Article mentioning Hanscom

[Inspector]

A few interesting tid bits from our friend Harry.

https://lizzieandrewborden.com/hatcheto ... -reporter/

[Lorcan]

Thanks, I hadn't read that one before nor heard of the story. I clicked Harry's name at the bottom of the article and I'm downloading the rest of his articles.

I'll try to download the rest of the Hatchet articles this weekend. I'm a bit worried about older websites being extremely vulnerable to the new exploits that are being uncovered by AI, some of the flaws have been in the code for 20 or 30 years, and it's not just the latest frontier models detecting these security issues, so I wouldn't be surprised if we were to lose a lot of those sites at some point.

I have quite a collection of files, as I assume most of us do, so we could always come back together and help the Kooreys rebuild the museum on newer, more robust, systems.

[camgarsky4]

I don't spend a bunch of time on the McHenry/Trickey saga, but I do strongly suspect Adams was working Trickey behind the scenes. Adams strongly protested these 'rumors', stating that he had the cold or flu (or such like) during the entire drama timeline that is in the Witness statements.

But to Harry's final question...why? I think either the Boston Globe or Adams bankrolled Trickey in his bribery efforts with McHenry. I also think Trickey's death was conveniently timed and the means 'thought provoking'. What's the saying..."dead men tell no tales."

[Lorcan]

If you're interested in Wild West History, the infamous Al Swearingen (played by Ian McShane in the HBO series) of Deadwood fame met a similar end, and his twin brother, I think, was also killed in a case of mistaken identity.

[Inspector]

I hadn’t given much thought about personal notes until Hanscom was mentioned, other than the attorneys, reporters,and investigators.

I suppose there’s no stone left unturned when it comes to judges, private investigators, relatives, and any peripheral characters that might have left diaries or notebooks on their beliefs concerning the case.
Specifically someone who may actually have a connection to the case.

[camgarsky4]

Inspector -- I can't recall what primary source documents we've shared over the past year, but there are a number of non-official records which I think are highly instructional. If you don't recall or are unfamiliar with any of them, let me know and I'll post the info. Here are a few off the top of my head.

1) Nellie McHenry letter to Hilliard (I know you know this one)
2) Charles Wells diary (Alice & Elizabeth Johnston view of Lizzie's guilt)
3) Attorney Phillips to Homan Robinson letters (defense theories, etc.)
4) Clarke to Phillips letter (Morse sighting)

[Inspector]

I would be interested in number 3) the defense theories.
Thank you.

[Inspector]

If I recall correctly, Alice and Elizabeth had been close to Lizzie but got away from her after the verdict, but I don’t recall a diary by Charles wells.

[camgarsky4]

Click on image to enlarge. Sorry about the lack of good clarity.

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[camgarsky4]

ditto

[Inspector]

Thanks Cam I’ll read this in a little while.
Looks interesting!

[Inspector]

I didn’t remember that article. Fascinating!

[camgarsky4]

Diaries are the best sources in my opinion. Folks lie under oath, exaggerate in newspaper articles, fill out government forms wrong, etc. But no one who keeps a diary thinks that it might be read by other's decades and centuries later.

So you are reading their legitimate opinions and thoughts. Unfiltered and unbiased.

Not sure if the prologue included this tidbit...Charles Wells lived in the same house as Elizabeth Johnson, 24 Ridge Street.
His diary is also the source for the reception party thrown for Anna, Carrie, and Lizzie Borden upon their return from Europe. It tells us about how the male escorts home reacted and it was a bit embarrassing for Lizzie.

[Inspector]

Living together yes, but not the rest. Amazing !
Wow, I agree that diaries are the best source for the writers honesty, and they tend to be unfiltered, which is valuable.

[Lorcan]

I don't think I have 1, 3, and 4. Are these in Knowlton or Jennings? I have those books, but haven't read them yet.

The Wells diary was interesting - he writes more clearly than most of the journalists of the time. Two things stood out to me, both already known, but reinforced:

1. Andrew and Abby were expected to be enjoying the Swansea farm at that time.

2. Russell and Johnston apparently changed their mind about Lizzie's guilt at the same time. I get the feeling perhaps Alice gave a more detailed impression to Johnston about the visceral experience of watching Lizzie burn the dress - body language, facial expression, things that really don't belong in a trial, but two long-time friends might discuss in such circumstances.

[Edit - didn't realize Johnston was the recipient of the letter that Jennings said she didn't have to disclose] So, Russell and Johnston both had their own reasons, independently, and together it was even more significant.]

[camgarsky4]

exactly. That is why I find his diary entry so compelling and really irrefutable.

[Inspector]

To Lorcan’s point, for both Russell and Johnston to both pull away at the same time, they must have sensed things only a close friend could pick up on.

The dress burning alone, especially without seeing any blood or stains on the dress wouldn’t be enough for me to turn on a longtime friend. Because if Lizzie was innocent, she’s free to burn whatever she wants.

Also, there is no effort on Lizzie’s part to try and rekindle, unless it’s simply unknown to have occurred.
The letter of gratitude from Lizzie was a nice gesture, but for months of bringing gifts every Saturday while Lizzie was incarcerated, I’d think Lizzie would leave some evidence of trying to keep at least one of her close friends.

Could the ladies be under peer pressure from other friends to not associate, public opinion, or was it a complete belief that Lizzie may be guilty, that caused the rift?

[Inspector]

I think it also interesting that Emma suggested that Alice tell the truth about the dress burning, and I wonder if Emma was as quick witted as Lizzie, that the incident would surely get out, and therefore had to be explained.
After all, Alice did consult with the sisters before telling the police.

[camgarsky4]

It is really difficult to pin down exactly the months he is describing when their withdrawal from Lizzie occurred. My sense is that Alice was in November/December as the grand jury drama unfolded and that Elizabeth was roughly the same timeframe, but that is not made super clear.

Elizabeth was heavily into the social world of the Central Congregational Church, like Lizzie was. She was acquainted with the other Borden sisters, Anna and Carrie, who were extremely active in the C.C. Church. At some point before the Trial, Anna Borden's tale of what Lizzie said to her on the Europe cruise surfaced. Just speculation, but perhaps Elizabeth learned of that insight and, when combined, with the 'Marion letter', she changed her allegiance. .

It is also very possible Elizabeth and Alice compared notes and decided that 'where there's smoke, there is fire'.

All I know it is compelling insights that Mr. Well's shared in his diary.

[Inspector]

It is compelling, and gives the missing substance to what we would be speculating.