One of the peculiar early incidents was when Uncle John risked his safety to go to the post office on the Friday evening after the murders. He was then still a suspect and was followed by quite a large crowd. Why would he go?
Here's a possible reason. Lizzie in her inquest testimony said (p56+):
"Q. Where was your sister Emma that day?
A. What day?
Q. The day your father and Mrs. Borden were killed?
A. She had been in Fairhaven.
Q. Had you written to her?
A. Yes sir.
Q. When was the last time you wrote to her?
A. Thursday morning, and my father mailed the letter for me.
Q. Did she get it at Fairhaven?
A. No sir, it was sent back. She did not get it at Fairhaven, for we telegraphed for her, and she got home here Thursday afternoon, and the letter was sent back to this post office."
Mmmmm.... maybe to pick up this letter before the police got it?
Lizzie's response of "What day?" still makes me laugh.
Mr. Morse goes to the post office
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Harry
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Mr. Morse goes to the post office
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augusta
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I think "What day?" is the funniest piece out of all of the testimonies. Geez ... 
Uncle Morse and that post office. He had a few incidents concerning it and the mail, didn't he?
I wonder why the police did not ask to see that letter to Emma that was returned? Yes, Morse and his attempted trip to the post office and this returned letter do seem to match up.
Thanks for the post, Harry. I didn't know about this 'Emma' letter being returned. Vedddddy interesting ...
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DJ
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I can't fathom Lizzie writing anything incriminating and sending it through the post; however, she was none-too-bright about the dress burning in front of Miss Russell, so I wouldn't bet on it.
I still think she gave that letter to her Father on the 4th to make sure he left the house, even in the face of intestinal upset. Therefore, I tend to think that particular letter was fairly innocuous. Furthermore, I don't think she would ask her Father to handle an "I'm gonna whack A & A" missive, especially when he might surmise he and/or Abby had been poisoned, and might well open the post, then re-seal it, out of Lizzie's sight.
What I'm wondering-- when JVM posted his letter, in-haste, on the a.m. of the 4th, did he put a return address of Fall River, and was he thus anticipating a reply to the Fall River P.O.? Or, was he fearful that one might arrive, anyway, with his having put that return address on his envelope?
If he did that-- it would prove he planned to be in Fall River the next day, the 5th.
Now, why would he do that?
I still think she gave that letter to her Father on the 4th to make sure he left the house, even in the face of intestinal upset. Therefore, I tend to think that particular letter was fairly innocuous. Furthermore, I don't think she would ask her Father to handle an "I'm gonna whack A & A" missive, especially when he might surmise he and/or Abby had been poisoned, and might well open the post, then re-seal it, out of Lizzie's sight.
What I'm wondering-- when JVM posted his letter, in-haste, on the a.m. of the 4th, did he put a return address of Fall River, and was he thus anticipating a reply to the Fall River P.O.? Or, was he fearful that one might arrive, anyway, with his having put that return address on his envelope?
If he did that-- it would prove he planned to be in Fall River the next day, the 5th.
Now, why would he do that?
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Harry
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IMO, there is nothing suspicious about Lizzie getting Andrew to mail a letter for her. The Bordens did not have home delivery of mail so him going to the post office was probably done daily. Who else in the Borden household would do it?
Andrew was feeling better on the 4th and he had missed a scheduled bank board meeting on Wednesday and was probably anxious to get back to his regular schedule. Abram Hart, one of the bank tellers testified at the Prelim (p203):
"Q. Had he any habit, or custom, or rule about visiting your bank?
A. He had almost a daily custom of coming in there almost every day; occasionally he would miss a day."
Morse testified that his "in haste" letter was to William Vinnicum in Swansea about some cattle. He had dined at William Vinnicum's house the previous evening. We don't know where the reply was to be directed. There is some indication that Morse was going to leave Fall River that Thursday afternoon. He told Mr. Davis that he would be back Thursday. He also testified at the Prelim about going to the Emerys:
"Q. How do you fix the time as about quarter to nine when you left the house?
