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1. "Where was Jennings?"
Posted by Harry on Apr-18th-02 at 8:42 AM

When did Jennings make his first appearance at the house after the murders?  The earliest I can find is Friday afternoon when the police began a 3-4 hour search. (Fall River Tragedy, page 27).

If that is true, then the "girls" had no male authority/family member the critical time the police first arrived on the day of the tragedy. Morse was wandering around like a nomad in the back of the yard (See the Lubinsky thread) and that left only Dr. Bowen.  This was an age of male authority and domination and disregard for women's thoughts. Ironically, that would come to work in Lizzie's favor.

I checked the time line in appendix H in Rebello and no mention there. I know Emma and Lizzie filed jointly on Aug. 5th as sole heirs to Andrew's estate. This must have been at Jennings' urging and legal advice.

Any ideas when Jennings made his appearance? I know Kat did research on the people and times of those who left the house that morning. Or was he not even hired by them until Friday?

(Message last edited Apr-18th-02  8:43 AM.)

I've been keeping an eye out for a long time (and it's been a long time since I read Porter), for just when Jennings was retained by the sisters.

I had, for some reason, thought, in my youth, that he came into the case on Thursday, which I had found suspicious.  Therefore I've *been on the lookout* for more info.

In the Porter reference, page 28, there is one line:
"...Jennings of Fall River, was also present."

However, other than that one line , I don't think it's anywhere else, refering to Friday.

I've used the Did She/ Didn't She? book for newspaper reference as  to Jennings:

The Evening Standard
Monday, August 8, 1892: 2, col. 5--

"...It is expected that Detective Hanscom of the Pinkerton Agency will have a long talk with Bridget Sullivan, the servant, before many hours, and with other members of the family as well..  As nearly as can be ascertained, Hanscom was not employed by Marshal Hilliard, acting under the instructions of Mayor Coughlin,  but by the Misses Borden, who were advised by their councel, Andrew J. Jennings, Esq.  The friends of the ladies felt that they ought to have somebody to represent them, and Mr. Jennings was called into the case on Saturday.   Detective Hanscom ought to be able to elicit considerable information from the servant.

In company with Mr. Jennings he called at the house yesterday afternoon and remained for two hours...." *

[*"Yesterday", being Sunday]

--so it has been my impression that he was hired Saturday.  Before or After the funeral?
In Rebello, pg. 102-104, he is not listed at the funeral.
--I know we're supposed to know about that dang Probate Record, but where exactly do we find it?


(Message last edited Apr-18th-02  1:03 PM.)

This may shed some light on the matter: according to Spiering, in his book "Lizzie" , 1984 Random House, hardcover edition, starting on page 55, Chapter 7 'An Awakening Mob', he discusses the chain of events that follow that fateful Thursday.

Spiering begins this chapter with the published "tale" by Uncle Hiram C. Harrington of his interview with the Fall River Globe.

The reader will find that within these first three pages it is established that police "Sergeant Philip Harrington (no relation to Hiram), convinced that Lizzie was his prime suspect, was interrogating
Eli Bence...."

Further on page 57, "Medical Examiner Dolan and Segerant Harrington emptied the closets and inspected every article of clothing in the house for possible bloodstains".

Finally, "While Dolan and Harrington were scrutinizing Lizzie's belongings, Emma summoned the family attorney, Andrew J. Jennings" .

All this took place on Friday, August 5th. Therefore can we safely say that Jenning's was "hired" on Friday the 5th??

It is also interesting to note that when Jennings arrived at 92 Second Street he had in tow one Mr. O. M. Hanscom, "a top Pinkerton detective who had arrived that morning from Boston".(Ibid, pg 58)

Do you suppose that Jennings sort of "knew" he would be called up for legal representation and had called Hanscom on Thursday afternoon or evening?  It is rather coincidental that both the family attorney AND a private detective arrive AT THE SAME TIME.

Hopefully this will help.

BC

Victoria Lincoln in A Private Disgrace (page 139) states that, "And Lizzie sent for the family lawyer, Andrew J. Jennings." According to Miss Lincoln this happened on Friday.

Most likely Attorney Jennings learned of the murders on Thursday soon after they happened, as apparently much of Fall River did. As the "family lawyer" he may have assumed he would be summoned and as a competent attorney he did his homework and was prepared to advise his client as soon as he spoke to her.

Pardon my EDIT!
Rebello, page 584:  Harry, you must have answered your own question.  Only an attorney could have advised those girls about Probate.  What everyone else says is also reasonable.

"FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1892
Emma and Lizzie signed a document for Probate Court listing themselves as the sole heirs of Andrew Borden's estate.  The document stated Mr. Borden left no widow.  (Probate Court record.)"

(Message last edited Apr-27th-02  9:37 PM.)