I was reading some of the inquest testimony and parts of it are down right funny. Poor Knowlton if Lizzie wasn't bad enough this exchange between him and Uncle Morse must have had Knowlton wanting to head for the nearest bar and hoist a few beers:
Q. What time did you retire that night?
A. Mr. and Mrs. Borden and me sat there and talked half and hour probably, and Mrs. Borden retired. Mr. Borden and me probably sat there until ten o’clock. He says, “John, is it not about time we went to bed?” I says, “ it is about ten, isn’t it?” I think it is.
Q. So, you both went to bed together?
A. No, he went up to----
Q At the same time?
Can't you just picture poor Knowlton gritting his teeth and wanting to really say, "At the same time stupid?"
The use of the term "passed out" brought a smile to my face a few times. These are from the trial, Vol. I
Bridget here is being questioned (page 289):
"Q. There was a talk, and Miss Lizzie was upon the lounge in the dining-room, was she, part of the time?
A. She was in the kitchen when I came back.
Q. But after that?
A. Yes. When I came down stairs from being up she was in the dining-room on the lounge.
Q. And Miss Russell with her?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And they fanning her, taking care of her?
A. I don't know. There was a crowd there, and I passed out in the kitchen.
Morse is asked (page 150)
"Q. And then he went with you and closed the door?
A. Yes, sir. Q. And you passed out?
A. Yes, sir."
And Fleet is questioned on page 523:
"Q. That is all the examination you made?
A. In that room.
Q. Then you passed out. Was Bridget all the time there, or had she left you?
A. Bridget was somewhere round at that time, that is, was up on that floor."
Of course they all meant that they were leaving the area. Either that or there was a bunch of prone bodies around that day.
I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
