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1. "Using Knowlton Papers as source"
Posted by Stefani on Jan-27th-02 at 11:52 PM

In the latest LBQ, William L. Pavao, Jr. quotes from the letter in the Knowlon papers supposedly penned by Mrs. Nelly McHenry. In it, she states that she interviewed Bridget. Pavao calls the letter "extremely revealing in its description of Bridget's feelings toward Abby and the nature of the relationship that Abby had with her stepdaughters."

I loved this letter in the Knowlton papers and wanted it to be real. I wanted this to be the real Bridget's responses to these very interesting questions. But at the time, I had to dismiss the letter because its author, Mrs. Nellie McHenry, is the wife of the Trickey-McHenry McHenry. If I learned anything in this case, it is to doubt anything in the papers and EVERYTHING by Trickey and McHenry.

So what do you think. Like I said, I wish it were true, but I just can't trust the source. And now Pavao, the curator of the Lizzie Borden B&B since August 1998, is elevating it to be something to be believed and used as source for Bridget's feelings regarding Abby and Emma and Lizzie and her days in that house. Does this mean that those "in the know" know that this letter is true?

I thought the best thing in the latest LBQ issue was Pavao's lengthy and well-supported article, not to take anything away from the illustrious Mr. Caplain (stop it, Mr. Rehak, yr flattery is embarrassing me hehe), or from my favorite Lizzie author, Len Rebello.

Stef, I understand yr skepticism about the Nellie McHenry interview, but it probably happened. Nellie pretended to be Lizzie's aunt or cousin. And I believe Nellie McHenry's letter. Remember, it was her husband who was caught up in that McHenry-Trickey hoax, not her. His wife may have pretended to be a Borden relative, but what she got out of Bridget was probably genuine, I believe.

The letter could have been the entre to the police that they needed to get involved in the case and thus get their trust. Remember, Mrs. McHenry was a partner to her husband's wrong doings.

Re the witness statements:

Providence, R. I. Monday October 10, 1892.
Henry G. Trickey of the Boston Globe came in company with E. D. McHenry to the latter's house at 11.30 P. M. In the house at the time were Mrs. McHenry, Jas. B. Carroll, John F. Golden, Dennis Desmond Jr. and Phil. Harrington. The following took place in the dining room which McHenry entered first, Trickey soon following.
As Trickey entered, both he and McHenry began to talk together. What was said, I did not understand distinctly until McHenry said "No, I will say no more, until you make that letter straight with my wife. Nellie come in here." As she entered all began to talk at once. Owing to their excitement, it was impossible to catch what was said. When quiet was restored, Mr. Trickey said "Mc. you have not dealt squarely with me in this matter."
(McHenry) "What about the agreement, have you been honest with me?"
(Trickey) "I did not know it was to be published, and did not intend it should be until Tuesday or Wednesday. It was as much a surprise to me as it was to you."
(McHenry) "Did you not say you would see me twenty-four hours before you published the matter?"
(Mr. Trickey) "I know I did."
(McHenry) "You agreed to see me at midnight Saturday?"
(Trickey) "Yes, but when I received you dispatch at the Gladstone Hotel, I was called to the office, and then for the first time learned it was to be published."
(McHenry) "Why did you not telephone me then?"
(Trickey) "It was too late then, and I did not want to disturb you."
(Mrs. McHenry) "Well, you promised to let us know 24 hours before publishing it?"
(Trickey) "I know that."
(Mrs. McHenry) "Well, you did not keep your agreement."
(Trickey) "We rushed the fellows down to Fall River this morning, and found all the names and addresses wrong. The whole thing crooked."
(McHenry) "Do you mean to say you were straight; were you not to give me $200 more?"
(Trickey) "I gave you $200. in Attleboro."
(McHenry) "Yes, but part of that was to go to my wife."
(Trickey) "No."
(McHenry) "And was I not to get $500.?"
(Trickey) "Yes."
(Mrs. McHenry) "Wasn't part of the $200. which you gave Mc at Attleboro to go to me for the purpose of getting Bridget away?
(Trickey) No. I said nothing of Bridget."
(Mrs. McHenry) "Why, you certainly did, for you told me so."
(Trickey) "You dont know anything about the agreement in Attleboro, only what he told you."
(McHenry) "What are you talking about? That is just what you said at Attleboro."
(Trickey) "I never made any contract I did not live up to. No man ever heard me make a statement I did not carry out."
(McHenry) "O, yes, they have. You have not done what you promised in this transaction. Did you not promise that I would have $500.?"
(Trickey) "Yes, but the stuff is not straight."
(McHenry) "Well, that is your own fault. You promised not to publish it until you had given me 24 hours notice."
(Trickey) "Yes, that is so, but I could not avoid it; and now all the statements are crooked."
(Mrs. McHenry) "I thought the Globe's interest in these statements was of a secondary consideration."
Here the three began to talk all at once, and use the name of Adams; but there was so much clatter, I could not get the sentences.
(Trickey) "Now Mc. I want those correct names and addresses. Chas. H. Taylor Jr. sent five men down there to verify the story; and if I dont get the right names to night, a new story will be published in the paper and we will roast you."
(McHenry) "Then If that is the case, I refuse to give you a thing, and you may go ahead, and roast."
(Trickey) "Well, good night Mc. ----Now do you wish to reconsider before I go, and give me the right names?"
(McHenry) "I'll give you nothing."
(Mrs. McHenry) "Weren't you to get the stuff, the evidence,for Adams?"
(Trickey) "You dont understand the Attleboro agreement."

During the conversation all three were very much excited. I saw Mr. Trickey as he entered and passed from the dining room.

(Harrington)