Preparing the bodies

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 4:28 pm

Winward the undertaker's testimony in the Preliminary seems to indicate quite a delay in the preparation of the bodies. From pages 388-389:

"Q. Did you at any time receive permission from Dr. Dolan to bury the bodies?
A. Well, he delivered the bodies to me.
Q. When?
A. That afternoon, about half past five.
Q. For burial?
A. I presume it was for burial; there was not anything said about what it was for.
---------------------
Q. Now when was that?
A. Well, I should think it was about half past five.
Q. What day?
A. The day of the murder.
Q. August 4th?
A. Yes.
---------------------
Q. But between the time of having the bodies turned over to you by Dr. Dolan, and nine o'clock Saturday morning, had you proceeded to prepare the bodies for burial?
A. I had.
Q. And were they all prepared for burial?
A. They were.
Q. Do you know whether Dr. Dolan knew that you were preparing them for burial?
A. I do not know.
Q. Did you see him up in the house there, while you were engaged in it?
A. The only time I saw him, I went in with him on Friday night.
Q. Went in with him where?
A. Into the room where the bodies were.
Q. Were they then in the caskets?
A. No. They were on boards; they were not prepared then."

So if I read this right, the bodies were turned over to Winward 5:30pm Thursday but as of Friday night they still were on the boards and not prepared.

How odd that they lay a whole day on those boards. What was Winward waiting for?

bob_m_ryan · Post by **bob_m_ryan** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:35 pm

Harry -- it makes one wonder if they were on ice or not.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:19 pm

I think the term then was cooling boards and ice and rubber sheeting was involved on the torso section of the corpse- where all the soft tissues are involved in decompostion.

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:23 pm

Could you imagine seeing your parents laid out on boards rotting in the heat?! I'm glad they do things differently now.

-1bigsteve (o:

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:54 pm

I agree that they were probably on ice in some fashion. I just wonder why nothing was done from Thursday 5:30 to Friday evening. Makes me wonder if Winward was told to hold off for some reason.

Undertakers usually like to get right to work on a body. Considering the damage done to the heads of the Bordens I would have thought Winward would have wanted as much time as possible to work on them.

According to the newspapers Andrew's casket was closed for the service on Saturday morning. Abby's was opened from the waist up. It was said that Lizzie came down early on Saturday morning to view and kiss her father so the casket must have been opened at least at that time.

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:44 am

Back in 1981 I was speaking with an elderly lady. She complained about how "These days, they stick them in the ground before they're even cold." She said in the olden days (not sure what era she was referring to) the body was kept at home in the drawing room for upwards of a week.

So, the Bordens went thru the process quite quickly.

She didn't mention anything re embalming.

I suppose Winward may have been asked to wait in case they wanted to do more autopsy work?

nbcatlover · Post by **nbcatlover** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:48 pm

Modern emblaming started because of the Civil War. Formaldehyde was invented by a Russian. Who knew?

Some history, some laughs at this link:
http://www.rotten.com/library/death/embalming/

nbcatlover · Post by **nbcatlover** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:53 pm

Wasn't Winwood called to the stand because the ring Andrew was supposed to wear was missing (Lizzie's school ring)?

diana · Post by **diana** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:48 pm

nbcatlover @ Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:53 am wrote:Wasn't Winwood called to the stand because the ring Andrew was supposed to wear was missing (Lizzie's school ring)?

He wasn't of much help in this regard, apparently.

"Q. (By Mr. Jennings.) Your name?
A. James E. Winwood.
Q. You are an undertaker?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you have charge of the funeral of Andrew J. Borden and his wife?
A. I did.
Q. While you were preparing Mr. Borden's body for the grave, did you observe whether or not he had any ring upon his finger?
A. I cannot remember positively now: I cannot remember positively.
Q. Did you see him have any ring upon his finger while you were having anything to do with him?
A. I cannot remember so long ago.
MR. JENNINGS. That is all, sir.
MR. KNOWLTON. Nothing." (Trial, 1496)

BTW -- is it Winward or Winwood? Rebello (and Hoffman) have him as Winward -- but the testimonies say Winwood. We probably cleared this up before and I'm just not remembering....

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:50 pm

It's Winward. The source docs give typos. Whenever I read them, it always makes me think of 70s singer, Steve Winwood.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:20 pm

The 1892 City Directory (p606) lists it as Winward.

