Andrew's Worth

[bsr88]

First off, I have not been able to get my Rebello (when I was going to buy it, another tour group came in). Don't worry though, next time it will be the first thing on my list!

I know in todays money, Mr. Borden was worth $12 million. In 1892 money, was it $600 thousand, or $700 thousand? I cannot remember, that's the only thing I can never keep straight. I can't seem to find it anywhere. Thanks!

-Ben

[Harry]

Per Rebello, page 280.

"The Fall River Daily Globe estimated Andrew Borden's worth the day after he was murdered:

Assessor's Office (real estate) $173,650.00 -$173,650.00
Personal Estate $175,000.00 -$250,000.00
_____________________
Total Worth $348,650.00 - $423,650.00"

The standard method of trying to estimate the value of money from one year to the next is to adjust it for the average rate of inflation for the intervening years. I stress the word average as inflation does not apply equally to all products and persons. The best site for doing this is:

http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

Using the above numbers, Andrew's fortune would have been worth from $6.8 million to $8.3 million in 2003 dollars.

It should also be borne in mind that Lizzie's legal costs were probably a minimum of $40,000 in 1893, which would equate to about $780,000 in 2003 dollars.

[bsr88]

Thanks, Harry! I've got to get a Rebello