1. "Some Episodes Of  Fall River Daily Newspapers"
Posted by Kat on Jan-2nd-03 at 4:17 AM

[Transcription provided by Bruce Laurie, Department of History, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.] (...reproduced here by KK)


Date: January 8, 1889
Source: Fall River Daily Globe


"What Dress Costs: Our Young Ladies Come High, But They Must Have Pretty Things

A nice little Debutante gives details -- dresses that cost $300 -- must have a new rig for each ball-tea, gowns, slippers, etc.

(conversation overheard)

'Pa, I want $200 for my patriarch's ball dress.'

'Thunder! my dear. Didn't you get a new one for the Assembly Ball? Do you want a new gown every week? When your mother was a girl she wore a white muslin frock to every ball of the season.'

'Yes, papa dear, but you know Shakespeare says, "Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy," and its my first season and you wouldn't have me look like a fright.'

'Oh, yes, that is very pretty, but doesn't the same gentleman remark somewhere that "Our purses should be proud, our garments poor?" '

'But he didn't live in New York, papa, and go to Delmonico's balls.' And then poor papa, being nothing but a meek American millionaire, grumbled and fumed a little, and finally put two crisp greenbacks into a little rosebud hand and with a kiss as light as thistle down and after calling him "you old dear", she ran away.



An unwilling but interested listener to the interesting conversation, I began to wonder what it cost to dress a young lady of fashion. At the rate of $200 a week, it would be over $10,000 a year, and as my income was only half that and my lady love a person of fashion, I pondered. I asked a young married man at the club how much his wife spent a year on her clothes? I know I put the question meekly, but he howled at me to 'go to thunder with my impudence' and so I went -- or rather, I went to visit an aged female relative. She told me that clothes had gotten beyond her, and said all she knew was that her grandfather could dance a $300 ball dress to ribbons in a night.  Then I became frightened, and consulted a nice little debutante who volunteered to post me on clothes.

'Of course there is no limit to the amount you can spend on clothes,' she began. 'If you want to go to Worth and Pingat, or in fact, to any of the fashionable Paris dressmakers, you will be obliged to pay a pretty reasonable price. I have a very nice wardrobe this year, and it cost papa just $3000.  When we came home from Europe, I bought just two Paris dresses, because you know, if you can't say "Some of my things are imported" you are really nobody. One was a perfect love of a ball dress, you know. I wore it the other night, that pale yellow tulle, all embroidered in silver, with a big yellow sash and satin bodice. It looked very simple but it cost me $300 and then Papa had to pay lots of duty on it.  It was made from a special design and the design destroyed, so that it could not be duplicated.'

'Then I brought over a carriage dress, I haven't worn it yet -- I'm waiting until the other girls wear theirs. Then I shall come out in mine. It was a cheap gown; only cost $150.  It is in four shades of fawn and of silk and velvet, made in one of those long directorie redingotes that are so much worn, with a sash of crimson.  It was made for Princess Somebody, I believe, but she would not pay for the last bill, so they sold it to me for half price.'

The woman in the article also describes two 'teagowns', a 'morning dress' the cost of satin slippers, patent leather tips, silken stockings and 'plain old ones,' as well as a church dress:  'A church dress is quite necessary. It is the fashion to be very plain at church and the women, I believe, try to see who can dress the plainest.' "
 

Oh my goodness, I'd be broke!  Needless to say, I couldn't keep up with this kind of competition. 

You and your brother would be a popular hit as twins.
You'd both probably attract a wealthy suitor, and you'd have it made!

Newspaper Clippings

 
 
Transcription provided by Bruce Laurie, Department of History, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Date: October 16, 1884
Source: Fall River Daily News



"The grand ball held under the auspices of the fireman's widow and orphan relief association at the skating rink on Dartmouth Street. It was a brilliant affair.... Among [the] prominent persons present were... Joseph Bowen... R.D. Borden... Andrew Borden...."

?????
That's all that was transcibed.

If it was our Andrew, I wonder if Abby was there with him?  Obviously no mention of wives there.  This shows that he was involved with charitable services of some kind, like I said, if its our Andrew.  Very cool, thanks, Kat! 

Newspaper Clippings

[Transcription provided by Bruce Laurie, Department of History, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.]

Date: January 27, 1869
Source: Fall River Daily News

"A numerous company gathered at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Harrington, on Ferry St., to congratulate them on the return of the 15th anniversary of their wedding, and having with them many and valuable tokens of their esteem and love.

In the course of the evening, Rev. Dr. Duncan their pastor, addressed them in appropriate and feeling terms, in which he referred to the varied experiences of joy and sorrow through which they had been to called to pass in that eventful period, and presenting in behalf of the donors, the testimonials of their friends. Mr. George W. Bronson, being called upon, also made appropriate remarks, concluding with a beautiful original poem written for the occasion. Mr. Harrington briefly returned his thanks. The occasion was one of much pleasure to all present, and very gratifying, we doubt not, to the worthy couple."


--Their only child, George, had died 2 years previously.
--Andrew Borden & family lived at Ferry Street also at this time.
--Lizzie would be 8 1/2, Emmer would be a month shy of 18!
--Bridget may be 3 years old in Ireland.