"Winward, James E., carpets and furniture; also undertaker, 13 South Main, house 34 Hanover"

diana · Post by **diana** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:04 pm

Thanks, guys. Winward it is, then!

I went back and looked in the archives and we'd had a bit of a discussion in about this in 2002 where we wondered if it was the stenographer mishearing because of an accent -- but Harry, you pointed out at that time that Annie White was the Prelim steno while Frank Burt performed that duty at the trial -- so that argument doesn't hold water. I wonder why they got it wrong?

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:09 pm

I haven't read much about the Borden's burial. Were they in fact embalmed? I know they did autopsies, then when they were brought to the cemetary, the heads were removed (without the families knowledge) and sent to where???? I'm not sure why they did this even. Was it to see what type of weapon actually hit the skull?

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:03 am

If you look carefully at the autopsies - the wording - the suggestion at least is that neither Andrew nor Abby were embalmed, based purely on the condition of their internal organs. Embalmed organs would have been in better shape I would think. If memory serves though, the stomachs were immediately removed and sent by messenger up to Boston where they were examined by Dr. Wood for signs of poisoning.

It's rather a morbid thought, but Abraham Lincoln was apparently embalmed at least twice in 1865. When the grave and casket were last opened in late September 1901, those who viewed the body reported that the corpse was obviously that of Mr. Lincoln - hisfeatures were still recognizable nearly 36 and one half years later.

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:27 pm

"Winwood" could be what she heard, even as a New Englander herself.

Lincoln has Andrew's casket open, with the bad side of his face cuddled into the casket pillow, but this may or may not be one of her inventions.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue May 06, 2008 12:13 am

What I wrote in the Privy:

Dolan in the Preliminary Hearing seems to say that:
He did a "partial" autopsy on the 4th.
He did the full autopsy on the 11th.
He had the bodies buried on the 17th without their heads.
He had photos of the defleshed skulls taken on Monday the 22nd of August, the day the Prelim was postponed.

When I was interviewed for the video, I talked about the bodies being in the dining room unprepared until Friday night. Out of 90 minutes of talking on camera, they kept that part and included it, for some reason. It struck me as it did you Har- macabre maybe- and so it struck the producer.

Rebello, 103 has this:
"The bodies were each placed in a cedar casket covered with black cloth. On the casket of Mr. Borden was an ivy wreath; on that of Mrs. Borden a bouquet of [white] roses, [ferns and pea blossoms tied with a white satin ribbon]. The caskets were both placed in the sitting room. The remains of Mr. and Mrs. Borden were exposed for view."--"The Borden Horror / The Latest Developments in the Case / Burial of the Victims of the Tragedy," Fall River Evening News, Saturday, August 6, 1892: 1.

It's been my impression both bodies were shown at the service at the house. I guess we can look further.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue May 06, 2008 3:33 am

I've looked in other papers and not found a reference to whether the caskets were open or not open. They just don't specify that. I don't think we have access to that newspaper for that date, cited.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:40 am

Sullivan, in his book (p39) has the following:

"Mrs. Abby Borden Whitehead Potter remembers the occasion, remembers the sadness and shock which she, even as a child of nine, felt at the loss of her kindly aunt. Here is how she described the funeral scene eighty-one years after it took place:
"The two black caskets were in the Borden sitting room side by side. Andrew Borden's casket was completely closed but Abby's was not: it was half open---or open to about the waist---so that Mrs. Borden's face and upper body were on view. ..."

Abby Potter's version may be the only one of a person that was actually there. Of course both caskets may have been open at one time or another that morning. Abby describes what it was when she was there.

Spiering, on page 62 has this:

"In the first-floor sitting room where Andrew had been butchered, two black caskets were placed side by side. The lid on Andrew's casket was shut but Abby's was half-open so that her face and upper body could be viewed by guests."

Spiering who obviously "borrowed" from other authors may have used Sullivan.

Williams in her book has the coffins in the dining room. She may have gotten that from the Aug. 6th Herald News report:

"The bodies were laid out in the dining room, with their heads toward the east."

Ask three sources about anything in this case and you will get 3 different answers. Depends on who you believe.

