Lizzie Borden Case: Policeman Dennis Desmond
Dennis Desmond was a Fall River police officer for many years and was one of the men who conducted police interviews shortly after the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. A bit of background on Mr. Desmond appears in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts VS. Lizzie A. Borden; The Knowlton Papers, 1892-1893. Eds. Michael Martins and Dennis A. Binette. Fall River, MA: Fall River Historical Society, 1994.
“DESMOND, DENNIS, JR. 1854 – 1926: born in Fall River, Massachusetts, son of Dennis and Mary (Desmond) Desmond. He entered the Fall River Police Department as a patrolman in 1881 and in 1893 was promoted to the rank of captain. He served as assistant city marshal] and, in 1903, became captain of the Central Division. His wife, Adeline, died in 1923. By the time of his retirement in 1924, he held the record for having commanded every police department division in Fall River. He then relocated to Somerset, Massachusetts, where he resided the remainder of his life. He was the officer who investigated the burglary at the home of Andrew J. Borden in 1891. His testimony at the Borden trial detailed his participation in the search for evidence at 92 Second Street.”
His statements and interviews conducted during the police investigation of the crime appear in The Police Witness Statements, which you can download and read for yourself here, in addition to the complete Trial transcript, transcribed by the late Harry Widdows.
From the Police Witness Statements:
Monday August 8, 1892.
About 10 A. M. went to the A. J. Borden house with Charles H. Bryant, Officers Desmond, Medley, Conners and Quigley. Desmond asked permission to search the premises of Miss Lizzie and Emma. They gave consent. We searched the cellar, chimneys, sounded walls and floor; after which we searched the barn, out house, under out house, yard, lumber pile in the yard, and adjoining yards. We found no weapon, or anything suspicious. The search was complete about 1.30 P. M. (F. L. Edson, Constable)
D. DESMOND
On Monday Aug. 8, 1892., F. L. Edson, P. Connors, M. Quigley, W. H. Medley and D. Desmond went to Borden house, Second street, to make a search of the premises. Mr. Charles Bryant, Mason and Contractor, went with us to assist if necessary. I, Desmond, inquires for either of the Borden family, and Lizzie Borden came. I told her that we had been sent by Marshal Hilliard to make some further search of the premises. Lizzie said “if there is going to be anything done, or anything said, Mr. Jennings must be here.†this took place in sitting room. Hanscomb was sitting in the room at the time. While waiting for Mr. Jennings, Emma a came into the sitting room from front hallway, and said “if you only want to do some searching, you can go right ahead and search any place you ’wish; but if there is any conversation to be had, Mr. Jennings better be here.†I told her we came only to search. About the time we got ready to search, Mr. Jennings came. I told what Lizzie said, also want Emma said. Mr. Jennings said “thats all right, go right ahead.†Edson, Conners, Quigley, Medley, Desmond and Charles Bryant went into the cellar; had only been there a few minutes, when Mr. Jennings and Hanscomb came down. Mr. Jennings spoke about the lumber pile in the yard, and wanted us to be sure and search that before we got done. Mr. Bryant and myself (Desmond) looked over the chimneys. After finishing the east chimney, which is the one in the kitchen, we went to look at the one in the west of building. This runs up between the parlor and dining room. The side in the dining room seemed to be bricked up or cemented. While we were looking over it, Emma and Lizzie both said “if this front is in your way, tear it out.†Mr. Jennings was there at, the time. Emma spoke about a “lumber pile in the yardâ€, and thought it would be a good place to search. Mr. Bryant, and myself went into the cellar; and it was thoroughly searched by Edson, Conners, Quigley and Desmond. From there, we went and searched he barn, lumber pile, yard, privy vault and well, also John Crowe’s yard which is on south side of Borden house.
The search I am satisfied was a good one; but we failed to find anything. At the outset of the search in the cellar, officer Medley found a small hatchet. I wrapped it up in a newspaper, and gave it to Medley to put in his pocket. It had no handle to it.
On afternoon of August 8, 1892, Marshal Hilliard, John Fleet, George Seaver, Dr. Dolan and D. Desmond met at Borden house, Second street about three o’clock P. M. Mr. Jennings joined, and a thorough search of the house commenced. We started in the attic, and overhauled everything, piece by piece. From there we came down to second floor and gave it the same thorough search. This was continued until the cellar was reached; the same persons, with the exception of D. Desmond doing the searching there.
Desmond was also present at the interview of Henry Trickey of the Boston Globe, a story in itself!
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.â€
(McHenry) “What about the agreement, have you been honest with me?â€
(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.â€
(McHenry) “Did you not say you would see me twenty-four hours before you published the matter?â€
(Mr. Trickey) “I know I did.â€
(McHenry) “You agreed to see me at midnight Saturday?â€
(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.â€
(McHenry) “Why did you not telephone me then?â€
(Trickey) “It was too late then, and I did not want to disturb you.â€
(Mrs. McHenry) “Well, you promised to let us know 24 hours before publishing it?â€
(Trickey) “I know that.â€
(Mrs. McHenry)“Well, you did not keep your agreement.â€
(Trickey) “We rushed the fellows down to Fall River this morning, and found all the names and addresses wrong. The whole thing crooked.â€
(McHenry) “Do you mean to say you were straight; were you not to give me $200 more?â€
(Trickey) “I gave you $200. in Attleboro.â€
(McHenry) “Yes, but part of that was to go to my wife.â€
(Trickey) “No.â€
(McHenry) “And was I not to get $500.?â€
(Trickey) “Yes.â€
(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.â€
(Mrs. McHenry) “Why, you certainly did, for you told me so.â€
(Trickey) “You dont know anything about the agreement in Attleboro, only what he told you.â€
(McHenry) “What are you talking about? That is just what you said at Attleboro.â€
(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.â€
(McHenry) “O, yes, they have. You have not done what you promised in this transaction. Did you not promise that I would have $500.?â€
(Trickey) “Yes, but the stuff is not straight.â€
(McHenry) “Well, that is your own fault. You promised not to publish it until you had given me 24 hours notice.â€
(Trickey) “Yes, that is so, but I could not avoid it; and now all the statements are crooked.â€
(Mrs. McHenry) “I thought the Globe’s interest in these statements was of a secondary consideration.â€
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.â€
(McHenry) “Then If that is the case, I refuse to give you a thing, and you may go ahead, and roast.â€
(Trickey) “Well, good night Mc. —-Now do you wish to reconsider before I go, and give me the right names?â€
(McHenry) “I’ll give you nothing.â€
(Mrs. McHenry) “Weren’t you to get the stuff, the evidence, for Adams?â€
(Trickey) “You dont understand the Attleboro agreement.â€
During the conversation all three were very much excited. I saw Mr. Trickey as he entered and passed from the dining room. (Harrington)
An interesting article has surfaced about Desmond that appeared in the Fall River Evening Herald upon his retirement in November 1924. You can click on the article to see it in full size. It seems Mr. Desmond had quite a long and illustrious career!
Thank you, Richard Pirozzi for this find!
Fall River police department in 1900.