A. Because I thought I would give them time to get their work done up in the morning. I could not go in the afternoon.
If Lizzie and Emma were involved in some plot (which BTW I don't believe) a simple pre-planned innocuous phrase would have sufficed to convey a message.
Andrew was feeling better on the 4th and he had missed a scheduled bank board meeting on Wednesday and was probably anxious to get back to his regular schedule. Abram Hart, one of the bank tellers testified at the Prelim (p203):
"Q. Had he any habit, or custom, or rule about visiting your bank?
A. He had almost a daily custom of coming in there almost every day; occasionally he would miss a day."
Morse testified that his "in haste" letter was to William Vinnicum in Swansea about some cattle. He had dined at William Vinnicum's house the previous evening. We don't know where the reply was to be directed. There is some indication that Morse was going to leave Fall River that Thursday afternoon. He told Mr. Davis that he would be back Thursday. He also testified at the Prelim about going to the Emerys:
"Q. How do you fix the time as about quarter to nine when you left the house?
A. Because I thought I would give them time to get their work done up in the morning. I could not go in the afternoon.
If Lizzie and Emma were involved in some plot (which BTW I don't believe) a simple pre-planned innocuous phrase would have sufficed to convey a message.
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augusta
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It seems to me that Lizzie giving her father a letter to mail to Emma that morning was not abnormal. They didn't have a phone. I'd sure like to know what was in that one, tho.
I can't picture Andrew opening Lizzie's letter. Weren't they still using sealing wax then?
When Andrew came home Thursday morning from downstreet, right away Lizzie asks, "Is there any mail?" She probably always asked that, since it was their only way of communicating with those outside the house, other than in-person visits.
I do believe there was a conspiracy between Lizzie, Emma and Morse. If true, maybe the letter to Emma was a pre-arranged way to let Emma know all was going well. But if read, nobody else would get that from it.
Is there any mention anywhere of what the letter said? Was that the pieces of paper Dr. Bowen burned in the kitchen stove? Harrington did see "Emma" written on it.
If Morse put a return address on his outgoing mail, and it was Fall River, maybe it only meant that he was in FR, and if undeliverable it would come back there. But his postal activities do look suspicious.
If he was involved in the murders, could he have really thought he'd be returning on Thursday afternoon?
I can't picture Andrew opening Lizzie's letter. Weren't they still using sealing wax then?
When Andrew came home Thursday morning from downstreet, right away Lizzie asks, "Is there any mail?" She probably always asked that, since it was their only way of communicating with those outside the house, other than in-person visits.
I do believe there was a conspiracy between Lizzie, Emma and Morse. If true, maybe the letter to Emma was a pre-arranged way to let Emma know all was going well. But if read, nobody else would get that from it.
Is there any mention anywhere of what the letter said? Was that the pieces of paper Dr. Bowen burned in the kitchen stove? Harrington did see "Emma" written on it.
If Morse put a return address on his outgoing mail, and it was Fall River, maybe it only meant that he was in FR, and if undeliverable it would come back there. But his postal activities do look suspicious.
If he was involved in the murders, could he have really thought he'd be returning on Thursday afternoon?
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DJ
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Harry,
If Lizzie were speaking to Emma in an innocuous code via the post, there would be no pressing reason to retrieve the letter. I do believe Emma and Lizzie were in cahoots, but I don't think, as you say, there would be anything explicit in the "last letter" to Emma, so JVM would have no urgent cause to secure its retrieval, whatever one believes, whether:
1) Emma and Lizzie were not conspiring;
2) Whether they were, but not daring to be explicit about that in a letter.
If JVM is not attempting to intercept that letter, one may assume he was conducting personal business?
He may have sent more than one missive on the a.m. of the 4th. He may have been expecting a reply to another letter? IOW: His testimony was true, up to a point-- a partial truth. It's his word alone about the no. of letters he sent that a.m.
