chagnon yard and the Borden yard?
A: No sir.
Q: Did you see anybody?
A: I didn't see anybody.
Q: Well, there was nothing about it that morning that made you watch those yards anymore than any other morning, was there?
A: No sir.
Q: Not the least?
A: No sir.
Martha Chagnon's testimony:
Q: Now I want to ask you: is there any piazza on the front of your house?
A: No sir.
A: No sir.
Q: What is there at the front of the house there?
A: It is a kind of a walk side of it.
Q: Was there a chair and bench or settee out there?
A: Benches and one chair.
Q: Is that where people sat out there?
A: Yes sir.
Q: Was there any bench, to your knowledge, on the piazza on the south side?
A: No sir.
Q: Could a person sitting on the front, there where that bench is usually kept, see the Borden fence from there?
A: Only the south side; the south west, a part of it. That is all.
The Chagnon's neighbor, Mrs. Aruba Kirby, didn't fare much better than Lucy Colett on cross-examination.
On the morning of the 4th of August, I was in my kitchen between 11 and 12:00. I remember looking out of the window at one time about 11:30. During all the time, I could see the passage way. I saw no one go to or out of the passage way.
Cross-examined - When I am in my sink room, I cannot see the passage way. I was preparing my dinner and was about my stove much of the time so that I cannot really say whether anybody went out or in that passage way.
It was reported that "While these witnesses were being examined and cross-examined, Miss Lizzie exhibited as much interest as she has in any previous time in the trial. Mr. Wixon's testimony seemed in particular to interest her, and during his cross-examination, she talked earnestly with her sister, apparently explaining to her points with which Miss Emma, being away, was not very familiar."
Frank Wixon walked the length of the Borden fence in broad daylight as if he were invisible.
The murderer could've done the same.
Frank Wixon walked the length of the Borden fence in broad daylight as if he were invisible.
The murderer could've done the same.
What Happened to the Hatchet?
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The handleless hatchet from the Borden cellar believed to be the murder weapon (Fall River Historical Society)
Dubbed "the handleless hatchet," the prosecutors presented it at trial as the possible murder weapon. While the blade fit some of the wounds of the victims, chemical analysis showed no evidence of blood. Also, Officer Mullaly testified that the handle wasn't missing at all...he saw it in the box with the hatchet head, an assertion that was contradicted by Asst. Marshal Fleet. These contradictions cast considerable doubt as to this hatchet being the murder weapon.
The Crowe Barn Roof Hatchet
An alternative theory of what happened to the hatchet was put forward in June 1893, while the Borden trial was still in progress:
The barn is a flat roof structure about 18 feet high. In the rear is an ell, the full width of the main building but not more than 12 feet high. Still extending to the west and toward the Borden estate is a narrower flat roofed ell, about 9 feet high. A six foot fence runs diagonally and south-easterly from the north line of the first ell (a wing or extension)) to the second ell, so that it is very easy to scale the roof.
.
During the game of the boys, the ball was knocked or thrown upon the roof of the main barn, and Master Arthur Potter, 14 years old, son of Caleb C. Potter, of the Water Works office, scaled the building in quest of it.
Near the southwest corner of the main bulding - about six feet from the west and four feet from the north line of the structure - on the northeast corner of the roof, he found a hatchet, of ordinary size, lying with the head toward the southeast, the handle towards the north west corner.
He forgot the ball and he rushed for the hatchet, and then rang out his salute to the boys below:
"I've found Lizzie Borden's hatchet!"
The hatchet is an ordinary shingle hatchet with a blade 3 and 3/4 inches in length. It was covered in rust and part of this was scraped off by the boy when found. It has the appearance of having been comparatively new and but little used.
The handle, which is 13.5 inches long, looked weather-worn as if it had been long exposed to air, sun and storm. The underside of the handle had few slight stains but nothing that resembled spots. Near the head of the hatchet, these stains were more pronounced.
The boys were much excited over the find, and it was given to Mr. Potter, the father of the finder, who now has it in his possession. He at once notified the police and tried to find Mr. Jennings, but in this was unsuccessful.
If the murderer of Andrew J. Borden and his wife escaped from the Borden premises by the rear, and it was a very easy way for him to so escape, he could easily have thrown the hatchet to the place where it was found.
So far as is known no man has been on the roof within two years. Mr. Crowe knows of none. All telegraph, telephone, electric light wiremen, roofers and several photographers agree on this. The police did not visit it in their thorough search.
The police have been carefully examining the hatchet this morning. They thought they could tell whether there had been blood on it or not. They confess they are baffled.
It was M'Donnell's Axe - Alibi Established for the Hatchet on Crowe's Barn.
The owner of the Potter-Borden hatchet has in all probability been found. Carl McDonnell, a carpenter employed by William Smith of Second street, did some work for Dr. Chagnon about the time of the murder or a little time later and lost a hatchet of a description similar to this one.
There are so many hatchets of a similar make that it is almost impossible to identify any one in particular unless marked for that purpose. The axe undoubtedly belongs to McDonnell.
The owner of the Potter-Borden hatchet has in all probability been found. Carl McDonnell, a carpenter employed by William Smith of Second street, did some work for Dr. Chagnon about the time of the murder or a little time later and lost a hatchet of a description similar to this one.
There are so many hatchets of a similar make that it is almost impossible to identify any one in particular unless marked for that purpose. The axe undoubtedly belongs to McDonnell.
The Riddle of the Dress
At the inquest, Lizzie testified that on the morning of the murders, "I had on a navy blue, sort of a bengaline or India silk skirt with a navy blue blouse." (She later corrected the description stating it was not an India silk). "It was a silk and linen. Some call it a bengaline silk."
On Saturday, Aug. 6, defense attorney Andrew Jennings turned over the navy blue skirt and blouse Lizzie claimed she wore to Marshal Hilliard.
At the trial, Hilliard attempted to describe them.
On Saturday, Aug. 6, defense attorney Andrew Jennings turned over the navy blue skirt and blouse Lizzie claimed she wore to Marshal Hilliard.
At the trial, Hilliard attempted to describe them.
Q: On the day of the search, Saturday, what was delivered to you?
A: There was a dress.
Q: What kind of a dress?
A: A dress skirt. Well, it was a blue figure in it. I could not possibly describe the pattern of it.
Q: Was it a blue ground and white figure or white ground with a blue figure?
A: I should say for my recollection of it, it was a blue ground with a white figure, or partially white figure in it.
Q: Sort of a navy blue color?
A: Similar to it, yes sir.
Q: That was the skirt?
A: That was the dress skirt.
Q: Was there a dress waist?
A: Yes sir,
Q: Was it a dress waist or a sort of a loose blouse?
A: As near as I can remember, it was a dress waist with perhaps part of it here in front loose,
Q: Was it like the skirt? Do you recollect whether it was the same material as the skirt?
A: I think it was, Mr. Jennings, similar to it. It might possibly have been, instead of whatever figure was on the dress. It might possibly have been round spots.
Q: Was not one of them a sort of cotton material, and the other a sort of silk?
A: That I could not tell.
Q: You could not remember now?
A: No sir,
Q. You examined it pretty carefully?
A. Yes Sir. I was examining it with you.
Q. Both of us looked at it pretty carefully?
A. Yes Sir.
When shown the same skirt and blouse at the trial, Alice Russell described the skirt as silk and the blouse waist as sateen.
Recreations of the Bengaline skirt and sateen blouse waist based on varying descriptions
On Saturday, the day Lizzie turned over the bengaline skirt and blouse, the police conducted a search of the Borden home that lasted from approximately noon until 6:00 p.m. Asst. Marshal Fleet and Officer Seaver searched the upstairs clothes press for any bloodstained garments and found nothing unusual.
That same evening, Lizzie was informed by Mayor Coughlin that she was suspected in the murders of Andrew and Abby.
That same evening, Lizzie was informed by Mayor Coughlin that she was suspected in the murders of Andrew and Abby.
The Bedford Cord
Mary A. Raymond, a dressmaker, testified that she made a Bedford cord dress for Lizzie during the first week of May 1892 at the Borden home. She described it as a "cheap cotton dress," light blue in color with a darker figure, a blouse waist, full straight skirt with full, large sleeves and trimmed with a ruffle around the bottom. It was long enough so that it brushed the ground.
Recreation of the Bedford cord based on Mrs. Raymond's description
Mrs. Raymond made the dress to replace an old wrapper of Lizzie's. Lizzie was anxious for the dress to be completed; it was the first dress to be finished, and Lizzie started to wear it immediately afterwards.
The house was being painted while Mrs. Raymond was working at Second St. Lizzie brushed up against the paint, soiling the dress.
As Mrs. Raymond recalled, the dress was stained "on the front of the dress and around the bottom of the dress, around the ruffle, on the underneath part of the hem."
Nonetheless, according to the dressmaker, Lizzie continued to wear the stained dress over the following three weeks while Mrs. Raymond worked there, and it "either faded or the color wore off."
In a startling turn of events, Alice Russell revealed in November that on Sunday morning, Aug. 7, she witnessed Lizzie in the process of tearing up the paint-stained Bedford cord dress to burn in the kitchen stove.
The house was being painted while Mrs. Raymond was working at Second St. Lizzie brushed up against the paint, soiling the dress.
As Mrs. Raymond recalled, the dress was stained "on the front of the dress and around the bottom of the dress, around the ruffle, on the underneath part of the hem."
Nonetheless, according to the dressmaker, Lizzie continued to wear the stained dress over the following three weeks while Mrs. Raymond worked there, and it "either faded or the color wore off."
In a startling turn of events, Alice Russell revealed in November that on Sunday morning, Aug. 7, she witnessed Lizzie in the process of tearing up the paint-stained Bedford cord dress to burn in the kitchen stove.
Alice left the kitchen momentarily. When she returned, she saw Lizzie near the cupboard door next to the stove and ripping the dress apart. The windows and blinds were wide open, and police officers were patrolling outside around the Borden premises.
Emma Borden testified:
I said, "Why don't you," or "You had better," or "I would if I were you," or something like that, I can't tell the exact words, but it meant---Do it. And I turned back and continued washing the dishes, and did not see her burn it and did not pay any more attention to her at that time.
Alice had been asked by a private Pinkerton detective named Hanscom, who had been hired by Emma, if all of Lizzie's dresses had been accounted for, and she had assured him that they had. That was no longer true.
On Monday morning, Alice addressed the possible repercussions with the Borden sisters.
She said, "Oh, what made you let me do it? Why didn't you tell me?"
Emma testified that Lizzie may have gotten the idea to burn the Bedford cord because Emma had no spare nail to hang her own dress upon.
A: I saw it hanging in the clothes press over the front entry.
Q: At what time?
A: I don't know exactly. I think about 9:00 in the evening.
Q: How came you to see it at that time?
A: I went in to hang up the dress that I had been wearing during the day and there was no vacant nail, and I searched around to find a nail, and I noticed the dress.
Q: Did you say anything to your sister about that dress in consequence of your not finding a nail to hang your dress on?
A: I did.
Q: What did you say to her?
A: That night?
Q: Yes, about the dress?
A: I said, "You have not destroyed that old dress yet, why don't you?
Q: Is that all that was said?
A: All that I remember.
But there are glaring problems with this theory.
1. All the witnesses stated they observed no blood on Lizzie's dress. This is especially significant for those who described the dress as the light blue Bedford cord.
2. The idea was floated that Lizzie wore the Bedford cord under another dress and swapped them out after each murder. Mrs. Raymond testified that she made Lizzie's dresses too snug for that possibility; the hem of the Bedford cord was longer than what Lizzie normally wore and would have been noticed if worn under another dress..
3. It was inferred in the testimonies of Mrs. Raymond and Emma Borden that old cloth and dresses were sometimes disposed of in the stove.
4. Officer Patrick Doherty had "a faint recollection" that the dress Lizzie wore on the morning of Aug. 4 was a light blue. He didn't think it was as dark as the bengaline produced in court.
On Friday, the 5th, Doherty returned to the Borden house and was asked what Lizzie wore on that day:
A. I was there all the morning, from one o'clock Friday morning till half past eight, in the yard.
Q. Do you know what dress she had on that morning?
A. I thought she had the same one on.
Q. Which one?
A. The light blue.
Q. You think that is so, do you?
A. I think so. I can't say so positively.
Q. You didn't really notice much about it, did you?
A. No, sir; not a great deal.
Q. What?
A. Not any more than I did the first time; a very short interview there.
5. Officer George Seaver and Assistant Marshal Fleet examined the upstairs clothes press on Saturday, Aug. 7, the day of Andrew and Abby's funeral. Seaver testified that he found no dress matching the Bedford cord hanging there. The search lasted until about 6:00 p.m.
Emma testified that the Bedford cord was hanging there at approximately 9:00 p.m., the time she hung up her own dress.
It's possible that the dress wasn't found in the clothes press during the search because Lizzie was wearing it that afternoon and hung it up shortly before Emma hung up her own.
The contradictory testimony of Seaver seems to suggest this:
Q: Did you see Miss Lizzie that day? (Saturday)
A: I did.
A: I did.
Q: Did she have that dress on?
A: I think she did.
Q: That afternoon?
A: Yes sir, I think she did.
Q: Well, that was when she was gone to the funeral, wasn't it?
A: Well, I won't say about that; no sir, that afternoon— she got home at the time.
Q: Did she have that dress on that afternoon?
A: No sir, I don't think she did.
Q: I thought you said she did?
A: No sir, I didn't mean to say that.
Q: You have changed your mind?
A: I have changed my mind.
Q: Why?
A: Because I was mistaken.
Q: What dress did she have on that afternoon?
A: I couldn't say. I just got a glimpse at her. I didn't speak to her that afternoon.
Q: Didn't she have that Bedford cord on that afternoon?
A: No sir, I couldn't tell you. I don't think she did. I couldn't tell you what she had on.
Q: Then you cannot help us about that?
A: No sir.
Q: You were examining dresses for blood?
A: Yes sir.
Q: You didn't examine the one she had on?
A: No sir.
Q: And you don't know what she did have on?
A: No sir.
It makes no sense that Lizzie would openly wear the Bedford cord if it was indeed blood-stained.
The burning of the Bedford cord certainly appeared suspicious, but it also could have been an innocent blunder on Lizzie's part, based on Emma's suggestion to dispose of it on Saturday night.
So Which Dress Did She Wear?
Witness observations of what Lizzie wore on the morning of August 4 vary wildly, and it's little wonder how any one could remember a specific dress amid the chaos of such a traumatic event.Bridget Sullivan' was asked by the prosecution what sort of dress Lizzie usually wore in the morning.
(Defense objects)
A: Well, she wore a---
(Defense objects)
Q: I will call your attention - not asking you when it was worn or what part of the time it was worn - to a cotton or calico dress with light blue ground work and a little figure. Does that bring to your mind the dress I am referring to?
A: No sir. It was not a calico dress she was in the habit of wearing.
Q: Do you remember a dress of such a color with a figure in it?
A: Yes sir.
