Edwin Porter - The Fall River Tragedy (Questions)

[violette]

I've read several books about the case, but until yesterday I had never read The Fall River Tragedy: A History of the Borden Murders by Edwin Porter.

How would you all rate the validity of the book, in reference to the he said she saids?

For instance he states that Bridget said of Mrs. Borden:

"She said that Mrs. Borden was a very kind mistress and that she was very much attached to her. Mrs. Borden used to talk to her about going home (Bridget going home) to Ireland, and used to tell her that she would be lonely without her. Accordingly, the girl (Bridget) said that she did not have the heart to leave, but she never expected to be in such an awful predicament. She had been terrified ever since the tragedy."

With Uncle Hiram C. Harrington, Porter quotes him as saying:

"Lizzie did most of he demonstrative contention, as Emma is very quiet and unassuming, and would feel very deeply any disparaging or angry word from her father. Lizzie on the contrary was haughty and domineering with the stubborn will of her father and bound to contest for rights. There were many animated interviews between father and daughter on this point. Lizzie is of a repellant disposition, and, after an unsuccessful passage with her father, would become sulky and refuse to speak to him for days at a time."

I haven't read a book about the case in a few years (if only I could get my hands on a copy of Rebello's book), as I've been reading this forum like it is its own true crime novel.

(Any typos are my own, as my Macbook likes to autocorrect everything )

[KGDevil]

I think Hiram knew that family very well. It's interesting that not only was Hiram married to Andrew's sister Lurana since 1854, but he lived many years in the house at 12 Ferry Street with the Borden family. This is the home where the Borden's lived until they moved to 92 second street. Hiram and his family lived there for some time after they had moved as well. This would have also made Andrew his landlord. The house was left to Andrew by his father after his death. It is the house that Andrew deeded to Emma and Lizzie to try to smooth things over after he bought the half house and put it in Abby's name. Hiram moved out around the same time the house was deeded to Emma and Lizzie. Coincidence? Mr. Rebello puts the year that Hiram first appeared at Ferry Street house as 1866 according to the City Directory. He also shows up there in the 1870 Census. But here are some interesting facts I've gathered from the Fall River City Directories.

1857. Hiram U. Harrington. 13 Ferry Street. Blacksmith.

1859. Hiram C. Harrington. 13 Ferry Street. Blacksmith.

1861. Hiram C. Harrington. 13 Ferry Street. Blacksmith.

1866. Hiram C. Harrington. 12 Ferry Street.

1869. Hiram C. Harrington. 13 Ferry Street. Blacksmith.

1873. Hiram U. Harrington. 13 Ferry Street. Blacksmith.

1876.. Hiram C. Harrington. 12 Ferry Street. Clerk

1884. Hiram C. Harrington. 12 Ferry Street. Blacksmith.

1885. Hiram C. Harrington. 12 Berry Street. Blacksmith.