Or, he might simply have had an important letter to mail when he risked his trip to the P.O. on the 5th.
However, I should think he could have kindly asked a member of the constabulary to mail that for him, as Emma or Lizzie could have, if they had mail to be sent.
Or, can all this be chalked up as another one of JVM's "odd actions"?
The answer to all this may be that he simply wanted "some air," or perhaps wanted to gauge public sentiment outside of the house, even if it were only as far as the P.O. and back. Or both.
Those who believe he was completely uninvolved could easily embrace the latter. It's as good an answer to his cause of action as any.
*************************************************************
This post poses another question, in my mind: What was the breadth of Lizzie's correspondence? IOW: Did she correspond regularly with anyone? According to her testimony, and JVM's, they have never, ever corresponded. We know JVM was not averse to letter-writing--
Do we then assume Lizzie did not correspond all that often?
She strikes me as a secretive person, too.
Which makes me wonder-- how "in character" would it have been for her to have given her Father a letter to mail, the a.m. of the 4th? It could have been a matter of course, but then:
If it were "out of character" for her to do so, and if she were secretive by nature, then the act of her so doing ought to be examined.
Frankly, if I were Andrew, I would be wondering what the heck my two darling daughters were writing about, given their actions that summer. I would've steamed that baby open! Anyway, did he trust Lizzie explicitly? Did she him?
I wonder how much he trusted her, if he suspected her of the robbery.
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Augusta, you slipped in just ahead of me-- I don't know about 1892, but I have a letter from a very rural locale in GA from ten years later, and its original gummed envelope is still intact with it. By the turn of the century, such envelopes must have been widely available. However, if one chooses to seal with wax and imprint with a personalized seal, one could have of course done so in 1892, which leads me back to the nature and extent of Lizzie's correspondence.
If Lizzie were speaking to Emma in an innocuous code via the post, there would be no pressing reason to retrieve the letter. I do believe Emma and Lizzie were in cahoots, but I don't think, as you say, there would be anything explicit in the "last letter" to Emma, so JVM would have no urgent cause to secure its retrieval, whatever one believes, whether:
1) Emma and Lizzie were not conspiring;
2) Whether they were, but not daring to be explicit about that in a letter.
If JVM is not attempting to intercept that letter, one may assume he was conducting personal business?
He may have sent more than one missive on the a.m. of the 4th. He may have been expecting a reply to another letter? IOW: His testimony was true, up to a point-- a partial truth. It's his word alone about the no. of letters he sent that a.m.
Or, he might simply have had an important letter to mail when he risked his trip to the P.O. on the 5th.
However, I should think he could have kindly asked a member of the constabulary to mail that for him, as Emma or Lizzie could have, if they had mail to be sent.
Or, can all this be chalked up as another one of JVM's "odd actions"?
The answer to all this may be that he simply wanted "some air," or perhaps wanted to gauge public sentiment outside of the house, even if it were only as far as the P.O. and back. Or both.
Those who believe he was completely uninvolved could easily embrace the latter. It's as good an answer to his cause of action as any.
*************************************************************
This post poses another question, in my mind: What was the breadth of Lizzie's correspondence? IOW: Did she correspond regularly with anyone? According to her testimony, and JVM's, they have never, ever corresponded. We know JVM was not averse to letter-writing--
Do we then assume Lizzie did not correspond all that often?
She strikes me as a secretive person, too.
Which makes me wonder-- how "in character" would it have been for her to have given her Father a letter to mail, the a.m. of the 4th? It could have been a matter of course, but then:
If it were "out of character" for her to do so, and if she were secretive by nature, then the act of her so doing ought to be examined.
Frankly, if I were Andrew, I would be wondering what the heck my two darling daughters were writing about, given their actions that summer. I would've steamed that baby open! Anyway, did he trust Lizzie explicitly? Did she him?