Q: Will you describe the dress that I have referred to as well as you can?
A: It was a blue dress with a sprig on it.
Q: What was the color of the blue, what was the shade of the blue?
A: Light blue.
Q: And what was the color of what you have called the sprig on it?
A: It was a darker blue, I think, then what the under part was.
Q: Did it have any light spots or light figures in it?
A: I don't remember.
Q: When did she procure that dress?
A: Last spring, I guess.
The inference of the testimony seems to suggest that the paint-stained dress was used by Lizzie regularly as a morning wrapper or house dress.
But Bridget could not describe the dress Lizzie wore the morning of Aug. 4:
A: No sir, I couldn't tell what dress the girl had on.
Q: And you couldn't describe it?
A: No sir, I couldn't.
If Lizzie had worn the Bedford cord, then Bridget, of all people, certainly would have recognized it.
Alice Russell had seen Lizzie wear the Bedford cord at the time it was made. Yet, when asked if she could give any description of the dress Lizzie wore the morning of the murders, Alice stated flatly, "None whatsoever."
Phoebe Bowen first described the dress as "dark" with a blouse waist and a white design or spray. She remembered that Lizzie's white hands contrasted sharply with the dark blue material as they rested in Lizzie's lap. At trial, she testified that the blouse waist had a round figure or flower on it.
Marshal Hilliard had also described "round spots" on the blouse waist that Lizzie turned over.
Adelaide Churchill remembered Lizzie's dress as a cotton calico or gingham dress, blue and white, with a darker, navy blue diamond-shaped figure on it. She thought the skirt and waist were possibly of the same cloth.
A: Loose.
Q: Belted in?
A: I cannot tell you how it was made. I know it hung loose here, because I know Miss Russell thought she would open it to give Lizzie a better chance to breathe. Lizzie says, "My clothes are loose."
Q: Did you not notice then the dress was the same kind as the skirt
A: I saw the waist had spots on it of the dark blue. I had seen it before at a distance when she came to the door, from my window. It was navy blue, with a darker shade blue and white, a diamond printed on the cloth.
Marshal Hilliard, Mrs. Bowen, and Mrs. Churchill all testified that the blouse was blue and the waist had round figures or spots on it. In the Jennings Journals, a notation quotes Charles Sawyer relating what he overheard Office Medley ask Bridget about the dress:
Like the other witnesses, Bridget may have been describing the sateen blouse.
Mrs. Churchill spent as much time with Bridget Sullivan as she did with Lizzie on the morning of the murder. Yet, she couldn't describe Bridget's dress with the same specificity as she described Lizzie's.
Q: Have you since that August 4th 1892, ever thought what clothes Bridget had on?
A: No sir.
Q: And if we were now making the same inquiry about Bridget, you could not tell, could you, her dress?
A: No, I never took particular notice of it.
Q: Took no notice?
A: No, not of the dress.
Mrs. Churchill had admitted "I am not observing of clothes." The best she could do was describe Bridget's dress as a "light calico."
In fact, on the morning in question, Bridget had worn a dark blue indigo calico dress with a white clover leaf pattern. Bridget also stated that on the afternoon of Aug. 4, she changed from the blue indigo into a plain, light blue gingham, trimmed at the bottom with two white borders.
Recreation of Lizzie's pink wrapper based on Officer Philip Harrington's detailed description
According to Emma, Lizzie owned at least eight dresses in various shades of blues.
In short, the only thing known for certain about the dress Lizzie wore the morning of the murders was the color.
It's more suspicious if Lizzie wore the bengaline skirt and sateen blouse as it was considered "going-out" attire.
Lizzie had instructed Bridget to lock the door if the servant went out, adding "I might go out, too."
But according to her own inquest testimony, Lizzie went no further than the back yard and the barn loft.
It's incredulous that Lizzie would wear a silk and sateen dress to meander about the yard picking and eating pears and search for lead sinkers in a hot, dusty barn loft for twenty minutes, yet still look immaculate minutes after Andrew's murder.
The Borden backyard showing the pear tree and the barn door to the right
The Borden barn loft: A-I photo reproduction of newspaper sketch
Officer Philip Harrington thought Lizzie's barn trip alibi was suspicious:
When we finished the first floor of the barn, we ascended to the loft, the Marshal going just ahead of me. There I found officers Conners, Doherty and J. Riley. The Marshal said, "I want you men to go give this place a complete going over; every nook and corner must be looked into, and this hay turned over."
I then said to him "If any girl can show you or me, or anybody else what could interest her up here for twenty minutes, I would like to have her do it." The Marshal shook his head, and said something about it being incredible; his words I cannot give.
And then there was the matter of the hat.
Lizzie (inquest testimony):
Q. When you came down from the barn, what did you do then?
A. Came into the kitchen.
A. Came into the kitchen.
Q. What did you do then?
A. I went into the dining room and laid down my hat.
Q. What did you do then?
A. Opened the sitting room door, and went into the sitting room, or pushed it open; it was not latched.
Q. What did you do then?
A. I found my father, and rushed to the foot of the stairs.
Q. What were you going into the sitting room for?
A. To go up stairs.
Q. What for?
A. To sit down.
Lizzie was in the yard acting as a look-out for her accomplice. She never entered the barn at all.
She wore the blue bengaline dress and hat because she intended to leave the house immediately following Andrew's murder in order to establish an alibi. But she was convinced by the murderer to stay behind and help cover his tracks, which is exactly what she did.
In Context
Bridget Sullivan’s Fear
A-I photo recreation of Bridget Sullivan at the Harrington residence, 95 Division St., based on Aug. 20, 1892 life sketch in the Boston Post.
The Fall River Globe, Aug. 8, 1892:
Shortly after the watch changed at the house this morning, the marshal was notified that Bridget Sullivan had appeared on the scene. The new relief squad did not know before that Bridget was out of the house. She came in company with Mrs. Patrick Harrington of 95 Division street and the two women were admitted to the house.
An hour later Mrs. Harrington came out. She is a cousin of Bridget. At the the home of the Harringtons on Division street, it was learned that Bridget had been their guest since Saturday night and that she had been walking on the streets yesterday. She remained all day and last night in company with Mrs. Harrington.
A police officer who saw Bridget this morning says that she is very low spirited and apparently much grieved. She spends part of her time in crying and has, it is alleged, with other members of the household, been advised to talk no more to the newspaper men.
An hour later Mrs. Harrington came out. She is a cousin of Bridget. At the the home of the Harringtons on Division street, it was learned that Bridget had been their guest since Saturday night and that she had been walking on the streets yesterday. She remained all day and last night in company with Mrs. Harrington.
A police officer who saw Bridget this morning says that she is very low spirited and apparently much grieved. She spends part of her time in crying and has, it is alleged, with other members of the household, been advised to talk no more to the newspaper men.
He said that on Monday morning after her return, she made hasty preparations to leave the house, and an officer on guard saw her packing up her effects. He asked her what she was going to do, and she replied she was going to get out. The marshal said the officer immediately informed him of the circumstances, and he instructed the guard to tell her she must not go on penalty of arrest.
Then Mr. Hilliard told how he called on the girl in the afternoon, and found her a physical and mental wreck. She cried and said she could not sleep nights and was afraid to remain longer in the house. He had reasoned with her and assured her that no harm could possibly come to her, but that availed nothing. Bridget was not to be consoled.
On August 9, the Boston Globe reported the following incident after Bridget had been summoned at the Borden house to attend the inquest:
Bridget said she would go at once and did so.
There was a ripple of excitement in the house when the fact was learned by the Bordens.
Miss Lizzie, who was in the sitting room, had her attention suddenly called to Bridget, who was walking across the back hall to the side door. Jumping up, Lizzie hurried out to intercept her, which she did, just as Bridget had her hand upon the screen door to push it open.
The officer (Doherty) at this time was at the foot of the steps outside. He saw Lizzie place her arm on the servant's shoulder and whisper earnestly in her ear one brief remark, and then the door opened, the girl came out, and Miss Borden repaired to the sitting room whence she watched the couple on their way out of the yard.
Reported by the Sun, August 10, 1892:
As (Officer) (Doherty) walked with her to Police Headquarters she began to talk of the length of time she had been with the Bordens - over three years. She spoke of her affection for Mrs. Borden, who she said, was always kind to her.There was a ripple of excitement in the house when the fact was learned by the Bordens.
Miss Lizzie, who was in the sitting room, had her attention suddenly called to Bridget, who was walking across the back hall to the side door. Jumping up, Lizzie hurried out to intercept her, which she did, just as Bridget had her hand upon the screen door to push it open.
The officer (Doherty) at this time was at the foot of the steps outside. He saw Lizzie place her arm on the servant's shoulder and whisper earnestly in her ear one brief remark, and then the door opened, the girl came out, and Miss Borden repaired to the sitting room whence she watched the couple on their way out of the yard.
Reported by the Sun, August 10, 1892:
From speaking of Mrs. Borden she suddenly shifted and said that she had been going to leave the family several times on account of the troubles they had. She was about to leave, she said, when Mr. and Mrs. Borden were murdered, but she had promised Miss Emma Borden to stay until the troubles were over.
Speaking of the identity of the murderer she said she was too worn and worried to talk of that.
Then she exclaimed suddenly, "The murderer should clear me." After that she would say nothing.
Does Bridget Sullivan know who the murderer is? If she does not, why should she say. as if knowing positively whereof she spoke, "The murderer should clear me?"
She met Miss Emma Borden at the house, and in answer to her questions, rather reluctantly admitted that she was going away and would probably not return.
The officer then accompanied her to 95 Division street, where her cousin, Patrick Harrington, lives and where she stayed over Sunday. She will remain there for the present. Bridget has been released on her recognizance and relieved from police surveillance. She has been warned not to talk of the case, and more particularly, not to mention anything that occurred during the inquest.
The Herald News, Aug. 11, 1892: It is probable that the police readily acceded to Bridget's request to be allowed to eave the Borden house and go to her relatives.
After she had testified, there was no need of keeping her in the house. Her story, even to the latest detail, was known and the authorities thought it better tbat she should not be where she could converse with the members of the family.
She is kept under police surveillance at her present stopping place, 95 Division street.
She has been informed by the district attorney that she is to be held as a witness in case of a trial, and while she is kept waiting, she is to be provided with money, enough to cover her wants, and to prevent any financial loss to her.
Another possible reason why she may have been allowed to go to her friends is that a request was made for such action by Inmates of the Borden household.
Mr. Morse at least has realized the terrible position in which the members would bе placed, if anything unforeseen should have happened to the girl (of whom be speaks in the kindliest terms) while in her excited and nervous condition, sleeping alone in the attic of the Borden house. He applied to his counsel several days ago to have her allowed to go to her friends, but whether this request was presented to the authorities we do not know.
AI photo recreation of 95 Division St. based on newspaper sketch
Fall River Globe, Aug. 11, 1892: Bridget Wanted Again. At 1 o'clock Officer Feeney left the Central Station for 95 Division street to escort Bridget Sullivan to testify at the afternoon session of the inquest at 2:00.
Officer Martin Feeney, later Chief of Police, told author Edmund Pearson that he was detailed to escort Bridget to and from the inquest. "Mr. Feeney told me of his unofficial attempts to learn a little from Bridget.”
I thought that a young Irish fellow, like meself, might get an Irish girl to talk. So, while we went through the streets I asked her what she thought about the murders. She wouldn't say a word. Officer Martin Feeney, later Chief of Police, told author Edmund Pearson that he was detailed to escort Bridget to and from the inquest. "Mr. Feeney told me of his unofficial attempts to learn a little from Bridget.”
She said, 'I'd be afraid to say anything at all. If I did, that terrible man that killed poor Mrs. Borden might come back and kill me too!"
It was rumored today that she had told a friend that she had heard Mrs. Borden scream on the morning of the murder, but the truth of this startling statement could not be traced to any reliable source.
As a live-in servant for two and a half years, Bridget was a witness to the daily lives of the Bordens and was certainly privy to any conflicts that existed within the family. On Aug. 23, the Fall River Globe reported the following:
Long before the tragedy, and when there was no special occasion to comment on affairs in the Borden house, Bridget Sullivan has given accounts to a friend on whom she was in the habit of calling, which showed that she was employed in anything but a happy family.
It is true that servants are accustomed to doing considerable talking and it is not strange if they magnify as other people do when they are handling a story. Nevertheless, Bridget Sullivan had no reason to misrepresent facts or to manufacture her yarns out of whole cloth. As nearly as can be ascertained, she took no side in the controversies which were waged in the Borden household.
She was polite and kind to Mr. Borden and his daughters, and her treatment of her mistress was such that the latter was very much attached to her.
Bridget has repeatedly told her friend in question that Mrs. Borden used to say to her, "Bridget you're the only friend I've got in the house, and I can't let you go." It will be remembered that Bridget at times had expressed a desire to return to Ireland, and that her regard for Mrs.Borden alone interfered with her plans.
She was not as fond of Emma or Lizzie, as her conversation since the murder indicates, but as stated, she had no quarrel with them.
She has told her friend many incidents of the bickerings which were constantly in evidence in the family and has expressed her surprise that the members of the household were able to live together at all. It was no usual quarrel to which the servant referred when she entered upon these recitals.
Most families are unacquainted with unkind remarks and few people are so constituted that they never lose their tempers. An occasional flare up is one thing however, and a deep seated family quarrel which never ends is quite another thing.
Long before any violence was done, Bridget Sullivan rehearsed the family quarrel to her friend. The GLOBE has the name and address of this friend, as have the authorities, and the substance of the servant's conversations is known.
The Globe article doesn't address the source of the alleged quarrels within the household, but they could have related to events leading up to August 4 that Bridget witnessed or overheard.
Q. It was a pleasant family to be in?
A. I don't know how the family was; I got along all right.
Q. You never saw anything out of the way?
A. No, sir.
Q. You never saw any conflict in the family?
A. No, sir.
Q. Never saw the least,---any quarreling or anything of that kind?
A. No, sir, I did not.
Q. And during the whole time that you were there? You were there two and a half years, I think you said?
A. Yes, sir, two years and nine months.
If Henry Wood from 17 John St. was "that terrible man" that Bridget feared, she may have been threatened into keeping silent about the true nature of the family conflicts when it came time to testify.
