Lizzie Borden Society Forum

In the Lizzie Borden Sourcbook on page 224, Bridget's testimony states that lizzies says "Come down, Bridget, run for the doctor; father is killed."

Now, if you look at the other way, the way I've always heard it, "Come down, Bridget, father is killed." Then, run for the doctor.

If you remember, Lizzie and clothing were clean and neat, not dirty. Which would fit well with the first statement that which is implying that LIzzie sent Bridget straight away for the doctor. There wouldn't have been any time to clean up if she did do it.

For the second statement to me it implies that there was a little time inbetween discovering the bodies and going for the doctor. There could have been time for Lizzie and Bridget to get Lizzie cleaned up.

What do you all think? My imagination must be running wild with me. lol.

If Lizzie did not need to clean up when she called Bridget downstairs, then it makes little difference how the various statements are arranged.

If Lizzie needed to clean up at the time Bridget came downstairs, then either Bridget didn't see her, or Bridget helped her clean up. If Bridget didn't see Lizzie, then it makes little difference as to the sequence of the statements. If Bridget helped Lizzie clean up, then they might have said anything, but the statements would probably have been almost identical, more rehearsed. I think they would have made it seem as though there was no extra time to clean up.

To my mind there is just enough variance between the two statements to sound about right. It sounds like two separate individuals reporting the same occurrence.

We should check testimony first, correct?

Don't you all have access to that, to provide facts on which to base further discussion?

I think Lizzie said her father was hurt. That's what I remember without looking it up.

Had I found my father dead, I'd have run from the house, not called upstairs for the maid, unless, of course, I had done the deed, and just needed to cover my tracks knowing fully well that the maid was not only innocent, but exhausted, as well. That would give me time to check myself in a mirror, hide evidence, fold the black coat, and look relaxed. Depending upon what Lizzie had been doing, the maid may already have been killed, too. Let's say Lizzie called up to Bridget, and Bridget didn't reply or come down ? Would Lizzie have gone looking for her ? Again, I would have hightailed it out screaming for help in the streets. But then, I am not Ms. Borden.