Lizzie Borden Society Forum

In a recent thread there was again mention of gilt being found in Abby's wounds. Did the police ever do an investigation into whether or not Lizzie, Emma, Bridget uncle John, Abby or Andrew bought a new hatchet shortly before the murders? That much gilt in Abby's wounds must mean that the hatchet had not been used prior to the murders.

Heres another thought. Could it have been possible that Lizzie could have been hiding the bloody hatchet under her dress when the police were questioning her?


-1bigsteve (o:

Bingo! I thought about the Hatchet unde the dress to Steve! But then I thought that would be uncomfortable when she sat down and it might poke out. But it is an interesting theory. I don't think anyone would have looked under her dress-and certainly not when she was menstruating. Which I think her cycle is such an overlooked peice to this puzzle.
I've often wondered if Police asked the stores closer to her relatives home that she was visiting if anyone had purchased a hatchet. Anyone in the family at all. Of course we KNOW Lizzie knew how to get a really, really good discount. LOL.

I was thinking that Lizzie could have taped or strapped the hatchet to the inside of her thigh with the head up near her crotch so neither the cutting edge or poll would bulge through her dress. The hatchet handle is only 11-13" long, not 18" as many people think, so the end would have been down near her knees. Lizzie was lying on her bed during much of the time the police were in her house. She could have been lying on the murder weapon the whole time. It's something to think about.


-1bigsteve (o:

Actually I think a likelier possibility was that she put it under the fainting sofa cushion and demurely rested upon it, sedated all day. Lizzie had concluded her "time of month" Wednesday night. The haste in which she promptly went upstairs and changed into that pink wrapper indicates to me that after Abby was found she wasted no time in getting up to her room to examine herself and hide the dress she had on that morning. I also would not rule out under her mattress, or the large slop pail with the soaking napkins. And don't forget that bundle rolled up on the floor of Emma's closet,- the one the policeman did not stop to examine that afternoon when Bowen and Lizzie were up in her room.

I also have read that Bridget left the house with several bundles right in front of the police. Is this true? Are these rumors or are they eye witness accounts? That would be the easiest way to get rid of it. Kind of like Kardashian did with O.J. -right in front of the police.

Well Bridget did leave with one bundle- presumably her own things when she left to sleep overnight across the street. Bowen was also in and out and had a doctor's bag which was not searched. Mrs. Bowen had a tea tray for Lizzie of tea and toast which may have been covered. Lot of possibilities. Once I even had a notion that Lizzie could have hidden the weapon in her father's coffin. In the lining, under the cushion on the bottom, etc. Or in Abby's. Bury the evidence and have it carried our right under their noses.

That would be creepy if she hid it in the coffin Shelly!! I saw a few posts on this site that there was someone that wanted to exhume the bodies for examinations. I so wish they would. Perhaps modern forensics would at least shed some light on the case.
I know a lot of people are against it, but I'm all for it!
How often is there talk of doing this? Once again, I am surprised none of the T.V. networks has tried and made some kind of special. I think it would garner big ratings! And maybe find that hatchet....:)

Actually I think a very entertaining show could be made out of searching the house with all the new equipment available today- especially the cellar.

Re: hatchets- I seem to recall Andrew had purchased a new one and had left it out at the farm to be sharpened. I wonder if the new hatchet, once sharpened on a wet stone would lose its gilt-edge-I think it would. I think those gilt particles in Abby's head were something else.