1. "Emma & Lizzie Knew What Was What"
Posted by Tina-Kate on Jun-11th-03 at 9:58 PM

Little tidbit from Rebello, pg 277 --

"Emma and Lizzie signed a document for probate court on August 5, 1892, stating they were the sole heirs of Andrew Borden who left no widow."

Didn't take long, did it?

That must have been Jennings' doing.
What was the rush?
Was there a reason, do you think?

A little further down the road, it would make sense because they would need $ very soon for legal council.  But FRIDAY?  How could they know Friday that they would need working capital and probably a release of some monies?

They did that *reward* thing too.  How could they know that soon the police would not catch the culprit?

(Message last edited Jun-12th-03  12:00 AM.)

Your right, that reward was also offered the next day.  I have it in my reprint copy of the Fall River Daily Globe for Friday, August 5, 1892, top righthand side of page 7, amid all news of the murder coverage.

Sure had their wits about them for sisters supposedly in shock & mourning.

Certainly they knew Abby died 1st (before the medical experts).  In a rush to beat Abby's relatives to probate court?

Yes, I always wondered about that.  The elder Bordens weren't even in their graves yet and "the girls" were signing for Andrew's estate.  I think Kat is right, probably Jenning's advice to do it now.

A thought just hit me, I'm sure Emma as well as Lizzie had money in the bank, but, at that moment, they were literally cut off from their allowance!  That must have been quite scary, especially if someone else could or might apply for Andrew's money.  Perhaps thats where the haste came into play? 

Even if it was Jennings' advice to offer the huge reward -- a little too eager to cast suspicion elsewhere, doncha think?

Decisions all made awfully fast considering it was the Victorian era.

Yea, and girls, at that.
Making such decisions.

Maybe that's why [it has been offered here by someone (?)] that Bowen was called for first, and a lucky break the Medical Examiner happened by.
(Wasn't that Dolan suspicion, You, Tina Kate?)
Getting that determination of murder and order of death by Autopsy The Same Day, probably allowed the girls to act quickly!  Usually they wait for Coronors court or Inquest, don't they, to determine, officially, such things?

It may have had something to do with Andrew not having a will. 

We know that Lizzie still had the money from the sale of the Ferry house back to her father. Her bank accounts were listed at the trial.  If I remember right, they totaled about $3,000, a tidy sum for those days.  No doubt, Emma, no big spender herself, had at least that.  Both ladies also owned shares of stock in their own name.

If that is true they would have had over $100,000 in todays dollars for their immediate use.

Dr D made a nice tidy sum.  My most recent Rebello thumbings showed he made even more than I'd thought.  I loved his remark following the verdict -- "I feel all right about it."  Those murders gave him a very good year, financially.

More & more, I believe Lizzie had things planned to a degree most never suspected.

They didn't know for sure about a will until they got the safe open.  I've been trying to figure when that was.
At the least I think it was during the 3 days of the Inquest, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday the following week.
(Well they probably did know, but not *officially*)
Suppose that business empire of Andrew's was like a ship without a Captain?  And so legally someone had to step forward  as soon as possible to be named as now responsible?

Yes the girls did have plenty of *pin* money on hand for immediate needs.

Something similar to this happened in my own family.  My father died late one afternoon (after the court house was closed for the day).  His widow and her son were at the court house waiting for the doors to open the next day, so that they could get in there and get probate started.  I thought that was unseemly haste too.  However, my siblings and I hired a lawyer of our own, who didn't think what they did was unusual, because my father's will provided for the personal representative (executor), who was his widow, to pay out of the estate all the expenses associated with his burial.  Even though Andrew didn't have a will, something similar would have been true in his case.  Somebody needed to be legally in charge of his estate to assure that the bills got paid.  Jennings was probably correct in advising Emma and Lizzie to get their legal house in order, especially since there might be challenges from Abby's relatives.

It was NOT too fast for the Victorian era. Murderers who were caught were tried within weeks, and hanged just as fast.
Things moved faster in those pre-computer days; less interfacing?

As I remember it, that Ferry St house was valued at $3000 when given to the girls. Andy later paid $5000 to buy it back.
Kat can call me on this, I don't have the book handy.

This is the correct thing to do. Expenses should be paid from the deceased's funds, etc. Somebody had to take charge of Andy's rent collecting, etc. Was there a standard day to collect rents?

Note how the death of Andy around 11am allowed the murderer to slip into the noon-day crowds? I believe this was an accident, not planned.
...
Note tha an existing joint checking account (w/ money) will always help. But Andy would NEVER put his daughter's name on it, nor even Abby's. Just my read of his personality, and men like him.

(Message last edited Jun-12th-03  10:25 AM.)

So the signing for probate makes sense.

Ah!  But then they hire a private eye, who I think shows up Sunday?

But getting Jennings immediately** (they did have a male relative there, Morse who you'd think would take over), posting a reward, and before the weekend is out hiring a Pinkerton detective...these things all sound like something out of a melodramatic crime serial, to which I doubt these girls had ever been exposed.
(Well, if Lizzie plotted and planned she may have read up on the subject.  It's been known to happen).

**Emma admits in Inquest that she did not send for Jennings at first in an *administrative capacity*..

Argh.  I've been looking for the safe reference in Rebello & can't seem to find it (altho I know I read it within the past 2 days!)

All I recall is he remarks, "It was a tough safe to crack" & it took them 3 days.  I was hoping either in that note or the context it would give an idea of when the safe was opened.  Altho, sometimes Rebello can be frustratingly brief...

This is from Lincoln, page 169:

"And they reported that Knowlton had hired a professional safecracker to open Andrew's safe, in which he had kept his papers, preferring it to a box at the bank.

(It was a phenomenal safe, which took two days to crack. Lizzie had told Knowlton that to her belief Andrew had made a will; she doubtless wished it were true, since any will that did not disinherit Emma could only have weakened that money motive at which Uncle Hiram so lightheartedly hinted.)"


