Dr. Bowen’s burning papers

[BeeQueen]

“After leaving her [Lizzie], I went down in the kitchen where was Dr. Bowen, Asst. Fleet, Dr. Dolan, Bridget and several others. Dr. Bowen had scraps of paper in his hand, on which there was some writing. He and I spoke about them, and he tried to put some of them together. He said “it is nothing, it is something about, I think, my daughter going through somewhere.” If I recollect correctly, it was addressed to Emma; but about that I am not sure. The Doctor then said “it does not amount to anything”, and taking the lid off the kitchen stove, he dropped the pieces in. There was very little fire in the stove, and the ashes which were on top looked as though paper had been burned there.”

It appears that everyone kept burning possible evidence. Perhaps the “paper [that] had been burned there” the missing note to Abby. I wonder what did the good Doctor burn. I also wonder why did the police allow the Doctor to do so. This behavior seems strange.

Add to this, the Doctor said Mrs. Borden died of fright: “to make matters worse, Mrs. Borden is lying dead up stairs. I suppose she saw the killing of her husband, and run up stairs, and died with fright.” This Doctor seemed to attend only to the very dead Andrew without even bothering to tend to Abby.

Anyone else have some thoughts regarding Dr. Bowen?

[LABRhush]

I can't remember where I read it, but I think it was said that Emma's name was on the paper in Dr. Bowen's hand. I think it was implied that it might have been a letter? It always made me wonder if Lizzie had a letter for her sister that was never sent, for whatever reason, and Dr Bowen perhaps thought something in it could be misconstrued. But who knows? I'd love to hear thoughts on this one

[BeeQueen]

Yes, Emma’s name is included in the quote above re Doherty and Harrington found at https://www.lizzieandrewborden.com/wp-c ... sState.pdf.

Dr. Bowen is an interesting character to say the least.

[LABRhush]

That must be where I read it originally. What do you think it was about?

[kwest919]

My question is why did Bowen feel it was his right to even go through papers and then decide to burn them without asking if it was alright to do so? It's not something that a Doctor would do unless he was told to do so by his patient. Did Lizzie while he was with her tell him.. there is a letter I have written to Emma but never sent. It's here... would you please burn it for me. Odd to say the least I think. His behavior that day was very odd and un doctor like at times.

[BeeQueen]

The burning of papers is an issue, more so today than back then. Remember that this was testimony from the police! They never stopped the Doctor, did not quarantine the house, etc.

Just think of all the mistakes that were made with the JonBenet case, and that was 1996 - 104 years AFTER the Borden murders.

[Lee]

Dr Bowen had no right to go into someone elses house and burn anything. obviously there was something incriminating in those papers. I am wondering if he was an accessory after the fact----?? perhaps he gave Abby and Andrew a physical recently and told the girls they were as healthy as a horse and would live a good long time. the autopsies showed they were in good health minus the fibroids in Abby's uterus and Andrews hernia. neither ailments would shortened their lives. the fibroid's could account for the fact Abby never had children depending on their severity. I think they might have caused her some pain during her monthly when she was younger. Wondering also if Dr Bowen was aware of the hostility in the house and if he treated Lizzie for her 'spells' which could have been depression.

[jcurrie]

I am in the process of re-reading Robert Sullivan's book and I am in agreement with you. Why did Dr Bowen think he had the right to burn someone's else's papers, unless he was told to? It's very suspicious. When asked about it, he later said (and I might not have the correct wording) - "something about my daughter going through somewhere". What exactly does that mean? Who wrote the note? The policeman who checked thought that the burned papers looked like they were in a cylindrical shape. This corresponds with Bridget's testimony about Andrew returning home with a package. I can't remember her exact words.

[camgarsky4]

JC -- Andrew's parcel was described as a small book like package. Mrs. Kelly noted is was roughly 5x5 and inch think.

That said, upon returning home and in the dining Room, Bridget mentioned that Andrew was reading some papers. But then she mentions that when he was in the sitting room shortly before his death, he was looking at a small booklet (I envision a journal). So the testimony is back and forth on the physical attributes of the "small parcel".

Agree with you that it had to be highly key to the mystery because it disappeared after the killings, yet multiple testimony proves he came home with something book/paper like and had it moments before death.