That Note

[Steveads2004]

I'm taking this opportunity to post to get my mind off of the current awful world situation. After reading the latest book by Cara Robertson I think the whole case comes down to the mysterious note to Abby that "someone was sick". If you believe that there was a note then Lizzie may be not guilty. If the note was invented by Lizzie as a cover story then she is guilty of at least being an accessory. This new book did not go into the accessory angle very much. Didn't I read somewhere else that Robinson was very concerned with a future accessory charge against Lizzie? Hope all our contributors are feeling fine and not freaking out like me.

[twinsrwe]

In the thread titled, The "Sick Friend" ( https://tinyurl.com/t7a5y9y ), I posted basically the same information that I am posting in this thread:

In Shelley Dziedzic’s blog titled, Lizzie Borden : Warps & Wefts, I found the following information:

It’s unfortunate the Borden family threw notes and letters away so readily. The famous note sent to Abby Borden asking her to come visit a sick friend went missing, even though a reward of $500 dollars was offered for information about the sick friend’s name, who wrote the note, and who delivered it. It was suggested by Lizzie that it may have been burned up (in the kitchen woodstove as that was the only fire in August).
Source: http://tinyurl.com/y9tn5lmu

$500 in 1892 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $14,213.08 in 2020.
Source: https://tinyurl.com/sa77sew

I have a really hard time believing that the person who wrote the alleged note to Abby, nor the person who delivered the alleged note, would refuse a $14,213.08 reward for coming forward. That is a lot of money to refuse!

Personally, I don’t believe there was a note.

[Steveads2004]

I agree twinsrwe. I think Lizzie made a big mistake throwing that idea out there. Sure it could have been burned as a matter of course but why would nobody come forth? Abby's circle of friends could not have been that large in the first place so the sick person would have stepped forth. I think this proves Lizzie guilty of conspiricy at the least. I remember Franz suggesting the note may have been a ruse to get an assassin into the house. That was an interesting thought. Did the authorities ever question Bridget about the note? Seems like she would have known if someone came to the door.

[VictorianFan89]

Exactly. Falls River was a small town back then (probably still is) so likely it was a sort of town where everyone knew everyone. If Abby really had a sick friend, then surely someone would've come forth and said something about it when the police started asking for it.

[twinsrwe]

Hmmmm, I have to disagree with you about Fall River being a small town in 1892, and probably still is.

In Len Rebello’s book titled, Lizzie Borden: Past & Present, page 61 (Highlighting and underlining are mine):

In 1892, Fall River had a diverse population of 83,026.


And again the highlighting and underlining are mine:

Fall River, Massachusetts Population in 2020: 89,661

Source: https://tinyurl.com/u6gnunu

[VictorianFan89]

Ah, my mistake. Sorry 'bout that. So it was a very decent-sized town.

[twinsrwe]

No problem.

[Franz]

If Abby really had a sick friend, then surely someone would've come forth and said something about it when the police started asking for it.

Abby certainly had "that" friend, no matter wether he or more probably she was sick or not at that moment. She certainly could not have come forth, because she didn't know that her identity was used by the killer (or the group of the murderers) for the criminal purpose. IMO, the note did exist, and was produced by who was (were) guilty. And, the guilty could not come forth for the reward.

[Vorchek]

I don't have a better explanation.

No matter which angle I study it from, the note looks peculiar to me. It doesn't clearly make sense from anyone's standpoint. Given Lizzie's guilt, she had no reason to make up that story, which could only hurt her. Its reality leads to a different confusion. Maybe it would have no bearing at all, a temporal coincidence (Masterton's view), unless sent by an unknown murderer. Yet how would a genuine note serve another killer? What is its purpose? To allow someone to get inside, as opposed to luring Abbie out? I'm not fond of any proffered alternatives. In every instance I get the impression a facet of the kaleidoscope is missing.

[Rolie Polie]

I still get stuck on Addy Churchill's testimony... How do you interpret it?


