Re: Dr. Bowen
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2016 12:30 pm
Again, I'm new to this board. But I had a few thoughts about Dr. Bowen.
First, to repeat from above, this was Jane Gray's witness statement: "Dr. Bowen’s character is al least suspicious. Four years ago, while the Borden family were summering over the river on the farm, Lizzie remained at home. One Sunday evening during this time, she and Dr. Bowen came to church together, and sat in the Borden seat. I myself saw them this evening. At the time, and since, there was much comment on this act. Some remarked how courageous she was to remain in the house alone; but others replied in a knowing way,
perhaps she has very acceptable company."
So this obviously implies not only that the town rumors were that Dr. Bowen and Lizzie were daring enough to go to church together, they were alone in the house a lot together, and pretty explicitly the rumors are that they having an affair.
I feel like an explanation of Bowen's somewhat odd behavior is somewhat similar to Kat's original idea that he was not so much an accomplice, but a bumbler. I'd like to add the possibility, though, that he might have been having an affair with Lizzie, or simply aware that everyone else thought so. But that doesn't make him an accomplice, or only the most half-hearted one. When he stumbled on the murder scene, he might have been pretty overwhelmed with thinking not only it was likely that everyone would realize Lizzie did it. Also, they might think (if they thought she was sleeping with him) HE had something to do with it too. Or at least, that the rumor of his and Lizzie's affair would get wider play than ever.
What looks like covering up for Lizzie may have been only self-protection.
He seemed pretty flustered at the scene. Unable to see that Abby was killed by hatchet/axe, asking Addie Churchill to go look at Andrew's body, etc.
At the inquest he was asked:
Q: How long have you lived there?
A: I lived across the street from Andrew Borden 20 years.
Q: You undoubtedly were well acquainted with the family?
A: Yes Sir.
Q: And intimately so?
A: Well, yes, neighbors.
I've wondered if Knowlton added "And intimately so?" to throw off Bowen. He's established that they were well acquainted. At the time, according to OED, "intimate" had both the connotations of "being really close with" and "having sexual intercourse with." Maybe he wanted to get him a little flustered by hinting at the rumors.
At the trial, his description of his relationship with the Bordens actually doesn't make sense. First he says their relationship is social is well as professional. Then he says he has "very seldom" visited the house socially only. Then he immediately says that their relationship is equal parts social and business. I wonder again if he's worried about rumors that suggest he's having an affair with Lizzie.
He could want to downplay any tears he had on seeing Andrew's body if such tears suggested he had an inappropriate relationship with Lizzie.
He didn't have to bring up the fact that Abby worried she was poisoned, did he? Because that's pretty incriminating! Which suggests he's not an accomplice. Unless there was some other record of it, or he told his wife about it or something.
First, to repeat from above, this was Jane Gray's witness statement: "Dr. Bowen’s character is al least suspicious. Four years ago, while the Borden family were summering over the river on the farm, Lizzie remained at home. One Sunday evening during this time, she and Dr. Bowen came to church together, and sat in the Borden seat. I myself saw them this evening. At the time, and since, there was much comment on this act. Some remarked how courageous she was to remain in the house alone; but others replied in a knowing way,
perhaps she has very acceptable company."
So this obviously implies not only that the town rumors were that Dr. Bowen and Lizzie were daring enough to go to church together, they were alone in the house a lot together, and pretty explicitly the rumors are that they having an affair.
I feel like an explanation of Bowen's somewhat odd behavior is somewhat similar to Kat's original idea that he was not so much an accomplice, but a bumbler. I'd like to add the possibility, though, that he might have been having an affair with Lizzie, or simply aware that everyone else thought so. But that doesn't make him an accomplice, or only the most half-hearted one. When he stumbled on the murder scene, he might have been pretty overwhelmed with thinking not only it was likely that everyone would realize Lizzie did it. Also, they might think (if they thought she was sleeping with him) HE had something to do with it too. Or at least, that the rumor of his and Lizzie's affair would get wider play than ever.
What looks like covering up for Lizzie may have been only self-protection.
He seemed pretty flustered at the scene. Unable to see that Abby was killed by hatchet/axe, asking Addie Churchill to go look at Andrew's body, etc.
At the inquest he was asked:
Q: How long have you lived there?
A: I lived across the street from Andrew Borden 20 years.
Q: You undoubtedly were well acquainted with the family?
A: Yes Sir.
Q: And intimately so?
A: Well, yes, neighbors.
I've wondered if Knowlton added "And intimately so?" to throw off Bowen. He's established that they were well acquainted. At the time, according to OED, "intimate" had both the connotations of "being really close with" and "having sexual intercourse with." Maybe he wanted to get him a little flustered by hinting at the rumors.
At the trial, his description of his relationship with the Bordens actually doesn't make sense. First he says their relationship is social is well as professional. Then he says he has "very seldom" visited the house socially only. Then he immediately says that their relationship is equal parts social and business. I wonder again if he's worried about rumors that suggest he's having an affair with Lizzie.
He could want to downplay any tears he had on seeing Andrew's body if such tears suggested he had an inappropriate relationship with Lizzie.
He didn't have to bring up the fact that Abby worried she was poisoned, did he? Because that's pretty incriminating! Which suggests he's not an accomplice. Unless there was some other record of it, or he told his wife about it or something.