And this from the pages of the Evening Standard newspaper:

"Fall River, Aug. 12. --- The expert safe operator that the police brought here to open the combination on the safe at the Borden house succeeded in accomplishing his task at 11 o'clock this morning. The work was done in the presence of police officers, and upon its conclusion word was sent to the Central police station. City Marshal Hilliard, District Attorney Knowlton and Mr. Jennings, the counsel for the family, at once went to the house and took possession of the contents of the safe. There was quite a sum of money and many valuable papers found.  All were taken to the B. M. C. Durfee Safe Deposit Company and locked up in a private compartment.

(Associated Press)

The Borden safe was opened this morning, after John A. Maier of Boston had been at work on it about eight hours.  The contents will not be given for publication.  They consisted of a large amount of cash and some few papers.  They were bundled and tied with a strong cord, and after Attorney Jennings and Officer Harrington had affixed their signatures on the outside the bundle was taken to the B. M. C. Durfee Safe Deposit and Trust Co. and deposited."

I believe the Boston expert was called in when the locals couldn't open it. At least I think so.

(Message last edited Jun-13th-03  1:39 AM.)

More on the safe-
Witness Statements, 15, Doherty/Harrington:

"I went again to Police Headquarters, and with a detective went to the Diebold(?) Safe Co. No. 72 Sudbury street. From there a mechanic accompanied me home. At 3.15 P. M. in company with A. J. Jennings went to open the safe. I remained there until relieved by the District Attorney at about 5. P. M."

--He had been in Boston with Dr. Handy attempting a confirmation of the identity of the man Handy said he saw Thursday.  This was on August 11, according to the notes.  He put Handy on the train back, at 8:30 a.m. and from there "went to ...Headquarters', etc.
....
"Summoned Eli Bence, Frank Kilroy and Fred. Hart to appear at Court at 2,30 P. M. Went for Fred Hart at 3.45 P.M. Was sent to see what progress was being made on the safe." --The 11th.

"Friday 12, 1892. Harrington. At the Borden house all forenoon assisting on the safe."

--Thanks Har, for the rest of the story.  I never knew when they got that safe open!  So it was After the Inquest!

That must have been a heck of a safe!

I wonder how much cash was in there. The articles say a "large amount" and "quite a sum". 

Do you think Andrew collected the rents from his properties personally or left that nitty-gritty to Cook or whoever?

I don't know.  Ray can probably tell you.

I was thinking, tho, about that safe as I was looking around.  I wanted to find if there was any reference to it back in the days of the *daylight robbery*.  I wondered if it had been tampered with back then, or even if that *robbery* was to draw attention to the fact Andrew did have a safe at home.

Well, it's not mentioned in the reports of the time, I don't think.  Only the desk.  So maybe the perp a year ago knew not to mess with the safe-- that it was pointless because they knew it was so hard to open, they didn't even try?

Can someone tell me what this transaction is?
It looks like Lizzie is giving stock to Emma?
9 shares @ $500 per share?
I can barely read the writing.  I can say it is Aug.,1893.



(Message last edited Jul-2nd-03  2:09 AM.)

Methinks that may be the other way around; Emma (as Administratrix of Andrew's estate) is giving Lizzie her 50%.

"Issued to:  Lizzie A. Borden.....Issued the above described Certificate:  Emma L. Borden"

Yes, Tina-Kate, thats what it looked like to me too.  I see that Richard Borden is the treasurer.  What a cool thing, thanks for sharing, Kat. 

Why hire a private detective from Pinkerton? As a watch man?
AR Brown says Jennings did it so the detective could keep an eye on the police (to prevent planting evidence?). Is that possible?

I think the proper word is "locksmith"; a "safecracker" is something else.
Does this story go anywhere? Referenced in the Trial Transcript? A dead end? Any implications as to a motive?
NO WILL!!!

Does this mean that Andy didn't trust any bank, including his own? Or did his business dealings require large amounts of cash on hand?

Nowadays you know what people would read into this!!! Was there any organized crime extant in Fall River then? (Aside from the Mellen House Gang, as per AR Brown.)

Again, what is the point to have a high-quality safe in his upstairs bedroom? Was it bought after the last robbery? Why didn't he trust his own bank deposit vaults?
Can we read any implications into this?

(Message last edited Jul-3rd-03  12:09 AM.)

Wow, you can read that?
I need my EYES checked.
It looked like it said
"Received the above declared certificate -- by Emma L. Borden".
I'm glad I asked.  I trust you guys.

I'm seeing: "Received the above described certificate" Emma L. Borden.

Uh-Oh.
Anybody else? 

Yes, I'm reading the same thing as Diana.

The whole of it reads:
(something, perhaps As?)'s is known that Lizzie A. Borden of Fall River, Mass.  proprietor of nine Shares in the Capital Stock of the
TROY COTTON AND WOOLEN MANUFACTORY
numbered 49/50-53/54-189/190-445 subject to the By Laws of the Corporation and transferable only in person or by Attorney in the  (Banks,Books?)  of the Corporation

As Witness Whereof the President and Treasurer have (?) at their hands and afford the Seal of the Corporation at Fall River this fifteenth day of August (?) 1893

Richard B. Borden-Treasurer  (?)-President

Sorry, some of its so blurry, can't make heads nor tails of it. 

So, do we need more views or do we decide?

Is Lizzie signing over stock to Emma?

It's the left side of the stock in which I am interested.

(Message last edited Jul-3rd-03  6:35 PM.)

Looks to me like Emma is signing over stock to Lizzie.

Yes, I think so too, Emma appears to be signing the shares of stock over to Lizzie.  Sorry if I didn't make it clear, I was interested at what the rest of the document said.   

All I ask is, can you explain it to me, the wording?
Can it be worded so I understand?

It says *Received the above declared certificate*, and then signed Emma L. Borden.

It doesn't say *From* Emma.  Or conveyed by Emma.

(Message last edited Jul-3rd-03  11:32 PM.)

The left side says "Issued to Lizzie A. Borden"

The stock certificate on the right lists Lizzie's name as the owner.

Emma's signature appears on the left side as apparently as the person from who the transfer agent "received the ???? described certificate".

