1. "Another trip to Europe?"
Posted by harry on Jan-17th-04 at 8:54 AM
On this web site which covers a Lizzie Borden exhibit (I believe in 2000) it mentions a travel book of Lizzie's.
http://www.hoover.archives.gov/exhibits/AmericanWomen/prairie-polls/borden.htm
Note that it says the travel book was "taken with Lizzie on a trip to Italy after the trial."
We know that she made a trip in 1890 but this would indicate she made a second trip. Anybody have any info on this or is the web site just incorrect?
I think it's perfectly reasonable Lizzie would travel back to Europe after the trial. Prob there are dates in the book which would indicate the year.
If the stuff is on loan from FRHS, Michael Martins would know. Or perhaps even Bill Pavao.
(Message last edited Jan-17th-04 12:01 PM.)
Thanks Har!
I have heard of this several times and I do think it is something for Bill Pavao or Len Rebello to answer.
Harry:
In 1998 I contacted Mr.Dennis A. Binette, the assistant curator of the Fall River Historical Society, and asked if the Society had any books that once belonged to Lizzie. I was told there was only one book of this type in their colledtion. A travel book entitled "Italy."
If there is an inscription in the book, it might have a date.
Why don't you telephone Mr. Binette and inquire?
Looks like you can have it either way:
"Not At Church / Lizzie Borden at Home All of Sunday / Rev. Jubb Speaks to His Flock / No Signs of Life on Second St. / Sisters 'Tis Said, Seek New House / Wish to Remain in Quiet in Fall River City / Banker Holmes Denies the European Tale / Bridget Sullivan Not Engaged as Housekeeper," Boston Daily Globe, Monday, June 26, 1893: 1.
"Our Folks and Other Folks," Fall River Evening News, June 24, 1893: 8.
"Miss Lizzie Borden has not contemplated a European trip, nor re-employment of Bridget Sullivan, nor many other things that have been reported. She has no plans for the immediate future, but would very much appreciate a brief period of rest, which her health demands, and freedom from senseless and unfounded gossip. There is no reason why she should continue to be hounded or treated differently from any other citizen."
OR
"Minor Items: Acquitted / Lizzie, Emma and Bridget to Europe," Country Gentleman, vol. LVIII, Friday, June 29, 1893: 513 col. 1.
--Can you just envision all 3 of them jauntering off to Europe on Andrew's money?
Now, that would be interesting. Do you think maybe Lizzie and Emma accompanied Bridget on her return trip to Ireland, then sailed on to Italy?
As Fred Dwyer used to say, "Works for me!"
I think they would get about half way across the ocean and Bridget would be shark food.
"Oh, Maggie!, Come nearer the rail. I want to show you something."
>I think they would get about half way across the ocean and
>Bridget would be shark food.
>
>"Oh, Maggie!, Come nearer the rail. I want to show you
>something."
"Here, Sharky, Sharky, Sharky!"
(ROFL)
(Message last edited Jan-18th-04 12:35 PM.)
Poor Bridget. Thats an interesting find, Harry. I wonder when they state "after the trial" if it was meant as immediately after or from some time between 1893 to the 1920s? I'm surprised that it wasn't noted that Lizzie went to Marion or some seaside place after the trial, it was supposed to be a cure-all in the day.
Great info, Kat. Love the idea of Lizzie, Emma, and Bridget all taking a nice vacation together. Just reading that made me laugh and now we have poor Bridget as shark food!
Bridget moved out of the house right after the murders; she didn't attend the funeral. Held as a material witness, she was bailed out by the Police Dept, and then worked for them! How about that?
Bridget stayed away Thursday night but returned Friday, stayed Friday night, worked Saturday, and left Saturday night. She then returned Monday to work and was told by Mr. miller not to leave until he came and took her out.
