Andrew's Visitor

[CagneyBT]

Fall River Daily Evening News, Aug. 23, 1890: Alfred French of Iowa is visiting Andrew J. Borden of this city.

Alfred D. French was the elected treasurer of Mills County, Iowa for ten years and one of the organizers and cashier of the Botna Valley State Bank of Hastings in which John V. Morse owned stock. French served as cashier at Botna Valley Bank until January 1892. (Malvern Leader, Iowa, Jan. 28, 1892). He then served as cashier at Mills County National Bank at Glenwood.(http://iagenweb.org/history/peopleofiowa/vol4/f.htm).

(French’s obituary is here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/556 ... d-d-french)

The following is pure speculation on my part:

It appears likely that French and John V. Morse were acquainted via their association with the Botna Valley Bank in Hastings. So why was French visiting Andrew?

The Fall River Daily Evening News reported on May 24, 1890 that Morse was spending a few months in Fall River and Warren; he could have been present at Second St. during French’s visit. Emma would have been home, at least until Aug. 29, when she was reported to be on the Raymond Excursion to the White Mountains (FRDEN). French and his daughter, Kate, who accompanied him, were reported to have returned home to Iowa on August 30. (The Malvern Leader,, 04 Sep 1890:)

Lizzie, however, was absent; she was on her grand tour of Europe but likely learned of French’s visit from Emma upon her return.

We don’t know if French’s visit was personal or business-related. Did Morse arrange the visit between French and Andrew and for what purpose? Was Morse more fully involved in Andrew’s financial or business affairs than previously thought?

This was almost two years before the murders. Maybe Lizzie’s dislike or distrust of Uncle John stemmed from what she perceived as Morse’s growing influence over Andrew, and that influence may not have been to her benefit.

[camgarsky4]

Yet another interesting snippet you've dug up!

An additional possibility is that Mr. French visited the Borden's because Morse was staying there at that time. So he was 'really' visiting Morse via the Bordens.

[CagneyBT]

Knowing what a vagabond Morse was, it's possible he used Andrew's address to host French's visit. However, since both French and Andrew were bankers, it makes more sense that he was visiting Andrew specifically.