However, Bridget denied witnessing any discord in her trial testimony:
A. I don't know how the family was; I got along all right.
Q. You never saw anything out of the way?
A. No, sir.
Q. You never saw any conflict in the family?
A. No, sir.
Q. Never saw the least,---any quarreling or anything of that kind?
A. No, sir, I did not.
Q. And during the whole time that you were there? You were there two and a half years, I think you said?
A. Yes, sir, two years and nine months.
John V. Morse
AI photo recreation from 1892 sketch
I says "Mr. Morse, something terrible has happened, somebody has killed both Mr. and Mrs. Borden." He says "What", and hollered "Lizzie!" as loud as he could holler, and rushed into the dining room. (Adelaide Churchill, Inquest)
"For God's sake, how did this happen?" (John V. Morse to Lizzie Borden on Aug. 4, 1892, Preliminary Hearing)
I got Lizzie into the dining room, on to the dining room lounge, and we were there, I dont know how long when her Uncle came in. And something he said about their being murdered, and looked up to her, then it dawned on my mind that it was cold blooded murder. That is the first idea that I had that it was murder. (Alice Russell, Inquest)
"For God's sake, how did this happen?" (John V. Morse to Lizzie Borden on Aug. 4, 1892, Preliminary Hearing)
I got Lizzie into the dining room, on to the dining room lounge, and we were there, I dont know how long when her Uncle came in. And something he said about their being murdered, and looked up to her, then it dawned on my mind that it was cold blooded murder. That is the first idea that I had that it was murder. (Alice Russell, Inquest)
Witness Statement (Fleet notes):
Mr. Morse afterwards asked if I suspected that the murderer could have been concealed in the house last night. I replied that I did not. Then I said that he might have been in the house, but could not see how he could have been there without some of them seeing him. He said it is very strange that this should be done in the day time, and right in the heart of the city.
From the August 24th New Bedford Evening Standard:
From the August 24th New Bedford Evening Standard:
It was John V. Morse. He had brought Lizzie's supper. He expected to visit his niece, the marshal having already allowed him to do so earlier in the day. The captain of the night watch took the basket without a word. The old man didn't care to argue the question. ...
In the interval he talked horse with a friend, but was inclined to give murder topics a wide berth. He hoped---incidentally---that the perpetrator of the crime would eventually be brought to justice, and said---mechanically---that it was a lamentable affair.
He wondered if the police had ever found the right key which Andrew Borden always carried, and added that he had changed the lock on the door of the Borden house, not caring to sleep in a house to which so many keys were afloat.
Did Morse believe the killer let himself in with a stolen key?
Dr. Seabury Bowen. “Another Agent of Death”
Witness Statement, Sept. 25, 1892, Officer Harrington: Dr. Bowen stopped me on the street, and was very anxious to know what Mr. Knowlton meant when be referred to having found another agent of death. He was very nervous when talking of this. I told him I did not recollect of any such statement in his plea.
Dr. Seabury Bowen was one of those doctors. It's well-known that he prescribed morphine to Lizzie.
In 1891-1892, newspapers throughout the country, including those in Fall River, reported on the case of Carlyle W. Harris, a young medical student who was tried and convicted in February 1892 for killing his wife by morphine poisoning.
In 1891-1892, newspapers throughout the country, including those in Fall River, reported on the case of Carlyle W. Harris, a young medical student who was tried and convicted in February 1892 for killing his wife by morphine poisoning.
Witness Statement, Aug. 4, 1892, Harrington and Doherty:
11.35 (a.m.): At this hour I, with Frank Wixon, entered the Borden house 92 Second street. Dr. Bowen met me at the kitchen door, and said "I am glad to see you." I inquired "what is the trouble?" He said "Mr. Borden is dead." I went into the next room, and there found the remains on a sofa covered with a sheet. In low tones the Doctor told me he was satisfied there was something wrong, for they were all sick the day before.
Abby had expressed to Dr. Bowen that she feared the family had been poisoned, and he laughingly dismissed the idea. He seemed to take the matter more seriously the day of the murders.
Is it possible that Dr. Bowen was afraid that Lizzie may have tried to poison the elder Bordens with morphine, as in the Harris case...with the morphine that he himself had prescribed?
There's another reason that may explain Dr. Bowen's curious statement:
According to the Smithsonian Magazine:
By the late 19th century, [if] you pick up a medical journal about morphine addiction,..you’ll very commonly encounter a sentence like this: ‘Doctors who resort too quickly to the needle are lazy, they’re incompetent, they’re poorly trained, they’re behind the times.’”
Did Dr. Bowen fear his own reputation would be damaged if it became known that he had inadvertently addicted Lizzie to morphine?
“You Have Gave Me Away, Haven’t You?”
It is reported that at this consultation Mr. Jennings demanded to know of Emnta whether or not Lizzie had talked with her as to her (Lizzie's) guilt or innocence. Subsequent developments go to show that Emma felt the awful responsibility which rested upon her and that she gave Mr. Jennings some intimation of the true inwardness of this crime.
When a GLOBE reporter saw Mr. Jennings last night, he would neither affirm nor deny that he had had a virtual confession from Emma.
After Mr. Jennings came out, he took the next train to Boston and remained there until 6 o'clock. While he was away the most tragic scene was enacted in the matron's room. When Mrs. Reagan returned at the moment Mr. Jennings left the room, she found Lizzie Borden in a nervous and excited frame of mind. The hitherto wonderful compoвure had for the first time left this woman who had attracted the attention of the entire country.
She paced the room to and fro, and wrung her hands in the excitement of the hour. Had Mr. Jennings told her that Emma had acquainted him with the true inwardness of the situation? Did he tell Lizzie that be knew she was guilty or that he knew she was innocent?
Something had transpired which caused the steel nerves of Lizzie Borden to give way. That something was out of the ordinary in its significance.
In the afternoon Emma came to visit her sister and was received with a coolness which bespoke the mental condition of the prisoner. Mrs. Reagan witnessed the soene and heard the short conversation which followed.
As Emma entered, Lizzie turned her back upon her. To Lizzie it appeared that her sister and dearest friend had deserted her. A moment of silence passed, and then Lizzie turned face to face with Emma and said:
"You gave me away in this matter, didn't you, Emma?
Emma replied, "No Lizzie."
Then Lizzie said, "Yes you did and І know it, but I will never give in one inch," and she illustrated her words, measuring an inch on her forefinger, by placng her thumb against it.
The conversation was dropped here and Emma was visibly overcome with sorrow.
An hour after this happened, a GLOBE reporter knocked at the door of the matron's room. It opened and. Mr. Jubb, Mrs. Brigham and Lizzie could be seen. The prisoner sat with her back to the door rocking back and forth and Mr. Jubb was in front and near to her in earnest conversation.
Mrs. Reagan said that Lizzie was very much agitated and she (the matron) did not wish to be disturbed. Her talk with the GLOBE man was short but it confirmed the truthfulness of the conversation between the two sisters as above quoted.
At 6 o'clock Lizzie's visitors withdrew. The police were active in the guard room below. All hands were gathering in the marshal's office and that official was expected every moment.
When he arrived, a GLOBE man told him the above story in his private office, and he said:
"That's news to me. I've. been out of town all day and I don't know what has transpired."
"Is this in a line with what you might have expected?" he was asked.
The marshal hesitated, then said, "I have great confidence in Emma Borden.. think her an honest woman and while, if this story be true, it is a great surprise to me; I can see how, if Emma knew, she would have told her lawyer. Lizzie never would."
"Will you put Mrs. Reagan on the witness stand to prove that this conversation took place?"
"She is a government witness and as such must tell all she knows."
"Will you ask Emma about this matter?"
"Emma is also a State witness and she must either lie or tell the truth. She will be asked if she ever had a talk with Lizzie about this affair. If she has had, she must tell what was said."
Next day and after the court had adjourned, Attorney Jennings made himself the object of much interest in and around the police station. He and his associate, Col. Melvin O. Adams, of Boston, with Rev. Mr. Buck and other staunch friends of the accused, attempted to show to the public that the story of a quarrel between the sisters was a lie, pure and simple.
But the plan probably did not succeed as well as anticipated.
Detective Edwin D. McHenry, of Providence, who had from the beginning been actively engaged under orders of Marshal Hilliard, happened to see the friends of Miss Borden in the act of drawing up a document which he learned was to be presented to Matron Reagan to sign. He promptly notified Assistant Marshal Fleet and the two officers awaited developments.
The paper was drawn up and its contents set forth that Mrs. Reagan, the undersigned, never overheard a quarrel between the two women as related in the many papers of that day and that moreover she never told anybody that she had.
It also set forth that she was to assert upon her oath that the story of a quarrel was false from beginning to end.
This carefully prepared statement was placed in the hands of Mr. Buck and he was entrusted with the delicate mission of inducing Matron Reagan to affix her name thereunto. But Mrs. Reagan refused, saying that she would have to consult the marshal.
Meanwhile the two officers mentioned had informed the Marshal of what was passing and he was prepared for the advent of Lawyer Jennings. This action on the part of the defense had taken place up stairs; and upon the refusal of Mrs.Reagan to sign, lawyer Jennings carried the document to the Marshal' s office.
The writer (Porter) was present when the Marshal refused to allow Mrs. Reagan to sign the paper, even if she were willing to, and Mr. Hilliard's advice to Mrs. Reagan was that she remain silent until called upon to testify to what she had heard.
To say that Mr. Jennings was excited would be putting it mildly. He left the Marshal's office in a state of rage, and with the paper in his hand, called loudly to the half hundred newspaper men in the guard room, saying:- -" This is an outrage, the Marshal has refused to allow Mrs. Reagan to sign this denial of the quarrel story."
The lawyer was informed that Mrs. Reagan had not agreed to sign it; therefore the Marshal had nothing to do in the matter. An exciting scene followed in which there was animated talk.
Mrs. Reagan’s actual testimony from the trial:
Q. Now will you go on and describe in your own way what occurred after Miss Emma came, the time that elapsed, and all that was said and done?A. Miss Emma Borden came to my room about twenty minutes to nine o’clock on the 24th day of August, and I let her in and she spoke to her sister Lizzie, and I left the two women talking together and I went into a toilet room about four feet from where Miss Lizzie Borden was lying on a couch, and I heard very loud talk, and I came to my door and it was Miss Lizzie Borden; she was lying on her left side and her sister Emma was talking to her and bending right over her, and Lizzie says, "Emma, you have gave me away, haven't you?"' She says, "No, Lizzie, I have not." "You have," she says, "and I will let you see I won't give in one inch," and she sat right up and put up her finger, and I stood in the door way looking at both of them.
Q. What occurred then?
A. Lizzie Borden lay right down on the couch on her left side and faced out the window and closed her eyes, and Miss Emma got a chair, I gave her a chair, and she sat right down beside her sister, and that was in the forenoon, I should say then after nine o'clock.
Q. How long did they continue to sit together?
A. They sat there till Mr. Jennings came to my door, somewheres about eleven o'clock, or after eleven o'clock.
Q. During the time that the two sisters sat that way did Miss Lizzie speak to her sister at all?
A. No sir, not anymore that forenoon.
Q. (By Mr. Jennings.) How long did Miss Emma remain that morning in the room?
A. She remained, sir, from twenty minutes of nine o'clock until you came to the door.
Q. (Jennings): And where did she go then?
A. She went right home, I suppose. She (Emma) went out of the room and down stairs, and you (Jennings) asked when she was going out, "Have you told all to Lizzie?" and she says, "Yes, all I had to tell." That was the words you said to her when she was going out.
Q. (Jennings): I said that?
A. Yes, sir; you did. I was standing right beside you when you said it.
Mrs. Reagan then testified to the ensuing pressure by Lizzie’s defenders to retract her statement by signing the hastily drawn-up affidavit.
Rev. Edwin A. Buck
A. The Court was going on in the afternoon and Mr. Buck came in and said, "Mrs. Reagan, there is a report going round," he says, "that there has been trouble between Miss Emma Borden and her sister." I said, "Where did you hear it?" He says, "it has come from the papers." I said, "You can't believe all you read in the paper."
He went away and came back again and called me out of my room on to the landing and all the reporters were standing there and he turned round and he says, "Mrs. Reagan, I want you to sign this paper." Said I, "for what, sir?" He says, "if you will sign this paper it will make everything all right between Miss Lizzie Borden and her sister."
The defense called rebuttal witnesses who each testified that Mrs. Reagan admitted it was all a lie. Mrs. Reagan had apparently caved to the pressure from both Lizzie's inner circle and the newspapers that denounced her publicly.
But if Mrs. Reagan’s story was a lie, why would Rev. Buck suggest that a retraction would "make everything all right between Miss Lizzie Borden and her sister?”
The only inference that can be made is that there was discord between Lizzie and Emma because an argument did happen and Mrs. Reagan was indeed telling the truth.
The Globe stood by its story. And at the trial in June 1893, Mrs. Reagan testified under oath.
Emma may have told Jennings what she knew about Henry and Lizzie and/or a blackmail plot against Andrew that possibly implicated her sister.
In her own meeting with Jennings, Lizzie may have denied everything Emma revealed to him. (“I will let you see I will not give in one inch”).
Both Emma and Uncle John Morse may have honestly believed that Lizzie was an innocent victim who was coerced or duped in a scheme that culminated in the murders of Andrew and Abby.
The Globe stood by its story. And at the trial in June 1893, Mrs. Reagan testified under oath.
Emma may have told Jennings what she knew about Henry and Lizzie and/or a blackmail plot against Andrew that possibly implicated her sister.
In her own meeting with Jennings, Lizzie may have denied everything Emma revealed to him. (“I will let you see I will not give in one inch”).
Both Emma and Uncle John Morse may have honestly believed that Lizzie was an innocent victim who was coerced or duped in a scheme that culminated in the murders of Andrew and Abby.
Even so, if the details were exposed in court, they would not only be scandalous (i.e.: Lizzie’s relationship to Henry; her involvement in the daytime robbery; her morphine addiction), they could open Lizzie up to an accessory charge.
After consulting with both sisters, Jennings decided that the best path forward was to portray Lizzie as completely innocent of any involvement or knowledge of the crime.
After consulting with both sisters, Jennings decided that the best path forward was to portray Lizzie as completely innocent of any involvement or knowledge of the crime.
When she was acquitted, any scandalous secrets that Emma had revealed to Jennings remained hidden.
A grateful Emma remembered Jennings in her will:
A grateful Emma remembered Jennings in her will:
If Andrew J. Jennings, of Fall River, Massachusetts, shall survive me (Jennings died in 1923 before Emma), I give and bequeath to him the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000), as a remembrance of his many acts of kindness and of devotion to my interest and those of my father and mother during a long period of years, and in appreciation of all that he has done for me.
District Attorney Hosea Knowlton: What He Wanted to Know
I reported the Borden murder. This attracted to the city many celebrated newspaper men. I was in the confidence of Dist. Atty. Knowlton who tried the case. Mr. Knowiton, who greatly regarded the impressions of newspaper men, asked me to come to his home every evening that I might tell him any suggestions I received from the trained newspaper observers, and I was present at all the conferences.
The evidence of motive for the murder Mr. Knowlton always wished he might strengthen. He was persuaded, personally, it was because of a conversation between her father and Uncle John Morse, that Lizzie Borden committed the murder. Over and over he would say, "If only John Morse would testify what he and Andrew Borden talked about the night before the murder, the jury would know the motive."
Lizzie’s Strange Demeanor After the Crime
Officer Harrington, Witness Statement, Aug. 4, 1892:
To this she replied “No, I think I can tell you all I know now, just as well as at any other time.” This conversation took place in Lizzie’s room, on the second floor, in the presence of Miss Alice Russell, who sat in a chair by the door which leads to the front hall, by which I entered Lizzie’s room.