Q. What did Bridget tell you about Mrs. Borden having a note?

A. She said Mrs. Borden had a note to go to see someone that was sick, and she was dusting the sitting room, and she hurried off, and says, "She didn't tell me where she was going; she generally does."

Q. That was what Bridget told you?

A. Yes sir.

Q. That was not what Lizzie told you?

A. No sir.

Q. Bridget said Mrs. Borden had a note?

A. Yes.

Q. And she hurried off?

A. Yes sir.

Q. She was dusting the sitting room?

A. Yes sir.

Q. And Bridget says, "She didn't tell me where she was going; she generally does"?

A. Bridget said—

Q. Bridget said that?

A. Yes sir.

https://famous-trials.com/lizzieborden/ ... ltestimony

[Vorchek]

You put your finger on a critical statement. That is the testimony about (rather than from) Bridget that lends credence to the note story. Bridget, as I understand, never officially told this version at any hearing. Mrs. Churchill's report certainly makes it sound like Bridget is speaking from direct knowledge. Given that, what then? A genuine note bolsters Lizzie's story, but does it clear her? It might be an irrelevant datum. However, anything enhancing Lizzie's credibility must loom large, if true.

Bridget spent so much time under the thumbs of the police that I can't help but wonder how much her testimony was "massaged" during the months leading to the trial. Some authors argue that it subtly tilted against Lizzie as time went on.

[MissSarah]

this probably existing note is something that has not gotten out of my head since the beginning. Assuming it had existed, why was it then apparently burned so quickly? ... of course, the Bordens may have had this habit, but it's strange anyway.
And, in terms of time, it is also difficult in my opinion the whole thing must have been before Abby died because she died relatively early in the day I wonder when this note should have been there ... And, Lizzie seemed one of the only ones who heard thisAnd, in terms of time, it is also difficult in my opinion the whole thing must have been before Abby died because she died relatively early in the day I wonder when this note should have been there ... And, Lizzie seemed one of the only ones who heard this during bridget probably didn't and, probably didn't know.
I vaguely remember a sentence that probably came from Lizzie: she heard" Abby return, and she was probably in the guest room" with the passage of time I am still not clear. (When should Abby have gone and comesomehow the whole thing is strange. maybe cover-up? or, really ...
I have to think.

Sarah...

[camgarsky4]

Vorchek -- At the preliminary hearing in August 1982, Bridget testified quite specifically that she only knew of the note via Lizzie telling her when they were both in the dining room (Lizzie ironing and Bridget cleaning windows).

So if the police convinced Bridget to lie under oath, it was within weeks of the murders.....they didn't need months to massage her testimony. If a police conspiracy wasn't taking place and, if Bridget lied, then she must be the killer or an accomplice.

In my opinion, Bridget as the sole killer feels like a stretch beyond believable and, if she was an accomplice, who was her partner? Lizzie? Then they really handled the note thing poorly.

[Franz]

Yes, camgarsky4, you are right. In her testimony in the trial, Bridget testified the same. (June 7th 1893).

Then Miss Lizzie brought an ironing board from the kitchen, put it on the dining-room table and commenced to iron. 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 and 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?" "I don't know; she had a note this morning; it must be in town."

[camgarsky4]

Franz -- please remind me, as part of your theory, what is the timing correlation between the arrival of the note and Abby telling Lizzie about it?

Theory Scenario (I believe):
Abby answered the 'knock' on the front door and saw a man standing on the sidewalk. The man had a note to give her and she stepped out to the
sidewalk to fetch the note. While she was a few feet in front of the door getting the note, a 2nd man snuck in the house behind her, went up the
stairs and into the guest room.

Presuming that Lizzie came downstairs after the 2nd man was in the guest room (and closed the door), is your theory that Abby got the note and went back into the house and into the dining room to dust. As Lizzie passed thru the dining room, that is when Abby told her?

Would like your thoughts on why Abby didn't tell Andrew about the note even though he was reading in the sitting room. Also didn't tell Bridget even though she was in the kitchen.

