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1892: Lizzie Borden took an axe. And gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one.
Sisterly Love: The Saga of Emma and Lizzie Borden
What you need to know before your trail
Just after eleven, on the morning of August 4th, 1892, the peace in a modest residential neighborhood was shattered, by cries of murder. Businessman, Andrew Borden was found by his daughter, Lizzie, bludgeoned to death. Later, his second wife, Abby, was discovered, also hacked to death.
Bridget Sullivan, the house maid had been outside, washing windows, that morning. Oldest daughter, Emma, was away, and Uncle John Morse — who’d spent the night before with the Borden’s — had a string of unshakeable alibis. That left only Lizzie.
Travel Guide
Fall River
Borden lived in Fall River in a house which despite the family’s wealth was very run down. It didn’t have indoor plumbing as the father was very frugal.
At the time of the murders, Second street was in an affluent area of the city. Her real mother died and her father remarried and Lizzie was said to think that this new wife, Abby was after the family money. There were several arguments in the family about money before the murders took place and Lizzie and her sister ensured they had a house to live in together.
For several days before the murders, the entire household had been violently ill. A family friend later speculated that mutton left on the stove for use in meals over several days was the cause, but Abby had feared poisoning, as Andrew Borden had not exactly been popular.
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information: Sisterly Love: The Saga of Emma and Lizzie Borden
Author/Guide: Jordan Bollinger Destination: Fall River Departure Time: 1892
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