I was reading thru the witness statements and I got confused. I thought Lizzie said that she was in the barn for 20 minutes. John fleet said in his statement when he qustioned her, she said that she was ironing handkerchiefs in the dining room and went to the barn, upstairs and remained for 1/2 hour. Was she there for 20 minutes or 30 minutes? Which is it?
Suicide is painless It brings on many changes and I will take my leave when I please.
I think only Lizzie knows how long she was in the barn- or I should say how long she said she was in the barn- so if one checks her inquest testimony- there will be what she says she said.
Yes you are correct about the 20 minutes.
Lizzie
inquest
69(26)
Q. Whereabouts in the barn did you go?
A. Up stairs.
Q. To the second story of the barn?
A. Yes sir.
Q. How long did you remain there?
A. I don't know, fifteen or twenty minutes.
_____
75(32)
Q. Was the window open?
A. I think not.
Q. Hot?
A. Very hot.
Q. How long do you think you were up there?
A. Not more than fifteen or twenty minutes, I should not think.
Q. Should you think what you have told me would occupy four minutes?
A. Yes, because I ate some pears up there.
Q. Do you think all you have told me would take you four minutes?
A. I ate some pears up there.
Harrington, in The Witness Statements, page 5, gives this as Lizzie's account:
Thursday Aug. 4, 1892.
Miss Lizzie. “Saw father, when he returned from the P.O. He sat down to read the paper. I went out to the barn, remained twenty minutes; returned, and found him dead."
Harrington, again, page 6: To the Marshal I said “I dont like that girl”. He said “what is that?” I repeated, and further said “under the circumstances she does not act in a manner to suit me; it is strange, to say the least.” . . . I then said to him “if any girl can show you or me, or anybody else what could interest her up here for twenty minutes, I would like to have her do it.” The Marshal shook his head, and said something about it being incredible; his words I cannot give. etc.
Fleet does say Lizzie said she remained in the barn half an hour (page 2), and Uncle Hiram Harrington says: "She went to the barn, where she stayed twenty minutes, or half an hour."- page 11
He doesn't say Lizzie said this- he may be recalling what he thought she said, if he even gave this statement. It just doesn't sound quite like him.
I just always recall her standing steadfast at 20 minutes.