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:09 pm

Embalming was certainly being practiced in the United States at this time, as a result of the Civil War. Whether or not embalming had made its way to old Fall River is another question. Most early undertakers in the Fall River area made caskets, furniture, and had a funeral coach with horses for processions. The first and only mortuary school in Massachusetts was the Oriental School of Embalming that was bought out by chemical manufacturer, Arnold Johnson Dodge who founded the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science, & Embalmling in Boston. If I'm not mistaken, the Oriental School of Embalming was founded around 1896. Undertaker James E. Winward would not have attended mortuary school. Unless he was a Fall River pioneer in arterial injection with formaldehyde or arsenic, I highly doubt that Andrew & Abby were embalmed. When Abby and Andrew were brought to Winward's preparation room, he would have immediately placed them on coolilng boards to retard decomposition. Since he had no way of actually embalming the bodies, he most likely kept them on the cooling boards as long as possible before they were prepared. He would have bathed the bodies, posed the features (Mouth, eyes, etc.) to the best of his ability, dressed, and casketed the bodies. If Winward received the bodies around 5:30, he most likely immediately placed them on the boards, grabbed his coat, hat, and headed for the pub! Back then, there was only so much undertakers could do with traumatic cases. It probably took him all of 2 hours maximum to prepare them, since there was no embalming.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:14 am

Hello!
Are you currently an undertaker and are you related to our Winward?

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:03 am

I have no idea what these cooling boards looked like, but all I can think of is they must have gone through an enormous amount of ice in that hot weather. If no embalming wouldn't they have deteriorated alot quicker even if there was ice? Undertaker Winward--do you know if there is a law in Mass. stating that we must be embalmed? If so when did this law go into effect? How rude of me----first let me welcome you to the forum!

twinsrwe · Post by **twinsrwe** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:01 pm

Hi Andrew. Welcome to the forum; I hope you enjoy it.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:02 pm

Ah yes, a topic of great interest to me too. Here is an ad and explanation of one patent cooling board
"They date from the 1880s through the1940s. Such folding boards will sometimes have holes drilled through the top or have a caned top. These surfaces allowed for a better flow of air cooled by a block of ice placed under the board. Some will also have brackets that pull-out from either end and fix vertically. The brackets were used to suspend a cover over the body and ice to contain the cooled air. Examples without the holes may have been intended for home embalming only. A common maker is Gleason of Brockport, New York, and one of their boards with an 1880s patent date is in the picture below. The brackets are not extended. The Gleason ad shows a board with a cover held by the brackets and a second view of a collapsed board in its carrying configuration" We are familiar with the caned top on which we find Andrew Borden in front of the sofa in that famous and unnerving photo.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:31 pm

good article here below on the topic
http://books.google.com/books?id=X6yPNj ... 8i3U&hl=en

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:31 pm

Greetings! My name is Andrew Correia and I am currently an Apprentice Funeral Director & Embalmer "Undertaker." Naturally, being in funeral service, I have always been interested in Winward's role throughout the case. If Lizzie hired him, there is no doubt in my mind that he buried only the elite of Fall River. He had a home on "The Hill" on Hanover Street and his business was on S. Main, if I'm not mistaken. I highly doubt Mr. Winward had anything to do with the disappearance of Andrew Borden's ring. Being an Undertaker for the upper class in Fall River, I doubt he would have taken it.
Nadzieja, a dead human body immediately begins decomposing after death. Without the cooling boards, the Borden residence would have been unbearable on that hot August day. The embalming process retards decomposition and restores the body to a more "life-like" appearance, often creating a more comforting memory picture. There is no law in any state that requires embalming, although I HIGHLY recommend it. It is a dignified process that comforts families in their time of need.
Shelley, that is a prime example of the cooling boards that would have been used at the Borden residence and Undertaker Winward's preparation room.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:57 pm

Aha! Andrew! How wonderful to see you here! We were chatting about you just this weekend. I think many will recall you in this pose from last August 4th where you played, in an ironic twist- the other side of your trade! Never have two feet beneath a sheet been more convincing!

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:13 pm

Shelley, that was an absolute BLAST! I thoroughly enjoyed myself playing the deceased Mr. Borden. It was quite interesting, being on the other side of the sheet! I hope to be invited back for this year's anniversary. You were a WONDERFUL Lizzie!

