Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Not long ago the question came up about how the Borden's got their mail. I thought there was a letter slot in the front door, but I now doubt my memory.

The day that the City Marshall & the Mayor visited the 'girls', the day Lizzie was told she was a suspect and all were told to stay in the house, this dialogue took place:

Mrs. Moore, a visitor, asked about the mail and she was told that they had better send for it.

I think that tells us that they had to pick their mail up at the post office.

(From the 'Atlanta Constitution', June 15, 1893, page l: "She Hides Her Face".)

Who was Mrs. Moore?

The day of the murders Andrew stopped by the post office to get the mail. Lizzie claims she asked him if she had gotten anything and he replied in the negative.

When I was at the house yesterday, I noticed there was a LETTERS slot in the front door. That could have been put it post 1892.

On the Saturday evening after the crimes Mayor Coughlin and Chief Hilliard paid their visit to the Borden house. In Hilliard's trial testimony, p1118, he said in part:

"... I think Mr. Morse it was spoke up and wanted to know how they was going to get their mail from the post office, and the mayor told them it would be better to send somebody for it on account of so much excitement as there was there at the present time around the house. ..."

On cross-examination, p1150, he was asked:

"Q. And then there was the talk about the mail, getting the mail. That was comparatively a slight matter?
A. Yes, sir."

The 1892 City Directory lists postal 21 carriers (by name) so that would say that there was mail delivery. But I should think it would be more for business mail.

David P. Keefe, the man who secured the man to bury the bloody clothes behind the barn was a postal carrier and is listed in the directory. He apparently knew Morse.

I remember too Andrew stopping at the post office and LIzzie asking if she had anything. Maybe the mail slot was put in in later years?