Okay, I think I get it.
Thanks for being patient with me you guys.

I believe Andrew was a director (?) on the board of Troy Mills.

Gee, I'd like to see a list of stockholders and/or the board of directors for that mill.

http://homepage.mac.com/joepowers/profits.html

Bit o' history of Fall River Mill Barons --

http://homepage.mac.com/joepowers/owners.html

(Message last edited Jul-6th-03  1:55 AM.)

Thanks for the links!  Very interesting.
I'm still looking for a reference to Andrew being an officer of the Troy Mill.

Info Gathered by Stefani Years ago.
This is of the time of Jefferson Borden, though this document is undated.
According to Tina-Kate's link, his life-span was 1801-1887, and he declared bankruptcy in 1879.

ORGANIZATION OF CORPORATIONS.

AMERICAN LINEN COMPANY
President: Jefferson Borden

Clerk and Treasurer: Walter Paine 3d.

Directors: Jefferson Borden, Philip D. Borden,
Richard B. Borden, George B. Durfee, Walter Paine 3d.



Annual Meeting--2d Wednesday in February



AMERICAN PRINT WORKS
President: Jefferson Borden



Clerk: Thomas J. Borden

Agent and Treasurer: Thomas J. Borden
Directors: Thomas J. Borden, Jefferson Borden, Nathan Durfee, George B. Durfee, John S. Brayton

Annual Meeting--1st Tuesday in August



ANNAWAN MANUFACTORY
President: Jefferson Borden

Clerk and Treasurer: Thomas S. Borden Directors: Holder B. Durfee, Jefferson Borden, Wm. B. Durfee, Wm. Valentine, R.B Borden
  Annual Meeting--1st Tuesday in August



BARNARD MANUFACTURING COMPANY
President : Louis L. Barnard

Clerk and Treasurer: Nathaniel B. Borden

Directors: L.L Barnard, Stephen Davol, Wm. H. Jennings, A. D. Easton, Arnold B. Chace, Robert T. Davis, Simeon Borden, James M. Aldrich, N.B. Borden, Alphonso S. Covel, John Campbell, Jos. A. Bowen, Wm. H. Gifford


Annual Meeting--3d Thursday i n January



BORDER CITY MILLS
President: S. Angier Chace

Clerk and Treasurer: George T. Hathaway



Directors: S. A. Chace, David T. Wilcox, Job T. Wilson, Chas. P. Stickney, Elijah C. Kilburn, Chester W. Greene, Geo. T. Hathaway, James A. Hathaway, Isaac Smith, George Parsons, H. B. Durfee
Annual Meeting--4th Wednesday in October



CHACE MILLS
President: Augustus Chace

Clerk and Treasurer: Joseph A. Baker



Directors: Augustus Chace, Cook Borden, James Henry, George W. Grinnell, Robert K. Remington, Edward E. Hathaway, William Mason, Charles P. Stickney, Joseph A. Baker
Annual Meeting--in October





CRESCENT MILLS
President: Benjamin Covel

Clerk and Treasurer: Alphonso S. Covel

Directors: Benjamin Covel, Daniel A. Chapin, Wm. B. Durfee, Alphonso S. Covel, Griffiths M. Haffards, Joseph Brady, David F. Brown, John F. Nichols, Lafayette Nichols. Annual Meeting--2d Wednesday in February.





DAVOL MILLS
President: William C. Davol

Clerk and Treasurer: Wm. C. Davol Jr.

Directors: William C. Davol, Chas. P. Stickney, Foster H. Stafford, Frank S. Stevens, Jonathan Slade, John P. Slade, Wm. W. Stewart, Edward E. Hathaway, W. C. Davol, Jr.
Annual Meeting--in April



114 FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES.

DURFEE MILLS
President: John S. Brayton

Clerk: Hezekiah A. Brayton

Treasurer: David A. Brayton
Directors: John S. Brayton, David A. Brayton, Israel P. Brayton

Annual Meeting--2d Wednesday in October



FALL RIVER BLEACHERY
President: Jefferson Borden

Clerk and Treasurer: Spencer Borden

Directors: Jefferson Borden, Spencer Borden, Richard B. Borden, Philip D. Borden, Bradford D. Davol, Charles P. Stickney, Thomas Bennett, Jr., George B. Durfee, Crawford E. Lindsey
Annual Meeting--last Monday in May



FALL RIVER IRON WORKS COMPANY
President: Jefferson Borden

Clerk and Treasurer: Robert C. Brown

Directors: Jefferson Borden, Holder B. Durfee, John S. Brayton, William B. Durfee, Richard B. Borden




Annual Meeting--1st Tuesday in August



FALL RIVER MANUFACTORY
President: Holder B. Durfee

Clerk: John S. Brayton

Treasurer: S. Angier Chace


Directors: Holder B. Durfee, John S. Brayton, S. Angier Chace, Christopher Borden, James M. Anthony



Annual Meeting--2d Tuesday in March



FALL RIVER MANUFACTURERS ' MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
President: Stephen Davol

Secretary and Treasurer: Isaac B. Chace

Directors: Stephen Davol, S. A. Chace, D. A. Brayton, T. J. Borden, Jefferson Borden, Wm. H. Jennings, Walter Paine 3d, I. B. Chace, P. D. Borden, R. B. Borden, E. C. Kilburn, Andrew G. Pierce, George T. Hathaway, T. F. Eddy, George B. Durfee
Annual Meeting--1st Wednesday in March



FALL RIVER MERINO COMPANY
President: Frank S. Stevens

Clerk and Treasurer: Seth H. Wetherbee

Directors: Frank S. Stevens, Foster H. Stafford, Robert T. Davis, Wm. Mason, Samuel M. Luther, Danforth Horton, John D. Flint, Samuel Wadington, Samuel W. Flint, S. H. Wetherbee
Annual Meeting--4th Thursday in January



FALL RIVER PRINT WORKS
President: Linden Cook

Clerk and Treasurer: Andrew Robeson Directors: Linden Cook, Charles P. Stickney, Andrew Robeson
Annual Meeting--4th Wednesday in January



FALL RIVER RAILROAD
President: Joseph R. Beauvais

Clerk and Treasurer: Thos. B. Fuller

Directors: J. R. Beauvais, C. R. Tucker, G. A. Bourne, Geo. Wilson, G. S. Phillips, L. L. Kollock, W. R. Wing, of New Bedford;
R. T. Davis, J. D. Flint, of Fall River; L. S. Judd, of Fairhaven; and J. H. Perry, of Boston.

