The Lizzie Borden Society archive

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1. "Pearson's Perspective"
Posted by adminlizzieborden on Jan-8th-02 at 9:48 PM

By kat on Monday, 11/19/2001 - 01:34 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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In Pearson's TRIAL, pg.2 he says:
"The Borden (coat of) arms carry as a crest 'a Lion rampant, holding a Battle-Axe, proper' . "
-Lizzie's astrological sign is Cancer-CUSP OF LEO (lion)....

pg.5 he says:
Andrew gave Lizzie ("the younger daughter") a diamond ring, a sealskin cape, and a trip to Europe, the gift of the Ferry street house (1/2), and further gifts of "securities".
pg.8, to continue with Andrew's generosity, he says:
Andrew bought back the Ferry street property for " as much, if not more than the property would have brought in the open market."

-that's a lot of stuff, according to Pearson!

 
By kat on Tuesday, 11/20/2001 - 09:41 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Pearson, "Trial of Lizzie Borden", 1937, p.85:

"I have talked with at least two persons who knew Miss Borden intimately, and for many years, as well as with others who had some acquaintance with her. Not one had any explanation of her character, or pretended to knowledge of her inner life."

P.83-84:

"In later life, in company with one of her few intimate friends, Miss Borden often referred to her father, quoting him and his phrases. She mentioned Mrs. Borden without hatred, but with a general disapproval of stepparents of any kind--'steppies' was her word for them. She had a strong pair of arms, could row a boat well, and drive a spirited pair of horses. One of her great delights was the theater; another was an art gallery: the Corcoran Gallery at Washington gave her much pleasure. To be in Washington--'where nobody knows me'--was joy. She had feared Mr. Knowlton as if he were the Day of Judgement, and shuddered at the thought that he could ever question her again. She never liked Mr. Jennings, but adored the memory of Governor Robinson. He had reassured her at their first meeting, saying, 'It's all right, little girl', and patting her arm. It was by his advice that she was impassive in Court, although, throughout the trial, she was 'numb', and more or less unaware of events. She was impatient when anybody spoke scornfully of money, saying: 'Where should I be without it?' She meant that money had secured her the services of the most shrewd and resourceful attorney in the state: a curious commentary upon her transparent innocence, of which Mrs. Livermore and the New York Times were so certain. Yet she and her sister were annoyed at the size of Mr. Robinson's fee of $25,000, since they would have preferred in place of the homely style of his final argument, some tall oratory. She did not realize how skilfully his art concealed his art, and caused the jury to follow 'honest old Governor Robinson' as he was leading them away from the wiles of the 'city fellers.'

As a conversationalist, she was commonplace. Her favorite books were sentimental romances of the '90's. When, in 1924, three or four years before her death, a book was published, giving a long account of the Borden murders, the Fall River bookseller refused to keep it in stock, out of respect for Miss Borden, and with a keen eye to her patronage. His solicitude was unnecessary; she procured the book elsewhere and read it. Cruelty to animals roused her wrath; of a man who abused a horse, she cried: 'I could strangle him myself!' To the end, her nominee as the murderer was the ' big strong blacksmith', Hiram Harrington: 'He hated Father.' When Harrington died without a confession she said the last chance was gone that she might ever be cleared. 'If he didn't do it,' she would say, 'who did?' Then she would add sadly, 'But, of course, that's what they say of me!' "

 
By kat on Tuesday, 11/20/2001 - 09:52 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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See above: more Pearson-A later Lizzie.

 
By kashesan on Tuesday, 11/20/2001 - 10:00 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Kat,
Fascinating stuff! I'm ignorant though-what book is it from? "A Later Lizzie"?

 
By kat on Wednesday, 11/21/2001 - 03:20 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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It's the Pearson 1937 treatment of the TRIAL OF LIZZIE BORDEN.
I added the "later lizzie"-meaning it's a view of LIZBETH after the trial and the years following, just to get the attention of folks who have wondered about the latter years, like Sherry!
I LOVE THIS BOOK!

 
By kat on Wednesday, 11/21/2001 - 04:26 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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PS: I wanted the designation to show up on LAST DAY- as a one-liner, but should have done it FIRST! Next time assume I'M the crazy one, not YOU! (until proven otherwise...)

 
By kashesan on Wednesday, 11/21/2001 - 09:41 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Would that make you Krazy Kat? I must read this book by Pearson!

 
By dave on Wednesday, 11/21/2001 - 06:23 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Go for it, Kash. Can I call ya Kash? . Edmund Pearson was the Rebello of his time.

