Forum Title: LIZZIE BORDEN SOCIETY Topic Area: Fall River and Its Environs Topic Name: Taunton Insane Asylum  

1. "Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by augusta on Dec-30th-03 at 12:18 PM

This postcard comes from the website:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~asylums/taunton_ma/index.html

This is a very informative page about the asylum. 

It says, "...The building boasted all of the modern conveniences ..."
Gee, maybe Andrew shoulda told Lizzie to go there when she griped.

(Message last edited Dec-30th-03  12:20 PM.)


2. "Re: Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by augusta on Dec-30th-03 at 12:25 PM
In response to Message #1.

Another website that has more photos of the Taunton asylum is:
www.danvers-state-ia.com/misc2.html

Apparently "Taunton is close to being entirely condemned though some buildings are still in use." 

It was built in 1851, the second Massachusetts hospital for the insane. 

Seems like we have some stuff, from Harry?, in the archives on it.  (Probably this same stuff.    )

(Message last edited Dec-30th-03  12:30 PM.)


3. "Re: Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by Kat on Dec-31st-03 at 12:14 AM
In response to Message #2.

Those were really good, Augusta!
I've not seen that second link, before.
We do have a member who worked on the property.  Mabe she will comment?


4. "Re: Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by rays on Dec-31st-03 at 12:21 PM
In response to Message #1.

Note the 51% cost overrun!!! Even in those days!


5. "Re: Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by Susan on Jan-4th-04 at 2:22 PM
In response to Message #3.

Yes, I had made some sort of post on this a looooooong time ago, I don't remember what or why though?  I recall this photo that I posted and a member replied to it and gave us her take on working there. 


6. "Re: Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by Tracie on Jan-8th-04 at 3:35 PM
In response to Message #3.

Hi Folks,

It was me, long time no write, but I've been reading all your posts!!

Those sites are great and I've seen most of them before--I do have an interst in TSH, since I worked there many moons ago.

Drove by the old place this morning on the way to work and it looks busy.  I think that some use it as a day camp type of place for mentally ill folks.  A friend told me some months ago that her brother was living there.  So from what I gather, it is still in use, but not all the buildings.

Charlie Crowley a city council member has a show on old time Taunton (the local cable channel) and I watch occassionally and he talked about Lizzie being in the old jail on Hodges Avenue.  I promised one other time that I would go to the historical society and see what they have on Lizzie and I haven't done so yet.  Perhaps soon.

A student that I know from work lives near Hodges Avenue and he told me that when he moved to his apartment that someone had told him about Lizzie Borden being in jail near his place.  From what I gather, He believes he is directly across the street from the old jail.  He also told me that he thinks and is somewhat spooked by this fact that he feels definite presences in his apartment.  I will be attending his graduation party near the end of the month and will check out the old jail location.  Hodges Avenue leads directly into TSH, I always enter from the Reed and Barton side (backside).

Happy New Year and I wish you all good health!!

Tracie


7. "Re: Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by harry on Jan-8th-04 at 3:52 PM
In response to Message #6.

Since I posted another photo not documented in blood I decided to remove it.  Can't have that.


(Message last edited Jan-27th-04  8:59 PM.)


8. "Re: Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by Kat on Jan-8th-04 at 5:30 PM
In response to Message #6.

Thanks for responding Tracie!
I'm so glad you are still reading!

What Harry says is true, according to Rebello, page 502:
"Crowley, Charles, 'Taunton An Early Site for County's Prisons,' Taunton Advocate, May 15, 1980.

The Taunton jail on Hodges Street where Lizzie was confined was constructed in 1873 and closed when the New Bedford (Massachusetts) House of Correction was built in 1898. The Taunton jail remained vacant for a number of years until the Veterans of Foreign Wars occupied the building. They purchased the building in 1947 and remained there until 1970. The Taunton jail, along with many other historical buildings in Taunton, was demolished under the Urban Renewal Program."

--There's your C. Crowley!

Also, Rebello, 158:
"The Borden Case, Lizzie Seems Quite at Home in Taunton Jail"- New Bedford Daily Mercury, Wednesday, September 7, 1892: 1.
...
"At the Jail," Taunton Daily Gazette, Monday, August 15, 1892: 2.

"Miss Borden is the first woman confined in Taunton [Massachusetts] jail against whom there is a suspicion of a capital crime. She has the same privileges of other inmates of the jail and one of them is to have what food sent in that she cares to buy. Her friends see that she has what she wants from the City Hotel and her dinner was sent from the kitchen on Sunday ..."

157-158:
... "The defendant, Miss Borden, passed an uneasy night in the matron's room at the central station [Taunton, Massachusetts]. She did not sleep well, although her bedding and food were brought from her own home. She is in much happier and more contented frame of mind than when she was here a week ago, but the excitement of yesterday afternoon made a deep impression on her."

......

From what I understand, Lizzie did nicely at Taunton, was treated well, and when it was thought to transfer her to New Bedford for the duration, she asked and was given permission to remain at Taunton until the Trial. She and Emma visited later, after her trial.

264:
"Lizzie Borden Renews Friendship," Fall River Daily Globe, June 9, 1894: 6.

"Miss Lizzie A. Borden called at the Taunton jail yesterday to see Mrs. Wright, but the latter was in Fall River and Miss Borden afterwards went downtown for awhile."

--Anyway, Lizzie may have been coming down off morphine at the jail.  We don't know how long, or if her therapy continued prescribed by Dr. Bowen.
Otherwise, after the first shock wore of, I think Lizzie was as contented as one can be in jail.  i just don't know if that experience was conducive to a "haunting".  Maybe another prisoner?

--Thanks Harry for the map!  I love maps!





(Message last edited Jan-8th-04  5:38 PM.)


9. "Re: Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by Susan on Jan-8th-04 at 9:05 PM
In response to Message #6.

Hi, Tracie, thanks for the reply!  Good to know that you're still out there.  You'll have to let us know about your visit to the area of the old jail, sounds cool. 


10. "Re: Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by Tracie on Jan-9th-04 at 8:09 AM
In response to Message #7.

Hi Harry,

My friend lives on Chandler Avenue which you can see on your map.  Great map by the way.  I will do my best to get to the historical society, of course my interest is still great in solving the borden tale and/or getting informtion.

Thanks Kat for the info also and it is always an interesting read on the forum.

Tracie


11. "Re: Taunton Insane Asylum"
Posted by augusta on Jan-24th-04 at 7:32 PM
In response to Message #8.

I'm all for 'urban renewal'.  But I wish they'd leave the Lizzie sites alone.   That would be so neat to be able to see where she was at.
Wonderful map picture, Harry. Thanks.
Hope you make it to the historical society, Tracie.  You might unearth some rare gems there. 
The picture you posted, Susan, is both beautiful and eerie.  Thanks.
A haunted feeling about the jail site?  I think I'd feel a little tingle go down my spine just knowing I was near it.  There were probably lots of things that happened there to spark a little 'activity'.  It'd be interesting to hear what your friend had to say on the subject, Tracie.  Fascinating that you used to work at the TIS.