What time in the morning are you estimating the note arrived?
Thanks!

[Franz]

Camgarsky4, thank you for your interest. In my hypothesis, Abby was killed almost immediately after receiving the note from the front door, a question of a couple of minutes. Just an hypothesis, of course.

[camgarsky4]

Franz - If she was killed almost immediately, are you thinking that she didn't talk to Lizzie about the note in the dining room? Why would Lizzie make that conversation up?

[Franz]

Franz - If she was killed almost immediately, are you thinking that she didn't talk to Lizzie about the note in the dining room? Why would Lizzie make that conversation up?

In my theory, Abby talked to Lizzie about the note, but not in the dining room, but somewhere between the front door and the guest room door: 1) Abby received the note; 2) Abby met Lizzie and talked to her; 3) Abby entered the guest room; 4) Abby was murdered in the guest room.

[camgarsky4]

Interesting sequence of events.

Bridget testified that she heard Abby & Lizzie talking 'civilly' in the sitting room Thursday morning as Lizzie was coming to the kitchen. I assume your theory is that they were talking in the front hall and Bridget was mistaken on where they were standing when they talked? If so, they must have been talking somewhat loudly for their voices to carry into the kitchen. The door between sitting room and kitchen was usually kept closed.

The timing of your theory would indicate that Bridget was also mistaken that she spoke with Abby after she vomited outside, Andrew left and Lizzie had come into the kitchen. Not sold yet on your overall theory, but I do think its possible that Bridget's memory was off about talking to Abby then, since John had testified that Abby told her to clean the windows earlier that morning.

[jcurrie]

I have read most of the posts on this subject and wonder whether anyone has read Rebecca Pitman's book (I can't remember the whole title) on the case. Her theory is, that there was a note delivered by a pale young man (observed by several pedestrians). Ms Pitman's theory is that it was connected to the potential transfer of one of the Swansea properties into Abby's name so that it would be a place to retire to in the event of Andrew's death. Naturally this was a secret to be kept from temperamental Lizzie. Ms Pitman names this young man as Joseph Chatterton, who was supposed to pick up Abby to take her to the bank to finalise the deal. This was because Abby was so overweight that she found it difficult to walk. The reason why Andrew returned early from his business dealings was because Abby failed to turn up and he must have assumed they had missed each other.

Also, poor Abby was practically friendless, and the only person who would contact her in an emergency was her half-sister Bertie, who was that fatal day enjoying a clambake on Rocky Point. I believe that Abby made up the story of a "sick friend" to allay Lizzie's suspicions.

Also, I find it very suspicious that Dr Bowen burned a note (which he had no right to do) in the stove. One of the policemen managed to retrieve a fragment, which had the name "Emma" written on it. Very mysterious.

[camgarsky4]

jcurrie - In Pitman's theory, is John Morse 'in the know' on the secret property title transfer? Who is the killer in her view?

[jcurrie]

camgarsky4 - I believe John Morse was "in" on the transfer property deal and maybe was going to witness the signatures. It's very strange that his first words to Lizzie when he eventually entered the house were "Lizzie, how did this happen?" rather than "what has happened?" When he saw the crowds around the house he must have realised that something bad had happened, hence his delay in coming into the house. I'm just wondering whether John Morse knew about this infamous note - maybe he and Andrew discussed the matter the night before in order to keep this transfer of property a secret from Lizzie, who would have gone ballistic. There's also a suggestion that John was going to pasture his horses at the farm in Swansea, although Abby was possibly to going to live there in the event of Andrew dying before her.

Ms Pitman is of the opinion that Lizzie was definitely the murderer, which I think is the opinion of most of us. Her book is certainly worth reading, but is rather long and could have done with some editing. There's also a couple of chapters on haunting, which I don't think was particularly relevant to the Borden case.

[camgarsky4]

Jcurrie --
on the issue around Morse not seeing the crowd and going into the backyard, to me that is not as unlikely as most posters and authors want to make it.