Miss Russell was very pale, and much agitated, which she showed by short sharp breathing and wringing her hands. She spoke not a word.
Lizzie stood by the foot of the bed, and talked in the most calm and collected manner; her whole bearing was most remarkable under the circumstances. There was not the least indication of agitation, no sign of sorrow or grief, no lamentation of the heart, no comment on the horror of the crime, and no expression of a wish that the criminal be caught.
All this, and something that, to me, is indescribable, gave birth to a thought that was most revolting. I thought, at least, she knew more than she wished to tell.
Lizzie stood by the foot of the bed, and talked in the most calm and collected manner; her whole bearing was most remarkable under the circumstances. There was not the least indication of agitation, no sign of sorrow or grief, no lamentation of the heart, no comment on the horror of the crime, and no expression of a wish that the criminal be caught.
All this, and something that, to me, is indescribable, gave birth to a thought that was most revolting. I thought, at least, she knew more than she wished to tell.
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(Unidentified policeman, Porter, The Fall River Tragedy); After the (search) party left one of the officers in conversation dwelt particularly upon the demeanor of Miss Lizzie at the time of the search.
He said:-"I was surprised at the way she carried herself and I must say that I admire her nerve. I did not think that a woman could have so much. She did not appear to be in the least bit excited or worried. I have wondered why she did not faint upon her discovery of the dead body of her father. Most women would have done so, for a more horrible sight I never saw, and I have walked over a battlefield where thousands lay mangled and dead. She is a woman of remarkable nerve and self control and her sister Emma is very much of the same disposition, although not so strong."
He said:-"I was surprised at the way she carried herself and I must say that I admire her nerve. I did not think that a woman could have so much. She did not appear to be in the least bit excited or worried. I have wondered why she did not faint upon her discovery of the dead body of her father. Most women would have done so, for a more horrible sight I never saw, and I have walked over a battlefield where thousands lay mangled and dead. She is a woman of remarkable nerve and self control and her sister Emma is very much of the same disposition, although not so strong."
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(Note: Thomas Byrnes was the Police Superintendent and Chief Inspector of the Detective Bureau in New York and considered the best detective in the country. He had personally investigated crimes committed by the Hahr twins and their cousin, Theodore Hahr. Byrnes was prominently featured in the novel, The Alienist).
Supt. Byrnes has expressed this unofficial view of the Borden murder case:
"From what I have read of the case it appears that Miss Borden's coolness and bravery before and since her arrest, especially when she was not in custody, is regarded as evidence of innocence and a clear conscience.
My acquaintance with human nature leads me to think otherwise. In the first place any woman accused in the slightest possible degree of the murder of her father and mother, if innocent, would be so appalled and overwhelmed that coolness and bravery would be out of the question. Miss Borden, on the other hand, went about day after day with detectives at her heels and the horrible accusation hovering above her without a sign of emotion.
"No. I won't draw any conclusions for you," concluded the superintendent to the reporter.
The Providence News, Aug. 24, 1892: In discussing the strange affair today, a local lawyer, who has known the Bordens since boyhood, expressed great admiration for the self possession of Lizzie Borden in the position in which she has been placed.
"It seems hardly possible," he said, "that a woman who had committed such crimes could maintain the demeanor borne by Lizzie all along. If guilty, an ordinary woman would protest her innocence and show signs of horror of being accused. If innocent she should scarcely bear up under the weight of the outrage upon her.
An ordinary person would appeal to some one for help. Miss Borden has done none of this. She has shown no fear, she has never appeared to resent a supposed outrage, she has not appealed to her friends.
"There is some reason for her marvelous composure, for Lizzie Borden is not insane. That is, I cannot think her so. The reason must be an all-powerful one.
The rock that sustains Lizzie Borden is her knowledge of the murderer. She knows who butchered her parents. That guilty knowledge is her strength.
Vicarious guilt, borne with the conviction that the person's guilt cannot be proved and based on some strong personal motive for concealment, is an impregnable bulwark for a secret.
Now, then why should she want to conceal the slayer of her parents? There we are baffled. She was never known to have a lover, who might have done the deed to hasten his marriage and the possession of her share of the Borden wealth.
But she never was a demonstrative girl, and even if she did love, no would be likely to know. However, I am not especially partial to the lover story.
There remains her knowledge of the crimes as an instigator. If she was an accessory only, her demeanor is explained. If she procured the murder it was the result of a long considered plan, and when it was done, she was satisfied. She could easily have concealed the murderer in the house, sent Bridget out of the way and covered his retreat.
There is my theory. I don't think any woman could keep up as Lizzie Borden has done if she had killed those old people with her own hands. I don't think she or any other woman would do it if she were innocent.
Many women can keep a secret no matter how terrible when it belongs to some one in whom they have a deep interest. I believe that she has a guilty knowledge of the crime, but I do not believe that she inflicted the death blows."
Supt. Byrnes has expressed this unofficial view of the Borden murder case:
"From what I have read of the case it appears that Miss Borden's coolness and bravery before and since her arrest, especially when she was not in custody, is regarded as evidence of innocence and a clear conscience.
My acquaintance with human nature leads me to think otherwise. In the first place any woman accused in the slightest possible degree of the murder of her father and mother, if innocent, would be so appalled and overwhelmed that coolness and bravery would be out of the question. Miss Borden, on the other hand, went about day after day with detectives at her heels and the horrible accusation hovering above her without a sign of emotion.
"No. I won't draw any conclusions for you," concluded the superintendent to the reporter.
****
"It seems hardly possible," he said, "that a woman who had committed such crimes could maintain the demeanor borne by Lizzie all along. If guilty, an ordinary woman would protest her innocence and show signs of horror of being accused. If innocent she should scarcely bear up under the weight of the outrage upon her.
An ordinary person would appeal to some one for help. Miss Borden has done none of this. She has shown no fear, she has never appeared to resent a supposed outrage, she has not appealed to her friends.
"There is some reason for her marvelous composure, for Lizzie Borden is not insane. That is, I cannot think her so. The reason must be an all-powerful one.
The rock that sustains Lizzie Borden is her knowledge of the murderer. She knows who butchered her parents. That guilty knowledge is her strength.
Vicarious guilt, borne with the conviction that the person's guilt cannot be proved and based on some strong personal motive for concealment, is an impregnable bulwark for a secret.
Now, then why should she want to conceal the slayer of her parents? There we are baffled. She was never known to have a lover, who might have done the deed to hasten his marriage and the possession of her share of the Borden wealth.
But she never was a demonstrative girl, and even if she did love, no would be likely to know. However, I am not especially partial to the lover story.
There remains her knowledge of the crimes as an instigator. If she was an accessory only, her demeanor is explained. If she procured the murder it was the result of a long considered plan, and when it was done, she was satisfied. She could easily have concealed the murderer in the house, sent Bridget out of the way and covered his retreat.
There is my theory. I don't think any woman could keep up as Lizzie Borden has done if she had killed those old people with her own hands. I don't think she or any other woman would do it if she were innocent.
Many women can keep a secret no matter how terrible when it belongs to some one in whom they have a deep interest. I believe that she has a guilty knowledge of the crime, but I do not believe that she inflicted the death blows."
Why Didn’t the Borden Sisters Press For the Capture of the “True Murderer?”
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"My client is innocent...She doesn't know any more about the murders than you do. She is just as anxious to find the assassin as her sister, as I am, as everybody should be...She and her sister will assist with all their power any and all attempts to find the assassin." (Andrew J. Jennings, The Fall River Globe, June 21, 1893).
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The Sunday Herald, June 23, 1893: "Three of the most prominent members of the Central Church declare that they will not fraternize with Miss Borden until the murders of her father and mother are avenged, or at least explained."
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The Boston Record, Aug. 2, 1895: "This recalls to mind that with all the money left by Mr. and Mrs. Borden to their two daughters, the latter seem reconciled, so far as the public knows, in giving up any further search for the murderer. Since the acquittal of Lizzie Borden, not a step has been taken, so far as the public knows, to bring the murderer to justice. In some families, every dollar of that great fortune would be spent in order to solve the mystery which still enshrouds the killing of those two respectable old people."
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The Fall River Globe, Aug. 3, 1895: "The money of the Bordens was used freely to defend the charges made by the public against the daughter Lizzie, and Lizzie and Emma came into possession of a great deal of money as a consequence of the murders. No trace has yet been found to show that since the trial the Borden money has been used very freely in locating the person who murdered the two old people and the matter is allowed to rest, in so far as the children are concerned."
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The Fall River Globe, Aug. 4, 1900: "These eight years have brought some changes. Miss Borden has come into possession of the magnificent fortune which was thrust upon her by the assassination, and while she was called upon to spend rather more liberally for a year after the murders, she still possesses enough of this world's goods to keep the wolf from the door and. to make it unnecessary for her to go into the mill and run eight looms for a living.
She has moved into a neighborhood occupled by aristocrats of the same class in which her father moved. Day after day she visits the city of the dead at the east end of Prospect street and strews fresh flowers on the double graves 'of her murdered ancestors!
Wouldn't that jar you?
Meanwhile she has never been called on to pay out that $5000 reward for the arrest of the murderer, but there are policemen living who think it should have been paid long ago.
Post-Aquittal
The Plattsburgh Sentinel, December 1, 1893:The notorious Borden murders are still shrouded in mystery and continue to furnish a theme for conversation and speculation among the gossips of Fall River, Mass.
Lizzie Borden, the younger daughter of the victims, the only known person who last saw her father alive, is living in a neat and comfortable home on French street, a mile or more from the scene of the tragedy and in the center of an aristocratic neighborhood. Her sister Emma and a servant- not Bridget Sullivan - live with her.
The interior of the old homestead has been remodeled, and two families have moved into it. One that of A. C. Peckham, a grocer; the other that of L. L. Hall, a horse trader. The heads of the two families do business within two blocks of the gloomy house, and they smile derisively when their customers question them about ghosts.
Not since Lizzie left the old home has she been near it. Mrs. Churchill and Miss Russell, her old time friends, still live in the vicinity, but she never visits them. She is practically ostracized, and when she appears on the streets she attracts no special attention. She goes to church, but not regularly. Her presence is not welcomed by more than half her church friends, and after her occasional appearances it is not uncommon to hear many bitter statements regarding her.
She has not taken up the church work she dropped many months ago, but one of her very few intimates recently said that she had expressed a wish that she might be enabled to enter into some of the work she "used to do before her pathway in life was darkened."
Her three firmest friends are the daughters of Charles J. Holmes and her sister Emma. They are very kind to her. Her new house is far more attractive than the one in which she formerly lived. Her reception room and parlor will compare favorably with those of any refined young woman, and the domestic facilities are as good as can be procured anywhere.
She recently visited the World's Fair with Miss Caroline Borden, a maiden lady, who is much interested in her, though not a relative. She attracted little or no attention while on her way to and from the exhibition, and she told a friend on her return that she enjoyed every minute of her visit.
Lizzie Borden, the younger daughter of the victims, the only known person who last saw her father alive, is living in a neat and comfortable home on French street, a mile or more from the scene of the tragedy and in the center of an aristocratic neighborhood. Her sister Emma and a servant- not Bridget Sullivan - live with her.
Lizzie and Emma purchased the stately Queen Anne-syle house at 7 French Street for $13,000 in July, 1893, a month after Lizzie's acquittal. Lizzie dubbed their new home "Maplecroft."
The interior of the old homestead has been remodeled, and two families have moved into it. One that of A. C. Peckham, a grocer; the other that of L. L. Hall, a horse trader. The heads of the two families do business within two blocks of the gloomy house, and they smile derisively when their customers question them about ghosts.
Not since Lizzie left the old home has she been near it. Mrs. Churchill and Miss Russell, her old time friends, still live in the vicinity, but she never visits them. She is practically ostracized, and when she appears on the streets she attracts no special attention. She goes to church, but not regularly. Her presence is not welcomed by more than half her church friends, and after her occasional appearances it is not uncommon to hear many bitter statements regarding her.
She has not taken up the church work she dropped many months ago, but one of her very few intimates recently said that she had expressed a wish that she might be enabled to enter into some of the work she "used to do before her pathway in life was darkened."
Her three firmest friends are the daughters of Charles J. Holmes and her sister Emma. They are very kind to her. Her new house is far more attractive than the one in which she formerly lived. Her reception room and parlor will compare favorably with those of any refined young woman, and the domestic facilities are as good as can be procured anywhere.
She recently visited the World's Fair with Miss Caroline Borden, a maiden lady, who is much interested in her, though not a relative. She attracted little or no attention while on her way to and from the exhibition, and she told a friend on her return that she enjoyed every minute of her visit.
In the years following her aquittal, gossip and scandal continued to plague Lizzie.
"It was not to be expected that she would put on black for the stepmother, whom she hated," observes Fall River, "but common courtesy would suggest it in memory of her father."
Emma Borden has always worn black since the day of the tragedy, and whenever the two sisters appear in public together, one in the habiliments of grief, the other in a suit of light-colored material, Fall River takes it all in, splutters about it, and thinks that, after all that has occurred, she might "wear a bit of mourning"
In 1897, Lizzie was accused of stealing two pieces of painted porcelain bric-a-brac from the Tilden-Thurber jewelry store in Providence. A warrant for her arrest was allegedly drawn up but never served, and the matter was quickly and quietly settled.
Once the Tilden-Thurber furor died down, Fall River was again abuzz about a new Lizzie scandal: Lizzie's supposed dalliances with her handsome coachman, Joseph Tetrault (aka John H. Tatro).
Emma disliked the coachman, who was known as quite the lady's man. The relationship between mistress and servant, and "the comfortable preferrment" of Tetrault so disturbed Emma that she insisted on his dimissal. He left in 1901 or 1902 only to be rehired by Lizzie two years later. Tetrault remained at Maplecroft until 1907.
Once the Tilden-Thurber furor died down, Fall River was again abuzz about a new Lizzie scandal: Lizzie's supposed dalliances with her handsome coachman, Joseph Tetrault (aka John H. Tatro).
Emma disliked the coachman, who was known as quite the lady's man. The relationship between mistress and servant, and "the comfortable preferrment" of Tetrault so disturbed Emma that she insisted on his dimissal. He left in 1901 or 1902 only to be rehired by Lizzie two years later. Tetrault remained at Maplecroft until 1907.
Nance
Lizzie Borden, c. 1905 & Nance O'Neil
Theater-lover Lizzie was an ardent admirer of Nance, having seen her perform in both Boston and New York. Lizzie may have seen Nance perform the title role in "Magda." The play, written in 1893, followed the story of a free-spirited young woman who rebels against her conventional father… with tragic results.
Lizzie may have been as infatuated by the renowned actress as the Boston Globe reporter who interviewed her in January 1904:
An Impression? A tall, graceful woman of magnificent proportions, and
blonde-an unusual attribute for a tragedienne, to be sure. A small, sensitive mouth, but firm, uncompromising eyes. Eyes that look through, and carry conviction. Eyes that are sympathetic and gentle and powerful and O! so wonderfully magnetlc! Eyes that change the stranger to the admiring champion at a single glance.
