Ever heard of Lizzie Borden? She has become known as an axe murderer. In 1892, she was charged with the murder of her father and stepmother.
Lizzie Borden was born on July 19, 1860 in Fall River, Massachusetts. Her mother died in 1862; her father Andrew Borden remarried in 1865. Andrew Borden was a rich but frugal man. He was worth a half million dollars but would not install plumbing in his home.
Andrew Borden did, however, spend money on Abby Gray, his second wife. Lizzie and her sister Emma were apparently never fond of Abby. Andrew’s decision to withdraw Lizzie and Emma’s inheritance and give it all to Abby instead did not help matters. He also bought a rental house for Abby and the daughters became so upset that they each ended up with their own rental house. Relationships became so strained that Lizzie and Emma would no longer eat meals with Andrew and Abby. They also insisted on addressing Abby only as Mrs. Borden.
On August 4, 1892, Andrew Borden left home to conduct his business. Abby Borden was planning to go to the bank that day – she was going to sign the deed for ownership of the family farm. Lizzie Borden was apparently not pleased with this.
At about 9:00 a.m., Abby was killed while making a bed in the guest room. Two hours later, Andrew returned home and was also murdered.
Lizzie was engaged in sewing and ironing during this time. She stated that she had just come back into the house from the barn to discover her father dead. Witnesses were able to testify that Lizzie Borden did not have blood on her clothes after the murders.
Suspiciously, the barn she was in contained many tools and a water pump. A detective found a hatchet head in the basement. It had been cleaned and rolled in furnace ash. A foot long stick was found nearby. Although Lizzie had motive and opportunity, and had conflicting responses during inquest, these points weren’t allowed into evidence. Lizzie Borden was ultimately acquitted at her 1893 trial due to lack of evidence.
Lizzie Borden bought a mansion for herself and her sister after inheriting half of Andrew Borden’s estate. She was no longer welcome at her church, and the community did not accept her. A few years later, Emma abruptly moved away and ceased all contact with Lizzie. Lizzie remained a recluse and died in 1927. Emma read of her sister’s death in the news but made no response. She died ten days later.
Thrill seekers can now stay at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast in Massachusetts. Tours are also conducted. Those who stay at the B&B;, which is the Borden’s home, can enjoy a breakfast similar to what the Borden family ate on that fateful August 4th. And yes, Lizzie Borden’s bedroom is rented out.
Sources:
http://www.karisable.com/lizborden.htm
www.lizzie-borden.com