Annual Meeting--1st Wednesday in December



FALL RIVER SPOOL AND BOBBIN COMPANY
President: Cook Borden

Clerk: Bradford D. Davol

Treasurer: Nathan B. Everett

Directors: Cook Borden, F. H. Stafford, Wm. H. Jennings, Stephen Davol, David Bass, Jr.,
Wm. Lindsey, Walter Paine 3d, Joseph Healy, Geo. T. Hathaway, S. A. Chace, Aug. Chace

Annual Meeting--last Tuesday in October



ORGANIZATION OF CORPORATIONS



FALL RIVER STEAMBOAT COMPANY
President: Charles P. Stickney

Clerk: Thomas J. Borden

Treasurer: Charles P. Stickney

Directors: Charles P. Stickney, Stephen Davol, Philip D. Borden, S. A. Angier Chace,
Daniel Brown, Augustus Chace, T. J. Borden, Walter Paine 3d, Robert K. Remington, Geo. B. Durfee

Annual Meeting--1st Tuesday in February



FALL RIVER, WARREN AND PROVIDENCE RAILROAD COMPANY
President: Onslow Stearns

Clerk: John S. Brayton

Treasurer: John M. Washburn Directors: Onslow Stearns, Chas. F. Choate, Boston; J. S. Brayton, T. J. Borden, Fall River; Benj. Finch, Newport: E. N. Winslow, Hyannis.
Annual Meeting-2d Monday in March



FLINT MILLS
President: John D. Flint

Clerk and Treasurer: Geo. H. Eddy

Directors: John D. Flint, Wm. H. Jennings, Simeon Borden, Wm. Carroll, Frank L. Almy, William T. Hall, Gardner T. Dean, George H. Eddy, Junius P. Prentiss, Samuel W. Flint, Danforth Horton
Annual Meeting--1st Monday in November



GRANITE MILLS
President: William Mason

Clerk and Treasurer: Charles M. Shove

Directors: Wm. Mason, Edmund Chase, Chas. P. Stickney, John S. Brayton, Iram S mith, John P. Slade, Charles M. Shove


Annual Meeting--4th Monday in October



KING PHILIP MILLS
President: Crawford E. Lindsey

Clerk: Azariah S. Tripp

Treasurer: Elijah C. Kilburn

Directors: C. E. Lindsey, Jonathan Chace, Jas. Henry, S. Angier Chace, Edwin Shaw,
Philip D. Borden, E. C. Kilburn, Benj. A. Chace, Simeon Borden, Chas. H. Dean, William Lindsey

Annual Meeting--last Thursday in October



MANUFACTURERS' BOARD OF TRADE
President: Walter Paine 3d

Vice-President: Geo. T. Hathaway
Secretary: Simeon B. Chace

Treasurer: Isaac B. Chace
Annual Meeting--3d Friday in January



MANUFACTURERS' GAS COMPANY
President: --------------

Clerk and Treasurer: Chas. P. Stickney

Directors: S. Angier Chace, ------ ------, Augustus Chace, Chas. P. Stickney, David A. Brayton, Wm. C. Davol, Jr. , Foster H. Stafford, Thomas F. Eddy, Joseph A. Baker
Annual Meeting--3d Monday in June



MASSASOIT STEAM MILLS
President:

Clerk: Charles Durfee

Treasurer: Holder B. Durfee
Directors: ----- -------, S. Angier Chace, Holder B. Durfee

Annual Meeting--3d Monday in May



FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES



MECHANIC MILLS
President: Stephen Davol

Clerk: James M. Morton, Jr.

Treasurer: George B. Durfee

Directors: Stephen Davol, Job B. French, Thos J. Borden, George B. Durfee,
Tillinghast Records, Southard H. Miller, James M. Morton, Jr., John B. Hathaway, F. S. Stevens

Annual Meeting--1st Thursday in February



MERCHANTS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
President: James Henry

Clerk and Treasurer: Wm. H. Jennings

Directors: James Henry, Wm. H. Jennings, Augustus Chace, Robert S. Gibbs, Chas. H. Dean, Crawford E. Lindsey, Jas. M. Osborn, Richard B. Borden, Robert T. Davis
Annual Meeting--4th Wednesday in January



METACOMET MILL
Agent: Thomas S. Borden Owned by the Fall River Iron Works Co.



MONTAUP MILLS
President: Geo. B. Durfee

Clerk and Treasurer: Isaac Borden

Directors: Geo. B. Durfee, Isaac Borden, Thos. J. Borden, Wm. L. Slade, Holder B. Durfee, William Valentine, Bradford D. Davol, Weaver Osborn, Geo. H. Hawes, Wm. H. Ashley, Benj. Hall
Annual Meeting--4th Monday in October



MOUNT HOPE MILL
Agent: Jefferson Borden, Jr. Owned by American Print Works



NARRAGANSETT MILLS
President: Holder B. Durfee

Clerk and Treasurer: James Waring

Directors: Holder B. Durfee, James Waring, Foster H. Stafford, Daniel McCowan, David T. Wilcox, Samuel Watson, James P. Hillard, Robert Henry, Samuel Wadington, Wm. Beattie, Geo. W. Nowell
Annual Meeting--In October



OLD COLONY RAILROAD COMPANY
President: Onslow Stearns

Clerk: George Marston

Treasurer: John M. Washburn

Directors: Onslow Stearns, Uriel Crocker, Chas. F. Choate, F. B. Hayes, Boston; Benj. Finch, Newport; Oliver Ames, Easton;
Samuel L. Crocker, Taunton; Jacob H. Loud, Plymouth; J. S. Brayton, T. J. Borden, Fall River, R. W. Turner, Randolph; E. N. Winslow, Hyannis; P. S. Crowell, Dennis