 
By kat on Wednesday, 11/21/2001 - 10:12 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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The first 100 pages are all pure Pearson -whom I love--the other 2/3 tells the story of the TRIAL, I think like most books, with testimony and some paraphrasing(?).
I will transcribe the parts about Wigmore, and maybe Davis-they had made judicial comments on the spectacle of the trial in "reviews" published later. Wigmore is in EVERY bibliography but this is the first time I've seen him quoted.
Your library may have this book--it is a re-publication of the Famous Trial Series.

 
By kashesan on Friday, 11/23/2001 - 10:18 am [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Kash okay Dave (Not Kash Kow though-feel like Kow today...So much turkey and pie)You know, I've yet to read Rebello (shame shame) I must look him up at the library.
Happy Christmas shopping (make sure to bring your battle axe to the Christmas Tree Shop-you'll need it)

 
By raystephanson on Sunday, 11/25/2001 - 06:16 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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In 1961 Edward Radin published his book on the Borden Murders, and his solution. He was a NYC reporter who had seen hundreds of murder trials. So thinking a servant / employee did in the master / employer may be part of his expectations.
Some say we see what we expect to see.

Radin's original re-investigation of the events led him to claim Pearson's account was so one-sided as to amount to a "literary hoax". Since I never read the 1937 version, was this true? Did Pearson crib from EH Porter?

I remember reading "Trial of Lizzie Borden" in 1965 (printed in 1963 for copyright renewal?). That book's conclusion was: Lizzie did Abby while Bridget was seen outdoors; Bridget did Andy while Lizzie was seen outdoors. ("Strangers on a Train"?)

 
By kat on Sunday, 11/25/2001 - 11:07 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Trial, by Pearson, reprinted in 1989, draws no "conclusion". It's first 100 or so pages are interesting and anecedotal, but the balance of the book is testimony and a LOT of PARAPHRASING which does give it a certain "slant", and it's ALL TRIAL-but with some opinionated footnotes.
Now, Ray, if you're referring to Fall River Tragedy by PORTER I haven't read that in many moons, though we do have it, so can't compare right now.

 
By kat on Sunday, 11/25/2001 - 11:20 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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TITLE OF THIS POST:
"If you forgot where you read it, it's probably HERE" :
Pg. 49-Pearson gives his ideas on the origion of the "naked murderer" theory.
Pg. 49-says 3,000+ letters came claiming "a Gossamar" was worn during the murders.
Pg. 15-wonders why Lizzie, after her harrowing, 'doom-saying' trip to Alice's Wednesday night, wasn't afraid to walk home alone 'through the dimly lighted streets', and creep up to her room, without WARNING her FAMILY who were still up.
Pg. 78-'So he is told':Lizzie's lawyers advised her to stay living in Fall River.
Pg. 118-Moody's opening statement: "Dr. Bowen thought Mrs. Borden had died of fright, and so expressed himself at the time."
Pg. 147-Bowen says he NEVER said Abby died of fright--but remembered THINKING SHE HAD FAINTED.
Pg. 164-Emma's room--closet--BUNDLE.

 
By raystephanson on Wednesday, 11/28/2001 - 04:50 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Radin said Pearson's account of the Trial was one-sided and incomplete. Note Porter on the testimony of civil engineer Thomas K. "exhausting testimony". In fact, he said no one could see Abby's body as they passed the open door, even if they knew it was there!

Amazon.com may have a review of books on this subject.

 
By kat on Wednesday, 11/28/2001 - 09:52 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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You mean Kieran said that? I think I remember that.
But as to Pearson, Radin's comments (as quoted) can apply to EVERY Lizzie book, if you think about it: "One-sided and incomplete..."
It's going to be one-sided because one person wrote it and incomplete because the crime was never solved!
Personally, I really like Pearson's "style"-I like the way he thinks and expresses himself, plus he seems very "modern" for the times. He has a latent regard for the law, though he doesn't believe the "masses" do, and are swayed by public opinion(this is his biggest gripe). He also honors the victim, and doesn't lose perspective as to their dignity and rights.
I've been collecting his pithy sayings, that illustrate his philosophy...

