In search of Bertha Manchester

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 8:38 pm

Another event which touched briefly on the Borden murder case was the tragic killing of Bertha M. Manchester about a week before Lizzie's trial.

On Saturday morning last, Stefani, Kat and myself with a few hours to kill before my flight out, set out for Oak Grove cemetery to find her grave.

Well, those who have been to Oak Grove know how large a cemetery it is, so where to begin. It's Saturday and the office looks closed. As we sat inside the gate another car pulled up and parked beside the cemetery office. Kat, in her indomitable way, goes over and begins to chat with the driver. We are not sure how she did it but she convinces this man (it turned out he worked in the office) to open up and find the location of the grave.

His kindness knew no bounds and he searched several files and pulled out papers and after a few minutes found the Manchester file. He made us a copy of the family card and even gave us a map with which he pinpointed the location.

With our map in hand we found our way to the grave. Bertha is buried in the family plot next to her mother Hannah. Beside them is the father Stephen C. and then the father's second wife. Behind them is Frederick's grave. He was Bertha's brother who found her body. There are other family members buried there as well.

One thing this man said which is rather sad, is that in all the 20 years he worked there no one had ever asked to see Bertha's grave. It turned out he was interested in her case himself.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 8:52 pm

Thats sad that no one has visited Bertha outside of you guys. I guess the Borden case still overshadows the Manchester murder even now. Did you get any pictures of the Manchester gravesite? Its so neat how you all fit so much in in such a short amount of time.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:06 pm

Yes, Susan, we took some photos and we are trying to decide how to use them.

Now that we know where she is maybe I'll put her on the Find-A-Grave web site.

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:16 pm

Very cool.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:42 pm

Dolan took her head, you know. Stephen Manchester was especially upset at the necessity of that. He pleaded with officials to leave her alone. (According to newspaper accounts). I think if he had his d'ruthers, he would have made the police leave and would have buried Bertha on his land and gone on his milk route the next day!
We never read that her head was returned to her grave.