And then there is a voice-a heavy, vibrant voice, yet so agreeable that it fairly fascinates. A voice to express passion,or anger, or sorrow, and make one feel that the speaker experiences passion or anger or sorrow of the deepest kind. A trained, well-controlled, wonderful voice. Her hands she uses as an artist uses his brush; with graceful gestures emphasizing her description until one is compelled, one must, see what she wishes.
According to Nance, the two women were introduced backstage at the Tremont Theater in Boston and reportedly became close friends.
Nance later gave her own impression of the notorious Lizzie Borden:
She found the reserved little gentlewoman, with her gray eyes and graying hair and her unmistakable air of refinement and intellect, distinctively attractive. She was exceedingly well read, conversant with the best literature, and spoke interestingly of her travels abroad, which Miss O’Neil recalled as extensive. With her intellectual qualities she combined kindness and thought for others and a great fondness for animals.
Lizzie may have been as infatuated by the renowned actress as the Boston Globe reporter who interviewed her in January 1904:
An Impression? A tall, graceful woman of magnificent proportions, and
blonde-an unusual attribute for a tragedienne, to be sure. A small, sensitive mouth, but firm, uncompromising eyes. Eyes that look through, and carry conviction. Eyes that are sympathetic and gentle and powerful and O! so wonderfully magnetlc! Eyes that change the stranger to the admiring champion at a single glance.
And then there is a voice-a heavy, vibrant voice, yet so agreeable that it fairly fascinates. A voice to express passion,or anger, or sorrow, and make one feel that the speaker experiences passion or anger or sorrow of the deepest kind. A trained, well-controlled, wonderful voice. Her hands she uses as an artist uses his brush; with graceful gestures emphasizing her description until one is compelled, one must, see what she wishes.
According to Nance, the two women were introduced backstage at the Tremont Theater in Boston and reportedly became close friends.
Nance later gave her own impression of the notorious Lizzie Borden:
She found the reserved little gentlewoman, with her gray eyes and graying hair and her unmistakable air of refinement and intellect, distinctively attractive. She was exceedingly well read, conversant with the best literature, and spoke interestingly of her travels abroad, which Miss O’Neil recalled as extensive. With her intellectual qualities she combined kindness and thought for others and a great fondness for animals.
Ostracized by society, Lizzie completely threw caution to the wind and embraced the bohemian lifestyle of the theatrical world. It was a world that may have been described to her by Henry Wood over a decade earlier.
Fall River tongues wagged over Lizzie's association with disreputable theater folk. But Lizzie didn't care. Unlike her Fall River counterparts who snubbed her as the notorious, hatchet-wielding murderess, Nance and company seemed to accept Lizzie without judgement or reservations.
It was during this period that she adopted a new name: Lizbeth, which was allegedly Nance's pet name for her.
Fall River tongues wagged over Lizzie's association with disreputable theater folk. But Lizzie didn't care. Unlike her Fall River counterparts who snubbed her as the notorious, hatchet-wielding murderess, Nance and company seemed to accept Lizzie without judgement or reservations.
It was during this period that she adopted a new name: Lizbeth, which was allegedly Nance's pet name for her.
It was later speculated that Lizzie and Nance were lesbian lovers, but it's clear that their common love of theater, travel and animals formed the basis of their friendship. There's no existing evidence that the relationship was anything other than platonic.
Lizzie hosted lavish parties at Maplecroft for the actress and her stock company, complete with an orchestra and free-flowing champagne. She attended and funded expensive soirees at Nance's summer home in Tygnsboro, purchased in May, 1904. Lizzie even appeared in court as a spectator to support Nance in the actress's various lawsuits.
Lizzie hosted lavish parties at Maplecroft for the actress and her stock company, complete with an orchestra and free-flowing champagne. She attended and funded expensive soirees at Nance's summer home in Tygnsboro, purchased in May, 1904. Lizzie even appeared in court as a spectator to support Nance in the actress's various lawsuits.
A-I generated
Nance at Tyngsboro: The Boston Sunday Post, Sept. 25, 1904
Nance had arrived in Boston with a trail of lawsuits in her wake. The actress and her manager, McKee Rankin, were sued in Dec. 1903 for $100,000 for breach of contract by a theater company in Chicago.
McKee Rankin
While respected as an actor, playwright, and acting coach, McKee Rankin was also considered a bit of "a cad," particularly when it came to finances. It was common knowledge that he never repaid his debts.
In October 1904, The Boston Globe reported:
Arthur McKee Rankin, theatrical manager, has filed a bankruptcy petition. The liabilities are $27.647.30, all of which are unsecured to about 40 creditors. The heaviest creditor is Miss Nance O'Neil, to whom is owing $12,509 for salary and cash loaned during the past two years…There are no assets.
Rankin's cavalier attitude about money matters is eerily reminiscent of Charles Hahr, alias A. H. Wood, the so-called "Napoleon of the Drama."
It was also reported that "There are 50 creditors, and the schedule alleges that the indebtedness extends over a period of seven or eight years, from 1896 up to the present time. The smallest creditor has a claim of $30. The majority of the claims are for salary, cash advanced, scenery and printing.
Lizzie loaned Nance and her fellow actors money that was never repaid. Her gifts to Nance were resold by the actress to pay creditors.
Rankin had power of attorney over Nance's financial and business affairs, and any money the actress earned went straight into his own pockets, including the loans from Lizzie. Rankin likely viewed Lizzie as a convenient cash cow at a time when his theater company was insolvent by the time Nance met Lizzie.
Nance may have been genuinely fond of Lizzie, but there's little doubt that she and her manager, McKee Rankin, took full advantage of her generosity.
On May 3, 1905, Nance appeared in her one and only performance as Queen Elizabeth at the Academy of Music in Fall River. It was reported that "Miss Borden's carriage awaited her after the play, and together they went to Miss Borden's home. Miss O'Nell was entertained there…"
Lizzie loaned Nance and her fellow actors money that was never repaid. Her gifts to Nance were resold by the actress to pay creditors.
Rankin had power of attorney over Nance's financial and business affairs, and any money the actress earned went straight into his own pockets, including the loans from Lizzie. Rankin likely viewed Lizzie as a convenient cash cow at a time when his theater company was insolvent by the time Nance met Lizzie.
Nance may have been genuinely fond of Lizzie, but there's little doubt that she and her manager, McKee Rankin, took full advantage of her generosity.
On May 3, 1905, Nance appeared in her one and only performance as Queen Elizabeth at the Academy of Music in Fall River. It was reported that "Miss Borden's carriage awaited her after the play, and together they went to Miss Borden's home. Miss O'Nell was entertained there…"
A week later, Nance departed Boston for a lengthy tour of Australia, and Nance would later state that she never saw or communicated with Lizzie again, saying “I am afraid I am a rather poor correspondent." She described their friendship as "Ships that pass in the night and speak to each other in passing."
Nance was more flippant in discussing Lizzie at a dinner party attended by the poet Eugene Walter in the 1950's.
I won't say I was nervous being in a house with Lizzie Borden. After all,
there were a lot of us together. You can be sure we looked out for each
other and made a point never to be alone with her. And to notice how
sharp her dinner knife was.
Nance also added this chilling memory of Lizzie during the conversation:
But there was one thing I do remember as striking me. She would often make me repeat for her at teatime Medea's famous speech.
Often the night of thunder I have a
message from the gods on high.
They ask me why I have not slept. Why
in the morning I will touch no food.
Then I'd tell them of my sleepless night
and why I did not sleeр.
Because, I tell them, this house smells
of blood.
Nance O'Neil in a scene from the 1931 film "Rememberance"
A Revelation
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The Boston Sunday Post, June 11, 1905
The Fall River Globe, May 27, 1905:
Miss Emma Borden, sister of Miss Lizzie A. Borden, has taken up her residence in Fairhaven.
Miss Emma Borden, sister of Miss Lizzie A. Borden, has taken up her residence in Fairhaven.
The Boston Sunday Post, June 11, 1905:
All sorts of reasons for the quarrel between the sisters have been afloat, but the best founded ones involve the name of Miss Nance O'Neil.
It is nothing new to learn that the sisters have not agreed; that has been known ever since the famous murder, and even during that cause celebre it came out that they had never agreed on many things.
Miss Emma was sedate and retiring. Miss Lizzie was fond of good times and jolly company. When they moved from the Second street establishment, where the murder occurred, to the handsome residence on French street, rumors of disagreement continued to escape from the neighborhood, and when the moving van backed up a few days ago, the gossip fairly poured out…
Another reported cause of the disagreement was Miss Lizzie's recent infatuation for stage folk and dramatic matters. The stage was distasteful to Miss Emma's orthodox ideas, and when Miss Lizzie came to entertain a whole dramatic company at midnight hours, it passed Miss Emma's limit.
It is nothing new to learn that the sisters have not agreed; that has been known ever since the famous murder, and even during that cause celebre it came out that they had never agreed on many things.
Miss Emma was sedate and retiring. Miss Lizzie was fond of good times and jolly company. When they moved from the Second street establishment, where the murder occurred, to the handsome residence on French street, rumors of disagreement continued to escape from the neighborhood, and when the moving van backed up a few days ago, the gossip fairly poured out…
Another reported cause of the disagreement was Miss Lizzie's recent infatuation for stage folk and dramatic matters. The stage was distasteful to Miss Emma's orthodox ideas, and when Miss Lizzie came to entertain a whole dramatic company at midnight hours, it passed Miss Emma's limit.
AI generated image of Emma Borden 1905, age 54. (age progression from original photo)
She had spent part of her own inheritance to assemble a dream team of lawyers who succeeded in gaining her sister's freedom. She had faithfully defended Lizzie in court, perhaps even perjuring herself in denying the argument overheard by Matron Reagan.
Her desire for peace and seclusion was disrupted time and again by Lizzie's continuous scandals…the Tilden-Thurber incident, the gossip surrounding Joseph Tetrault, and finally Nance O'Neil.
It was Lizzie's relationship with Nance that was the catalyst leading to a revelation.
Her desire for peace and seclusion was disrupted time and again by Lizzie's continuous scandals…the Tilden-Thurber incident, the gossip surrounding Joseph Tetrault, and finally Nance O'Neil.
It was Lizzie's relationship with Nance that was the catalyst leading to a revelation.
Emma knew of Lizzie's relationship with Henry Wood, so-called "actor" and impresario. She believed that Lizzie was an innocent victim who was coerced by Wood into blackmailing the elder Bordens, a scheme that led to murder.. Now her sister was again cavorting with people of Henry's ilk. If anything, Lizzie should have avoided them like the plague.
But she didn't. Lizzie welcomed them as friends.
By questioning Lizzie's judgement in the Nance O'Neil affair, Emma may have wondered if Lizzie had, in fact, been Wood's willing accomplice after all.
Emma confronted her sister about her suspicions, and Lizzie finally confessed the truth...that she aided and abetted in the murderer of their parents.
Emma had wanted desperately to believe in Lizzie's innocence only to learn that she had sacrificed the majority of her adult life defending a lie.
It was an unforgiveable betrayal. The sisters never saw or spoke to each other again.
In her twilight years, Lizzie was remembered as a benefactress to her remaining friends and faithful servants. Their children called her "Auntie Borden." They recalled her as a kind, gentle and exceedingly generous woman, a person who was incapable of committing the horrific crime for which she was accused.
Lizzie at Maplecroft c. 1915 (from Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River, published by the Fall River Historical Society)
In 1919, Lizzie dictated her funeral arrangements. She requested to be buried at her father's feet. Her request can be interpreted as an act of supplication...a symbolic plea for Andrew's forgiveness.
Lizzie died on June 1, 1927. Emma died nine days later on June 10. Reunited in death, the estranged sisters and their secrets were buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River.
Lizzie didn't have "ample means." And then she met Henry Hahr, alias Henry Wood, alias John Henry Wood.
Her relationship with Henry offered her a way out. They joined forces, and Lizzie acquiesced to Henry's schemes. Their ultimate goal was to get as much money from Andrew J. Borden as possible via blackmail.
Henry also had blackmail fodder on Lizzie. That was his ace in the hole. And Andrew may have paid up to keep that personal and embarrassing information from public scrutiny.
Once Charles was released from prison in late June or early July, he wanted a piece of his brother's action. The twins focused on another potential money-maker courtesy of Andrew. The vacancy at 92 South Main St. presented them with a lucrative business opportunity: operate the store property as a rum shop or some other type of questionable venture.
But Andrew, “who was outspoken in his advocacy of temperance and moral issues," refused to even consider such a proposition, and no amount of cajoling or harassment would change his mind.
The poisoning of the milk on Tuesday, Aug. 2 was a scare tactic related to the 92 South Main store, not a serious murder attempt.
By early August, Andrew had reached his limit. Abby had succeeded in convincing her stubborn husband that they had not suffered an ordinary bout of "summer complaint" but had been deliberately poisoned. On Wednesday afternoon, Lizzie overheard John Morse urging Andrew to report the perpetrators to the authorities.
If Andrew had decided to act on Morse's advice, Lizzie and her accomplices were all at risk.
When Louis Bresler's son-in-law, Aaron Kahn, exposed Charles Hahr in open court in 1890, Charles physically attacked him and threatened Kahn's life.
The threat of exposure by Andrew ultimately signed the death warrants of the elder Bordens.
Lizzie later told the authorities a tale of enemies who resorted to murderous intent with poison and an angry stranger who wanted to let her father's store and prowlers slinking around the Borden house at night. And there was truth in it, but just enough to make it all sound vaguely plausible. She gave no names, no descriptions, no other details that could be investigated for truthfulness
However, she could honestly claim she was innocent of committing the murders herself, knowing no evidence existed to connect her to the crime.
Lizzie's goal was achieved. She was finally free of her parents' constraints, and she and Emma inherited their father's $300,000 estate.
There are also clues that the twins may have been financially compensated by persons unknown.
In October 1892, when he was detained in Richmond, Henry, alias "John Henry Wood," said “he had been following up fairs and big events of late, taking any sort of work that he could get, and in the course of his remarks said that only a few weeks ago, he had plenty of good clothes and money.
Likewise, when brother Charles was interviewed following his arrest in Baltimore in 1897 “He said he had $25,000 in 1892, but lost it all the following year due to his love of horse racing.”
Charles had been in prison the first six months of 1892. What was the source of this sudden windfall?
His friend, Mrs. Cross, believed that he spun a yarn to gather customers around and drum up business at the fairgrounds there. Marshal Hilliard asserted that Henry concocted a story so he would be taken into custody and get a free ride back to Fall River.
The marshal stated that Henry “was well-known by the boys around town, all of whom scout the idea of him having anything to do with the crime.” And Henry’s acquaintances described him as a “braggadocio spirit,” “devoid of any dishonest proclivities,” and as “harmless as a kitten.”