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:36 pm

Shelley, Thank you for posting that link. It was a really fascinating article. I learned alot!! Andrew--again welcome and I never realized what was involved in this business. Personally I go along with embalming, especially after the link that Shelley posted. I remember when one of my elderly aunts died, the funeral director said that if there was a wake with an open casket she had to (by law) be embalmed, if she wasn't embalmed that she had to be buried within so much time. I can't remember the amount. I have a tendency to pass out in hospitals, that is the honest truth, why I find this type of information fascinating is beyond me. I can read this without any trouble, I've watched partial autopsies on tv (I'm sure in real life it's totally different.) without trouble, but I walk into a hospital or doctors office I can feel my blood pressure rise. When people were embalmed & kept at home was it tradition for someone to stay up at all times? In the case of Abby & Andrew because of it being a murder, did they do anything different from the custom of the times?

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:04 pm

In Massachusetts there is no law that requires embalming. HOWEVER, it is the policy of most funeral homes that the body must be embalmed if there is going to be a public viewing.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:29 pm

LeeAnn and I were just discussing this year's script which I should be starting on next week. I always love having a big cast all around the house and yard- makes it more fun for people on the tours to see the costumes and meet all the characters. I need a Dr. Bowen , Andrew- of course we will have to add YEARS to your youthful face!I had to be Lizzie last year in a pinch, but actually I retired in 2003 from that role- just too old and chubby! But I am finally just ripe for Abby, and can play that role for maybe 10 years with some luck. Not to mention- she has always been my favorite and most sympathetic from the family.

But I have some powder for the hair, we can get a fake beard, and I BET undertakers have little black bags! We will be having rehearsals in July.

Anybody else in Fall River on the 4th?

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:44 pm

I would LOVE to help out! Dr. Bowen may be a tad difficult for me to pull off physically. If by chance you find someone for Dr. Bowen and you're looking to add Winward into the script in some way, shape, or form, just let me know. I have access to a morning suit, typical of what would have been worn back then. Perhaps some grey gloves and a tophat as well. What are your thoughts?

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:46 pm

I think it's a done deal Mr. Winward!We will have a tent on the lawn this year also, as a comfort for the crowds, - and I think you will add just the right funereal touch of elegance and decorum suitable to the occasion.

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:52 pm

I'm very excited! I believe the typical morning suit worn for a funeral back then would have been charcoal or black cutaways with grey striped pants. A dress shirt with a wing collar would be appropriate with a puff/ascot style tie and a grey vest. Either a black or grey top hat with grey or black gloves to complete the outfit. black lace-up wing tip dress shoes would have also been worn. Any thoughts? I wish I had a photo to work with. Are you aware of any photos of Winward?

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:06 pm

Perfect- and of course grey gloves. And perhaps a pearl stick pin for your cravat? Pearls, the Victorian counterpart for tears, were acceptable in mourning jewelry used with jet, gutta percha, bog oak, vulcanite, ebonite, onyx, or other black stones. I collect mourning jewelry and go to Whitby whenever I can for the very best Victorian jet- it was a huge industy there after Prince Albert died. I have a large Victorian funeral book collection and I will scan a typical photo of an undertaker. There is a great little Shire book on ebay and Amazon called The Victorian Undertaker which is cheap and a gold mine of facts.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:14 pm

Here 'tis

To order for 10 dollars
http://www.amazon.com/Victorian-Underta ... cr_pr_pb_i

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:16 pm

Yes, most definitely a pearl tack for the ascot. Would you recommend a grey top hat to match the gloves or a black top hat? The cutaways will most likely be charcoal. I'm already preparing my outfit, haha! Did Winward have a beard? A photograph would be ideal, but I doubt one exists.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:22 pm

This is 1899 but the style did not change for years. Black top hat Mr. Winward, if you please. We have one at the house.

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:30 pm

Black top hat with grey gloves it is. The morning suit I will be wearing is almost EXACTLY what you have posted. However, the cutaways are one button. Do you know of anyone that has information on Winward?

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:32 pm

Yes I do know- I shall collect it and send it to you forthwith! Perhaps I can show you the coffins and cooling boards at the Swansea Historical Society some time. I also post undertaking Victoriana on the Oak Grove site link below. Yes, I suspect you will steal the show this year!

