Lizzie Borden

Lizzie Borden born July 19, 1860, Fall River, Mass., was charged with murdering her stepmother and father; her trial became a national sensation in the United States. Lizzie's mother died in 1862 leaving two daughters. Her father Andrew Borden, an affluent businessman, was only interested in money. He was worth $500,000 in gold but refused to install plumbing in his home. He was strict with others and tight with his money. Andrew married spinster Abby Durfee Gray, 38 in 1865, when Lizzie was three and Emma was 12. Abby rarely left home except to visit her half-sister.

Lizzie never dated; she was well liked and active in civic and charitable work. She taught Sunday school at Central Congregational, was an officer of the Christian Endeavor Society, and member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Emma 42, rarely went anywhere except to visit another nearby spinster, Alice Russell.

Both daughters were upset about their father withdrawing their inheritance for Abby. Lizzie and Emma were constantly upset with them, usually over financial matters. Five years before the murders, when Andrew put a rental house in Abby's name, Lizzie and Emma were so enraged; Andrew bought each daughter a house of equal value as Abby's. Emma and Lizzie quit eating with their parents and referred to Abby as "Mrs. Borden." Bridget Sullivan, 26, a recent Irish immigrant, had been in the Borden's' service for nearly three years. She would testify that the Borden's never raised their voices to one another.

Andrew and Abby knew Lizzie stole his cash and her jewelry but still ordered a police investigation. Abby bolted her door to Lizzie's room. Andrew' put a strong lock on the master bedroom, but kept the key on the sitting-room mantelpiece.

Neither Lizzie nor Emma spoke to Uncle John because he was planning to reduce their inheritance and Abby would put the farm in her name and make John's brother-in-law, John Morse, the caretaker.

A week before the murders, to escape the heat, Emma went to Fairhaven while Lizzie stayed at Buzzards Bay. The five friends sharing a beach house with her noticed she was unhappy and distant. She left Buzzards Bay and her friends early to return home.

On the day preceding the murders, August 3, Lizzie tried to procure illegal prussic acid. In the trial, the pharmacist's testimony was excluded. On the same day, for the first time in five years, Lizzie had lunch with Abby and Andrew. That evening she visited Alice Russell where she recounted stories about her father's enemies before returning home and going straight to her room since Uncle John was spending the night.

Thursday morning, August 4, 1892, Bridget and Andrew were the first ones up. Breakfast was mutton soup, sliced mutton, pancakes, bananas, pears, cookies, and coffee.

Uncle John and Mr. Borden left home to carry out separate business.

Bridget ran out to the back yard and vomited. Showing no compassion towards Bridget's illness Abby instructed her to immediately wash all the windows inside ...