Rebello sites a news source as to Bridget's status up to Trial and just after:
pg. 273
"Bridget Sullivan's Witness Fees
District Attorney Knowlton, at the close of the trial, asked that Bridget Sullivan be allowed witness fees for the 'whole time during her alleged incarceration as an impounded witness at the house of correction.' Chief Justice Mason was about to honor Knowlton's request when Simeon Borden, Jr., clerk of court, pointed out to the court's satisfaction that Bridget had never been surrendered from the posted sureties and had been receiving wages at the house of correction as a domestic. 'It was reckoned at about $3 a week for something like 40 weeks,' Fall River Daily Herald, Friday, June 23, 1893: 7."
Inflation makes that about $58 per week....
Anyone know where I can find a hard working domestic willing to work for room and board and a measly $58 a week??
Was this more than what she received at the Borden's? If so, Andy miserliness is proven. How often does the Govt pay more than private business? Those days may have been different.
Actually, I've pointed out before that an "inflation calculator" used does not appear to be correct. Bread then was 5 cents a loaf, a two-family house went for $3,000 or more (Grandfather's house on Ferry St.), factory workers received $10 for an 80-hour week, etc.
Assuming a pound loaf of whole wheat bread, that would make the multiplier about 40 times. For homes it would be about 50 times. Factory worker about the same range. Agree?
My estimates based on the real world, and common sense.
And as I have pointed out to you at least 5 times, inflation does not affect all things equally. It is a COMPOSITE average. Look it up and take notes so we don't have to go through this again.
Sometimes I think this forum is stuck in a time warp.
(Message last edited Jan-21st-04 2:16 PM.)
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/
It gives the Source as well, which, sorry, you don't.
$3 = 57.69 and Audrey wins at $58 !
She gives her servant .31 cents more per week.
(Message last edited Jan-21st-04 2:42 PM.)
Either way--- right or wrong it comes down to this:
I can buy a loaf of bread (walmart brand) for about 90 cents. (2004)
If Bridgette spent her entire weekly pay on bread @ 5 cents a loaf she could get 60 loaves of bread.
If I bought 60 loaves of bread I would pay $54. (And this is cheap bread!)
If I was to buy Wonder(1.39) or (my personal favorite) Sara Lee ($2.19), spending the same $54.... I would be able to get a lot less.....
Wonder-- About 39
SL-- About 27
My home, in rural Iowa-- would sell tomorrow for about half of what I could get for it in a city-- even in Iowa and perhaps 3-4 times depending on it's location in another state or on the coast(s).
The inflation calculator can not (obviously) give us an exact translation but it certainly can give us an idea-- and that is what I was doing.
Bridgette made a pittance-- but almost any standards.
Of course this was in the days before minimum wage and workers rights were little more than a fantasy.
And another thing...
Real estate can not be used as an example-- (IMHO)
The home my family built on the Ile St Louis in Paris, in 1676 cost them (ok-- I admit this is a rough translation of funds based on what my father was able to ascertain) $87 (land included)
The good governmental entity of Paris sees fit to tax it in 2003 based on an estimated worth of much more than that!
Who knew the island which once belonged to the cows would become so desirable....
And one more thing-- back to topic of a possible European trip...
Lizzie did go to Europe once (for sure). She went to Paris. I am convinced she visited the Ile St Louis and more than likely took a stroll down the street I grew up on.... Quai d' Anjou.... She gazed upon the home I was raised in and probably wished she could be invited in for tea.
If she was able to do it again today-- I would go back for a visit and wait for her to come along-- tea pot in hand..
(Message last edited Jan-22nd-04 12:12 AM.)
Thank you for your kind remarks and comments. The fact that this is an average should be warning enough.
Ever hear of the man who drowned in a lake that was in average one foot deep?
Audrey obviously knows how to round to the dollar.
Ever see how accountants do taxes?
...
What about the price of Whole Wheat Bread? Or nutritionally quality breads (7 or 9-grain)?
(Message last edited Jan-22nd-04 11:27 AM.)
Didn't Bridget earn $2.50 a week at the Bordens? Plus her luxurious room and board (any leftovers from the family)? That's living!!!