I wonder how much he trusted her, if he suspected her of the robbery.
*************************************************************
Augusta, you slipped in just ahead of me-- I don't know about 1892, but I have a letter from a very rural locale in GA from ten years later, and its original gummed envelope is still intact with it. By the turn of the century, such envelopes must have been widely available. However, if one chooses to seal with wax and imprint with a personalized seal, one could have of course done so in 1892, which leads me back to the nature and extent of Lizzie's correspondence.
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DJ
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Sorry to double-post, but that letter Lizzie sent is gnawing another thought: Could it have been absolutely innocuous, sent to service later as a ruse to the constabulary of this nature: "I wasn't planning to murder. I was writing a letter to my sister that morning. All was right with the world."
If Lizzie were planning to commit murder that a.m., before she ever came downstairs, then there had to be some above-and-beyond reason she sent the letter, whether it was to convey the above message to the police, or to get her Father out of the house, or for some other reason.
If Lizzie were planning to commit murder before she came downstairs, she had no earthly reason to write Emma, whom Lizzie knew would be there soon enough.
If Lizzie were planning to commit murder that a.m., before she ever came downstairs, then there had to be some above-and-beyond reason she sent the letter, whether it was to convey the above message to the police, or to get her Father out of the house, or for some other reason.
If Lizzie were planning to commit murder before she came downstairs, she had no earthly reason to write Emma, whom Lizzie knew would be there soon enough.
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augusta
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This may help. From The Witness Statements re: John Morse:
Thursday morning about 8:40 AM he left the Bordens, went to post office, wrote a letter from there.
Friday: About 8:30 AM on Friday, "He went to the P.O., stopped about a minute, went out and crossed to Geo. E Howe's where he purchased a two cent stamp. He then returned to the P.O. and at 8:32 AM dropped letter addressed to Wm. A. Davis, So. Dartmouth. It bore the words "In haste".
From The Witness Statements re: letter from Lizzie Borden:
September 12, 1892: [September 12, 1892 was a Monday. - Augusta] "I visited Miss Lizzie Johnson at Myricks on Saturday. She refused to make known to me the context of the letter she received from Lizzie Borden on the day of the Borden murder, until she had consulted Mr. Jennings. I talked with her for two hours, but was unable to make her change her mind. She met Mr. Jennings Saturday night. I saw her again today, when she informed me that Mr. Jennings told her she need not tell me the contents of the letter if she did not want to; and she did not want to. I have seen the other girls who were at Marion at the time. None of them will talk. I have made all this know (sic) to Mr. Knowlton, and that gentleman instructed me to procure all their names, and give them to you, in order that they may be summoned to appear before the Grand Jury. The names are as follows: Mary L. Holmes, Isabel J. Fraser, Lizzie Johnson, Louise Remington, Mabel H. Remington." ["you" I think means Marshal Hilliard - Augusta]
Thursday morning about 8:40 AM he left the Bordens, went to post office, wrote a letter from there.
Friday: About 8:30 AM on Friday, "He went to the P.O., stopped about a minute, went out and crossed to Geo. E Howe's where he purchased a two cent stamp. He then returned to the P.O. and at 8:32 AM dropped letter addressed to Wm. A. Davis, So. Dartmouth. It bore the words "In haste".
From The Witness Statements re: letter from Lizzie Borden:
September 12, 1892: [September 12, 1892 was a Monday. - Augusta] "I visited Miss Lizzie Johnson at Myricks on Saturday. She refused to make known to me the context of the letter she received from Lizzie Borden on the day of the Borden murder, until she had consulted Mr. Jennings. I talked with her for two hours, but was unable to make her change her mind. She met Mr. Jennings Saturday night. I saw her again today, when she informed me that Mr. Jennings told her she need not tell me the contents of the letter if she did not want to; and she did not want to. I have seen the other girls who were at Marion at the time. None of them will talk. I have made all this know (sic) to Mr. Knowlton, and that gentleman instructed me to procure all their names, and give them to you, in order that they may be summoned to appear before the Grand Jury. The names are as follows: Mary L. Holmes, Isabel J. Fraser, Lizzie Johnson, Louise Remington, Mabel H. Remington." ["you" I think means Marshal Hilliard - Augusta]
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augusta
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DJ, you made me double post ... 
