The Fall River Tragedy

[LABRhush]

Any opinions on this book? It's one of the only books I haven't yet read about Lizbeth.

[twinsrwe]

Becky, I am so sorry for the delay in replying to your topic. Hopefully the following will make up for my rudeness.

I liked Edwin H. Porter’s book. I thought it was informative and given the fact that he was the Police Reporter for the Fall River Daily Globe and a correspondent for the Boston Herald, makes his book a must read. Just think, he was actually present at Lizzie’s trial. How awesome is that?

There is a free download of Mr. Porter’s book at The Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum & Library. Here is a link to that web page. (Scroll down to the Case Related Books section): https://tinyurl.com/y9dqob59

Note: Edmund Pearson's book, The Trial Of Lizzie Borden, is also listed there.

I’d like to get your opinion on this book, once you have had a chance to read it.

[LABRhush]

Hey Twins! Ha. You're not rude at all. Thanks for the info. I'm definitely going to check it out. I don't remember if it was this book or another, but I thought there was a lot of concern about yellow journalism replacing fact? Your thoughts? Although, you're right, I want to read anything by someone who was actually at the trial! Thanks again Twins

[mbhenty]

Yes:

Porter's book is not only the first written about the crime but a first hand account by someone who investigated the felony for the Globe as a police reporter. Thus, it leans heavily towards the guilt of Lizzie, as did the Globe.


Porter"s book does contain errors, such as his referral to the Borden farm in Swansea, and described as being in Somerset—along with accounts touching on hearsay and gossip. It was reported by some that his book did not sell well, that the public was fed up with the accounts of the trial that they read in the newspaper, and/or that Lizzie purchased most of the copies or made a deal with Porter and the publisher to purchase the rights. For what ever reason the book was always scarce. It is my notion that part of the reason that there are so little in circulation had to do with it not being published nationally and limited to Monroe Publishers a small firm in Fall River. There was no greater national distribution or publication.

But it you want to study the murders Porter's book is a must. Many other authors have borrowed from his account.

Interesting to note that Porter lived less than 2 blocks from Lizzie at the time of the crime, on Rodman Street just south of St. Mary's. He was also the same age as Lizzie and one year older. Though he lived close by to the Borden's he had lived in Fall River a short time, two years or so, when the murder's happened. (originally from Kentucky)

Sadly, Porter became ill early in life with tuberculosis and died at the age of forty, twelve years after his account was published. Also interesting to note that Porter had a daughter who also sadly died of tuberculosis at the unripe age of twenty.

[mbhenty]

OK LabRhush. You started this. You are to blame for having me ring my own bell and show off one of my treasures. Yep So here it is. (as it has been displayed many other places on this forum)

Below is a copy of my copy of the first edition Porter, The Fall River Tragedy. Also displayed is the salesman's subscription copy.

As a book collector for over 40 years I have come across many copies of Porter's first edition at Antiquarian bookshops and book shows and have had 3 at one time in my collection.

The salesman copy is very rare. I have only seen two others and both were at the Fall River Historical Society—and my copy. Striking luck had it that I purchased mine on eBay when the seller had no idea what he had. Though I did mention it to him during the sale.

To me, as a book collector, the salesman copy is more rare and valuable than the first edition. It contains only the first 48 pages then a place to list subscribers. As you can see in the photo below, originally Monroe Publishing was going to use Andrew Borden as their frontispiece in the book. They were threatened with a law suit by Andrew Jennings, Lizzie's lawyer, not to use any images of Lizzie, Emma, Andrew, and Morse, with no mention of Bridget or Abbey. They were partially successful. In the first edition of Porter's book Andrew Borden's image was moved to page 53(?) and there are no images of Lizzie, Emma, or John Morse.

[LABRhush]

Wow, mbhenty! I'm so jealous. That's so cool! Ok, I'm sold. I ordered it off of Amazon today. Thanks for all the insight