I am generally not fond of true crime, but the Lizzie Borden story has always facinated me. I recently purchased, at a used book sale, a book written by Victoria Lincoln called A Private Disgrace, Lizzie Borden by Daylight. Victoria Lincoln wrote this in 1967 and she must have been elderly herself, at the time. She meticulously researched every tiny detail of the murders, the investigation, the coroner's inquest and the subsequent trial and acquittal, showing that no one but Lizzie could have done the deeds. Victoria Lincoln was born in Fall River, MA while Lizzie was still alive. Although, by no means a contemporary of Lizzie's, Lincoln's family and Lizzie had mutual friends.
Those of you unfamiliar with the Lizzie Borden story might liken it to the OJ debacle. Lizzie is to the 1890's what OJ is to the 1990s There is also a children's rhyme (which may explain some of the recent juvenile violent crimes). Rhyme goes, Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother 40 whacks, When she saw what she had done, gave her father 41
On August 4, 1892, Lizzie Borden murdered her stepmother and her father with an hatchet, hid the hatchet blade with some other long abandoned household tools and burned the handle. That Lizzie did it, there is little question. She is the only person who could have committed the crimes which were several hours apart.
Lizzie had a very poor relationship with her stepmother and referred to her and called her Mrs. Borden. The origin of Lizzie's ill feelings toward the woman date to a real estate transaction in which Andrew Borden, Lizzie's father deeded a house he owned to his wife, Abby. Lizzie was disturbed by this and although Andrew later deeded a house to each of his daughters, Emma and Lizzie, this did not make up for (in Lizzie's mind) what she felt was an injustice done her as blood family.
The entire Borden family could easily be described as eccentric. Both daughters were well into their thirties and living at home. It seemed that male suitors were not encouraged. Although Andrew Borden was wealthy enough to purchase a larger home, the family lived in a very small house, but on a good street in Fall River,MA. Socially, at the time, what you lived in was not as important as where you lived.
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Linda Kinkead's Mystery Genre topic, please visit the Discussions page.