The Lizzie Borden Society archive

Lizzie Andrew Borden

 

Forum URL:

http://lizzieandrewborden.com/LBForum/index.php
Forum Title: LIZZIE BORDEN SOCIETY
Topic Area: Lizzie Andrew Borden
Topic Name: A Deeper Look At John V. Morse

1. "A Deeper Look At John V. Morse"
Posted by dave rehak on Mar-2nd-02 at 6:51 PM

My study has also taken me on the trail of John Vinnicum Morse.

Morse was originally from Mills County, Iowa. Bought 100 acres in Hastings in Indiana Township, Section 32.

I believe its a myth that he and Lizzie didnt get along. He was the first serious suspect and for a short time was the primary suspect until his alibi was secured. When the police shifted their eyes onto Lizzie, they released him and he went back east and dropped out of sight. The newspapers reported that he returned to Iowa. He was known as and called by the name "Uncle John" by the locals. His was a familiar and respected name in the small, dreamy farming community of which he was a part.

Well-known as a frequent traveller, Uncle John appeared quite regularly in the Hastings section of both the "Malvern Leader" and the "Glenwood Opinion" newspapers. It may be true that he was a weird and unpleasant person, but there was apparently ANOTHER side to him, as evidenced by this Novemeber 1903 newspaper passage: "The genial countenance of our old friend, John Morse, is once more seen upon the streets of Hastings after several months' visit in the east."

John Morse met his Maker on the 4th(?) of March, 1912 at the home of W. E. Van Ausdale. Sickness caused by heart trouble kept him bedridden in the weeks before his death. He's in the Hastings Cemetery; his tombstone is made of fine gray marble.


Allegedly, Lizzie received $103.56 from his will, but this doesnt appear on his will filed in Mills County. I think this info comes from probate filed in FR, but I'll keep digging to find out for sure.


2. "Re: A Deeper Look At John V. Morse"
Posted by Kat on Mar-2nd-02 at 9:23 PM
In response to Message #1.

AH, Dave is back and fell right into my "verifiable source fact" CLUTCHES!

Rebello, pg 70-1. (what got my attention was the death date and the amt. devolved to the Borden sisters upon probate of Morse's will--these I remembered--so here are the references...)

-He died March 1, 1912--easier to remember as Emma's birthday.

-Morse did die in Hastings, residing with Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Van Ausdale-BUT-"they were renting (his) farm at the time of Morse's death" --which means he died AT HOME. --I learn something every time Dave blows through...

-verified by Terence through Len Rebello, who has a copy of John V. Morse's Birth Certificate , he was born in Fall River, Mass.--I had to triple check this last year when my chronology on the web-site went up...(I think this was just a slip of the *keys* on Dave's computer, in his enthusiasm!)

-pg.74:
"Residuary Account...Lisbeth Borden and Emma Borden entitled to 1/12 $605.97.,,"
"Emma Borden refused to accept her share of Mr. Morse's estate.  The money, as directed by probate court, was deposited in an account with the Clerk of the District Court in Mills County, Iowa.  When Emma Borden died in 1927, the executors of her estate, B.M.C. Durfee Trust Company and Mr. Preston H. Gardner, petitioned the court and county treasurer in Iowa, to have Emma's share of Mr. Morse's estate returned.  Emma's share ($606.18) was returned and included in her estate."
-seems like that $ shoulda made more INTEREST than THAT!


(Message last edited Mar-2nd-02  9:25 PM.)


3. "Re: A Deeper Look At John V. Morse"
Posted by Pericles on Mar-5th-02 at 11:13 AM
In response to Message #2.

It is extremely interesting that Emma wanted nothing to do with Uncle Morse and his money after the sad events in Fall River.  Did she know more than she cared to tell?  I have always thought that he is the key to the mystery.


4. "Re: A Deeper Look At John V. Morse"
Posted by Kat on Mar-5th-02 at 8:51 PM
In response to Message #3.

I agree.   And Emma was supposedly so close to Morse in prior years that they wrote quarterly.  BUT WILLS DO TELL A TALE , you're right.

Suppose.....

John Morse HAD to be there Wednesday, coming without a change of shirt, he probably hadn't meant to stay the night.
The Emery's  (well MRS.) got the impression he was "going to New Bedford...after leaving the house." (WS, 29).
But Morse knew Bridget had heard him invited back for dinner, but doesn't know if SHE HEARD HIS ANSWER.
If he knew Andrew was to be killed, it would not necessarilly be in the plan for his return to the house.
I think he HAD to return, because he probably said "Sure, I'll come back to dinner.." and then worried about it the whole time he was at Emery's--"Did Bridget hear?  Will she now expect me?  Would it seem odd if I agreed, she heard, and then I Don'T return, yet go on to New Bedford as I let Mrs. Emery believe?"

So he had to come Wednesday, but he DidN'T Have to Be There Thursday.  ????

(Message last edited Mar-5th-02  8:56 PM.)


5. "Re: A Deeper Look At John V. Morse"
Posted by augusta on Mar-8th-02 at 8:25 PM
In response to Message #4.

Yes, that response Morse gave to Mrs. Emery about going to New Bedford after he left her house always baffled me.  Your reasoning makes excellent sense, Kat.  I had read that Morse was also quite a character - something like a Dr. Condon of the Lindbergh baby fame.  Yes, Emma was the one who wrote letters to Uncle John and was closer to him before the murders.  So what gives with the rejection of his money in his will?  I also think that it's highly possible that Lizzie's behavior toward Uncle John the day before the murders was an act.  Being rude to Abby was one thing, and if she disliked Andrew so much that explains why she would be rude to him too by not saying good night that night.  But why Uncle John?  It's strange she isn't asked WHY in court.  Uncle John had discussed a will with Andrew.  They were good friends.  I interpret that as being because they were so much alike - both tightwads and after the almighty dollar.  If Lizzie didn't like her father for those reasons, she would probably not like Morse either.  But to carry her rudeness to such extremes.  Well, people in Fall River said she was strange.  I sure wish they would have delved into the Lizzie/Morse relationship in the courtroom.


LizzieAndrewBorden.com © 2001-2008 Stefani Koorey. All Rights Reserved. Copyright Notice.
PearTree Press, P.O. Box 9585, Fall River, MA 02720

Page updated 12 October, 2003