I think Lizzie's letter being totally harmless is a distinct possibility, as you say what she could have said to the authorities.
But just because Lizzie wrote to her sister and it was not uncommon, doesn't mean the contents were harmless, either. You're right - she had Andrew send it before Abby's murder. I wasn't thinking.
If she wrote to Emma Wednesday nite or Thursday morning, what would have been new to say? How the Bordens' stomachs were doing. Her visit to Alice Russell? Uncle John is here? "They are having that warmed over mutton again. My stars, I can smell it up here." "Father and his cheapness over lights. I almost tripped, trying to make it up the stairs when I came in last night." "The killer is here and ready. I just hope he didn't make too much noise climbing over the fence last night. He was soused." "I know the police may get hold of this letter, and I don't care. I would rather be hung than stay in this place another day." I vote harmless.
The letter she wrote to Lizzie Johnson, mentioned in the Witness Statements, contained something that if read by like a cop it could have been taken the wrong way. That's why Miss Johnson was so adamant about not showing it to them. Maybe it was the same with that Emma letter, so Dr. Bowen burned it at the stove.
Did Dr. Bowen have a chance to burn the Emma letter in the stove? No. Emma's letter was not returned yet. Andrew said there was no mail for Lizzie Thursday when she asked upon his return. I wouldn't expect Emma's letter to be returned to FR until at least evening.
If Andrew were sick enough where he wasn't going to go out Thursday morning, he would not have gone out sick just to mail Lizzie's letter. "Get the servant girl to mail it. That's what we pay her for!" (Bridget): " 'Tis not my job." Maybe, knowing he was still somewhat sick, Lizzie thought if he mailed a letter, he would be gone for at least that long. No. I think it would only take him five minutes to go there and come home.
I was wondering when gummed envelopes started being used. Still, I don't picture Andrew opening Lizzie's letter. Gee, she'd pitch a fit just if he would have come in her room, let alone if he opened her mail??
I don't think A & A had an issue of personal safety with Lizzie. I don't think they'd leave a dollar on the kitchen table and walk away. But I don't think they thought Lizzie was gonna whack them, either. If they really thought that, I think Abby would have kept at Andrew until he got the 'girls' a place of their own. But that isn't what Lizzie wanted, was it - another cheap, oppressive house where Father held the reins.
I do wonder if Abby suspected Lizzie of poisoning them.
I think Lizzie's letter being totally harmless is a distinct possibility, as you say what she could have said to the authorities.
But just because Lizzie wrote to her sister and it was not uncommon, doesn't mean the contents were harmless, either. You're right - she had Andrew send it before Abby's murder. I wasn't thinking.
If she wrote to Emma Wednesday nite or Thursday morning, what would have been new to say? How the Bordens' stomachs were doing. Her visit to Alice Russell? Uncle John is here? "They are having that warmed over mutton again. My stars, I can smell it up here." "Father and his cheapness over lights. I almost tripped, trying to make it up the stairs when I came in last night." "The killer is here and ready. I just hope he didn't make too much noise climbing over the fence last night. He was soused." "I know the police may get hold of this letter, and I don't care. I would rather be hung than stay in this place another day." I vote harmless.
The letter she wrote to Lizzie Johnson, mentioned in the Witness Statements, contained something that if read by like a cop it could have been taken the wrong way. That's why Miss Johnson was so adamant about not showing it to them. Maybe it was the same with that Emma letter, so Dr. Bowen burned it at the stove.
Did Dr. Bowen have a chance to burn the Emma letter in the stove? No. Emma's letter was not returned yet. Andrew said there was no mail for Lizzie Thursday when she asked upon his return. I wouldn't expect Emma's letter to be returned to FR until at least evening.