Annual Meeting--4th Tuesday in November



OLD COLONY STEAMBOAT COMPANY
President: Onslow Stearns

Clerk: Chas. F. Choate

Treasurer: John M. Washburn

Directors: Onslow Stearns, C. F. Choate, Silas Pierce, Jr., Boston; Benj. Finch, Newport; T. J. Borden, C. P. Stickney, Fall River; Albert Terrill, Weymouth; Oliver Ames, Easton; Wm. Borden, New York
Annual Meeting--4th Tuesday in June



OSBORN MILLS
President: Weaver Osborn

Clerk and Treasurer: Joseph Healy

Directors: Weaver Osborn, Frank S. Stevens, Charles P. Stickney, Joseph Osborn, John C. Milne, Joseph Healy, Edward Hathaway, Geo. T. Hathaway, Benj. Hall, George W. Gibbs, Chas. H. Dean
Annual Meeting--last Tuesday in April

ORGANIZATION OF CORPORATIONS. 117



POCASSET MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
President:Samuel R. Rodman.

Clerk and Treasurer: Bradford D. Davol
Agent : Stephen Davol.

Directors: Stockholders, who meet quarterly.
Annual Meeting--last Monday in January.



RICHARD BORDEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
President: Thomas J. Borden

Clerk and Treasurer: Richard B. Borden Directors : Richard B. Borden, Thomas J. Borden, Philip D. Borden, A.S. Covel, Edward P. Borden.
Annual Meeting--2nd Tuesday in November.



ROBESON MILLS.
President : Charles P. Stickney.

Clerk and Treasurer : Louis Robeson.

Directors : Charles P. Stickney, Wm. R. Robeson, Linden Cook, Wm. C. Davol, Jr., Frank S. Stevens, Samuel M. Luther, Louis Robeson.


Annual Meeting--1st Monday in February.



SAGAMORE MILLS.
President : Josiah C. Blaisdell.

Clerk and Treasurer : Geo. T. Hathaway.

Directors : J.C. Blaisdell, L.L. Barnard,
John D. Flint, James W. Hartley, Geo. T. Hathaway, Jos. McCreery, James A. Hathawy, Job T. Wilson.


Annual Meeting--4th Monday in October.



SHOVE MILLS.
President : John P. Slade.

Clerk and Treasurer : George A. Chace.

Directors : John. P. Slade, Geo. A. Chace, William Mason of Taunton, Edmund Chase,
Lloyd S. Earle, Josiah C. Blaisdell, Isaac W. Howland. Charles M. Shove, H. B. Allen, Asa Pettey, Joseph E. Macomber, Clark Shove, George W. Slade.

Annual Meeting--in February.



SLADE MILLS.
President : William L. Slade

Clerk : John C. Milne.

Treasurer : Henry S. Fenner.

Directors : Wm. L. Slade, S. Angier Chace,
Jerome Dwelly, Wm.Valentine, Frank S. Stevens, Richard B. Borden, Benj. Hall, James M. Osborn, Jonathon Slade, John C. Milne, Daniel Wilbur.

Annual Meeting--last Tuesday in January.



STAFFORD MILLS.
President : Foster H. Stafford

Clerk and Traesurer : Shubael P. Lovell.

Agent : Foster H. Stafford. Directors : F. H. Stafford,Wm. C. Davol, Chas. P. Stickney, Robert T. Davis, Edmund Chase, Danforth Horton, Wm. L. Slade, Weaver Osborn, Wm. Mason.
Annual Meeting--4th Tuesday in January.



TECUMESH MILLS.
President : Augustus Chace.

Clerk and Treasurer : Simeon B. Chase.

Directors : Augustus Chace, Cook Borden,
Jona. T. Lincoln, Andrew M. Jenning, Samuel Wadington, D.T.Wilcox, John Southworth, S.B.Chase.


Annual Meeting--4th Tuesday in October.



TROY COTTON AND WOOLEN MANUFACTORY.
President : Jefferson Borden.

Clerk and Treasurer : Richard B. Borden. Directors : Jefferson Borden, Stephen Davol, Thos. J. Borden, John S. Brayton, Richard B. Borden.
Annual Meeting--1st Tuesday in February.





FALL RIVER AND ITS INDUSTRIES. 118

UNION BELT COMPANY.
President : Richard B. Borden.

Clerk and Treasurer : A. S. Covel.

Agent : William H. Chace. Directors : R. B. Borden, W. Paine 3d, B.D. Davol, Wm. H. Chace, A. S. Covel, E. c. Kilburn, T. J. Borden.
Annual Meeting--3d Thursday in January.



UNION MILL COMPANY.
President : John B. Anthony.

Clerk and Treasurer : S. Angier Chace.

Directors : John B. Anthony, S. Angier Chace
Wm Mason, Eiljah C. Kilburn, Charles P. Dring, Foster H. Stafford.


Annual Meeting--3d Monday in January.



WAMPANOAG MILLS.
President : Robert T. Davis.

Clerk and Treasurer : Walter C. Durfee.

Directors : Robert T. Davis, W. C. Durfee, John D. Flint, Stephen Davol, Foster H. Stafford, Wm. H. Jennings, Geo. H. Eddy, Lloyd S. Earle, Simeon Borden, Alphonso S. Covel, John H. Boone.
Annual Meeting--4th Monday in January.



W EETAMOE MILLS.
President : Job. B. French.

Clerk : John E. Blaisdell.

Treasurer : William Lindsey.

Directors : Job B. French, Elijah C. Kilburn,
Josiah C. Blaisdell, Francis B. Hood, Henry Lincoln, Wm. Lindsey, John P. Slade, Wm. Ashley, Charles H. Dean.

Annual Meeting--4th Wednesday in January.





(Message last edited Jul-6th-03  6:18 AM.)

Kat, in the 2nd posted link under Bordens --

Andrew Jackson (1822-1892) - Director of mills and banks. Started as
undertaker, then furniture and rental housing. His wife and he died at
the hands of person or persons unknown. The murders were never
solved.