An exercise I've found useful (but very time consuming) is cutting and pasting the testimony from an individual from each of the witness statements, Inquest, Prelim Trial and trial side by side in excel. I then do the same comparison but using other witness testimony for the same time frame/event and cross reference those against all comparable documentation.

Lastly, but most importantly, I try to put myself in the environment these events took place. That morning was likely the most chaotic, stressful, overwhelming hours of any of these peoples lives. So I try to play out the testimony analysis against that frantic background to apply some reality vs. reading testimony as if was blessed by the pope (or whomever).

So for example, Dr. Bowens return from the Emma telegram sending trip was around 11:30-11:35 and he testifies that he didn't notice any crowd. If you time study Morse's return from the Emery's, it is very possible that he arrived at the Borden's around 11:35-11:40. Read Sawyer's testimony and he notes that he popped in and out of the side door all morning. After Bowen returned from telegraph trip, Bowen went up to see Abby's just discovered body....Sawyer checked out her body also at that time. To me it is very plausible, in fact based on John's testimony, likely, that Morse did indeed arrive at the house before noticeable crowds gathered and Sawyer was inside the house. These are just the headlines of this analysis, it goes much deeper with even more aspects backing the plausibility of John's testimony. Once you accept he was telling the truth about seeing no crowd, then I don't find it odd that he went to backyard to grab a pear to eat before lunch. He knew what yummy food awaited him inside and apparently these were the tastiest pears on the east coast. Remember he is only person who mentions himself going to the back...if it was for nefarious reasons, why mention it?

Sorry for the dissertation......fingers got typing and they wouldn't stop!! :)

[Steve88778]

When Justice Dewey gave the charge to the jury at the end of the trial he questions the note , basically says why would Lizzie even suggest a note while she could’ve easily said that Abby went out why did she bring conversation about a note where it could be easily questioned and investigated and found that there was no note.

[camgarsky4]

It is so bizarre how the presiding judge editorialized so much in his instructions to the jury.

I believe Lizzies 'design' was to kill Abby in the morning while Andrew was downtown and when the opportunity presented itself. Andrews killing was planned for the early afternoon, after which Lizzie would 'go shopping', just as she intended Bridget to be doing. When Andrew got home a bit early, she had to give Andrew a reason Abby would be gone over lunch. In that era, and in that home, I'm confident that is was standard for Abby to be home to share meals with Andrew. If Abby had 'gone marketing' for lunch foods, then she would be back for lunch. If not a normal outing like marketing, then they would have very likely have discussed Abby's plans before he left for downtown.

Lizzie would have felt compelled to provide a 'reason' for Abby's mealtime absence.....giving an abstract explanation like "don't know where Abby is, she just went out', would not have fit Lizzies control personality (in my opinion). Lizzie seemed to prefer steering events and jump starting other people's thoughts.

All this aside, I wish the Judge has explained when this note arrived at the home. If you believe all the testimony of that early morning (including Lizzies), there was maybe a 5 minute window for a note or message to have been delivered without others being aware....and even that 5 minutes could be challenged.

I also believe the barn alibi was not preplanned, but became necessary when she was forced to accelerate the timeline to kill Andrew once she learned Morse would be back for lunch. No more waiting until early afternoon, action had to be taken before John arrived.

[Steve88778]

Why do you even need a note ? Can't someone come over and say - so and so is sick ? Why make up something that, if it is not true, can easily be used against her ? Or was it used in Lizzies plan to steer the Fall River Cops ?

[camgarsky4]

I presume that was the customary means of communicating within communities in the pre-phone days. If you sent a messenger, they took a note. It was likely the ordinary means if oneself was not delivering the message.

That said, it really doesn't matter, missing note or no note at all. Neither is provable unless the messenger or sender speak up. That is the issue with the note/message....the list of Abby's friends we know of is pretty short and none of them fessed up. An award was offered....no one tried to collect. There is absolutely zero evidence or even rumors that someone requested her presence that day.