If Andrew were sick enough where he wasn't going to go out Thursday morning, he would not have gone out sick just to mail Lizzie's letter. "Get the servant girl to mail it. That's what we pay her for!" (Bridget): " 'Tis not my job." Maybe, knowing he was still somewhat sick, Lizzie thought if he mailed a letter, he would be gone for at least that long. No. I think it would only take him five minutes to go there and come home.
I was wondering when gummed envelopes started being used. Still, I don't picture Andrew opening Lizzie's letter. Gee, she'd pitch a fit just if he would have come in her room, let alone if he opened her mail??
I don't think A & A had an issue of personal safety with Lizzie. I don't think they'd leave a dollar on the kitchen table and walk away. But I don't think they thought Lizzie was gonna whack them, either. If they really thought that, I think Abby would have kept at Andrew until he got the 'girls' a place of their own. But that isn't what Lizzie wanted, was it - another cheap, oppressive house where Father held the reins.
I do wonder if Abby suspected Lizzie of poisoning them.
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Harry
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I believe there was only one letter but it appears Morse is either lying or has a faulty memory. From page 243+ of the Preliminary hearing:
"Q. To whom did you write that letter you put in the post office; you are not obliged to tell that.
A. I think it was to William Vinnecum.
Q. Of Swansea?
A. Yes; it was to him, I know now; it was about some cattle.
Q. You mailed it there in the post office?
A. Yes Sir."
The entry in the Witness statements is not made by Morse but by a police officer (either Doherty or Harrington). For either of them to know such details either Morse or the Post Office would have had to show them the envelope. I think if Morse had shown them they would have mentioned that.
Here's another follow up that Knowlton missed. He had plenty of time between the Witness statements and the Preliminary hearing to compare testimony. I think that by the time of the Preliminary hearing they had eliminated him as the killer but he shouldn't have been eliminated as a conspirator.
Morse is literally all over the place on much of his testimony. Even the reason why he was at the house in the first place.
"Q. To whom did you write that letter you put in the post office; you are not obliged to tell that.
A. I think it was to William Vinnecum.
Q. Of Swansea?
A. Yes; it was to him, I know now; it was about some cattle.
Q. You mailed it there in the post office?
A. Yes Sir."
The entry in the Witness statements is not made by Morse but by a police officer (either Doherty or Harrington). For either of them to know such details either Morse or the Post Office would have had to show them the envelope. I think if Morse had shown them they would have mentioned that.
Here's another follow up that Knowlton missed. He had plenty of time between the Witness statements and the Preliminary hearing to compare testimony. I think that by the time of the Preliminary hearing they had eliminated him as the killer but he shouldn't have been eliminated as a conspirator.
Morse is literally all over the place on much of his testimony. Even the reason why he was at the house in the first place.
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augusta
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Harry, which letter is Morse being asked about in the passage you quoted? His letter that he wrote in the post office on Thursday might have been to William Vinnicum. And he says it was about some cattle.
He sounds like he's lying: "I think it was to William Vinnicum." I think?
Yes, Harry, I had the same thought that either Morse must have told the cop(s) or shown them to whom he was writing Friday's letter, or the cops stepped up to Morse just before he mailed it and demanded to see it. It does not say how they knew what it said.
I vote that the cops actually saw it, because I don't think Morse would have said, "Oh, and I put the words 'in haste' on there."
Yes, DJ, there were two letters - one on Thursday and one on Friday. I don't know but there were more. (Do you ever notice how all the witnesses usually say things like that in that way, "I don't know but ..." That is something we writers of fiction need to remembah.)
Well, if Morse was writing to Davis on Friday, as the cops noted, he might have been saying, "Folks slaughtered. Can not come back yet. Will keep you apprised." Or "Hey, thanks! It all went great! Nobody suspects a thing!" Yeah, I can see why Morse would write Davis on Friday. His letter on Thursday was (supposedly) to John Vinnicum and was sent before the murders.
