Lizzie Borden Society Forum

From the book Yesterday in Old Fall River


Annie reported along with her friend ten year old Mamie Smith, that they heard cries from the Borden house the day of the murders. Two police officers, Philip Harrington and Patrick Doherty interviewed Annie on August 8 in her home at 41 John Street. Both Connelly and Mamie Smith denied ever saying they heard cries or saw anything concerning the murders. Mamie said at the time of the murders, both she and Annie were at the home of Mamie's cousin in the area of Second and Rodman Street.

Annie was born in 1884-?

I believe Hoffman copied this information from the original Witness Statements:

Reported by Harrington and Doherty:

"Miss Sarah Scholick (?) had clue. Janice Duckworth No. 43 John Street told her that Annie Connelly aged eight years, and Mamie Smith, aged 10 years, heard cries in Mr. Borden's house. and a few minutes later a man came out the front door wiping his coat and vest with a handkerchief.
These children deny this; the oldest saying she was at her cousin's on the corner of Second and Rodmans Street all that day, and the other girl was with her. It was simply child's talk"

Why does Dr. Hoffman not give his sources?
It's like the Victorian Vistas books- they are interesting but you have to guess which newspapers.
I think in Vistas, the compiler did it on purpose, and was satisfied with that.
This makes The Casebook look really good!