From The Lizzie Borden Sourcebook, page 3 --

Article from The Fall River Herald --

"...Mr. Borden was at the time of his death president of the Union saving's bank and director in the Durfee bank, Globe yarn, Merchants and Troy mill.  He was interested in several big real estate deals, and was a very wealthy man...

Well, I've always had trouble figuring out Andrew Borden's responsibilities, and which businesses with which he was aligned.  I know for a retired man, he was probably pretty busy.
I think I have a more comprehensive list on this computer, like that Organization list I posted.  I thought you wanted that, BTW.  Anyway, I need to keep checking.

That same article you quote [Sourcebook, pg.1] calls Lizzie *Elizabeth*, and Doherty *Dowty*...  and that Mrs. Borden was so overcome by the assault on Andrew that "she rushed upstairs and into her room.  She must have been followed up the stairs by the murderer, and as she was retreating into the furthest corner of the room, she was felled by the deadly axe.  The heavy fall and the subdued groaning attracted Miss Borden into the house..."  Etc.

Thanks for going to all that trouble!  I had also found that list before, tho.

Yeah...I know, I know.  Those articles are notorious for errors.  I've seen him listed as a director for Troy Cotton Mills over & over...but that was the 1st ref I found @ hand.  We know for sure he was a shareholder @ the very least.  And so many of those bigwigs being pallbearers @ the funeral...surely if those reports of him being on the board were not true, they would have been denied.

Of course, it's always a niggling doubt...esp when you have another A. J. Borden moving in those circles, just like the confusion over which Mrs A. J. Borden handled membership for the Y...who exactly is who & does what???

It would be ideal to see a full list of the BofD for 1892, then we'd know for sure.

Does this fact support Victoria Lincoln's argument that some of Lizzie's pent up anger was based on the belief that should Andrew die, Abby would receive his money and leave the daughters very little in comparison?

Or was signing this document so quickly simply a legal requirement?

In any event, it sure paints both of the daughters as cold and calculating and it adds to the argument that Lizzie, especially, was faking her grief and shock and was, indeed, the grim reaper that day.

(Message last edited Jul-7th-03  12:07 AM.)

I was thinking about the wills today.  And I know that Tina-Kate has been really like an expert on those, she has studied them so much.
I was thinking of how it's claimed Andrew had no will.
And yet these Borden girls made plenty sure they had everything all signed, sealed and delivered before their deaths.
WHO did they learn that little habit from?
Also they had no blood heir so what was the big deal about disbursing their property?  Is that about *control*?
Andrew HAD heirs by blood & marriage yet he made no dispensation?  Odd.

Then I thought about Abby and what her will would have looked like if she had had one!
We find out who these people's real friends are in their wills.  What would Abby's have told us about her?  I bet a lot!

Oh, IMO those "girls" were all about control when the $ came to them.  Don't know if I could be considered an expert on those wills tho.  Like everything else, they lead to 100's of possibilities.

Another Twilight Zone today.  I was alternating this w/e looking for Troy Mill info & going over Abby again.  Turned on "60 Minutes" about 1/2 way thru this evening...it was a story about a textile mill in Massachusetts!

I know you have made a deep study of the wills.
Maybe not recently, but you have the basics and can brush up back to near expert status.  Plus an understanding of that.  And what they are saying in those wills to each other.  I was thinking about none or any of these pre-murder girl friends of Lizzie's being in her will or not.  I have not checked.
I figured you would know that.  And if you might have an opinion as to why Lizzie dropped these friends or if they dropped her, after trial.  (They had been so chummy until August 4th, Miss Johnson even declined to show Lizzie's last letter to her.  What happened?)

Also, why has no official asked if Abby had a will?  Maybe that was an important little item as well.

(I can never find Andrew's business tentacles.  Good luck.  A list would be good.  I wonder if there is one outside of an author?)

--DoDoDoDo, Mills in Massachusetts on 60 minutes?  I was cleaning litter boxes.

Rebello, on page 64, lists all the girls @ Marion.  With the exception of Dr Handy's daughter, they were mostly of Lizzie's generation.  Most of them were teachers.  I wonder if Lizzie's "in" with this group was her Sunday school teaching?

None of these Marion "girls" were named in Lizzie's will.

Lizzie only names two women who were her "schoolmates" --

Lucy S. Macomber & Adelaide B. Whipp

Both of them were bequeathed $1,000.  Sentimentalism on Lizzie's behalf, I'm guessing.  Old friends from bygone days, etc.

The majority of Lizzie's legatees seem to be people (mostly women) from her post-trial life.

Thanks.  I was discussing this with someone and didn't look it up.
That's amazing really.
Do you have an opinion as to what changed, seemimgly overnight, as to Lizzie's friends? 
Does anyone know anything?
I mean she Was acquitted.  So I wonder why her life is so completely different after trial, and whether She left these friends or they left her.
(So the bequsts to these two schoolfriends are girls we have hardly heard of, hmmm?  Macomber is related, yes?)

Tsk on me; I should be long ago abed.  Mia took it over.

Rebello, page 337-338 --

Profile: Miss Lucy S. Macomber was born in 1858.  She was the daughter of Charles H. Macomber (1823-1915) and Rebecca W. Russell (1831-1915).  Lucy was one of five children in the Macomber family...(children named)...Miss Macomber resided in Fall River with her family until 1887.  From 1888 to 1917, she boarded in North Westport, MA.  She taught at the Davis School for forty years and retired in 1923.  Miss Macomber also taught elocution at the Borden Block.  Miss Lucy Macomber, also known as "Lou", graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1878.  According to school records, she completed high school in three years under the title "Select Course-Three Years."  She went on to graduate from the New England Conservatory of Music and studied at Emerson College and State College at Amherst, MA.

Miss Macomber moved from North Westport, MA, to Fall River to reside with her brother.

She died in Fall River on June 3, 1933, at the age of seventy-five.  Winward directed the funeral services.  She was buried at Oak Grove Cemetary in Fall River in the Macomber family plot.