He sounds like he's lying: "I think it was to William Vinnicum." I think?
Yes, Harry, I had the same thought that either Morse must have told the cop(s) or shown them to whom he was writing Friday's letter, or the cops stepped up to Morse just before he mailed it and demanded to see it. It does not say how they knew what it said.
I vote that the cops actually saw it, because I don't think Morse would have said, "Oh, and I put the words 'in haste' on there."
Yes, DJ, there were two letters - one on Thursday and one on Friday. I don't know but there were more. (Do you ever notice how all the witnesses usually say things like that in that way, "I don't know but ..." That is something we writers of fiction need to remembah.)
Well, if Morse was writing to Davis on Friday, as the cops noted, he might have been saying, "Folks slaughtered. Can not come back yet. Will keep you apprised." Or "Hey, thanks! It all went great! Nobody suspects a thing!" Yeah, I can see why Morse would write Davis on Friday. His letter on Thursday was (supposedly) to John Vinnicum and was sent before the murders.
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DJ
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Augusta, just wondering whether Lizzie might have written to her friend something along the lines of what she said to Alice Russell the evening of the 3rd, something on the order of "I know something terrible is going to happen," to make it seem as if one of "Father's enemies" were about to strike, without realizing how she was implicating herself.
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DJ
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Again, sorry to double-post, but it's later, and-- was checking testimony to see whether there was another ref to JVM's letters and came across something of note:
At the Inquest, he states he doesn't know whether Bridget had begun her window-washing when he departed for the P.O. on the a.m. of the 4th.
At trial, he states she was still in the kitchen when he departed.
Just "for the record."
At the Inquest, he states he doesn't know whether Bridget had begun her window-washing when he departed for the P.O. on the a.m. of the 4th.
At trial, he states she was still in the kitchen when he departed.
Just "for the record."
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Harry
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I think there was only one letter, the one he mailed on Friday morning to Davis. I mistakenly said he dined with William Vinnicum "the night before". It was Wednesday night when he dined with him.
As to the letter to William Vinnicum I think Morse mixes up the person he wrote it to. Not unusual for Morse. I'll take the word of the police that it was to Davis.
As to the letter to William Vinnicum I think Morse mixes up the person he wrote it to. Not unusual for Morse.
I'll take the word of the police that it was to Davis.I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
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DJ
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Harry,
The more one dwells upon it-- why not send a telegram to Davis? Yes, there's the expense, but why the privacy? Also, Davis would have heard about the murders anyway, and would not have been scratching his his head, wondering where Morse was. Also, Davis would have known where to contact him, if necessary.
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Lincoln claims Mr. Borden never made it to the P.O. on the 4th, that no one there remembered seeing him. If true, then either Mr. Borden gave Lizzie's letter to Morse to mail, or Lizzie gave it directly to Morse.
The more one dwells upon it-- why not send a telegram to Davis? Yes, there's the expense, but why the privacy? Also, Davis would have heard about the murders anyway, and would not have been scratching his his head, wondering where Morse was. Also, Davis would have known where to contact him, if necessary.
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Lincoln claims Mr. Borden never made it to the P.O. on the 4th, that no one there remembered seeing him. If true, then either Mr. Borden gave Lizzie's letter to Morse to mail, or Lizzie gave it directly to Morse.
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augusta
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Harry, how do you conclude that there was only one letter that Morse wrote? To me, the Witness Statements are saying there are two.
DJ, right - Morse was a tightwad and would not have wanted to spend the money on a telegram. Also, it would not be as private, since the telegraph operator on both ends would know what it said. It may have been very confidential.
There was no guarantee of when Davis would have heard of the murders - he may not have heard of them quickly.
Lincoln's book is notorious for yarn spinning. And just because no one said they saw Andrew at the post office doesn't mean he wasn't there.