[Rolie Polie]

Or, Camgarsky, because of the nature of the killings and perhaps growing sentiment that Lizzie may not be convicted- leaving no further suspects- no one wanted their names to be associated in any way with it so they remained invisible and silent. Or (conjecture) Abbie's half sister, known to dislike Lizzie, wrote it and then thought that maybe if she didn't say anything then more suspicion would be cast on Lizzie. I still think that Hiram Harrington had it out for Lizzie because his wife was next of kin to Andrew and may have stood to inherit if Lizzie went to the gallows. He was NOT an impartial witness or player in this and I'm sure he was already planning how to spend the money his wife might inherit.

[Steve88778]

I read somewhere when Hiram Harrington died Lizzie Borden said something to the effect - now I may never be cleared of the murders - something like that. He didn't like her and she didn't like him.

[camgarsky4]

You both are correct, since the "note" has no tangible proof of existence it also, by definition, has no proof that it didn't happen. So Steve, earlier you asked why she would use the note if it wasn't true....I think you have your answer. It was not provable to exist or not exist. Therefore as you both have articulated, it 'might' have existed. So not a bad lie to tell as it turns out.

If Lizzie had been executed, Emma's share of the estate would have grown. Nothing would have gone to other Borden family members because of her execution, so Hiram would have been dreaming of spending money he would never have a chance of being realized.

What are you basing your very harsh view of Harrington upon?

[Steve88778]

Yes not a bad lie. But I am wondering why she would even say that she had a note to go out - why not say, she said that she was going to see a friend and will be back, whenever...

[camgarsky4]

When do you think the note/message was delivered? My attempt at reconstructing the timeline leaves a maximum 5-10 minute window for the delivery to occur without Morse, Bridget or Lizzie being aware. Statistically remarkable coincidence if that occurred.

That doesn't account for the fact that Abby didn't mention the note to Andrew or Bridget who were in adjoining rooms when Abby told Lizzie. Of those three, she seems to have only told Lizzie with whom she had a frosty relationship. Very peculiar she chose Lizzie as her exclusive confidant.

Then layer on top of that that no one claimed to have sent or delivered the message. In spite of sender presumably being a close acquaintance of Abby and a reward being offered.

Hard for me to come up with a rational theory that explains all this away and leads me to believe the note existed.

[Steve88778]

The more I think of someone who is sick contacting a friend for help via a note - the more oddball it sounds. But of course I am from a different time.
What was the note supposed to say ?

Dear Abby (yea - I know)
Please come over to my house because I am sick.
Your friend,
Sick Person

If Lizzie manufactured that note story then she could have manufactured the note or pay someone to scribble something down to show the police. And keep quiet because there is more money yet to come...

[camgarsky4]

Presumably this 'manufactured' note that Lizzie would 'scribble' would include the sick persons name. That would make proving the legitimacy of the note very easy to prove out. Are you suggesting that Lizzie should have extended her plot to include hiring someone to send a fake note that they were sick? Did that plot include hiring/bribing a messenger? If she had followed your counsel, Lizzie would likely have spent the remainder of her life in prison.

No note = no means to prove it didn't exist.

And yes, in 1890, phones were in less than 10% of the households.....sending a 'messenger boy' was an obvious and necessary means of communicating. Most of us would not want to share our personal matters with a messenger boy and would simply write a note to the recipient. We would also prefer that the messenger boy not get the message wrong if transmitted verbally.

Have you considered the possibility that some of the events of that morning were 'reactive' vs. planned? For example, what if Andrew arriving home a bit earlier than expected or Morse coming to lunch threw off Lizzie's Plan and she had to ad-lib? Masterminding a grand conspiracy after the fact would have be fraught with danger.

Do you have a opinion of when the note arrived? Why Abby didn't tell Andrew or Bridget, but did tell Lizzie? Why no one fessed up to sending OR delivering the note?
And remember, one must believe that ALL THREE of the answers you come up with must have occurred for Lizzie to be telling the truth.