The Lizzie Borden Society archive

Forum URL:

1. "Come down quick!"
Posted by adminlizzieborden on Jan-8th-02 at 9:04 PM

By augusta on Wednesday, 01/02/2002 - 01:15 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why do you suppose Lizzie called Maggie downstairs so soon after Andrew was killed? If she was the murderer, or had just helped the murderer escape, why didn't Lizzie give herself more time?

 
By stefani on Wednesday, 01/02/2002 - 01:55 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perhaps out of sheer fear of Bridget coming down herself to get the noon meal ready and discovering the body, or Lizzie in the act (if she did it). Also, the sooner she gets the investigation underway, without any blood evidence or murder weapon found, the more likely she will be acquitted (which she was!).

IF she did not do it, then she did stumble upon the bloody mess and gave a yell for help.

 
By kat on Wednesday, 01/02/2002 - 07:55 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think there was not necessarily a fear that Bridget would find the body--I think the "summons" had to do with when Morse was due to return...there might have been a mix-up in the timing, or Lizzie "jumped-the-gun." For some reason, Morse was not to be THE ONE that found Andrew dead, or Abby.

 
By raystephanson on Wednesday, 01/02/2002 - 07:25 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quite simply this: she was very scared and called for help!
Sometimes the simplest explanation is true.

 
By kat on Wednesday, 01/02/2002 - 10:42 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
But it's not so simple.
Lizzie first said she heard a "groan" and hurried in and found Andrew, but did not examine him.
If she was near enough to the screen door (outside) to hear "a groan", then she was near enough to SEE the murderer, yet she never told.
If she was shielding the murderer then she would hesitate and take her time summoning help, to give the perp. time to get away--so we are once again BACK to Augusta's question.

 
By raystephanson on Thursday, 01/03/2002 - 06:50 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I believe AR Brown's solution (or theory), it is quite credible that she saw the "somebody" leave towards the back fence before she entered the house. They had no telephone or cars in those days, a few minutes head start would be all he needed, if no one told.

I think that "groan" was made by opening the screen door all the way open, stretching the coiled wire used to hold the door open (used until about 1950).

A R Brown also says that Uncle John was NOT supposed to return; Lizzie sent Dr Bowen to get him back. Andy trusted him for advice.