 
By kat on Wednesday, 11/28/2001 - 10:26 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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From Pearson's "TRIAL", pg.15:
..."As Cassandra (of Greek tragedy, who foretold the doom of the house of Atreus) and Miss Borden are the only two genuinely inspired phrophetesses recorded in history, it is proper to mention their resemblance."
..."Casandra, in the Aeschylean tragedy, foresees death to Agamemnon as soon as he enters his own house; 'death by an ax, wielded by a furious woman', and, in terror, she see's that she is to share his doom.
Miss Borden, in words less majestic than Cassandra's but with prescience fully as remarkable said: 'I am afraid somebody will do something!'
The Trojan woman, of course, was inspired by the god, and her phrophecies therefore, were actual clairvoyance. Miss Borden's remarkably apt prognostication, so a learned judge of the Superior Court later intimated, was only one of those extra ordinary coincidences!"
(BY the way, says Pearson : "It may amuse the curious to know that Fall River, from 1804 to 1834, was called T R O Y ." )

 
By raystephanson on Thursday, 11/29/2001 - 06:26 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Sorry if I wasn't clear. Radin said Pearson's quotes from the Trial were so "one-sided" as to amount to a literary hoax.
One example is Porter's summary of T Kieran's "exhausting testimony"; you'd never know he demolished any claim that Lizzie could have seen Abby's body.

 
By raystephanson on Thursday, 11/29/2001 - 06:28 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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You should know that "Troy" (as in troy weight) comes from the famous French market town of Troyes. I believe this commercial site, not the classic site, is the true origin.
But I can't prove it.

 
By raystephanson on Thursday, 11/29/2001 - 06:30 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Pearson also fails to tell us how many other times Lizzie said "something may happen".
Could this be something in her personality, like those people who always foresee some doom? A 'gloomy gus'?

 
By raystephanson on Thursday, 11/29/2001 - 06:39 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Edmund L Pearson died young just after publishing his "Trial of LB"; he said she was guilty.
Robert Sullivan died just after publishing his "Goodbye LB"; he said the evidence was enought to convict.

Could this be divine retribution? Or the judgment of a sick mind? (Not that these books aren't interesting.)

 
By kat on Thursday, 11/29/2001 - 10:38 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Your Radin-Pearson quote was clear. I was referring to the Kieran statement(?) that Abby's body couldn't be seen under the bed.
The inferrence to a different TROY is very interesting, and sounds plausible, given the times (Napoleonic?).

 
By kat on Thursday, 11/29/2001 - 10:49 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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As to Kieran, I've had problems with him before.
The position of the bed in the guest room...He measures After it's been moved so much it might as well be in Minnesota, then testifies to that, with the Caveat: "I wasn't there Thursday.."
So what good is that?
Also, some people imply the guest room was "dark, darker than down stairs"-but it seemed to depend on what order they arrived. Kieran may have made his view with the shutters closed and a double of Abby may have not been dressed in light flowing clothes. We don't know, because his "exhaustive testimony" doesn't make it into the transcript.
He seems to be the ONLY one who can't see a body under the bed...City employee ineptitude? Giving the results the people who hired him wanted? These are your kind of questions...

 
By raystephanson on Friday, 11/30/2001 - 04:18 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Troyes was a famous medieval or renaissance market town. Or so I read.

 
By raystephanson on Friday, 11/30/2001 - 04:23 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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"One sided" means quoting nothing that can be used by the other side. As Radin said of Pearson's quotes from the Trial Transcript.
Of course there are limits to pages in one book.

For an example of "two sided" read "Killing Time" by Donald Freed and Raymond Briggs. They present two points of view, a timeline that says "he did it" and one that says "he didn't do it". You are free to buy their book and decide for yourself.
Isn't that unusual, then or now?

 
By kat on Friday, 11/30/2001 - 11:47 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Yea, I noticed some of that characteristic in the "Emma' testimony "transcription", last night. He does only give portions, styled as the "real thing", in Question and Answer format. But a person reading any book ultimately has to make up their own mind as to what to believe and what to discard...

 
By kat on Thursday, 12/06/2001 - 10:08 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Edmund Pearon's TRIAL OF LIZZIE BORDEN, 1937, can now be downloaded at:
http://www.lizzieandrewborden.com
Lizzie's Library Link

 
By kat on Thursday, 12/06/2001 - 10:27 pm [Edit] [Reply] [Msg Link]  
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Pearson, pg.81: CAT

"The anecdotes and legends of the Borden case are endless. (many of them, mostly incredible, with a few which are veracious, are recounted in "Legends of Lizzie", an article in THE NEW YORKER, April 22, 1933, and reprinted in MORE STUDIES IN MURDER. {N.Y. 1936} by the editor of this book).
To one, only, does it seem important to refer now. This is the cruel story--often repeated with many solemn guarantees of truth--of the kitten, which Miss Borden is suppossed to have carried down cellar and decapitated with a hatchet. I speak of it only to express my entire disbelief. Too many people are witnesses to Miss Borden's almost fanatical love for animals to allow even a faint possibility of its truth. Miss Borden kept bull terriers and canaries; was unusually fond of her horses--she was a good driver--and put up small houses in the trees around her home for birds and squirrels. She loved to feed the squirrels. And her last will and testament expressed, to a very high degree, her concern for the welfare of animals."