DJ, right - Morse was a tightwad and would not have wanted to spend the money on a telegram. Also, it would not be as private, since the telegraph operator on both ends would know what it said. It may have been very confidential.
There was no guarantee of when Davis would have heard of the murders - he may not have heard of them quickly.
Lincoln's book is notorious for yarn spinning. And just because no one said they saw Andrew at the post office doesn't mean he wasn't there.
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Harry
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Davis did come over to see Morse on the 8th (Monday) at the house.
From the Boston Globe of the 9th in an interview with the senior Davis about Morse leaving for FR on the 3rd:
"I wanted to purchase some cows in Fall River, and as I know him to be well posted on cattle I entrusted him with the job. The day he was to go was not set, and after he had started he missed the train, and was on the point of turning back. In fact, he came back part of the way, but changed his mind, and waited for a later train. The next I heard from him was the news of the murder and the suspicion that was attached, possibly, to his presence in the house."
Emphasis is mine. Wouldn't we love to read that letter to Davis!
Later in the same issue:
"Morse received a visit from the son of Farmer Davis and a neighbor named Howe yesterday and accorded them a long interview. He expressed much sorrow at the awful crime and described the scene he witnessed when called into the room where the two bodies lay."
From the Boston Globe of the 9th in an interview with the senior Davis about Morse leaving for FR on the 3rd:
"I wanted to purchase some cows in Fall River, and as I know him to be well posted on cattle I entrusted him with the job. The day he was to go was not set, and after he had started he missed the train, and was on the point of turning back. In fact, he came back part of the way, but changed his mind, and waited for a later train. The next I heard from him was the news of the murder and the suspicion that was attached, possibly, to his presence in the house."
Emphasis is mine. Wouldn't we love to read that letter to Davis!
Later in the same issue:
"Morse received a visit from the son of Farmer Davis and a neighbor named Howe yesterday and accorded them a long interview. He expressed much sorrow at the awful crime and described the scene he witnessed when called into the room where the two bodies lay."
I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
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DJ
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I'd really like to know what was in Lizzie's "Letter of the Fourth"-- one minute she's (or so she says) handing Mr. Borden a missive to Emma, then, within thirty minutes, Mrs. Borden is laid low.
If Lizzie killed Mrs. Borden, what was the purpose of the letter?
Just to make it seem like your average, lah-de-dah day at No. 92? (How could I be planning to murder, when I've just been writing my sister?)
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Too bad Davis and Vinnicum (if indeed he was the recipient of a postal from Morse, mailed around nine-fifteen the a.m. of the Fourth) didn't hold on to their letters and carry them around in their coat pockets, the way Morse did.
If Lizzie killed Mrs. Borden, what was the purpose of the letter?
Just to make it seem like your average, lah-de-dah day at No. 92? (How could I be planning to murder, when I've just been writing my sister?)
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Too bad Davis and Vinnicum (if indeed he was the recipient of a postal from Morse, mailed around nine-fifteen the a.m. of the Fourth) didn't hold on to their letters and carry them around in their coat pockets, the way Morse did.
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Kat
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Did I read here that Lizzie sent 2 letters on August 4th?
One to Emma and one to her friend Lizzie at Marion?
Admittedly, Miss Lizzie Johnston "received" it on the 4th, but we know it could be mailed the 4th and still be rec'd the same day...
(W.S. page 33)
What do we think about this?
BTW: Maybe Lizzie had been writing Emma about the prowler in a previous missive? [Inquest 91 (48) where she talks about the *prowler* ]
One to Emma and one to her friend Lizzie at Marion?
Admittedly, Miss Lizzie Johnston "received" it on the 4th, but we know it could be mailed the 4th and still be rec'd the same day...
(W.S. page 33)
What do we think about this?
BTW: Maybe Lizzie had been writing Emma about the prowler in a previous missive? [Inquest 91 (48) where she talks about the *prowler* ]