Inspector Thomas Byrnes of New York and Chief Donovan of Hoboken were both intimately familiar with the Hahr twins, as well as with their cousin, Theodore Hahr, the diamond thief.
The persona that Henry presented in Fall River was a clever facade. Unlike Hilliard, Byrnes and Donovan knew the real Henry Hahr. They knew him as a career criminal.
As has been documented, Henry was anything but "honest" or “harmless as a kitten.”
In fact, the twins were textbook psychopaths, and psychopaths lie.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-nature-of-deception/202303/psychopaths-and-pathological-lying
Lizzie died on June 1, 1927. Emma died nine days later on June 10. Reunited in death, the estranged sisters and their secrets were buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River.
Speculation - The Money Motive
Lizzie was desperately unhappy with life in her father's household. She felt stifled and unfulfilled. She wanted autonomy. She wanted the wealthy life of her more fashionable peers. She had "refined ideas" according to friend, Alice Russell, and wanted to be "a cultured girl…but people cannot go and do and have, unless they have ample means to do it".Lizzie didn't have "ample means." And then she met Henry Hahr, alias Henry Wood, alias John Henry Wood.
Her relationship with Henry offered her a way out. They joined forces, and Lizzie acquiesced to Henry's schemes. Their ultimate goal was to get as much money from Andrew J. Borden as possible via blackmail.
Henry also had blackmail fodder on Lizzie. That was his ace in the hole. And Andrew may have paid up to keep that personal and embarrassing information from public scrutiny.
Once Charles was released from prison in late June or early July, he wanted a piece of his brother's action. The twins focused on another potential money-maker courtesy of Andrew. The vacancy at 92 South Main St. presented them with a lucrative business opportunity: operate the store property as a rum shop or some other type of questionable venture.
But Andrew, “who was outspoken in his advocacy of temperance and moral issues," refused to even consider such a proposition, and no amount of cajoling or harassment would change his mind.
The poisoning of the milk on Tuesday, Aug. 2 was a scare tactic related to the 92 South Main store, not a serious murder attempt.
By early August, Andrew had reached his limit. Abby had succeeded in convincing her stubborn husband that they had not suffered an ordinary bout of "summer complaint" but had been deliberately poisoned. On Wednesday afternoon, Lizzie overheard John Morse urging Andrew to report the perpetrators to the authorities.
If Andrew had decided to act on Morse's advice, Lizzie and her accomplices were all at risk.
When Louis Bresler's son-in-law, Aaron Kahn, exposed Charles Hahr in open court in 1890, Charles physically attacked him and threatened Kahn's life.
The threat of exposure by Andrew ultimately signed the death warrants of the elder Bordens.
Lizzie later told the authorities a tale of enemies who resorted to murderous intent with poison and an angry stranger who wanted to let her father's store and prowlers slinking around the Borden house at night. And there was truth in it, but just enough to make it all sound vaguely plausible. She gave no names, no descriptions, no other details that could be investigated for truthfulness
However, she could honestly claim she was innocent of committing the murders herself, knowing no evidence existed to connect her to the crime.
Lizzie's goal was achieved. She was finally free of her parents' constraints, and she and Emma inherited their father's $300,000 estate.
There are also clues that the twins may have been financially compensated by persons unknown.
In October 1892, when he was detained in Richmond, Henry, alias "John Henry Wood," said “he had been following up fairs and big events of late, taking any sort of work that he could get, and in the course of his remarks said that only a few weeks ago, he had plenty of good clothes and money.
Likewise, when brother Charles was interviewed following his arrest in Baltimore in 1897 “He said he had $25,000 in 1892, but lost it all the following year due to his love of horse racing.”
Charles had been in prison the first six months of 1892. What was the source of this sudden windfall?
Why the Twins Should Be Considered As Suspects
During the Richmond investigation, Henry never confessed to the Borden murders, but he claimed to have knowledge of the crime and familiarity with the Borden family.His friend, Mrs. Cross, believed that he spun a yarn to gather customers around and drum up business at the fairgrounds there. Marshal Hilliard asserted that Henry concocted a story so he would be taken into custody and get a free ride back to Fall River.
The marshal stated that Henry “was well-known by the boys around town, all of whom scout the idea of him having anything to do with the crime.” And Henry’s acquaintances described him as a “braggadocio spirit,” “devoid of any dishonest proclivities,” and as “harmless as a kitten.”
Inspector Thomas Byrnes of New York and Chief Donovan of Hoboken were both intimately familiar with the Hahr twins, as well as with their cousin, Theodore Hahr, the diamond thief.
The persona that Henry presented in Fall River was a clever facade. Unlike Hilliard, Byrnes and Donovan knew the real Henry Hahr. They knew him as a career criminal.
As has been documented, Henry was anything but "honest" or “harmless as a kitten.”
In fact, the twins were textbook psychopaths, and psychopaths lie.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-nature-of-deception/202303/psychopaths-and-pathological-lying
Their tendencies to resort to braggadicco narratives shouldn't dismiss them as possible suspects.
The twins' psychological makeup is strikingly similar to that of Skylar Deleon, a former child actor, and the perpetrator of another horrific double murder a century later.
Deleon was convicted and sentenced to death for killing married couple, Thomas and Jackie Hawks, by tying them to an anchor and throwing them overboard from their yacht. The motive was to obtain their money.
Deleon's wife was an accomplice. She was sentenced to life in prison.
Detectives who investigated the case described Deleon as "a con man. a fraud, and a fake. He had the ability to spin a tale, but there would be threads of truth in it...Part of it would be truthful, which you could verify. Part of it would be so outlandish, you just say 'this can't be,' but he was very good at it..".
"He changed his name because he's a chameleon and changes everything constantly."
A once convicted burglar, "Skylar didn't know how to make money, except how to steal it or lie to get it. He was $100,000 in debt and spent way above his means."
"He was the consummate con man."
Deleon's wife was an accomplice. She was sentenced to life in prison.
Detectives who investigated the case described Deleon as "a con man. a fraud, and a fake. He had the ability to spin a tale, but there would be threads of truth in it...Part of it would be truthful, which you could verify. Part of it would be so outlandish, you just say 'this can't be,' but he was very good at it..".
"He changed his name because he's a chameleon and changes everything constantly."
A once convicted burglar, "Skylar didn't know how to make money, except how to steal it or lie to get it. He was $100,000 in debt and spent way above his means."
"He was the consummate con man."
Like the Hawks, Andrew and Abby Borden were the victims of a cunning, psychopathic con man.
Henry’s co-workers in Richmond observed that “he could not sleep, and at times appeared melancholy.” He may have been drinking, as he was wont to do, and the whiskey loosened his tongue about Lizzie Borden.
But when confronted by the Richmond authorities and newspaper reporters, he back pedaled with a slew of denials and contradictions. His alibi was conflicting and convoluted, including the alleged London trip and the pawn ticket dated August 1, 1892 that was found in his possession.
Further reasons why Henry should be considered a suspect:
1. He had a long and documented criminal history, often in partnership with his brother.
2. He had both personal and work ties to Fall River.
3. His close living proximity to 92 Second.
4. His own statements of personally knowing Lizzie and the Borden family.
5. He was considered a person of interest a week after the murders.
But when confronted by the Richmond authorities and newspaper reporters, he back pedaled with a slew of denials and contradictions. His alibi was conflicting and convoluted, including the alleged London trip and the pawn ticket dated August 1, 1892 that was found in his possession.
Further reasons why Henry should be considered a suspect:
1. He had a long and documented criminal history, often in partnership with his brother.
2. He had both personal and work ties to Fall River.
3. His close living proximity to 92 Second.
4. His own statements of personally knowing Lizzie and the Borden family.
5. He was considered a person of interest a week after the murders.
On August 11, 1892, Dr. Benjamin Handy was asked to identify Henry as the possible stranger seen on Second St. the morning of the murders. After barely glancing at the photo, Handy dismissed him as the suspect.
Dr. Handy was quoted in a Witness Statement to Officer Harrington:
Now, Mr. Harrington, I never told you I thought the man I saw committed the crime, did I? I never said the man I saw committed the crime, and don't think he did.
Why would Handy say such a thing?
Handy also stated that he may have seen the same man in the vicinity of Second Street prior to August 4.
6. During the Richmond investigation in October, Charles J. Holmes hid himself while Capt. Epps was interrogating Henry and examining his hands for scars. Holmes was in Richmond acting on behalf of Andrew Jennings.
Why was Holmes hiding? Did Holmes believe Henry may recognize him?
Dr. Handy and Charles J. Holmes were both friendly with the Borden family and knew Lizzie well.
Dr. Handy was quoted in a Witness Statement to Officer Harrington:
Now, Mr. Harrington, I never told you I thought the man I saw committed the crime, did I? I never said the man I saw committed the crime, and don't think he did.
Why would Handy say such a thing?
Handy also stated that he may have seen the same man in the vicinity of Second Street prior to August 4.
6. During the Richmond investigation in October, Charles J. Holmes hid himself while Capt. Epps was interrogating Henry and examining his hands for scars. Holmes was in Richmond acting on behalf of Andrew Jennings.
Why was Holmes hiding? Did Holmes believe Henry may recognize him?
Dr. Handy and Charles J. Holmes were both friendly with the Borden family and knew Lizzie well.
Did they have some knowledge of Lizzie and Henry's clandestine relationship? Was Lizzie's intimate group of supporters already circling the wagons to protect her and keep the scandal from public disclosure?
Then there's accomplice Charles Hahr, alias "A. H. Wood," the possible look-out on the day of the murders. His whereabouts are unknown from early June 1892 to May 1893. He had no alibi.
"The Richmond Suspect" hid in plain sight by settling in Fall River and marrying into the Fleet family.
Lizzie never spoke publicly about the events of August 4, 1892. Family loyalty, fear of scandal, loss of one’s reputation and fear of losing one’s own life may have also secured the silence of Emma Borden, John V. Morse, Dr. Bowen and Bridget Sullivan.
The real victims of the "Fall River Tragedy" are Andrew J. Borden and Abby D. Borden. They were elderly people hacked to death in the safety and comfort of their own home and harshly disparaged since as the cruel skinflint father and the wicked stepmother.
One hundred and thirty-four years later, Andrew J. Borden and Abby D. Borden still await justice.
Grave markers of Andrew and Abby Borden, Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River, MA
END
Sources:
Henry Harr, at hat factory, boards 17 John (1894) (also the residence of Ella C. Cross and her mother Mrs. L. J. Houghton)
Henry Hahr, hatter, boards 11 Middle (1895) (also the residence of Richard Fleet)
Henry Harr, at hat factory, boards 13 Park. (1895) (also the residence of Asst. Marshal John O. Fleet
Henry Hahr, hatter, house 285 Hamlet (1897)
162 Rockland (according to son's 1899 birth certificate)
Not listed in Fall River directories for 1898-1900
Henry A. Hahr, printer, house 588 Ridge, cor. Hamlet (1901)
Henry A. Hahr, house 588 Ridge, cor. Hamlet (1902)
Henry A. Hahr, hatter, 189 Hamlet (1903)
Henry A. Hahr, ropemaker, 559 Ridge, house 101 Cook (1904). (Henry was employed at James H. Holden's twine factory, located at 559 Ridge).
Hahr resided in New York from 1905-1923
Henry A. Hahr, printer, 1039 S. Main St. (1924 & 1925)
The Hahr family : genealogical survey ; an introduction to its history https://archive.org/details/hahrfamilygeneal00hahr/page/6/mode/2up
Inquest testimony, witness statements, preliminary hearing testimony, trial testimony:
Lizzie Borden Virtual Museum & Library.
https://lizzieandrewborden.com/primary-source-documents-borden-case.htm
Newspaper articles:
Newspaper articles:
newspapers.com, Fall River Library Digital; Old Fulton New York Post Cards newspaper archives; chroniclingamerica.com; Boston Public Library Newspaper Database
"Fleet's Notes" The Hatchet, Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies, Spring 2012, Vol. 7. Issue 2, by Stefani Koorey.
https://lizzieandrewborden.com/hatchetonline/fleets-notes/
Ireland Under the Land Act: 1881- Chapter XXI; Dursey Island
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ireland_Under_the_Land_Act/dCYDAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Dursey+Island%22&pg=PA142&printsec=frontcover
"The Presbyterian Church" The Hoboken Advertiser, April 30, 1881
“A Self-Confessed Robber” Sunday Herald, July 18, 1881
https://books.google.com/books?id=8xJCAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=%22henry+hahr%22&article_id=2043,2690676&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi-i7Gm9JeFAxWrjIkEHfQPAk84FBDoAXoECAkQAg#v=onepage&q=%22henry%20hahr%22&f=false
“The Husband Must Provide” Patterson NJ Guardian, 1884
"Will Ask Her to Live With Him" New York Herald, May 1, 1884
"A Thief Detected at Clifton" (Theodore Hahr) Paterson Daily Press, May 26, 1887
https://books.google.com/books?id=zlxVAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=%22inspector+byrnes%22+hahr&article_id=3567,2077394&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiE4sqUmdmGAxU5D1kFHTaRA6gQ6AF6BAgJEAI#v=onepage&q=%22inspector%20byrnes%22%20hahr&f=false
“Diamonds Cleverly Stolen” The Manufacturer and Farmers Journal, May 30, 1887 (Theodore Hahr, the Butler)
https://books.google.com/books?id=2aFeAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=henry+a.+hahr&article_id=1993,3110606&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjPr46Dzr-FAxVsk4kEHSBjBLc4UBDoAXoECA0QAg#v=onepage&q=henry%20a.%20hahr&f=false
“Thought It A Clever Idea. The Diamond Stealing Butler Explains Why He Became A Thief” The Morning News, May 30, 1887
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86063034/1887-05-30/ed-1/seq-5/#date1=1836&index=1&rows=20&words=Hahr+Theodore&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1922&proxtext=%22Theodore+Hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Once A Divinity Student” The Sun, Nov. 11, 1888
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1888-11-11/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1888&index=7&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Captured at Last" New York Times, Nov. 10, 1888
"A Hoboken Forger Caught At Last" The New York Tribune, Nov. 11, 1888
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1888-11-11/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1888&index=3&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Tracked for Two Years” The Press, (NY), Nov. 11, 1888.