Probate records show Miss Macomber with an estate of $22,000.  Dr Annie C. Macrae was Miss Macomber's physician at the time of her death.

*********

(Same lady Dr as Lizzie).  Doesn't say anything re her being related to Lizzie.

I'm guessing Lizzie lost a lot of friends to snubbing or perceived snubs.  Didn't Florence Brigham say something once about her mother-in-law having to give up her friendship with Lizzie in order to save her other friendships?  The community condemned her, & I suppose anyone who wanted to keep their social standing had to go along with the herd.  Who knows?  Perhaps they felt she really was guilty.

Note:  Inflation calculator shows $22k in 1933 approx $280k today.  Not too shabby.

(Message last edited Jul-9th-03  10:18 PM.)

Sometimes people do things because of a Bad Example by others!
Did Emma and Lizzie learn from Andy's mistake?

Yes but they benefitted from no will, as far as legend goes.
So Andrew did not make a mistake, in their eyes.
If there was a will which was suppressed that document would probably be considered *the mistake* , if you get my meaning...
Andrew would make a will in order to enforce his wishes (or his will) after death.  To retain some control.
He wouldn't have made a normal distribution ( the same as the state would make) if he went to all that trouble, apparently.

I thought I had read somewhere a Macomber was related to Lizzie.  In Rebello, 103, those listed at the funeral service at the house Saturday includes this bit:
..."Miss Mary Ann Borden; Charles Borden, of Westport, Massachusetts; Mr. William S. Wilcox and sister, Mrs. Cluny and Mrs. Macomber, cousins of Mr. Borden; Mrs. John Durfee and Mrs. Strickland, daughters of Mr. Wilcox.."

--I don't know if this a same or similar Macomber.  I should have looked before I tossed that into the mix, so we knew with what we were working...sorry.

--Now, tho, these other people look really interesting...the Mrs, Strickland sounds familiar.  So here I go again.  Is there anyone who can come up with a Mrs. Strickland?

AR Brown points out the default distribution if no will (wife 1/3, children 2/3). Why would a miser spend money if that was acceptable to him?
Maybe Andy expected to live forever, or at least denied mortality?

Yes that makes sense, so that's why I don't agree that L&E *learned from Andy's mistake*.

--But as to Andrew thinking (or not thinking as the case may be) that he would never die so he needn't have a will, he had had one previously, when he was in business with Almy, we're pretty sure, so it's not as though the older he got the less likely he was to think about dying & needing a will.
I think a man like Andrew who seemed to enjoy talking about deals, making deals, and showing off his deals, would Enjoy preparing a will down to the most fine and minute detail, And might think That was a good investment, on top of it all.

(Message last edited Jul-9th-03  7:05 PM.)

If a will had been made many years previously, would it have had to be destroyed or otherwise made null & void before Andrew's death in order for him to die intestate? 

If the will was made in the days of Borden & Almy, of course it would be "out of date" by the time of the murders (the business no longer existed as B&A, & of course Andrew's personal fortunes had grown), but would it have had to have been destroyed in some way in order to have no bearing on the circumstances of 1892?

I'm not sure how this works.

(Message last edited Jul-10th-03  1:52 AM.)

I think I am confusing the woman *Strickland* with the female *Stockwell.*
I need to do more checking there.  While looking I did find the Cluny's and another reference to the Wilcox.  We had included Cluny in our discussion as to Lizzie's peculiar behavior.  This family seems to be distantly related to Borden, so I still don't understand why they were at the funeral service at the Borden home.  [BTW:  Notice "Macomber" name on storefront of the A.J. Borden Building, of that era]

Remember this?
Rebello, news item. pg 176+ :
"Was Queer / Not Insane / A Second Cousin Described Some of Lizzie Borden's Oddities," Boston Herald, August 7, 1892: 2.

"A Herald reporter interviewed Mr. William [B.] Wilcox and his sister, Mrs. [Ella F.] Cluny, distant relatives of the Andrew Borden, who lived in the Globe section of Fall River. Mrs. Cluny spent a week with the Bordens and did some housecleaning for them. She said she was always treated as a family member and never witnessed any ill feelings between Lizzie and Abby. 'She never acted as though she disliked her stepmother, rather she seemed to show as much regard for her as I believed it possible for her to show anyone.'

The reporter asked Mrs. Cluny if she had any reason to believe Lizzie to be insane.  Mrs. Cluny said, 'No, I always thought she was pretty level headed. She was peculiar, though. She was odd, very odd. I have heard a number of persons speak of it.' The reporter asked her to tell about Lizzie's oddities. Mrs. Cluny said, 'There were times whereby Lizzie would not speak to members of the family who were visiting the Bordens. She would act as though she did not see them, and go right through rooms where they were without speaking a word to them.' Then, again, she would be extremely pleasant and would act as though there was nothing too much for her to do for anyone ... A great many members of the family had the same experience.'

As the interview continued, Mrs. Cluny stated Lizzie had a 'great habit of staying in bed in the morning. I have seldom seen her at breakfast. She would almost invariably remain in bed until 10 o'clock or so.'

Mrs. Cluny provided the reporter with a vivid and revealing account of Lizzie's
personality. He asked if Lizzie was 'irritable or would she fly into a passion.' She said, 'Lizzie never impressed her as being very passionate. She seemed cold blooded ... she seemed to mope and sulk. I never heard any words, and couldn't tell what the trouble was, but I knew it was generally considered as one of Lizzie's odd streaks.'

The issue of insanity surfaced when the reporter asked, 'Would you be surprised if it turned out now that she was insane?' Mrs. Cluny replied, 'Well, yes, I should. Her odd streaks never lead me to think anything like that. She never acted in any way like an insane person - that is, like what I call a maniac. She didn't do things wrong, and wouldn't get excited and hysterical. She just seemed to have spells of moping and sulking, and I call it her condition. Then there never was any insanity in the family that I know of.'

