A Little Part of Fall River’s History Explained
In the latest issue of The Hatchet: A Journal of Lizzie Borden & Victorian Studies there appears a transcription of Assistant Deputy Marshal John Fleet’s handwritten notes, taken down the day of the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden (August 4, 1892). The last page of these notes details events surrounding several suspicious characters seen in the city of Fall River that Thursday, and days beyond, and Fleet’s updated report about the investigations into them.
One particular story related to Fleet involves a most unusual occurrence, and I have been stumped by the reference to the location in which it took place since I first encountered these notes in the archives of the Fall River Historical Society — namely, the site referred to as “horse heaven.”
From the notes of John Fleet:
Aug. 10. Wade. Chace Mill Spinning room
Saw a man at 1135 A.M. Aug 4. Saw a man
go in the bushes at Horse Heaven between the
Chace & Borden Mills. Acted very suspiciously in
jumping and dodging around went in Bushes took
off his shoes and pants, and went in the water
held his hands to his side as though he was holding
something. afterwards he and two others searched
around and found a paper bag with a banana
in it, in the water, and saw foot prints.
To be investigated by Harrington & Doherty and found nothing.
*****************
So after much digging and asking and social networking, I have the answer! My friend Cora Pierce tells me that Horse Heaven was a horse burial ground, of which there were two in the city. One was located between the Borden and Chace Mills and the other was in the South End of the city, on Stafford Road by the old Car Barn.
Here is a map of the area in question from an 1892 Atlas:
And this from the 1877 Map:
When in doubt, ask!