Lizzie comes into style

[snokkums]

I was reading thru some old posts and came across one that was very interesting and got me to thinking.

The post was titled "Lizze rides in style" posted by Harry on January 14th. 2002, at 8pm.

"When Lizzie was acquitted at the trial she did not return to Fall River from New Bedford by train. She went by carriage called a landau."

From what I understand, that's kind of the cadillac of carriages. Now, what I am wondering is if she stated living in style after the trail. I mean, she did buy Maplecroft. So I was wondering if she getting alot of nice things since she was aquitted.

[Stefani]

If I remember correctly, there were issues with her traveling by train. Timing of the schedule back to Fall River, plus the public scrutiny/crowd issues that her travel would have caused. Taking a carriage ride back would have been much more direct.

In order to take a train to New Bedford, one had to travel out of the way. Len Rebello says the train from Fall River to New Bedford was not a direct trip. That was one of the reasons why they chose New Bedford for the place of the trial in the first place----it would not be easy for Fall River residents to travel there. Plus the fact that the attorneys for the Commonwealth had their offices there.

So, traveling by this type of carriage back to the city seems not so out of place or extravagant to me.

Maybe Harry or Kat knows the answer to the Cadillac part, and if Lizzie ordered the carriage and paid the livery, or if it was sent to her by the Holmes upon her acquittal.

[Yooper]

A Landau carriage was a forerunner of the convertible automobile. It had a folding two piece top for use either as an open or covered carriage. "S" shaped Landau irons held the top in place, and I remember Landau irons used as a decoration on my old 1964 Thunderbird.

[Harry]

It is more than likely that the Holmes' made the choice of carriage. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes along with Emma rode back to Fall River with Lizzie. They went to the Holmes' house on Pine Street where Lizzie stayed overnight before returning to 92 Second St.

To avoid the reporters and crowds there was some trickery involved in her leaving New Bedford. Several newspapers reported that she had returned by train. This is from the Boston Globe:

"... Nobody among the sightseers about the courthouse knew that Lizzie Borden had left the building until she was well on her way to the stable, of which the deputy sheriff who has had charge of her is the head.
A few of the newspaper men knew, and thought to profit by the information by dashing wildly for the depot.
Her counsel, Andrew J. Jennings, told the truth when he said that she was going home immediately, but it was a good half hour before anybody knew

How She Was Going.

Little Abram Lee, the colored man who has driven her to and from the court house each day, knew all about it.
Mr. Kirby is his employer, and he knew that Miss Borden was to be driven in state to Fall River by the dignified and good hearted deputy himself.
Accordingly Abram executed various strategic movements to throw the curious off the scent, and in the meantime a handsome landau, with a beautiful pair of horses, caparisoned in absolutely new harness from bit to breeching, were being made ready at the stable for the reception of Miss Borden and her friends.
At exactly 5.32 o’clock the landau started. Neither Gov. Robinson, nor Mr. Jennings nor Mr. Adams was in it.
Messrs. Adams and Robinson were preparing for supper at the hotel and Mr. Jennings was at the depot, wondering whether Miss Borden would get there in time to catch the 5.45 train for Fall River.
Deputy Kirby handled the reins over the prancing horses, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Holmes and Emma and Lizzie Borden were in the vehicle as passengers.
The windows of the landau were tightly closed as it drove out of the stable. Hardly anybody noticed its departure, and in five minutes it was on the quiet road to Fall River. ..."

Probably Jennings knew but acted as a decoy.

Its interesting to note that it was said they arrived at the Holmes' house at "about 6:15" which, if true, meant the ride was approx. 43 minutes.

[Harry]

This web site has definitions of the different types of carriages. The Landau was the "Lincoln Continental" of carriages.

http://www.likesbooks.com/carriages.html

[snokkums]

Yup Harry, I went to that website; it was posted with the orginal post. It was very interesting.
But I am still wondering if she didn't go out and buy nice things after the trial. I mean, her father was a bit of a tight wad.

Just wondering if she enjoyed herself alittle bit.

[kssunflower]

I'm sure Maplecroft was expensively furnished. I would have liked to have seen the interior while Lizzie was there.

[augusta]

I would think that Lizzie went and bought stuff as soon as she was acquitted. I can see her in her 'landau': "Please, can we make a stop at Gifford's?"