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:50 pm

That would be wonderful! What a wonderful webpage for Oak Grove. I didn't know one existed. Would it be easier for you to send it to me via email?

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:53 pm

That would be wonderful! What a wonderful webpage for Oak Grove. I didn't know one existed. Would it be easier for you to send it to me via email?

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:55 pm

Yes, give me a day to collect it all and I will send it to you via email. My email is [email protected]- it is all over the internet so I don't care who knows it. I have some nice old ads from Fall River directories for undertakers I will scan for you. I am hard at work on a booklet on the history of Oak Grove, which is how I have collected so many bits and pieces-although the topic of cemeteries and Victorian mourning has been nearly lifelong- mortician uncle, and living next door to a huge cemetery probably did it.

I am hoping my last job will be at a funeral home or cemetery office. I am a gravefinder for Find A Grave. You might also like my other cemetery site, http://yankeestones.wordpress.com/

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:15 am

There may be others here interested in Winward, so here is what I have:

Born 1853, son of James and Ann Winward (both born in England).
Sibilings in 1870 census:
Margaret-schoolteacher
Elisabeth-schoolteacher
Eugene- Teamer
Emily-at school
Ella- at home
James E.- clerk in store

The family then was living in Ward 1 of Fall River
James E. was born in Rhode Island

In the 1900 census James E. Winward and his wife Annie P live at 144 Hanover Street .They have one daughter Ellen B who is 13 years old. James Winward appears in the city directories with his business address at 13 South Main Street. He is usually listed as dry goods/carpets/furniture in the directory ads. 13 would have been about at South Main and Pocasset Sts.

In 1900 he has an English servant named Mary Dobson living with the family. Guess he was prosperous! In 1910 the address is 213 Madison St.
and he has another daughter, Helen B.

This came over from Len Rebello this morning/city directories
James E.Winward

1891 carpets and furniture; 13 South Main Street; house 34 Hanover
1895 carpets and furniture; undertaker at 13 South Main Street; house at 34 Hanover
1896 carpets and furniture; undertaker at 77 South Main Street; house at 216 Hanover
1908 James E. & Co. (William Ridings, Jr.) undertakers 174 Bank Street h.715 Madison

1910 James E. & Co. (William Ridings, Jr.) undertakers 174 Bank Street h. 715 Madison Street

1920 Winard, J. E. & Co. (William Ridings) undertakers and embalmers174 Bank Street

1930 same as 1920

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:48 pm

There was a large fire in 1893 which destroyed or heavily damaged most of the row of buildings from the A. J. Borden block north to Pocasset St. Winward's was in that row of buildings. So was Baker's drugstore where Dr. Bowen went after sending the telegram to Emma. I believe Pierre LeDuc's barber shop where Andrew was allegedly shaved the morning of the 4th was also there.

They must have been rebuilt if the 1895 Directory shows him at that address. Here is a piece of the Boston Globe article:

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:23 pm

I did not have access to a 1894 directory- would be interesting to check 13 S. Main for that year.

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:01 pm

Thank you so very much for sharing this, Shelley! Both Mr. Winward's beautiful homes on Madison still exist today. I wonder if the Fall River Historical Society has any old advertisements or photographs of him. There must be something out there. I wonder if he is buried in Oak Grove.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:52 pm

Yes, he is in Oak Grove. I did not check the directories for the 1900's for ads. I could not find any for the 1890's. Madison and Hanover were his addresses. Am not sure if they were renumbered later. I expect the Bank Street building for his business may still be there. This needs more of a good snoop around one sunny day.

I have had no luck with photos to date. The last Winward (Shirley) has moved to Methuen. But I suspect more could be found. I always have hopes.

UndertakerWinward · Post by **UndertakerWinward** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:05 pm

Both addresses for Madison are still standing today and they both look like older homes according to the Fall River Assessors Database. Certainly suitable for an Undertaker who buried the elite.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:07 pm

Well, looks like Winward made it to the Highlands! I bet he could tell PLENTY of good tales about his well-heeled patrons and what went on in those big houses.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:12 pm

Nice house and worth a tidy sum too.
http://fallriver.patriotproperties.com/ ... umber=1977

Oh shoot- the page expires after a few minutes. Guess you will have to take my word for it or go to the main site http://fallriver.patriotproperties.com/default.asp and type in the street.