When queried about Andrew Borden and his 'closeness in money matters,' Mrs. Cluny said, 'Oh, no, there was no reason for it. He wasn't close in family matters. He was a sharp businessman and looked after his property, as all the Bordens do, but he treated his children and his wife well. She [Abby] was a splendid woman. He gave the girls most of what they have, although their grandfather left them something.' "

--Whew!  I didn't want to post this much but at least we can get it all down here.  So this is the Cluny-Wilcox side of the Borden family!
--I suppose the William S. Wilcox of page 103 at funeral, is the same William B. Wilcox whose sister "Cluny" was *Interviewed*, pg. 176?



(Message last edited Jul-9th-03  10:50 PM.)

Thanks for posting that, Kat.  That's one of my fav interviews showing Lizzie's personality.

"She would almost invariably remain in bed until 10 o'clock or so."

Not so on Aug 4th.  Needed to be up a wee bit earlier that day...

Lizzie was also up "at breakfast time" early Wednesday morning as well.
If anyone would ever think Lizzie was acting suspiciously that week, those early morning appearances should have threatened Alarm Bells!!!

--My long post, previously, obscured your question about a will.  sorry.  It had not been there when I started composing mine.
As a reminder, does anyone have a knowledge of an answer to Tina-Kate's post about how valid would be an old, undestryoyed will?  (I thot that was an interesting question...)

I've checked on many sites for the answer to Tina-Kate's question, what I could gather is that if Andrew made a will and had 2 to 3 witnesses (who weren't beneficiaries) who watched him sign and date it, the will would still be valid.  Yes, if he did make one many years ago, it should have been updated to make the legal proceedings easier.  Apparently you don't need a lawyer involved in your making a will to have it valid.  I am not the final say-so by any means when it comes to legal matters, but, this is all that I could gather. 

Thanks Susan.  That's pretty much what I figured too -- an out-of-date will would still be valid, altho it might make probate more difficult.

I only took 1 year of a law course in school (many, many moons ago) & don't trust my memory.

So, I wonder what happened to Andrew's old will?  Perhaps destroyed after the dissolution of B&A, then never done over.  It's possible the will was done specifically because of his business partnership.  I know from experience of helping set up a business partnership, it's routine to make provisions for what will happen in the event one partner dies.

You're welcome.  I'm wondering if possibly that the will was stored in Andrew's desk and was taken during the daylight robbery?  It might explain Andrew's placing the key on the sitting room mantel; Lizzie I know you took those things and the will, as you can see, it will all be yours when I die.  And it is yours even now if you so desire, heres the key to my room, no reason to break in.  ??? 

Well...wasn't it mostly Abby's things that went missing?  If it was Lizzie, that seems more of a rebellious statement.  If the will was all she was after, she wouldn't have bothered with the other things, she'd have been sneakier...maybe only taken the will to read it, then put it back where she'd found it.

I was thinking of the money that was missing and those street car tickets, I'm thinking that those belonged to Andrew.  I just had a thought whether or not Abby knew the combination to the safe that was there?  Because if Andrew did have a will and put it in there and he died and Abby didn't know the combo, what good would it do?  Thats why I was thinking it might be put in a more readily accessable place. 

I've been advised by my lawyer to get a safe deposit box and put therein my valuable papers.
I think Andrew, if he had a will, would do that.  At a bank.  He knew enough banks.  One was even called blaahblahSafeDepositCompany.  And his lawyer would probably have a copy or a true copy.

Andrew could have another copy at home, but the one to be probated would not be the copy.
I really do doubt he would have the original there.
Also we don't know how long he had the safe.  He may have acquired it after the *break-in*, and then would feel extra-secure in leaving the bedroom key out on the mantle for Abby's convenience.

There were robberies in the near neighborhood during the time of the Borden's *break-in*.  It could have been a person with a bit of inside info, or the Borden robbery could have been conceived due to the sudden crimes in the area- a copy-cat crime.

If Lizzie & Emma did it, I would think they might be fooling around looking for the will.  Just to get a look while the folks were out of town.

[ June 24th 1891 was a Wednesday, btw... and the date Rebello gives for Lizzie being named as a Woman's Board Member of the Hospital.]

(Message last edited Jul-10th-03  11:40 PM.)

Thanks, Kat.  Interesting that Lizzie was named a board member on that day, weird coincedence.  

It is very odd.  I can't figure out if Lizzie was appointed at a meeting that day, or if it was in the papers that day (maybe being off by a day?) or if there was some kind of vote and Lizzie need not be there and found out later.  Or if she did know and then burgled her father and Mrs. Borden?  If she wasn't there when she was appointed, maybe a friend on the committee stopped by to tell her?  There must have been a lot going on that day.
Maybe stress of the appointment had Lizzie *acting out*?
I just can't figure it.

Yes, I'm wondering if Lizzie was even aware that she was assigned to the board that day?  It doesn't quite add up, something that I'm sure she wanted to happen did and then she pilfers the elder Borden's things?  Perhaps we are focusing on the wrong sister?  Emma was there that day too, maybe she learned of Lizzie's new position and was jealous or something and she acted out? 

Oh please let it have been dear sainted Emma (who we always hear never did nuttin' to nobody!)

Well, anything is possible!  Heck, who knows, it could have been both of them at Emma's instigation, "C'mon, Lizzie, lets break into Father's desk and take Mrs. Borden's things, we'll pretend the house was robbed!  Won't it be a scream to see the look on ol' Abby's face when she comes in and finds her stuff gone." 

I once read a newspaper article that said a safety deposit box is the WRONG place to put a will; only the now dead person could access it (unless joint ownership, then the same problem if both dead).
Also, only the original version of the will is valid, not a copy.

Those who know state laws can provide a better explanation.

Good point!! From my limited knowledge of some children (of all ages), ever notice how if one gets praised, the other may act up?
The older sister may feel that she wasn't treated fairly, and wants to get even? Maybe not by stealing, but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. (What would Andy do?)
...
BUT, if Uncle John's presence signifies another visit from Cousin Willy, could the latter also be trying to "get even"? We can only speculate about this. You may have your own stories on this.

(Message last edited Jul-14th-03  4:08 PM.)