“Out With Tommy Russell,” The Baltimore American, July 21, 1889
https://books.google.com/books?id=FNtdAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA10&dq=%22tommy+russell%22+wood&article_id=4233,1422657&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiW5922iamFAxUNnokEHZ7gDZ4Q6AF6BAgNEAI#v=onepage&q=%22tommy%20russell%22%20wood&f=false
“After Little Lord Fauntleroy. An Alleged Scheme to Abduct Master Tommy Russell” The Philadelphia Record, July 22, 1889 (Lambrecht was the stepfather of Tommy Russell and for a brief time was employed by Wood as a manager.)
https://books.google.com/books?id=tM1VAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=%22tommy+russell%22+Wood&article_id=4235,1173853&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwid3d7D3rqFAxUNlIkEHUZjAhEQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=%22tommy%20russell%22%20Wood&f=false
“Left Not A Rack Behind” The Evening World, Aug. 3, 1889
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1889-08-03/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1889&index=4&rows=20&words=WOOD+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=1&state=New+York&date2=1889&proxtext=Wood&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“A. H. Wood’s Bubble Burst” The New York Tribune, Aug. 3, 1889
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1889-08-03/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1889&index=13&rows=20&words=wood+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=1&state=New+York&date2=1889&proxtext=Wood&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“He Won His Wife By Fraud” The World, Aug. 4, 1889
"The Bits of the Bubble. People to Whom “A.H. Wood” Owes Money” The New York Daily Tribune, Aug. 4, 1889
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1889-08-04/ed-1/seq-5/#date1=1889&index=0&rows=20&words=Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1889&proxtext=Hahr&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Young Napoleon Wood Down. Creditors and Disappointed Relatives Jumping On Him” The Press (NY), Aug. 4, 1889
“Wood Shows Up” The World, Aug. 5, 1889
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1889-08-05/ed-2/seq-1/#date1=1889&index=1&rows=20&words=Harlem+WOOD&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1889&proxtext=Wood+Harlem&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Lawyer Kahn Catches It Hot. Mrs. Napoleon Wood Has Her Inning and Talks A Lot” The Press (NY), Aug. 5, 1889
“A.H. Wood At Newburg” The New York Tribune, Aug. 6, 1889
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1889-08-06/ed-1/seq-7/#date1=1889&index=1&rows=20&words=Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1889&proxtext=Hahr&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Aaron Kahn Again Accuser” The Sun, March 23, 1890
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1890-03-23/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1888&index=5&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Death of Mr. Bresler – The Allen H. Wood Sensation Recalled” The Newburgh Daily News, Mar 24, 1890
https://books.google.com/books?id=SVNFAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=Bresler+poison&article_id=1606,3021893&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDv-3p27qFAxU7hIkEHSCeDcQQ6AF6BAgJEAI#v=onepage&q=Bresler%20poison&f=false
“Suing Because Slandered” The Newburgh Daily News, Apr 8, 1890
https://books.google.com/books?id=VVNFAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=%22lawyer+kahn%22+wood&article_id=6174,3324422&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDru-S3bqFAxUbj4kEHUWDABMQ6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=%22lawyer%20kahn%22%20wood&f=false
"Mrs. Hahr Gets Her Divorce" The New York TImes, June 6, 1890
"Wood's Wife Accuses Him" The Sun, Sept. 24, 1890
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1890-09-24/ed-1/seq-5/#date1=1890&index=1&rows=20&words=Aaron+Kahn&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1890&proxtext=%22aaron+kahn%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Wood Punches Kahn" The Sun, Oct. 24, 1890
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1890-10-24/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1890&index=2&rows=20&words=Aaron+Kahn&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1890&proxtext=%22aaron+kahn%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Much Trouble Over A Will" The World, Oct. 25, 1890
“Napoleon Wood Again in Court” The Evening World, March 9, 1891
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1891-03-09/ed-2/seq-1/#date1=1888&index=5&rows=20&words=Napoleon+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22napoleon+wood%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Accused of Blackmailing. 'Wood' Who Started to Build a Theatre, is Now in Jail" The Evening World, Dec. 12, 1891
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1891-12-12/ed-2/seq-4/#date1=1888&index=11&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“The Hahr Twins Jailed Together” The Sun, (NY) Dec. 12, 1891
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1891-12-12/ed-1/seq-9/#date1=1888&index=10&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Perhaps Some of These Are Yours” The Sun, Dec. 13, 1891
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1891-12-13/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1888&index=0&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Young Lawbreakers” The Daily Shield & Banner, Jan. 3, 1892
https://books.google.com/books?id=hFhZAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=%22henry+hahr%22&article_id=6248,96457&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiU7Ye88JeFAxV6jYkEHV2yBYgQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=%22henry%20hahr%22&f=false
"Morris Pleaded Guilty" The World, New York, Jan. 5, 1892
"The Handy Specter" The Fall River Daily Herald, Thu, Aug 18, 1892 ·Page 4
"The Presbyterian Church" The Hoboken Advertiser, April 30, 1881
“A Self-Confessed Robber” Sunday Herald, July 18, 1881
https://books.google.com/books?id=8xJCAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=%22henry+hahr%22&article_id=2043,2690676&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi-i7Gm9JeFAxWrjIkEHfQPAk84FBDoAXoECAkQAg#v=onepage&q=%22henry%20hahr%22&f=false
“The Husband Must Provide” Patterson NJ Guardian, 1884
"Will Ask Her to Live With Him" New York Herald, May 1, 1884
"A Thief Detected at Clifton" (Theodore Hahr) Paterson Daily Press, May 26, 1887
https://books.google.com/books?id=zlxVAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=%22inspector+byrnes%22+hahr&article_id=3567,2077394&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiE4sqUmdmGAxU5D1kFHTaRA6gQ6AF6BAgJEAI#v=onepage&q=%22inspector%20byrnes%22%20hahr&f=false
“Diamonds Cleverly Stolen” The Manufacturer and Farmers Journal, May 30, 1887 (Theodore Hahr, the Butler)
https://books.google.com/books?id=2aFeAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=henry+a.+hahr&article_id=1993,3110606&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjPr46Dzr-FAxVsk4kEHSBjBLc4UBDoAXoECA0QAg#v=onepage&q=henry%20a.%20hahr&f=false
“Thought It A Clever Idea. The Diamond Stealing Butler Explains Why He Became A Thief” The Morning News, May 30, 1887
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86063034/1887-05-30/ed-1/seq-5/#date1=1836&index=1&rows=20&words=Hahr+Theodore&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1922&proxtext=%22Theodore+Hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Once A Divinity Student” The Sun, Nov. 11, 1888
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1888-11-11/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1888&index=7&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Captured at Last" New York Times, Nov. 10, 1888
"A Hoboken Forger Caught At Last" The New York Tribune, Nov. 11, 1888
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1888-11-11/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1888&index=3&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Tracked for Two Years” The Press, (NY), Nov. 11, 1888.
“Out With Tommy Russell,” The Baltimore American, July 21, 1889
https://books.google.com/books?id=FNtdAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA10&dq=%22tommy+russell%22+wood&article_id=4233,1422657&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiW5922iamFAxUNnokEHZ7gDZ4Q6AF6BAgNEAI#v=onepage&q=%22tommy%20russell%22%20wood&f=false
“After Little Lord Fauntleroy. An Alleged Scheme to Abduct Master Tommy Russell” The Philadelphia Record, July 22, 1889 (Lambrecht was the stepfather of Tommy Russell and for a brief time was employed by Wood as a manager.)
https://books.google.com/books?id=tM1VAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=%22tommy+russell%22+Wood&article_id=4235,1173853&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwid3d7D3rqFAxUNlIkEHUZjAhEQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=%22tommy%20russell%22%20Wood&f=false
“Left Not A Rack Behind” The Evening World, Aug. 3, 1889
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1889-08-03/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1889&index=4&rows=20&words=WOOD+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=1&state=New+York&date2=1889&proxtext=Wood&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“A. H. Wood’s Bubble Burst” The New York Tribune, Aug. 3, 1889
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1889-08-03/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1889&index=13&rows=20&words=wood+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=1&state=New+York&date2=1889&proxtext=Wood&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“He Won His Wife By Fraud” The World, Aug. 4, 1889
"The Bits of the Bubble. People to Whom “A.H. Wood” Owes Money” The New York Daily Tribune, Aug. 4, 1889
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1889-08-04/ed-1/seq-5/#date1=1889&index=0&rows=20&words=Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1889&proxtext=Hahr&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Young Napoleon Wood Down. Creditors and Disappointed Relatives Jumping On Him” The Press (NY), Aug. 4, 1889
“Wood Shows Up” The World, Aug. 5, 1889
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1889-08-05/ed-2/seq-1/#date1=1889&index=1&rows=20&words=Harlem+WOOD&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1889&proxtext=Wood+Harlem&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Lawyer Kahn Catches It Hot. Mrs. Napoleon Wood Has Her Inning and Talks A Lot” The Press (NY), Aug. 5, 1889
“A.H. Wood At Newburg” The New York Tribune, Aug. 6, 1889
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1889-08-06/ed-1/seq-7/#date1=1889&index=1&rows=20&words=Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1889&proxtext=Hahr&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Aaron Kahn Again Accuser” The Sun, March 23, 1890
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1890-03-23/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1888&index=5&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Death of Mr. Bresler – The Allen H. Wood Sensation Recalled” The Newburgh Daily News, Mar 24, 1890
https://books.google.com/books?id=SVNFAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=Bresler+poison&article_id=1606,3021893&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDv-3p27qFAxU7hIkEHSCeDcQQ6AF6BAgJEAI#v=onepage&q=Bresler%20poison&f=false
“Suing Because Slandered” The Newburgh Daily News, Apr 8, 1890
https://books.google.com/books?id=VVNFAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=%22lawyer+kahn%22+wood&article_id=6174,3324422&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDru-S3bqFAxUbj4kEHUWDABMQ6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=%22lawyer%20kahn%22%20wood&f=false
"Mrs. Hahr Gets Her Divorce" The New York TImes, June 6, 1890
"Wood's Wife Accuses Him" The Sun, Sept. 24, 1890
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1890-09-24/ed-1/seq-5/#date1=1890&index=1&rows=20&words=Aaron+Kahn&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1890&proxtext=%22aaron+kahn%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Wood Punches Kahn" The Sun, Oct. 24, 1890
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1890-10-24/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1890&index=2&rows=20&words=Aaron+Kahn&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1890&proxtext=%22aaron+kahn%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Much Trouble Over A Will" The World, Oct. 25, 1890
“Napoleon Wood Again in Court” The Evening World, March 9, 1891
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1891-03-09/ed-2/seq-1/#date1=1888&index=5&rows=20&words=Napoleon+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22napoleon+wood%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Accused of Blackmailing. 'Wood' Who Started to Build a Theatre, is Now in Jail" The Evening World, Dec. 12, 1891
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1891-12-12/ed-2/seq-4/#date1=1888&index=11&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“The Hahr Twins Jailed Together” The Sun, (NY) Dec. 12, 1891
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1891-12-12/ed-1/seq-9/#date1=1888&index=10&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Perhaps Some of These Are Yours” The Sun, Dec. 13, 1891
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1891-12-13/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1888&index=0&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
“Young Lawbreakers” The Daily Shield & Banner, Jan. 3, 1892
https://books.google.com/books?id=hFhZAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=%22henry+hahr%22&article_id=6248,96457&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiU7Ye88JeFAxV6jYkEHV2yBYgQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=%22henry%20hahr%22&f=false
"Morris Pleaded Guilty" The World, New York, Jan. 5, 1892
"The Handy Specter" The Fall River Daily Herald, Thu, Aug 18, 1892 ·Page 4
"The Second Day" The Herald News, Aug., 26, 1892
"Another Borden Murder Clue. A Suspicious Conversation that Morgan William Davis Says He Heard" The New York Sun, Aug. 30, 1892
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1892-08-30/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1892&sort=relevance&rows=20&words=Borden+LIZZIE&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=18&state=New+York&date2=1892&proxtext=%22lizzie+borden%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=3
"The Prosecution All In" The Herald News, Aug. 31, 1892
"Another Yarn" Fall River Daily Herald, Aug. 31, 1892
"Who Is John?" Fall River Daily Evening News, Aug. 31, 1892
"The Jersey City Police Investigate It" Fall River Daily Globe, Aug. 31, 1892
"One Blood Spot" St. John Daily Sun Sep 1, 1892
https://books.google.com/books?id=35s1AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA5&dq=%22Engineer+Davidson%22+Borden&article_id=6394,5196201&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjcj5WDk4aGAxUyEGIAHSAeDsIQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=%22Engineer%20Davidson%22%20Borden&f=false
"Another Witness." (Mrs. Marshall) Fall River DailyEvening News, Sept. 3, 1892
(Note: Mrs Marshall was the mother of James Marshall, Hahr's employer at the hat factory)
"Mrs. Marshall. Requested by Lawyer Jennings Not to Talk To Anyone" Fall River Daily Herald, Sept. 6, 1892
"Mrs. Marshall's Strange Man is Hard to Place" Fall River Globe, Sept. 6, 1892
"Mrs. Marshall Mistaken" Fall River Globe, Mon, Oct 10, 1892 ·Page 7
"Mr. Marshall's Mother" The Fall River Daily Herald, Tue, Oct 11, 1892 ·Page 7
"Mrs. Marshall Will Testify.” Fall River Daily Evening News. Oct. 11, 1892, pg. 8
"He Has Seen Lizzie. John Wood Arrested Here in Connection With the Borden Murder" The Richmond Dispatch, Oct. 18, 1892
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85038614/1892-10-18/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1892&index=0&rows=20&words=Watkin+Watkins+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Virginia&date2=1892&proxtext=Watkins+Wood&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Mrs. Marshall. Requested by Lawyer Jennings Not to Talk To Anyone" Fall River Daily Herald, Sept. 6, 1892
"Mrs. Marshall's Strange Man is Hard to Place" Fall River Globe, Sept. 6, 1892
"Mrs. Marshall Mistaken" Fall River Globe, Mon, Oct 10, 1892 ·Page 7
"Mr. Marshall's Mother" The Fall River Daily Herald, Tue, Oct 11, 1892 ·Page 7
"Mrs. Marshall Will Testify.” Fall River Daily Evening News. Oct. 11, 1892, pg. 8
"He Has Seen Lizzie. John Wood Arrested Here in Connection With the Borden Murder" The Richmond Dispatch, Oct. 18, 1892
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85038614/1892-10-18/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1892&index=0&rows=20&words=Watkin+Watkins+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Virginia&date2=1892&proxtext=Watkins+Wood&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"A Mysterious Telegram" The Providence News, Oct. 19, 1892
"His Name is Henry Ayer" The Evening Telegraph, Oct. 19, 1892
"His Name is Henry Ayer" The Evening Telegraph, Oct. 19, 1892
“Hahr, An Actor!” Fall River Globe, Oct. 19, 1892
“The Richmond Suspect” Fall River Daily Evening News, Oct 20, 1892 ·Page 1
"A Borden Suspect" The Daily Argus News Oct 20, 1892
https://books.google.com/books?id=FScnAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=%22Jersey+City%22+Borden&article_id=3033,4150757&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjE2oHS8oWGAxWyEVkFHUSrAoYQ6AF6BAgIEAI#v=onepage&q=%22Jersey%20City%22%20Borden&f=false
“Wouldn’t Kill A Cat” The Richmond Dispatch, Oct. 20, 1892
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85038614/1892-10-20/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1892&sort=relevance&rows=20&words=John+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=3&state=Virginia&date2=1892&proxtext=%22john+wood%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=2
The Fall River Globe, May 27, 1893 (summary of case and profiles of Andrew and Abby Borden)
“Napoleon” Wood Arrested. Charged with Heinous Crimes on Little Boys & Girls." The Evening World, May 27, 1893
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1893-05-27/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1888&index=0&rows=20&words=Napoleon+NAPOLEON+WOOD+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22napoleon+wood%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Napoleon Wood Again" (This article misidentifies Henry as "Alfred Wood." The reference to an Alfred Wood who was imprisoned for kidnapping in Sept. 1890 is a different person altogether). The Sun, May 28, 1893
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1893-05-28/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1888&index=16&rows=20&words=Napoleon+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22napoleon+wood%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Wood Gets Over Four Years" The Evening World, June 12, 1893
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1893-06-12/ed-4/seq-5/#date1=1888&index=2&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Miss Borden's Defense.The Mysterious Stranger Seen By Dr. Handy" Paterson Daily Press, June 16, 1893
https://books.google.com/books?id=uGpVAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=%22Fall+River%22+borden+%22young+man%22&article_id=1300,2963688&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj55uqCgaWGAxWtEVkFHbroAdYQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=%22Fall%20River%22%20borden%20%22young%20man%22&f=false
“The New Theater” Fall River Daily Evening News June 30, 1894
"Hahr Held Up in New Orleans on a Charge of Forgery,” Fall River Globe, Thu, Dec 13, 1894 ·Page 1
“Too Much Talk Is What Landed Hahr in New Orleans Jail” Fall River Globe, Sat, Dec 29, 1894
"Back from New Orleans" Fall River Daily Evening News, Dec. 29, 1894
"Two Men Hard Up. Police Bring Hahr Back from New Orleans" Fall River Daily Herald, Dec. 29, 1894.
“Hahr Held As Probably Being Guilty of Forgery. Story of His Crime Told in Court This Morning.” Fall River Globe, Tue, Jan 01, 1895 ·Page 1
"Henry Hahr Sentenced" The Fall River Daily Herald, Wed, Feb 13, 1895 ·Page 7
"Henry Hahr Released" Fall River Globe, Sat, Dec 21, 1895 ·Page 8
“Napoleon” Wood Arrested. Charged with Heinous Crimes on Little Boys & Girls." The Evening World, May 27, 1893
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1893-05-27/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1888&index=0&rows=20&words=Napoleon+NAPOLEON+WOOD+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22napoleon+wood%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Napoleon Wood Again" (This article misidentifies Henry as "Alfred Wood." The reference to an Alfred Wood who was imprisoned for kidnapping in Sept. 1890 is a different person altogether). The Sun, May 28, 1893
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1893-05-28/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1888&index=16&rows=20&words=Napoleon+Wood&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22napoleon+wood%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Wood Gets Over Four Years" The Evening World, June 12, 1893
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1893-06-12/ed-4/seq-5/#date1=1888&index=2&rows=20&words=Charles+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=New+York&date2=1963&proxtext=%22charles+hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Miss Borden's Defense.The Mysterious Stranger Seen By Dr. Handy" Paterson Daily Press, June 16, 1893
https://books.google.com/books?id=uGpVAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=%22Fall+River%22+borden+%22young+man%22&article_id=1300,2963688&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj55uqCgaWGAxWtEVkFHbroAdYQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=%22Fall%20River%22%20borden%20%22young%20man%22&f=false
“The New Theater” Fall River Daily Evening News June 30, 1894
"Hahr Held Up in New Orleans on a Charge of Forgery,” Fall River Globe, Thu, Dec 13, 1894 ·Page 1
“Too Much Talk Is What Landed Hahr in New Orleans Jail” Fall River Globe, Sat, Dec 29, 1894
"Back from New Orleans" Fall River Daily Evening News, Dec. 29, 1894
"Two Men Hard Up. Police Bring Hahr Back from New Orleans" Fall River Daily Herald, Dec. 29, 1894.
“Hahr Held As Probably Being Guilty of Forgery. Story of His Crime Told in Court This Morning.” Fall River Globe, Tue, Jan 01, 1895 ·Page 1
"Henry Hahr Sentenced" The Fall River Daily Herald, Wed, Feb 13, 1895 ·Page 7
"Henry Hahr Released" Fall River Globe, Sat, Dec 21, 1895 ·Page 8
"Circus Trick To Steal Diamonds" The Scranton Tribune, April 30, 1897
"A Tempter of Boys: Further Charges Laid Against Bogus Circus Agent" The Sun, April 30, 1897
“Hahr, Wood or Howland. Three Names Adopted By the Circus Man.” The Morning Herald, April 30, 1897
https://books.google.com/books?id=4jxFAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=%22allen+h.+wood%22+baltimore&article_id=4081,8443730&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjq1PvlyaaFAxWQm4kEHV0XBFkQ6AF6BAgGEAI#v=onepage&q=%22allen%20h.%20wood%22%20baltimore&f=false
“Wood Was A Spiritualist” The Morning Herald, May 1, 1897
https://books.google.com/books?id=DjxFAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=%22charles+howland%22+spiritualist&article_id=2497,79034&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwju6fyg0LuFAxVkFFkFHfjOAN8Q6AF6BAgIEAI#v=onepage&q=%22charles%20howland%22%20spiritualist&f=false
"Followed Fagin's Lead," The Boston Daily Globe, May 1, 1897
"Divorce Cases Dismissed" The Fall River Globe, March 26, 1902 - Page 1
“Stole Gold Leaf” Fall River Daily Evening News Sat, Jul 19, 1902 ·Page 1
"Old Offender Caught At A New Game. Stealing Gold Leaf From the Hat Factory" Fall River Globe, Sat, Jul 19, 1902 ·Page 8
"Arrested For Larceny" Meriden Morning Record, Nov. 13, 1903
https://books.google.com/books?id=4mg1AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=%22Charles+F.+Hahr%22&article_id=6064,5354797&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj5iobLhPKFAxWilIkEHXTGBk8Q6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=%22Charles%20F.%20Hahr%22&f=false
"Detective Ward Captures Fugitive" New Haven Morning Journal & Courier, Nov. 13, 1903
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84020358/1903-11-13/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1756&index=0&rows=20&words=Charles+F+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1963&proxtext=%22Charles+F.+Hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Started Fires After Looting Houses at the South End" Fall River Globe,Tue, Dec 15, 1903 ·Page 1
"Globe Village. Gang of Thieves Make a Good Haul and Add Arson to Burglary" Fall River Daily Evening News, Tue, Dec 15, 1903 ·Page 1
"Robbers Set Fires" The Fall River Daily Herald,Tue, Dec 15, 1903 ·Page 1
"Confessed One Robbery" The Fall River Daily Herald, Tue, Dec 22, 1903 ·Page 6
"Young Globe Village Robber Sent to Concord Reformatory" The Fall River Daily Herald Thu, Dec 24, 1903 ·Page 2
"Failure of Attempt to Break Jail" The Evening Post, New York, Jan. 28, 1904
"Plan Didn't Work" Fall River Globe, Jan. 29, 1904
"Jailbreakers Foiled" Auburn Weekly Bulletin, New York, Jan. 29, 1904
"News of Ballston Spa" The Daily Saratogian, Feb. 2, 1904
“Hahr, Wood or Howland. Three Names Adopted By the Circus Man.” The Morning Herald, April 30, 1897
https://books.google.com/books?id=4jxFAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=%22allen+h.+wood%22+baltimore&article_id=4081,8443730&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjq1PvlyaaFAxWQm4kEHV0XBFkQ6AF6BAgGEAI#v=onepage&q=%22allen%20h.%20wood%22%20baltimore&f=false
“Wood Was A Spiritualist” The Morning Herald, May 1, 1897
https://books.google.com/books?id=DjxFAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=%22charles+howland%22+spiritualist&article_id=2497,79034&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwju6fyg0LuFAxVkFFkFHfjOAN8Q6AF6BAgIEAI#v=onepage&q=%22charles%20howland%22%20spiritualist&f=false
"Followed Fagin's Lead," The Boston Daily Globe, May 1, 1897
"Divorce Cases Dismissed" The Fall River Globe, March 26, 1902 - Page 1
“Stole Gold Leaf” Fall River Daily Evening News Sat, Jul 19, 1902 ·Page 1
"Old Offender Caught At A New Game. Stealing Gold Leaf From the Hat Factory" Fall River Globe, Sat, Jul 19, 1902 ·Page 8
"Arrested For Larceny" Meriden Morning Record, Nov. 13, 1903
https://books.google.com/books?id=4mg1AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=%22Charles+F.+Hahr%22&article_id=6064,5354797&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj5iobLhPKFAxWilIkEHXTGBk8Q6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=%22Charles%20F.%20Hahr%22&f=false
"Detective Ward Captures Fugitive" New Haven Morning Journal & Courier, Nov. 13, 1903
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84020358/1903-11-13/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1756&index=0&rows=20&words=Charles+F+Hahr&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1963&proxtext=%22Charles+F.+Hahr%22&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
"Started Fires After Looting Houses at the South End" Fall River Globe,Tue, Dec 15, 1903 ·Page 1
"Globe Village. Gang of Thieves Make a Good Haul and Add Arson to Burglary" Fall River Daily Evening News, Tue, Dec 15, 1903 ·Page 1
"Robbers Set Fires" The Fall River Daily Herald,Tue, Dec 15, 1903 ·Page 1
"Confessed One Robbery" The Fall River Daily Herald, Tue, Dec 22, 1903 ·Page 6
"Young Globe Village Robber Sent to Concord Reformatory" The Fall River Daily Herald Thu, Dec 24, 1903 ·Page 2
"Failure of Attempt to Break Jail" The Evening Post, New York, Jan. 28, 1904
"Plan Didn't Work" Fall River Globe, Jan. 29, 1904
"Jailbreakers Foiled" Auburn Weekly Bulletin, New York, Jan. 29, 1904
"News of Ballston Spa" The Daily Saratogian, Feb. 2, 1904
"Miss O'Neil as Elizabeth" The Herald News, May 4, 1905
"Arrested for Losing Money on the Races" The Evening Record Aug 1, 1908
https://books.google.com/books?id=EQI_AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA17&dq=%2244+West+Elizabeth%22+Detroit&article_id=2407,5632897&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiEua74_5eGAxXCvokEHRM9CQgQ6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=%2244%20West%20Elizabeth%22%20Detroit&f=false
“James Marshall Called By Death” Fall River Daily Evening News , Feb 24, 1916
"South End" (fire & robbery at 170 Rockland) Fall River Globe, March 11, 1925
https://fallriver.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22170%20rockland%22&i=f&d=01011800-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=fall_river_globe_usa_massachusetts_fall_river_19250311_english_5&df=1&dt=10&cid=2892
"Arrested for Losing Money on the Races" The Evening Record Aug 1, 1908
https://books.google.com/books?id=EQI_AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA17&dq=%2244+West+Elizabeth%22+Detroit&article_id=2407,5632897&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiEua74_5eGAxXCvokEHRM9CQgQ6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=%2244%20West%20Elizabeth%22%20Detroit&f=false
“James Marshall Called By Death” Fall River Daily Evening News , Feb 24, 1916
"South End" (fire & robbery at 170 Rockland) Fall River Globe, March 11, 1925
https://fallriver.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22170%20rockland%22&i=f&d=01011800-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=fall_river_globe_usa_massachusetts_fall_river_19250311_english_5&df=1&dt=10&cid=2892
"Actress Sure Her Old Friend was Guiltless" The New Bedford Standard, June 7, 1927
“Comrade Fleet’s 88h Birthday," Fall River Herald News, April 1, 1933
https://fallriver.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22blanche%20foster%22&t=38264,43466,43468&i=t&d=01011924-12311965&m=between&ord=k1&fn=fall_river_herald_news_usa_massachusetts_fall_river_19330401_english_12&df=1&dt=7&cid=2892
“Richard Fleet, Last Member of G.A.R. Post Here, Dies” Fall River Herald News, January 5, 1938
https://fallriver.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22richard%20fleet%22&t=38264,43466,43468&i=t&by=1938&bdd=1930&d=01011800-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=fall_river_herald_news_usa_massachusetts_fall_river_19380105_english_1&df=1&dt=10&cid=2892
"Richard Fleet Borne to Last Resting Place" Fall River Herald News, Jan. 8, 1938
https://fallriver.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22richard%20fleet%22&t=38264,43466,43468&i=t&by=1938&bdd=1930&d=01011800-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=fall_river_herald_news_usa_massachusetts_fall_river_19380108_english_16&df=1&dt=10&cid=2892
Mark Twain's Notebooks and Journals, Volume III: 1883-1891, pg. 454 (Refers to a proposed stage version of "The Prince & The Pauper" being performed at the West End Theater).
"New York Tours by Gary"Blog (reference to Charles Hahr) https://newyorktoursbygary.blogspot.com/2011/11/125th-street-one-of-most-important.html
"Daytonian in Manhattan" Blog (reference to Theodore Hahr) https://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-elizabeth-and-anna-meyer-house-17.html
Proceedings Lizzie Borden Conference, Bristol Community College, Fall River, Massachusetts, August 2-6, 1992
“Comrade Fleet’s 88h Birthday," Fall River Herald News, April 1, 1933
https://fallriver.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22blanche%20foster%22&t=38264,43466,43468&i=t&d=01011924-12311965&m=between&ord=k1&fn=fall_river_herald_news_usa_massachusetts_fall_river_19330401_english_12&df=1&dt=7&cid=2892
“Richard Fleet, Last Member of G.A.R. Post Here, Dies” Fall River Herald News, January 5, 1938
https://fallriver.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22richard%20fleet%22&t=38264,43466,43468&i=t&by=1938&bdd=1930&d=01011800-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=fall_river_herald_news_usa_massachusetts_fall_river_19380105_english_1&df=1&dt=10&cid=2892
"Richard Fleet Borne to Last Resting Place" Fall River Herald News, Jan. 8, 1938
https://fallriver.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22richard%20fleet%22&t=38264,43466,43468&i=t&by=1938&bdd=1930&d=01011800-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=fall_river_herald_news_usa_massachusetts_fall_river_19380108_english_16&df=1&dt=10&cid=2892
Mark Twain's Notebooks and Journals, Volume III: 1883-1891, pg. 454 (Refers to a proposed stage version of "The Prince & The Pauper" being performed at the West End Theater).
"New York Tours by Gary"Blog (reference to Charles Hahr) https://newyorktoursbygary.blogspot.com/2011/11/125th-street-one-of-most-important.html
"Daytonian in Manhattan" Blog (reference to Theodore Hahr) https://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-elizabeth-and-anna-meyer-house-17.html
Proceedings Lizzie Borden Conference, Bristol Community College, Fall River, Massachusetts, August 2-6, 1992
"Inside the Story of America's 19th Century Opiate Addiction"
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/inside-story-americas-19th-century-opiate-addiction-180967673/
Mckee Rankin and the Heyday of the American Theater, David R. Beasley, 2002
Studies in Murder, Edmund Lester Pearson, 1924
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